Steemit's Official Open Mic Judge @Verbal-D's Top 5 Entries For Week 74 (Original Blog)
Steemit Open Mic Week 74
My Top 5 In Order
As one of the 6 judges, and as an original artist also, I aim to represent the best original artists in this contest from our wonderful Steemit community. I am keeping my ears open for cover artists as well, don't worry but creating an original song is indeed impressive, especially if executed and performed well. Best of skill and performance to you all next week. This week was filled with so many wonderful artists, even amongst the high amount of entries, and there were still many talented performers who entered, so forgive me if I didn't list you, I definitely heard everyone's entries. Also, be sure to check out the other judges' top picks for the week, @krystle, @soundlegion, @passion-ground, @meno, and @luzcypher, who hosts the Open Mic Contest. See you next week! And don't forget to please vote for @Pfunk as witness, who is our biggest supporter and sponsor for this Open Mic Contest.
1. @lucybanks' "My Delirium" By Ladyhawke Cover Song
Easily one of your best performances thus far. I can tell you worked on this entry until you perfected it to the best of your ability and it was not for naught. I recognised true effort and careful singing and you know how much we enjoy your beautiful performances with that lulling voice you have been gifted with. You highlighted the tonalities that are true to your range without question as you pointed out, and the tight harmonies that guide your main vocal forward in this musical journey were such a treat. Great cover choice, as you bring the melancholic vibes fused with a dream state frequency that intwine into a wonder of a sound. This almost tops one of your original songs you submitted a while while back, and you came one hundred percent this week. So glad you shared this with us, this is indeed a winning entry no matter if you place or not. Looking forward to your next entry.
https://steemit.com/openmic/@lucybanks/steemit-open-mic-week-74-my-delirium-cover
2. @addiesworld's "Knew Better" Original Song
As one of our profilic and highly talented original songwriters, you are no stranger to being placed in our top 5 lists. You have the qualities of a true performer. You pour your all into every entry, soul mind, heart, and everything in the kitchen sink lol It's not just the tonality of your silk smooth lamentations, or your high energy vibes of positivity in your vast selection of originals, it is your ability to craft catchy melodies, which for a lot of original artists, seems to be a difficult task. You have gotten the formula down naturally and your entries are engaging without being overly repetitive. When conviction and passion bring to life the creations you have mapped out, it is just an instant connection with your moving pieces that are filled with stories and emotions we all can relate to. I should have Knew Better, when I clicked on your video it would be something profound and worthwhile. Thanks for sharing with us yet again another gem. Looking forward to your next entry.
https://steemit.com/openmic/@addiesworld/steemit-openmic-week-74-original-knew-better
3. @nathankaye's "Lucky Man" Original Song
Lo and behold, I can definitely say I completely relate to this song personally, hands down. It's hard to argue with anyone your multi-talented range in so many areas of artistic presentation, you have gripped so many's attention with this one. This was such a great original jam, and you have a skilful way of controlling the tempo and fluidity of your music while displaying your storytelling aptitude. You nailed it all, from the percussion to the wonderful array of instruments and your rocking vocals that drive this insightful message of how blessed a man can be to have such a woman who draws so much attention. I loved the section of the man doing the handstand on a beer can, impressing those who were passerbys and you were expecting something profound from him, but got the same reply. Sometimes it's like that, and this brought me back down memory lane, and I am sure these situations will be expected to occur in the near future. I have a beautiful wife by my side, we met in San Francisco, had many walks throughout the city just like your song describes lol go figure right? Perfect song for us. This song was just a nice reminder to tie it all in and with the skills you have honed and perfected, let's just say the women could have been talking to your ex about you, the way the men were speaking to you about her as well. lol Thanks for this super energetic and memorable entry. Looking forward to your next one.
4. @tomashofficial's "Neither Here Nor There" Original Song
You played this so wonderfully and near effortlessly. This was a naturally, well put together original that provides insight to the feelings that bring us down, yet is contrasted with the uplifting chords of your soothing guitar. If only couples within relationships could communicate in this matter to help mend the issues that tear those once in love apart. A profound string of lyrics that really hit me with deep reflection was All I ever wanted was to be loved,
But all I ever needed was to give love. Your experienced tenor voice really delivers swiftly the painfully raw emotions across. This was really a brilliant performance and you just keep rolling out high quality entries that continue to make us judge's second guess and rearrange our lists. Thanks for keeping the standards high for the Open Mic Contest, thanks for this gem as well, and looking forward to what you come up with next.
5. @melissakellie's "One Last Day" Original Song
Without a doubt, as others have stated, you have a serenading voice built for movie scores. That is truly a wonderful quality to have. I would much rather listen to this sweet sounding and profound original on repeat than my daughter Harmony asking me to play Disney's Frozen's "Let It Go" for the 100th time in a row. The first verse sums up the beautiful and touching sentiments of the entire song , "If I only had one more day I know what I'd do. I'd think of all the memories that I spent with you. Time it goes so slowly when you want it to So if I only had one last day. I'd spend it all with you"
Life is indeed fleeting and we never know what each day or night will bring. We must cherish them to the maximum of our ability and your song truly embodied this life lesson in the most wonderful way. The Open Mic community welcomes you warmly and appreciate you beautiful voice and creative gifts without a doubt. Looking forward to your next entry, this was one impacting first entry!
Honourable Mentions
My Top 7 In A Particular Order : )
1. @crisvalquin's "Hermoso Nombre" By Hillsong Cover Song
Anybody saying this man cannot sing, is a complete liar lol So much passion, he truly body slammed this entry with a wonderful song of praise of the highest conviction to Jesus Christ. I didn't even know it was a praise and worship song until I saw the lyrics translated in the post. God has blessed you with some powerful vocals.
https://steemit.com/openmic/@crisvalquin/steemit-open-mic-week-74-hermoso-nombre-hillsong-cover-by-crisvalquin
2. @paintingangel's "Moon Hanging Low" Original Song
Very raw and emotional original, you performed this well and was the complete opposite of something that sucks. Please keep sharing and singing
https://steemit.com/openmic/@paintingangels/steemit-open-mic-week-74-moon-hanging-low-original-song-by-paintingangels-serena
3. @etemi's "Flying Without Wings" Cover Song
You know you can sing without a doubt, I can have a whole album of original music from you playing throughout the day. If that isn't the best compliment to get, I don't know what is lol
https://steemit.com/openmic/@etemi/flying-without-wings-cover-by-e-t-e-m-i-steemit-openmic-entry-week-74
4. @mrbloom's "Never Grow Old" Original Song
I love the positive vibes and feel good ambience you create with your guitar and singing with this one. You really explored your voice on the catchy chorus, those falsetto sections paid off, and the overall message is one to admire for all of our ways of living.
https://steemit.com/openmic/@mrbloom/steemit-open-mic-week-74-original-song-never-grow-old-by-darren-claxton
5. @zipporah's "Bandit" Original Song
Keep exposing your raw emotions and storytelling through that beautiful voice, it is so cool to get insight about you and your past and how much people and things have impacted you on a deeper level. This is truly a lyrical song with creative subtle poetic nuances.
https://steemit.com/openmic/@zipporah/steemit-open-mic-week-74-bandit-original-song
6. @drewley's "Mystery" Original Composition
One of your finest original compositions yet, filled with so much mysterious wonder and light hope. We have our very own Open Mic pianist/composer of the upmost quality, and you are highly appreciated for your talents and gifts God has blessed you with.
https://steemit.com/openmic/@drewley/steemit-open-mic-week-74-mystery-original-piano-piece
7. @roman.musica's "Sonqollay" By Loli Molina (Traditional Peruano) Cover Song
You have a really nice quality to your voice, almost radio prepped and you bring this traditional song to life with an easing and captivating performance. Please keep sharing.
https://steemit.com/openmic/@roman.musica/steemit-open-mic-week-74-sonqollay-tradicional-peruano-cover-by-roman-musica
Special Mentions
I want to mention more people, but I keep my judging strict for a reason. Many of you inspire me and make an impact. There simply are too many wonderful artists here, which is why open mic continues to grow. Keep playing and sharing please.
Apparently a lot of people don't know that I, @Verbal-D, am a Hip Hop Emcee as much as I am a singer/songwriter/beat producer, so I will continue to showcase from now on the song that inspired @Luzcypher to create the Open Mic Contest that we are all apart of today. I hope it inspires you to write original music.
The Official Steemit Song By @Verbal-D, Feat. @Papa-Pepper & @EdgarStudio
To return the favour of @Fulltimegeek's generous support for him delegating 15,000 SP of his own to our @openmic account, which helpes to curate valid open mic entries, I had offered to take another song request for him and I would create a song of his topic choice, just as I had did in the past with Research PizzaGate, a previous song request I had fulfilled for him, and now, I am happy to say that I have completed this new song, which he titled "God Bless All The Nerds"
Open Mic Night Wk 74: God Bless All The Nerds
Here is my entry for a Mixtape Collaboration with my bro, fellow Steemian @Sirlunchthehost, who hosts and produces some of the amazing beats for the Steemit Animated Violence Mixtape Project (SAVM) Wk # 3
SAVM Wk # 3 Entry No.1: Released From It All
More original music from me coming very soon, stay tuned to my profile this week. I'll be releasing more live performances and professionally recorded tracks shortly.
Thank you for viewing and reading this post in its entirety, I hope you enjoyed it for what it's worth.
All Gifs used from Giphy.com
Next Post coming tomorrow
Wow bro! Thanks so much for putting me in your top three!
I’m so stoked!
And I’m so honoured that you took the time to really listen in to the story and music to make such a detailed Analysis of the song.
It’s awesome that you would recognise the artistry involved in blending songwriting with storytelling in this way, but then you are a spoken word artist so you probably get it better than most .
The Fact that you gave detailed analysis of every single entry in your top list and honourable mentions list shows that you put in an epic amount of work to listen to every entry and feel it as well.
Thank you for your hard work.
Blessings to you my friend.
🤙🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽⭐️🌟🎼🎶🎤
You're most welcome bro, as I said before, you earned it, and the songwriting and storytelling was fluid, and congrats on your win!
Hard work indeed but so worth it at the beginning middle and end of each week.
Blessings to you as well :)
Hey mate!
Thanks for your feedback on 'Never Grow Old'
It's a really special song to me that conjures up beautiful childhood memories!
Kindest as always
@mrbloom
You're very welcome,
So glad to share my insights for the gift of music you share with us. Really nice song.
Mr @verbal-d, I feel very honored to belong to your post, thank you very much for your support. Blessings!
You did such a fantastic job truly, I was so impressed. You're very welcome, blessings indeed and steem on
Thanks so much for the pick and lovely words :)
You're most welcome @tomashofficial, you do Open Mic Contest justice, please keep it up.
Fantastic array of selections this week, bro! Always love your special brand of insight to each of the artists you showcase each week.
Thank you very much bro, you know what we are all about, appreciate your support as always. This week was a heavy hitter and difficult!
Oh my gosh! Thank you so much for placing me in your top 5:) I don’t think I’ve ever received such amazing feedback before. Thank you for being so thorough with your choices and really taking time to post your most honest, sincere, and kind thoughts. Thank you a million times over❤️
You are most welcome, I am glad to give back to all the artists and you are definitely deserving of acknowledgements for what you share with us week in and week out.
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback in regards to my original. really appreciated x
You are very welcome, you make it easy to give such feedback and thank you for your voice and talent.
I'm so unbelievably honoured that you chose me as your number 1 this week.
What I really enjoy, is that you know exactly how much effort I've put in each time and so the fact that it's been recognised in this song in particular is such a huge relief to me. You always take notice of the amount of work I've taken in order to produce something and it just shows that you're an incredibly dedicated judge!
I can't thank you enough and I struggle to put it down in words how thankful I am!
You are very welcome. Yes I know it cause I can hear the difference in quality and tonality and overall blend and presentation. It definitely helps being an artist myself, I will go through a hundred takes back to back until I get a song done near to the level of expectation I set for myself and I am happy you have taken a risk to redo a cover song in your own version. Look forward to your future entries, so glad you won 1st place it was well deserved and you earned it. Ps: here is a tip, usually winners of one week don't win the next week unless they are extraordinary so don't feel bad if you do a great entry next week and you don't make it in the top 5 or honourable mentions list, this rule applies to everyone but sometimes we bend the guidelines a bit if as I said before the performer or musician gives consistent amazing performances hat are just completely undeniable. We try our best to share the rewards to all artists who are deserving of such praise recognition and acknowledgements for their efforts and sharing the gift of music in the community building competition. If you ever need your tracks professionally mixed and mastered for affordable amounts of sbd and steem, especially for easier tracks like acoustic. so let me know, my best friend @edgarstudio is a bonafide legend in experience as a music producer as well as a sound engineer. He too can sing ridiculously well and play piano and guitar and drums and I am trying to help him branch out more with projects as well as help aspiring artists up their song quality output, especially for original material. You should definitely give him a chance if you think about it. Just let me know, congrats again on your win
@verbal-d thanks a lot for mention me. It's a great pleasure!
@openmic gives me back the desire to sing and search for new songs every week.
Regards!
Ps. Thanks for correct my tag in your post
You are very welcome, you did such a great job. Saved the best for last on this week's Honourable Mentions list. You sang so well
We look forward to your future entries