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THE MIGHTY TASTY SONGSMITHS OF CLEVELAND! The Song Circle on the Local Stage at the Taste of Cleveland this past weekend was well worth the modest admission price of the entire event (I got in for 5 bucks with a coupon - a lady next to me bought tickets from some dude for four bucks and so gave me her coupons). Jim Miller was fresh off the road from a tour and he was singing big songs in a true and mighty voice - he also added some tasty licks here and there to others songs. This was the first time I had heard Jim play and I was suitably impressed! This songwriter circle was orchestrated by none other than Cleveland's own Annie DeChant as an extension of the Winchester rounds she has been putting together out in Lakewood (at the Winchester on Madison of course) and if you have not heard Annie recently please remind yourself what a powerfully engaging talent she is by coming out to hear her play - she shines her songs like diamonds and delivers them with a fierce conviction and I like her style more and more each time I hear and see her play and sing! For her performance last Sunday she was waering her cowgirl hat and some rose colored sunglasses and she had her accomplices singing harmony and playing guitar with her, wow, she is really real!! And speaking of talent, this was the first time I heard young Kate Voegel sing live - previous to this past weekend I had only heard her 'demo' recordings on Broadjam - and does she ever sing sweetly, with a beautiful enchanting and quavering lilt to her voice! She is playing Farm Aid this year in Seattle with the likes of Willie Nelson and Neil Young - heh, can you say wowy zowy?? I don't really know who to compare Kate's singing and or writing style with to give you an idea of who she 'sounds like', my advice to all you live music lovin' Clevelanders is listen to Kate's music, get her CD, and go to her shows when she is in town. Oh, wait, what's that you say you have no K.V. CD and its cold and raining and you are NOT going out NO WAY to ANYTHING you are staying right there in front of your warmly glowing PC?? Ok, no problem I have done all the work for you - here are some DIRECT LINKS to some 'demo' K.V. tunes hosted at Broadjam.com - just kick back and turn em' up loud now, ok?? Kate Voegele - "Footprints" Kate Voegele - "Wedding Song" Kate Voegele - "Facing Up" Kate Voegele - "Good Old Self" Kate Voegele - "Where The Sidewalk Cracks" OPEN MIC WEDNESDAY AT ARABICA U.C. Last nights Open Mic at U.C. Arabica was good but attendance by artists was light compared to last week. It's only the attendance of musicians, singers, poets, and writers that make the Open Mic night happen. I just want to thank a few Open Mic participants (if your name is not in here then you should come by on Wednesday night) : Alex Brandy Allan Madej Audra Kubat Brent Kirby Brian Catherine Clyatt Chelsea Ryan Chris, Liz, and Stella Danny McNamara Dick GERMAINE SCUDIERE Jeff Jeff Lakatos Jim Snively Laura Webster Mark and Jack Mark Ruppe Mike Allen Naomi Peter Smakula Ryan Anderson Viola Xela Special thanks to Miriam for playing this week and last week, and the weeks before that - I look forward to hearing her sing and always grateful to have her talent and company on Wednesday nights - hope to keep seeing and hearing Miriam! Special thank you to Chelsea R. and Allan M. for playing at many of the Wednesday Open Mic events, and other Open Mic events around town - they are two really talented artists/players/singers and nice company as well!! Come and see them at the UC Arabica when they perform!!