New York Area Power Pop Page   Review of Songwriters in the round featuring Joe Mannix, Eytan Mirsky and David Raine at The Living Room, New York NY (December 13, 2000) by Sherman Boim April 1, 2001   The Living Room is becoming a favorite haunt of mine. On December 13th, Queens songwriter Joe Mannix presented a songwriter's circle with Queens neighbor Eytan Mirsky and also David Raine. This format is a popular way for writers to present their craft in a stripped-down setting. Nashville's Bluebird Cafe began hosting "Writers in the Round", where songwriters sit in a circle and alternate playing their tunes. Often the writer will talk about the songs as well, In New York, this format was popularized at the Bottom Line's "In Their Own Words" series, hosted by DJ Vin Scelsa. The December 13th show was a big success, hardly an empty seat in the house. Joe Mannix played songs recorded by his band "Mannix" and also some newer songs with frankly bitter lyrics as well. I told a friend that I could listen to Joe sing forever. His voice is clear and his range is vast, often settling into the higher register. Joe did not need to crowd the mike, his powerful voice filled the room. When he plays with a band, he jumps up and down and climbs on top of anything nearby, but on this night he restrained himself and just stomped his foot in time on a couple of occasions. Eytan Mirsky is a songwriter who had three of his songs included in the movie "The Tao of Steve". This show brought his return to the stage, and it was a unique evening, as he usually plays with another guitarist. Eytan is a big fan of The Beach Boys,The Rubinoos and Jonathan Richman, and their kind of tunefulness pervades his music as well. Eytan has a strong, deep voice and he takes care to convey the humor of his lyrics in performance. "Happiness" was a big treat for me, as I heard this song only once before as sang by Michael Stipe and Rain Phoenix in the movie of the same title. A truly fun pop song, very well written. David Raine is a songwriter with a powerful voice who tells a good story as well. My only criticism of the evening? It was too short. I would have liked to hear more stories told about the songs being sung, but there was not enough time allotted for talk. Perhaps Joe can be persuaded to present a second circle?