The Tryout

So here i my first try at doing a podcast !!!

Basically I finally have a webcam (with mircophone) as well as the proper software on my laptop !!!
Ashamedly I have been fine tuning these 18 minutes for 2 days.

I just wanted to check that the whole process worked so that I can do more in the future !

If you have any ideas for future show themes (or have a particular request) I am open to offers !!!!
Either leave a comment here or, even better, tweet me at @DVVHolland :o)
If you found it ok and got to listen to it please let me know - I just need to know it worked !

Either listen to the link below or you can down load it from http://ia700801.us.archive.org/22/items/TheTryout/
 Please listen and (try to) enjoy !

29/12/11 ALBANIA

The

The Albanian Final was held on December 29th at the Palace of Congress in Tirana, hosted by Nik Xhelilaj, Enkeleida Zeko & Hygerta Sako.

The Albanian entry was chosen via the long running “Festivali i Këngës” which was celebrating its 50th edition. Before the final there were 2 semi finals on the 26/27th December where the initial set of 28 was whittled down to a final of 20. The winner ,as ever, was chosen by a jury and in Eurovision style each member awarded 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,10 and 12 points to their preferred entries. This part was quite funny because the presenters were going much too fast for the poor bloke trying to input the scores into the computer which almost brought the graphics to a stand still. By the end I think it was very close to breaking down! However there was a clear winner.

The winning song was “Suus” – meaning Personal – sung by Kosovo-Albanian, Rona Nishliu. Born and raised in the former Yugoslavia (now present day Kosovo) she moved to Prishtina when she was 13. In 2005 she entered the Albanian Idol competition placing in the top 5. She is very striking with her very large eyes (even larger mouth) and her long flowing dreadlocks.

Before I start there are some provisos to my analysis of the winning song. Firstly, the Albanian preselection involves an orchestra. Its addition does gives every song a lot of backbone, atmosphere and extra oooomph, something that won’t be there at Eurovision. Secondly the song is over 4 minutes long and I certainly would not like the job on abridging it down to 3. Thirdly, the song is in Albanian and as of writing I don’t really know what the song is about or what it means, which doesn’t help.

The song starts off as a quiet piano based ballad which then starts to get quite jazz-influenced in places. It is not exactly the most merry of songs and doesn’t really have a sing-along-able tune or hook to catch you and interact with. The song takes quite a while to get warmed up and build to the peaks in the chorus. The chorus however is quite extraordinary. The orchestration really builds and changes to unexpected chord sequences while Rona shouts, screams, yodels and yelps over it like Mary Margaret O'Hara on “November Spawned A Monster” by Morrissey. The instrumental part in the middle is also wonderful to listen to and has an almost military sound to it. Rona is a very inward performer, a bit like Max for Germany back in 2004 and the song also does not give a lot of scope for audience interaction. It is a very memorable song, but possibly not for reasons you would like a song to be remembered.

It is quite hard to give a full and round opinion because so many things about the song have to change. I would be quite shocked if the language of the song was to change. It would be hard, if not impossible, to set English lyrics to such a complicated melody and keep the mood of the song. We will just have to see over the coming months what changes are made and make a judgement then.

As ever, Albania are going to send a very interesting song to Eurovision and I can confidently predict there will be nothing else quite like this one when we get to Baku in May !

SONG  - Suus (Personal)

ARTIST - Rona Nishliu

COMPOSER - Florent Boshnjaku

LYRICIST - Rona Nishliu

LANGUAGE – Albanian (title is in Latin)

kjf

Newsflash 1

I cannot believe how much Eurovision news is coming out and it is not even 2012 yet!!!

Bad news first - both Czech Republic and Poland have confirmed they will not be particpating in the next Eurovision. Let's hope it is only temporary and are back for the 2013 round!

Three more countries have announced artists for Baku.
Montenegro internally selected the strangely named Rambo Amadeus described as " the self-titled musician, poet, and media manipulator". He certainly seems a very interesting artist with a very colourful and artistic manner. It is more than likely that he will write/compost/produce the song himself. Wondering if this is entry is going to be more like Laka or Gypsy.cz ...?
Bosnia Herzegovina seeems to have shocked everyone by NOT announcing Hari Mata Hari! In fact their star for Baka was on the Eurovision stage just last year. Maya Sar was one of Dino Merlin's backing singers in Dusseldorf - she was plinky plonky bad piano miming woman !!! It was also suggested in acrtles that she will be singing 'her own' song.
There was shock though with the sudden and unexpected announcement from Spain. Yesterday they internally chose Pastora Soler to represent them in the final. However it looks at though there will be a national final in February to choose her song. Although Soler's style is more flamenco she has suggested that she would sing something more pop-influenced.

2 selections are still underway - Slovenia and Belarus.
Slovenia is now down to the final 3 acts in Misija Evrovizija. Nika Zorjan, Eva Boto and duo Nika & Eva Prusnik will compete in the final on January 8th where 2 acts will proceed to the EMA show in Febrary when song and act will be set in stone.
The semi-final of Belarus's EuroFest took place on Wednesday 21st.The cast of 15 was reduced to a final 5 which includes Gunesh, Litesound, Alena Lanskaya, Victoria Aleshko and Uzari. The first 2 being stalwarts of the Belarussian preselection procedures while Uzari was a backing singer last year.

The next national final on 29th December sees the Albanians choose their entry via "Festivali i Këngës" which will be celebrating its 50th edition.

10/12/11 SWITZERLAND

The Swiss Final was held on December 10th at the Bodensee Arena in Kreuzlingen, hosted by Sven Epiney.

The entry was initally started through an internet selection process. Then the 3 language stations of Switzerland chose their entries, with varying processes and methods of choosing, ending up with a 14 entry final.

The process of the final itself was quite strange. The songs were not sung in full. Each entry was performed as a 2 minute mini-song. Apparently this would mean that the three 'judges' would have more time to talk to the the contestants and talk about the songs... However as the vote was 100% televote I still don't know as to how much of a smart move this was (unless the judges used their time to favouritise and critique the acts to influence)  The  jury seemed to make it quite clear which songs they liked and disliked, and were seemingly very rude the very first Eurovision wnner, Lys Assia (who is 87) about her entry and her singing.

After all the acts had sung there was time for televoting. Then the top 3 were revealed...
Chiara Bubey... Ivo... and... Sinplus. And with 17.87% of the total vote, the winner was...

SINPLUS !!!!

I loved this song from the first moment I heard it. Although I thought it was a great song, I had doubts as to how well it would do in a Eurovision contest. I thought it might be a but rocky (and possibly a bit too cool) for a Eurovision selection but I was pleased as punch it won.
There are some concerns about the singers accent, and there have been calls that the song should even be better sung in their native Italian. It would be interesting to hear an Italian version but I thnk there singer's voice is very distinctive and he sings quite well (his live perfomance was very similar to the single recording). The words are quite difficult to pronounce, even if you are English, so I feel that the calls about his accent are a little picky.

Also interesting to note that 2 for the top 3 (Sinplus and Chiara) were part of the Italian selection process, the only TV station that had a live semi-final... all the rest were internal selections.

Anyway, here are there semi-final and final perfomances that saw them get the first full ticket to Baku !

SONG  - Unbreakable

ARTIST - Sinplus

COMPOSERS - Gabriel Broggini, Ivan Broggini

LYRICISTS - Gabriel Broggini, Ivan Broggini

LANGUAGE – English

2012 - up and running !

We may not have a bone fide venue for the ESC but next year's preparations are already underway!

It is only the 1st of December and the Eurovision train is very much up and running.

Here is a round up of the Eurovision news…!

As of writing 38 countries have announced their participation!

The Czech Republic have already announced their schedule for the year and it does not feature an ESC entry. Armenia may decide to withdraw due to its political status with Azerbaijan, Poland’s bad run of recent results mean that their delegation is thinking hard before making a firm decision, whilst the situation with Slovakia gets stranger by the day (more later!) Montenegro has announced it will be returning this year, while the other 2 Ms (Morocco and Monaco) have also suggested returns for 2012, but nothing confirmed as yet. Andorra, however, announced they are sadly leaving the EBU and therefore will not be in this year’s or any future competition. Shame really…

3 countries are already into their selection period!

Switzerland stated the ball rolling with preliminary voting on the internet all the way back in September. The different language stations of Switzerland have made their decisions and selections and their final to select a successor to Anna will be on 10th December.

Slovenia have decided on “Misija Evrovizija” this year, similar to the "Unser Star Fuer Oslo" show which selected Lena for Germany in 2010. The casting shows started back in October and are now down to their final 5 candidates. The song(s) to be sung in Baku will not be revealed until the final which should be in the new year.
Austria announced 9 of their 10 finalists oday. The last entry will be via a webvote. Interested parties need to enlist themslves onto the OE3 website and the best judges performers will be open to a public internet vote. The winner of which will be given the final spot in the final!

6 countries have already selected an artist - although one is a maybe!

Cyprus revealed their entrant back in August. Ivi Adamou was an entrant in the most recent edition of X-Factor Greece, finishing in 6th place. The song will be selected internally by CYBC and will be revealed sometime in the new year.

Once again Željko Joksimović will be taking the stage for Serbia. Željko, who came second for Serbia&Montenegro back in 2004, was the writer of  the Bosnia-Herzegovina entry in 2006 AND in 2008 he hosted the contest and wrote the Serbian entry!  It is thought he will compose the song himself although no concrete details of the song have been made available.

Belgium’s entrant has been chosen by VRT internally, a method that worked well in 2010 when Tom Dice came 6th. Iris, or Airis as it is spelt in her homeland, is an up and coming singer who is on the same record label as Dice. She is only 16 and is the youngest Belgian entrant since Sandra Kim.

Kaliopi will FINALLY grace the Eurovision stage for FYR Macedonia. She was unfortunately one of the casualties of the very unfair pre-selection process of 1996 but she has been internally selected for the show next year. It is thought that she will pen the song herself and it is highly rumoured that the song will be sung in Macedonian in Baku.
Another surprise announcment is that of the internal section from France. Anggun is an Indonesian born singer-songwriter but has been in showbusness since she was 12. He repetoire has been in a multitude of langaues so it may be interesting to see what we get from France this year.
The maybe is Slovakia. Mid-November it was announced that Miro Šmajda (runner up in the first series of Slovakian Pop Idol) had been internally selected by RTVS but only 2 days later this was put into some doubt. Apparently there are some 'contractual isses' which need sorting- meaning he's probably been told he will have to pay his own way (like Natalia Barbu for Moldova in 2007)

December sees 2 national finals coming to conclusion -

Switzerland chooses on the 10th

Albania’s yearly “Festivali i Këngës” will conclude on 29th December.

"Alternative" 30 day challenge

Thank you to everyone who has read (or put up with) my 30 day Eurovision challenge. As with all of these challenges, I enjoyed doingd them and researching them a lot. I guess it ges to show that although it is 'just' a ong contest, for those who love it, there ismuch more than meets the eye!!!!

So what next...?

What I'd love to do is come up with another 30 day Eurovion challenge but with alternative categories. Thanks to @melodimen and @PauloPanic on twitter we came up with a few good topics such as :-

favourite wind machine moment
favourite key changes
best head turns
best strutting
best finger pointing
biggest semi-final shocka
biggest on-stage car crash
loopiest entrant
fave UK entry since Katrina
best/worst outfit
best costume change
most pointless gimmick
worst lyric
worst background dancers
artist whose hair was most likely to be set on fire
song with lack of tune


Any other category headers would be very much welcomed (the funnier and bitchier the better!!!)
You can leave suggestions as a message on here, or tweet me @_forky or leave me a message on facebook. If I can get 30 headings I can research them through September and post my challenege during October :o)

Day 30 - an entry that should have won

1998 Netherlands : Edsillia Rombley – Heme en aarde (Heaven and earth)
1999 Iceland : Selma - All out of luck
1984 Ireland : Linda Martin – Terminal Three
1989 Sweden :Tommy Nilsson – En dag (One day)

Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo many songs in the category. Songs already mentioned the challenge that ALSO fit under this banner include Amina 1989, Frederika 1994 and Urban Trad 2003.

Although we all have our personal favourites, there are songs which the consensus tells us will win, or songs that are mass fan favourites. There are also songs which appear to be 'too good for Eurovision' Many of the Dutch entrants in the nineties could be this. Edsillia really belted this fan favourite out with a professional stage show yet still only managed to come 4th behind Israel, UK and Malta.

Iceland were well and truly robbed of victory by those Euro-hijackers, Sweden. Their soon to be plastic faced Charlotte Nilsson flicked her hair during her ABBA-copied song about heaven. I wish did go to bloody heaven. Anyway, Selma's perfomance and song were just brilliant clever yet memorable, active yet not OTT. In my eyes she won.

Linda had to wait almost another decade before she won Eurovision. This Johnny Logan written number (which gained second place)proves that Ireland can do other stuff apart form dreary ballads or Celtic inspired folk songs. Love the hair !

To redress the Swedish balance here is one of my fave Swedish numbers. It came in fourth, behind Yugoslavia,UK and Denmark, although this song is much better than all of those put together.

Day 29 - your favourite entry to dance to

2010 France : Jessy Matador - Allez! Ola! Ole!

This song was just so brilliant! The whole performance was so energetic and to be honest the vocals did not suffer so much. It was relevant and contemporary and in way way showed the modern side to French music. On the night though it did not do too well, coming in arespectable 12th out of 25. On further inspection though the reason for this result is clear. Based on televoting ALONE, this would have been 8th. The jury, however, totally disagreed and had this an unbeliveable 22nd.


You can do nothing but dance though !!!

Day 28 - your favourite ballad

1984 Netherlands : Maribelle - Ik hou van you (I love you)
2004 Iceland : Jónsi - Heaven

Two very good ballads that also did not do well in the competition.

Maribelle had been tipped to do well in the 1984 contest,however even after an almost flawless vocal performance she only came 13/18. Some even blamed her unflattering outfit for her bad score. However, this song is one of the best-known of all Dutch Eurovision entries, has been recorded by several other artists, and is still performed regularly today.

Due to Iceland's good plaing in 2003, Iceland did not need to enter the semi-final for 2004 and had a guaranteed spot in the final. Jonsi's song is very lyrical yet what he actually says is open to a lot of interpretation. His performance on the night was good, as well as being one of the few who actually took to the stage alone. He finished 19th out of 25.

Day 27 - an entry performed by someone you think is hot

2007 Ukraine: Ani Lorak - Shapy Lady
2005 Slovenia: Omar Naber - Stop

Found this catagory quite difficlut to be honest.
ESC, especially of late, has been about good looking girls and not really about good looking boys. Shame as it should be about the music *throws up*

Day 26 - an entry that makes you think of someone

2011 Iceland : Sjonni's Friends - Coming Home

Although vey sad, I really enjoyed the story behind Sjonni's Friends.
The group won the Icelandic national selection with the Icelandic song "Aftur heim". The original artist was meant to be Sigurjón Brink himself, however before he was set to compete in the third semi-final, Sigurjón unexpectedly died, due to natural causes. Sigurjón's family decided, on reflection that they would like for the song to remain in the competition, and that it should be performed by Sigurjón's friends a tribute band consisting of Sigurjón's real life musician friends the band formed after his death. The song was then rewritten into English by his widow, Þórunn Erna Clausen.

Havng lost someone close to me very suddenly, the song makes sense.

Day 25 - your favourite song from a national final

1999 Sweden : Martin - (Du är så) yeah yeah wow wow (You are so) yeah yeah wow wow
1999 Sweden : Crosstalk - Det gäller dej och mej (It’s about you and me)
1999 Estonia: Joel De Luna, Mati Kõrts, Jassi Zahharov & Mait Trink – Opera on fire
1999 Belgium : Alana Dante – Ready for the sunsand
1999 Netherlands : Colors – Positivity
1999 Netherlands : Double Date – E-mail to Berlin

The reason I have chosen a bunch of songs from 1999 is simple. When I used to buy ESC videos from my ‘supplier’ he would fill up the excess tape with other stuff. When I bought a load of tapes back in 1999/2000 he filled a lot of the empty space with excepts from the 1999 national finals. It kind of shocked me some of the songs which did not get through – there were some real classics !!!

Yeah yeah wow wow – love the 60s feel of this. The visual of this with all of the TV screens would have worked SO well on the stage. Asm actually surprised nobody has nucked this yet…




Det gäller dej och mej – very Swedish yet not to schlagery. Not too sure Swedish rap ever took off…




Opera On Fire - let’s throw in as many music styles in 3 mins- even if they don’t go together !!!
Although I have the National final coverage on video, no copy seems to exist on line, so you will have to do with the vocal




Ready for the sunsand – pure Flemish dance. So Typical of the 90s scene in Belgium.





Positivity – This song really took advantage of the relaxation of language rule. 1999 was the first year a song could be in any language and not just an official language of the country of origin.




E-mail to Berlin – Well, this is just appallingly bad. Looks like a bad auction for x-factor XD

Day 24 - an entry that makes you laugh

1987 Israel : Lazy Bums (AKA Datner and Kushnir) – Shir Habatlanim (The Bums’song)

BTW, this one makes me laugh in a good way, not in a 'really embarrassing' way

I have very fond memories of this song. I can actually remember singing the chorus of this song (with other children) on a school coach.
I guess the song is funny lyrically, if you understand Hebrew, but the performance was quite whacky (especially without props and costume changes) and very much influenced by the Blues Brothers. The fact that the nonsense chorus is immensely catchy also helps.

Not everyone in Israel found it funny. The Minister of Culture threatened to resign if they performed.
They performed but he did not resign….

Day 23 - your favourite presenter/presenting team

2011 Germany: Anke Engelke, Judith Rakers and Stefan Raab

To be honest, the presentation teams are really something I don’t pay a lot of attention too… maybe that means that most of the Eurovision presnters have been doing their job properly. I guess the Samantha Fox/Mick Fleetwood of Eurovision was Italy 1991. Entertaining for the wrong reasons. The contest was hosted by 2 former winners - Gigliola Cinquetti (1964) and Toto Cutugno (1990) and the latter’s poor English skills not only made presenting the acts a painful but the voting at the end was excruciating.

However, I have not chosen that. I have actually chosen the most recent presenting team for Eurovision. The German presentation overall was very good and all 3 presenters had a great rapport and connection with each other and the audience and the participants. They were also able to balance the serious technical part of the event with some humour (Who says the Germans have no sense of humour!!!)

To illustrate this I have chosen 2 clips.
Firstly, the introduction to the reprise of Satellite at the start of the 2010 final
Secondly, an excerpt of Anke and Stefan doing their own versions of Euro hits (badly!) from SF2

Day 22 - your favourite interval act

1988 : The Hothouse Flowers – Don’t Go

There have been some pretty memorable interval acts. Who can forget Riverdance in 1994? Or the amazing camerawork and cinematography of the interval act of Norway 1996? Or the Madcon Flashmob of 2009?
There have also been some pretty awful ones too - yes I mean you, Guy Tell and your piss poor “arrow through an apple on my head” act – where 10 mins was wasted by him setting up the rebounds and balloons on the arrows - whereby the final important arrow actually missed the apple significantly… (even though Swiss Tv tried to fool us by shoing us the slo-mo replay of your rehearsal, which DID work)

This was probably the interval act I most clearly remember as a kid.
OK, I know it is literally just an extended pop video but it felt relevant at the time. It served a purpose, espeiclaly at a time then Europe was 'coming together' and this fact was being ever exploited. It was also catchy and fun.
It comes to a point where the most memorable performance or song is the one that is not actually in the contest XD

Day 21 - your favourite performance

1998 Germany : Guildo Horn & Die Orthopädischen Strümpfe - Guildo hat euch lieb! (Guildo loves you!)
2008 Bosnia and Herzegovina : Laka – Pokušaj (Try)

Guildo’s performance in 1998 was literally groundbreaking. It was the first time a singer broke through the 4th wall between the stage and the audience. This level of ‘interaction’ had never been seen before and however bad the song/singing his infectious personality and slightly anarchic streak made him a star. This highly individualistic performance gave Germany their most memorable placing for a long time and also came a respectable 7/25. Because of this, interaction with the audience is now much more mainstream and individuality is recognised and applauded.

10 years later another rather bizarre off-beat singer came to our attention. Representing Bosnia and Herzegovina that was Laka, with his sister Mirela on backing vocals, with their self penned song “Pokušaj”. Their rather eccentric staging, dress sense and dancing made them easy qualifiers from the semis and finished a respectable 10th in the finals

Day 20 - your favourite non-qualifier from a semi-final

2004 Estonia : Neiokõsõ – Tii (Road)
2009 Latvia : Intars Busulis - Probka (Traffic Jam)
2010: Lithuania : InCulto – Eastern European Funk

Although I have an obvious soft-spot for the Belgians, I also have a soft spot for the Baltic countries and it just so happens that I have chosen three class songs from the 3 former Soviet states.

My chosen Estonian entry was one of those marmite tracks. Although the song was a really interesting one to listen to, the girls’ performance was not quite up to scratch on the night. In 2004 there was only 1 semi final and 10 places were up for grabs for the 22 competing nations. It finished in unlucky 11th, just one place away from being in the final

Probka was my guilty pleasure of 2009. I am a sucker for weirdly timed songs (this mainly being in 7/8) It was a bit retro, a bit anarchic, a bit weird. The performance on the night was just a little too introverted and small for the stage, plus the two girls were a little too animated for the song. It came last in semi final 2

I have to say I was one very upset lady when Inculto failed to get out of semi final 2. They opened the show, which can be a good thing especially when you are such an energetic band with a stomping song, but somehow in the ether of Euroland it got forgotten about coming in a far off 12th. If just the televoters had go their way, it would have come in 8th *shakes fist*

Day 19 - your favourite Italian entry

1997 Italy : Jalisse – Fiumi di parole (Rivers of words)

Another simple choice, although was closely followed by Alice and Battiato’s “Treni Di Tozeur”

I always find this song slightly ironic.
Italy had been in and out of the conest throught the 80's and then RAI did not submit an entry in 94, 95 and 96 citing lack of support for the contest in the country. They then returned with this song but then withdrew again. RAI withdrew from the competition completely until 2011, when they came 2nd. This decision always seems a strange one considering that the song did so well (4/25)

Day 18 - your favourite German entry

1996 Germany : Leon – Blauer Planet/Planet of Blue

Ooooooooooooooooooh, controversial!!!

1996 was a sad year for German Eurovision. After appearing in every Eurovision since 1956, this was the first year there was to be no German presence. The German public had chosen a song that they thought would be on the stage in Oslo, but for the one (and only) time ever the EBU had a ‘pre-selection’ contest.
Due to the influx of Eastern European countries wanting to enter, as well as the separate states that were once Yugoslavia, 30 countries had applied to be in the contest. So in the March the EBU had a pre-selection 8 jurors of each country were sent audio of the 29 songs (Norway were hosts and so automatically gained a place in the final) wanting the 22 tickets to the final. The bottom 7 would be out.

Hungary, Germany, Denmark, FYROM, Russia, Israel and Romania were out. Their songs never to be heard on the Eurovision stage.

So, Leon and his Blue Planet never made it. Shame, as the song was very contemporary for it’s time and probably the most relevant song that year. I mean, German music in 1996 was full of this dance style. It could have been big. We will never know.

The next year, the German preselection show was called “Der countdown laeuft” in honour of Leon’s failed song. Ironically Leon came back that year with another stomper of an entry, with another electronic song but with roots in Schlager and line dancing…. And came second.

I guess it was never meant to be…

Day 17 - your favourite French entry

2003 France : Louisa Baïleche - Monts et merveilles (The moon and the stars)

This category was actually pretty tough. I could have easily chosen “La Source”, “Black and white blues”, “L'amour à la française” or ”Divine” but I felt that this song need a bit of love.

The song is undeniably French, I mean in a rhythmical sense rather than linguistically, but not a typical French balladeer type number. Like many Eurovision songs that I like, I love the different tempos and rhythms of the song, especially the way the chorus seems like one long breathless line of words. I also like the “na-na-na” part in the middle which not only provides aural relief from the tune but also builds up more tension towards the very last chorus.

Also like many Eurovision sings I like, this was very much overlooked on the night, coming a disappointing 18/26. The staging of the song didn’t really work, particularly on such a large stage and could have done with less band and more movement.

Day 16 - your favourite Spanish entry

1990 Spain: Azúcar Moreno – Bandido (Bandit)

This one was an easy one for me.

Mainly remembered for the ‘false start’ where to the two Salazar sisters entered the stage at the wrong point in the music due to the backing track not working. The footage of the ladies storming off stage and then the backing instrumentalists not sure wether they should mime along or stay static, is quite hilarious and always used on those ‘isn’t Eurovision mad and sad?!?!?!’ compilation shows…

The song itself is amazing. This kind of dance influenced-flamenco sound has been totally under utilised in Eurovision even though, as you can see in this case, it does work !

Day 15 - your favourite UK entry

1987 UK : Rikki – Only the light

This was a really hard ne to choose because there have been so many memorable songs and so many unmemorable ones too!

I finally decided on this one, which I think will be quite an unusual choice.
The song came a dismal 13th, which was our worst result ever to that point (and was still the worst until 1999) This song is a cracking one to sing along too and I also know the backing singers dance almost off by heart XD

Day 14 - your favourite Irish entry

1978 Ireland : Colm C T Wilkinson - Born to sing

A tough category but a simple choice in the end.

Colm has gone on to much greater things since (and before ESC) and this showmanship really does come out in his performance. His diction of the song is perfect and he really seems to sing the song and make it meaningful. Also in this sing is a good example of tempo changes between the verses and the choruses.

Like most great ESC songs, the live perofmance is much better than the studio version.

Am also loving the curtains nicely worn by the backing singers...

Day 13 - your least favourite entry of all time

2004 Switzerland : Piero and the music stars – Celebrate

Oh dear.

Everything about this is just wrong. WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG !!!!

Basically it’s like the very bad prequel to Glee with some very badly dressed adults, doing their best to imitate children. In fact it’s like a very bad parody of an excruciatingly bad Junior Eurovision performance. It’s boringly repetitive lyrics are infantile and most of all the song really doesn’t mean a thing.

Piero’s voice really doesn’t suit this kind of song. Piero himself actually won the premiere edition of the Swiss reality talent show ‘Music Star’ in 2003 and the 4 backing singers were also participants in the show. It was literally the biggest thing ever. No wonder then that this piss poor bag o’shite won…

Not content with one key change they have two – in the wrong place. By the end of the song everybody looks and sounds absolutely knackered and sounds more like an aerobics video than a singing competition by the end of it all.

However the best bit is when he hits himself with the microphone #epicfail

This song was in the very first semi-final ever created in 2004 and as justification for this pile of tripe, it scored NIL POINTS. The only entry ever to have scored 0 in a semi-final and I know you will agree with that score…

Day 12 - your favourite entry of all time

1988 Netherlands : Gerard Joling - Shangri-La

I just love this song (even though it didn’t do too well coming 9/21)

I love the way the song incorporates as many tempo and beat changes as possible.
It starts off by punching away with the chorus and then gets into the first verse. I then love the way after the first full chorus it goes into a slow bridge and chorus part, then after a brief interlude the bridge is repeated again but at a much faster pace. The song is full of standard and syncopated beats and although it chops and changes, it never feels disjointed.

This is such a strong that sounds much better on the ESC stage than it did on any recording.

I think this was the first song I properly learnt to sing in Dutch and I think I fell in love with this language and the sentries in this language. It is a song I just cannot get bored of listening to and singing along to :o) If only it was available on UK karaoke…

Day 11 - an entry, in a language you don't know, that you can sing along to

1994 Hungary : Friderika Bayer - Kinek mondjam el vétkeimet (Whom can I tell my sins?)

The 1994 contest was a class year and contained a lot of diverse entries, possibly due to the enlargement of the Eurovision pool that year and the previous year. This particular year saw the first entry from Hungary, a vey simplistic entry very well sung by Friderika. Probably still the best Hungarian entry ever entered.

Day 10 - an entry that you liked at first but are now bored of

2005 Greece : Helena Paparizou - My Number One

Shame really.

Looking back, this was one of those years where everything else was really of such piss poor quality that this one stood out a mile. As a concequence of this win, Greece (like Turkey, the winner 2 years previously) now seem to think they now have a God-given right to win the contest every year... even though almost all of their entries are complete pants, and mainly get through due to diaspora voting. Maybe they need a kick up the backside like Turkey and Armenia got this year...
I mean Sakis Rouvas... who *does* he think he is....?

I wouldn't mind Helena coming back for a third bite of the cherry, maybe for Sweden..?

Day 9 - an entry that you didn't like at first but now like

2011 Russia : Alex Sparrow - Get You

Unlike 'Popular' which I still dislike, this song from this year has grown on me somewhat.
I still think Alex Sparrow is a very weird-looking, swarmy man who obviously loves himself before all others and his singing (especially live) was not exactly outstanding, but the song does have some redeeming qualities.

However, Scott Mills can be thaked for making me see this song in a new light.
He gave me imagaes of slightly sterotypical '80s camp men (a la Duncan Norvelle) going "Oooooooh! Get you!" with over exaggerated hand gestures.. I now cannot sing or listen to the song without doin a limp wristed motions every time the chorus comes on XD

Day 8 - your favourite 2nd-placed entry

2003 Belgium : Urban Trad - Sanomi

A song in a made up language by the world's best made up country.
beaten into 2nd my the might of Sertab Erener but also pushed the shit that was tATu into 3rd place (when it should have been 23rd)
Because of this entry I now own all their albums :o)




And as a Brucie Bonus, one of the most -structured songs yet catchiest ESC songs EVER... beaten into second by the might that was "Hallelujah"

Day 7 - your favourite entry by a group

1972 Spain Mocedades - Eres tú (You are)

Normally at this point I would disclaim “How the hell did this not win?” but in this case I won’t. It is not that this song did not deserve to win, as it did, but the 1972 contests was actually quite a good one with the UK, Luxembourg and Israeli entries all fairly distant. This was also the contest of Belgians Nicole and Hugo’s wonderfully flattering matching purple jumpsuits and the amazing lyrics of Sweden’s Nova.

This was such a strong song and still sounds good after almost 40 years. A big hit at the time, in both Spanish and English, and has been covered in many more different languages. During the 50th anniversary celebrations, this song was voted the 5th best ESC song ever.




However as an extra, this is pretty good too (if not totally underestimated on the night)

Day 6 - your favourite entry by a duet

1963 Denmark : Grethe & Jørgen Ingmann - Dansevise (Dance Ballad)

This was one of the winners of ESC I never really heard about for a long time… and didn’t really get to hear or own the song for a long time. There is a lot of ‘controversy’ with the possible rigged voting that year and the strange staging for that year’s contest but this song was the winner.

I love the song, especially the very haunting guitar at the start. The Danish language is not the easiest to listen to or sing along to but it does have a haunting quality. I also love the ending with its crescendo before going quiet and slow again. Sounds sooooo sad :o(

Day 5 - your favourite entry by a male soloist

1997 Iceland : Paul Oscar Minn Hinsti Dans (My Final Dance)

OMG – that is all I can say.

I remember watching this from inside my dorm room in Scarborough watching this, thinking I had actually seen televisual history.

The outfit, the hair, the sofa, the leather clad girls, the choreography, the inappropriate self-touching but most of all THE MUSIC.

It really was far too much for this girl to take…

http://youtu.be/ud2MbWKwYzw

Day 4 - your favourite entry by a female soloist

1991 France : Amina - C'est le dernier qui a parlé qui a raison (It's the last one who spoke who is right)

Talk about being robbed…

This should have been the rightful winner of the 1991 contest, however the contest actually ended in a tie… Through count back the Swedish entry won. *boo hiss*
The French entries in the 1990s were a little on the ‘different’ side with very different and diverse influences. I love all the standing still choreography and the use of the scarf and her voice is just so clear.

Do you think she’d do it again…? I’d love it…


1991: Amina - C'est le dernier qui a parle..... by songfestivalweblogNL

Day 3 - your favourite winning entry

1971 Monaco: Séverine - Un banc, un arbre, une rue (A bench, a tree, a street)

I guess this song is just classy. The songwriting aspect of this song is very clever.

The song is very clevery written and seems very simple, which of course it is not.
Firstly we start with the chorus, although asafe start as it gets the ear worm inside your head and it is then able to be repeated more that the normal 2 times. The verses are also very clever. The repitition on the past part of each line is something that can then be used to get the listener involved. Now I am not the biggest fan of 'al-la-la' but in this case it really adds something to the song. By doing this at the end it emphasisies the orchestration and slight chord changes in the music that would not be identifyable if she was singing.

Severine really belts out this song and the song itself really shows off her vocal abilty, tone and control. It also looks like she is passionate about the song and its meaning (the loss of childhood)

Day 2 - your least favourite winning entry

1974 Sweden: ABBA - Waterloo

OK - it is controversial but I feel it is justified.

Let’s go back to 1974. Let’s be honest here and say that it really was a poor year. Apart from the infectious flamenco rhythms of Peret (and his strange microphone) from Spain and the bouncyness of Mouth and McNeil from the Netherlands nothing else was really of any worthy note.

ABBA looked different. They looked like a band and obviously had enough experience in their homeland to look confident on stage but the clincher was the conductor. Sven-Olof Walldoff entered in his famous Napoleon outfit which obviously fitted in with the whole “Waterloo” theme and the scen was set.

The song is passable. The music does have a very repetitive rhythm and is at a good speed for clapping along with but the lyrics are slightly confusing. Although the first verse kind of makes sense and has a point the second verse really stretches the point.

The fact that ABBA then went on to become one of the most famous bands ever almost makes this song a bit of a cult. It isn't quite as good as everyone makes out.

Sorry.

Day 1 - a song from your favourite contest

1988 Belgium: Reynaert - Laissez briller le soleil (Let the sun shine)

My favourite contest is 1988.

The list of reasons is endless.
1) A fantastic stage at the Royal Dublin Society
2) A great (?) array of 1980s outfits, hairstyles and dance routines
3) One of the best interval acts and songs ever
4) A thrilling and nailbiting cliffhanger of a finish (watched on by Bruce Forstyth)
5) But most of all, the body of work of the 21 songs is a great album in itself. From the ballads of Sweden, UK and Norway; to the uptempo ditties of Finland, Turkey and Yugoslavia; then to the weirdness of Iceland, Israel and Greece; and back to the Schlager-tinged melodies of Netherlands, Denmark and Portugal.

So, here is one of the lesser known songs of that year but I think one of the best.
Oh, and it's Belgian... we might have a lot of theirs over the next month :o)

#30dayeurovisionchallenge

A couple of months ago on my sister blog, http://tryingtowalkinastraightline.blogspot.com/ , I did the bog standard 30 day song challenge. I really enjoyed it and quite liked revisiting some songs I ahdnot herd or thought about for a fair while.

With some research I then found a similar challenge but Eurovision related.
Here is the list -

Day 1 - a song from your favourite contest
Day 2 - your least favourite winning entry
Day 3 - your favourite winning entry
Day 4 - your favourite entry by a female soloist
Day 5 - your favourite entry by a male soloist
Day 6 - your favourite entry by a duet
Day 7 - your favourite entry by a group
Day 8 - your favourite 2nd-placed entry
Day 9 - an entry that you didn't like at first but now like
Day 10 - an entry that you liked at first but are now bored of
Day 11 - an entry, in a language you don't know, that you can sing along to
Day 12 - your favourite entry of all time
Day 13 - your least favourite entry of all time
Day 14 - your favourite Irish entry
Day 15 - your favourite UK entry
Day 16 - your favourite Spanish entry
Day 17 - your favourite French entry
Day 18 - your favourite German entry
Day 19 - your favourite Italian entry
Day 20 - your favourite non-qualifier from a semi-final
Day 21 - your favourite performance
Day 22 - your favourite interval act
Day 23 - your favourite presenter/presenting team
Day 24 - an entry that makes you laugh
Day 25 - your favourite song from a national final
Day 26 - an entry that makes you think of someone
Day 27 - an entry performed by someone you think is hot
Day 28 - your favourite ballad
Day 29 - your favourite entry to dance to
Day 30 - an entry that should have won

Should be an interetsing month !!!

FINAL REVIEW

The final starts !!!

It starts off pretty low key with our three hosts opening the show in English, French and German. Stefan then explains how the reprise of the winning song is a bit diffcult as Lena is performing later so they take it upon them sleves to sing the reprise Rockabilly style :o) Lena joins in half way through.

FINLAND: The song gets a huge cheer even before he starts singing. As the first chorus arrives another cheer as the specatulat backdrop comes into focus. He seems comfortable with his singing and at time actualy looks like he is enjoying himself. This could be a favourable draw but may well be forgotten in 2 hours time...

BOS-HER - the dreaded 2nd slot goes to Dino Merlin. The whoel stage act is very well hehearsed. The song sounds very good although at times I wish the backing singers were a little louder. The background for this song chages quite a lot and makes little impact. Will get tonnes of votes form Balkan countries.

DENMARK - They guys have a very well made production the black and white theme is very clever, especially the white moving lines. The song is passable, The verses are clevery made but I am still waiting for it to go double time never the end. Not sure what the kicking of the white balloon at the end is supposed to signify...?

LITHUANIA - one of the surprise qualifiers this year. It is a very old fashioned song, with great musical theatre tradition. Although not the catchiest of songs, it is very individual. Evelina has a very good voice and is pitch perfect throughout even when doing the sign language. Her hair is off putting though...

HUNGARY - Kati Wolf is joined by 2 backing singers and 3 dancers. IN thatdress she does look like a very bad transvestive... which is just up Eurovision street really. The whole srobing lights give it a very retro disco feel. Her voice is OK sounds very breathy and nervous. The arena seems to be enjyong it though.

IRELAND - I think Jedward has found their niche. OK, they are not the best singers or the best dancers but put on the best show. The person who made the backround show is a genius! Their image is really good and I don't think they are shying away from the fact they don't sing everything - with that routine I don't think anyone could!

SWEDEN - Eric Saade is joined by 3 dancers and 2 singer, who are shoved off at the side. He is very flat during the first verse and it only the over-powering bass that stops you hearing him off key int he chorus. I mean the choreography of the show is amazing but he cannot sing and dance at the same time.

ESTONIA - Getter looks about 5 years old in that outfit. Not helped by the two faux Minnie Mice behine her. There is so much going on in this performance one cannot keep up with it all. By the time we gett to the slow part in the middle she looks (and sounds) absolutely exhausted. The arena doesn't seem to involved.

GREECE - another shock qualifier. I really do not see any value to thes song whatsoever. I could very easily listen to 3minutes of Loucas singing his traditional Greek ditty but that awful rap in the middle is just ear splitting. The changing of the backgrounds is clever. The dancing is quite nice to watch too.

RUSSIA - The problem about this song is that it is all a bit too self assured. It is a good song. He is a good singer. The whole thing is a strong act. And bloody hell don't they know it. I very much abhor the backing singers being relegated to being behind the LED screens and having to move them around. tut tut tut.

FRANCE - one of the pre-race favourite stakes the stage. He starts off well but you can tel thereare some nerves there. Surprsingly the power of the beat of the backing track really doens;t come through and the track seems a little limp at times. The background is just stunning. Shame he didn't comb his hair beforehand.

ITALY - Another great background of the paino playing starts up. Raphael doesn't really perform or give a show. It is all very laid back a cabaret jazz club feel. His voice is actually very good, especially during the shouty bits at the end of the chorus parts. Is it to highbrow or soghisticated for Eurovision?

SWITZERLAND - Anna produced another high quality performance just like she did in the semi-finals. What fascinates me about her is that if you look very closely at her close up when she sings she has a roaming toungue. Although she saysthe right sounds she makes them in a vety strange way.

UK - a change of backing track of the start of the song makes slightly uncomfortable listening at first. The boys are dressed in dark blue suits which not only look formal but also don't stand out from the stage. The boys are singing quite well and interact with the cameras well. The arena seems to like the song too

MOLDOVA - another slightly surprising addition to the final. Their slightly bizarre set up will appeal to the mad quaretr of every country. However I deny anyone to be slightly moved and infected by that acid Balkan brass going on! The song is very strange with its many changes of tempo. Maybe monocles are cool in Moldova...?

GERMANY - Lena takes the stage for the second time tonight. A very diferent song and perfornace than last years winner. The background has more dancers in the silver catsuits which really works. Lena really sells the song and the audience goes mad during the instrumental part. The breaking glass at the end is very clever.

ROMANIA - The sing is a bit of a damp squib for me. To start with the stage looks really bare and gappy. The outfits are really unimaginative. The background is a lottle bit nondescript. The choreography is very uninspiring and the song is just well, a bit stereotypical eurovision. Who voted for this?

AUSTRIA - Nadine has made a bit of a name for herself in this contest. She is one of the best singers and performs flawlessly every time. The song is a little old fashioned and not exactly sing-along-able but does have a memorable gospel hook to it. How on earth does she stand up in those heels?!?!!?

AZERBAIJAN - Ell and Nikki are the duet although a lot of the 'oh-oh'-ing is done by their four very pretty backing singers. Their singing is much better than the semi. The staging and outfits of this song are white and lots of flashing and strobing. The choreography is a bit over the top but does make it look very professional.

SLOVENIA - Maja is a very confident performer and has a very showy-offy voice which suits this very contemoprary song. The staging is a little unneccessary as I feel Maja would do evry well with just backing singers behind her rather than doing dancing. There is also too much camera movement which detracts from the singing.

ICELAND - The guys must be so happy to be here ! You can absolutely tell that they are enjoying themselves and probabaly feel very grateful to the semi final voters! The guys sing really well and interact really well too. The background is a little bizarre but it does make you focus on the song rather than that.

SPAIN - This is just odd. The backing singer/dancers are really over the top and poor Lucia muct feel embarrassed that she is in front of them. I guess they are trying to create a carnival atmosphere but fail misreably. Not even the flares help. Lucia does sing the song really well but it is a poor song to start with.

UKRAINE - Mika is back with Miysic Meg the sand artist. Believe me, people WILL NOT be voting for this song due to Mika's looks, her chicken dress,her singing ability or personality. They are voting for the beautiful images behind her and the skill of Ksenia. I bet Jamala is back at home wondering what could have been...

SERBIA - This could easily be taken as a piss take but Nina and her 3 singers do a really good job at this one and keep it fun and light hearted. It is also nice to hear a song in the native tongue too! The main downside is that if you stare at the background for too long you get serious motion sickness :o/

GEORGIA - FFS how they hell did this one qualify?!?!? I guess the emo quarter of each country voted for this one earlier in the week. Give them their due, the main singer does a very good job singing a very hard song. The outfits are dire and the lighting and flashing a little .

SF2 Napkin of death

Tonight is the SECOND night !!!

After Tuesdays fiasco I have throw the rule book out of the window and chosen my napkin of death slightly differently. I have decided to go for some surprise choices – as I feel these results may be just as random as two days ago…So here are my (many predictions) for tonight's festivities.

My prediction
BOS-HER
AUSTRIA
UKRAINE
SWEDEN
CYPRUS
FYR MACEDONIA
SLOVENIA
ROMANIA
DENMARK
IRELAND

I would rather this happened
BOS-HER
AUSTRIA
MOLDOVA
CYPRUS
BULGARIA
SLOVENIA
ESTONIA
LATVIA
DENMARK
IRELAND

Unlike SF1 there are far more ‘maybes’ than sure fire bets. To be honest only BOSNIA and DENMARK are almost guaranteed into the final I this one. On the negative, I can see very little hope for BELARUS, NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM, SLOVAKIA and ISRAEL. Therefore any combination of the remaining 12 should get the remaining 8 places.


Like on Tuesday, vocal performance will be a priority therefore I have judged some of the placements on the vocals and showmanship of the acts during live performances and rehearsals. Obviously some countries will have neighbourly voting and some Diaspora but SF1 taught us that no-one is safe !

SF1 round up

Pol – Magdalena starts us off and gone are the hip enhancing outfits of the rehearsal. The beginning does not seem to have the impact it ha had in the past. Her voice certainly seems to be suffering from nerves but gets more confident as the song progresses. The dancing is good but the stage from the camera angles looks really empty. The ending is a little screechy

Nor – As the song starts the audience get into it. Stella’s voice is not god today and sounds very strained. The chorus seems to rely a lot on the backing singers. During the second verse she already sounds really tired. The outfits, especially for the backing singers are terribly unflattering and make some of the larger back girls look awful. As a memorable finale, confetti is released during the last chorus.

Alb – The stage starts with a slight red tinge. The dress does not really look good close. Aurelia really gets into the song and is able to show a lot of power and control during the chorus. It is on the brink of shoutiness though. The backing singers still looks rally additional to the act and don’t seem to fit in with their dancing and outfits. Aurelia looks to be getting very sweaty during this too.

Arm – Emmy is sitting in her large boxing glove and the dancers are in boxing robes. She is in white with a faux title belt. Emmy and the dancers seem to be doing a lot of dancing. It becomes clear very early on that a) Emmy is not a very good dancer and b) she is unable to sing after she has been dancing. Her voice at times was so breathy. We know she can sing it this has really put her off the game.

Tur – The band seem to have taken to wearing a cross of black, gold and a really horrid goblin green. The lead singer looks ever so old (and portly) now! Not very modern. The ‘show’ is a bit of a let down. The girl in the globe is a good idea but seems to be totally disconnected to the rest of the band and to the meaning of the song. At the end she escapes from the sphere wearing wings *yawn*

Ser – Nina is joined by 3 girls who do some singing and dancing. The song has a definite theme and makes it stand out even if you don’t understand the lyrics. The camera angles are tight of the girls so you don’t see a lot of the empty stage. Her voice is not bad tonight, definitely better than some of the rehearsals I had seen. The backdrop to this at times is really too fast and makes me feel a little bit ill.

Rus – The song starts off slow and then picks up. The stage looks really busy during the song, possibly a bit too busy. There are lots of gimmicks and none of them are really needed. Alex had 3 backing dancers and 2 singers who are stuck behind the moving Led screens *tut tut tut* Alex’s voice is not on top form here and he does sound quite tired today and cannot reach all of the notes (especially the end one)

Swi – this quite folksy song could get lost and slip through the cracks. Anna is joined by her 2 musicians, as I has been since the beginning. The backdrop of this song is very clever and really suits the song. Anna sings really well and not only is she on tune but you can actually hear what she is saying! I still don’t get the “na-na-na” bit in the middle. A very confident and a true singers performance.

Geo – this song is definitely a stand out track. They look different and sound different and nothing quite like this has graced the ESC stage. The outfits look very strange and it is not helped by the very bad makeup. Thankfully the lead singer ha a strong vice and is able to pull out a strong vocal. The rap part in the middle is not quite as good and the shouting for from the other bloke is totally unnecessary.

Fin – Paradise Oskar takes to the stage by himself. He is dressed modestly and let’s the song do the talking. His vocal is very small and simple but suits the song. The backdrop of the earth is a little twee and a bit of a heart string puller but it totally suits the song. Is a very memorable performance for a song and performer who actually does very, very little. However much you hate it, it is very clever.

Mal – Glen and his troupe take to the stage. The set starts off very dark and this makes it quite difficult to see everyone on the stage. Glen sings and dances in his own exuberant style although is accent is still a little weird. Although I like the dancers I am not sure if the routine really emphasises the song. The backing singers are very good but they need to be a tad louder and in much more eye-catching outfits.

San – Senit and her band are on stage and she has thankfully got rid of the blue/grey thing she was wearing in rehearsals. Her vocal is not that bad, saying that the song is a quiet song which needs just a little bit of power behind it. The performance is not that bad although she looks a little nervous. It is a shame that they have not made more of the backing singers who add a lot to the song.

Cro – Daria is one tall lady and this performance seems to show that off. Starting in a back and gold unfit the DJ/magician (who looks like Jerry Sadowitz) helps her quick change to a pink one and finally a long silver number. Her voice is very good, especially in the low bits at the start. She is not the most natural of dancers, and her height makes her legs and arms look a bit uncontrollable. Not a good song though.

Ice – Probably the most emotional song of the night. The boys look and sound tight and it just looks and sounds right. The back drop is a little strange but it is gentle and does not overtake the song. In fact it is nice to see an acoustic band on stage playing non-electric instruments. The boys sing well and the slow part at the end really works and you find yourself singing along. A very good ending too.

Hun – Kati is still in the short blue dress. Her hair is a little manic and she looks a bit worried. As she starts you can hear a small crack of nerves but she is really focussing on the song and her voice. As the chorus kicks in she seems to sing much better. The dancers and backing singers are not really focussed upon by the cameras-which is a good thing. She loosens up by the end and has a good finish.

Por – there is really not very much to say about this one as very little has changed since it won the national final. To give them some due, for what they are dong they have quite good vocals it is just a shame no-one understands what they are on about. Possibly if they had had crowd scenes like in the video behind them, it might have made the message a bit clearer. An on-starter really.

Lit – Evelina is joined on stage by a pianist and piano. She sings the song very well and is at least pleasant to listen to. Her dress is a little bit strange and doesn't seem to suit her. Maybe she would look better with her hair slightly pulled back. Half way through she signs the song too, hence why the mic stand is at a funny angle. This entry focuses on the song and her voice, which is actually very good.

Aze – The choreography of the entry has been weel thought out. The duo is backed by 4 very lovely and short skirted ladies who do lots of singing and arm movements. His voice is clear and string. Hers is shaky and you don’t feel confident in her. As the song progresses you notice that his mic is up loud and hers has been all but turned off. More like Eldar and 5 backing singers.

Gre – Stereo Mike starts us of with is rapping skills (although by the sounds of it he has very few). Loucas joins in for the choruses that have so much soul, meaning and heart to them that when you go back to the rapping you are left very disappointing. The dancing is good and I like the way the dancing mirrors the change styles. Should not qualify but will. Can we have 3mins of Loucas next time please?
So after the jury and televoting - Europe has decided !
The number afterwards is the number they drew to appear in the final

SERBIA (24)
LITHUANIA (4)
GREECE (9)
AZERBAIJAN (19)
GEORGIA (25)
SWITZERLAND (13)
HUNGARY (5)
FINLAND (1)
RUSSIA (10)
ICELAND (21)

Final insight

So what will tonight hold? Who knows - and that is why we watch!!!

Firstly this years’ draw is very intesresting.

Firstly we start with Finland. A very simple song. Being first could radically affect his chances – and this will depend on his performance. Bosnia, unfortunately has the death position of 2. Denmark and Lithuania follow and then we have a very interesting run of entries.
We have Hungary, Ireland, Sweden and Estonia back to back, although there may be a short break in between two of these. The thinking about this is that all being all quite similar up-tempo numbers they may just cancel themselves out. If one act has a good vocal and the others don’t, it will be more noticeable (and vice versa of course)

Then we have Greece followed by Russia. Recent reports have seen man technical things go wrong with their performance (mainly due to lighting) and that his voice is getting worse by the day. Next is France. If Alex has a bad day then Amaury will make sure any chances Russia has of winning is in a wooden box six foot under. Poor Italy then has to follow this which will be a daunting task.
Switzerland UK, Moldova, Germany and Romania are next. This five-some has the opposite problem as all 5 are such different styles and if one of these entries really gets the audience behind them, hey might get an extra push for votes.

Then we have a girly sandwich – Austria, Azerbaijan and Slovenia. As she proved in the semi, Nadine Beiler has one hell of a voice and if any of the songs around her hit a bum note this girl will show it up. Possibly the best technical female singer we have this year. Take note Azerbaijan. Although this is possibly the best and more contemporary song, the vocals (especially Nigar’s) is slightly pathetic and it will be punished between the two power girls. Slovenia’s Maja is a singer in they style of Christina Aguilera. Her voice is a little harsh at time but here tone is very interesting and is very striking to look at.
Next is Iceland. 21st is not a bad result for the boys and I think this spot will gain them a few extra votes. Following this is the strange bed fellows of Spain, Ukraine, Serbia and Georgia, who being last and having such a bizarre stage act, will gain a bit more attention than normal.

So who will win? The sensible money is on France and UK. There is plenty of money on Azerbaijan, Ireland, Estonia, Hungary and Sweden but I actually don’t think there is enough there to warrant a win. Possible dark horses are Austria, Iceland and Finland

SF2 review

Bos-Her – Dino Merlin takes for the stage with his troupe of singers and (faux) instrumentalists The show looks polished if not looking a bit too staged. Dino’s voice is OK and gets better as the song progresses. A lot if the extra actions (esp, the trumpeter/dancer) is missed by the camera, which may be a bad or good thing. The audience seem to be enjoying this one and is a sure fire qualifier.

Aus – Nadine Beiler starts off her song acapella and as the song progresses the audience seem very appreciative of this girl’s talent. The real punch of this song is the bridge part before the chorus, however will anybody have stayed around long enough to find this bit out. She does look very striking and although the staging is simple it s very effective and conveying the message of the song.

Net – well, the boys really don’t look like they have made and effort. The main singer’s hair is also all over the place. He is also wearing a white double breasted suit which isn’t too flattering, and seems a little to formal for the style of the song. Vocals actually seem quite good from him but the backing singers need to be much quieter. Too many wide shots of the stage too.

Bel – The acapella band pull off a very standard performance. Because there is no backing tack, they need to stay tight, so there can be no real vocal gymnastics or improvisation by any one of them. In this way, the song never really goes anywhere after the first listen. The band is choreographed well and the camera work is well thought out. The beat boxer gets the biggest applause in the middle.

Svk – White dress twin sings first, vaguely in tune. Peach twin doesn’t seem to do a lot of singing at all and when she does they do their very best to drown her out with the other singers. It is a pleasant enough tune but it really doesn’t go anywhere. The performance is also very simple, it looks like they can only just about sing when standing still for three minutes.

Ukr – Mika is backed by a male singer and Ksenia (Mystic Meg), a sand artist whose creations are projected onto the back screen. Unfortunately for Mika we are not really listening an looking at you but however memorised by the art behind you. The camera work tries very hard to balance the two things together but it is not easy. Mika is a bit shouty and she made her dress from plucking a chicken.

Mol – Zdob si Zdub are back. They a dressed in huge black pointy hats, just like the national final. The backdrop is amazing- with cartoon characters also in pointy hats. Then enters the unicyclist. The song is not that complex but the acid brass and bassy parts are really good. They perform relatively well –it is not really a singing song but has a good performance.

Swe – Eric is joined by 3 dancer and 2 singers. As he starts off, his voice does not sound that good. It sound quite and strained. Either the song is too loud or his mic needs pushing up a bit. He is able to complete all the dancing parts fine but this puts more strain on his voice later on. At the end the glass does break but actually does not have as much impact as one might think

Cyp – Christos and his 4 male singers are on stage. The female singer is on the catwalk. The guys have boots which help them do gravity defying tricks. Their voices are not bad but the song really gets going when the woman joins in. She stands swinging a white ball above her head, a motif mirrored in the backdrop. A very difficult song to watch as there is so much going on

Bul – Poly and her band pull off a good performance. It is pretty static apart from the brief moment on the catwalk which works well with the retracting camera. Her voice is very good and sounds modern. It very much suits the style of the song, however I am afraid that singing in Bulgarian will put a lot of people off. Her dress is a bit strange and gets even stranger when she peels the top layer off at the end reveals an even shorter white number.


Mac – I tell you why this song is weird, the fact that Vlatko seem to be surgically attached to his guitar. He doesn’t need it. The dancers add a lot and the backdrop if the revolving thins is just pure genius. He starts the song in English (although it’s so gravelly it could be anything) then starts in the original tongue. The megaphone but doesn’t work though…

Isr – Here comes Dana International dressed as a fish. The shoe-strings up her legs make them look short and stumpy and those shiny tan tights are soooo drag queen. Anyways. She starts singing and it is not sting. She warms up a she goes along but it think the damage is done. She is however one of the very few who uses the catwalk properly and uses it for a good finish.

Slo – Maja is dressed with very, very long boots on with a treacherous heel. She is also dressed I sheet metal (or is it shit metal?) Maja as ever belts out a flawless vocal performance although at times she opens her mouth just a bit too much for my liking. After some early doubts, the backing dancers actually add a fair bit to the sound of the song. Should qualify

Rom – David and the band are dressed quite conservatively, almost like modern tribute act to the Wurzels. The lead singer has a good voice and sings it well but I don’t really rate the song. At times I also find the backing track very dated and a bit too bouncy. The two female dancers are really quite annoying with their trombone antics.

Est – The show is very similar to that for the Estonian final with different costumes and skyline on stage. She looks very pretty, a bit like Alice in Wonderland. There us really good interaction between all on stage. At the start the vocals sound good and during the first chorus the audience really responds. She keeps up a good level especially with all the dancing.

Blr – “I love Belarus”- well if you don’t you are not going to vote for this song a are you? #epicfail Lots of pyros for this one. Anastacia starts singing but it sounds very breathy and totally out of tune. The backing singers seem to be doing the dance routine to “Theater” by Katja Epstein. Too much going on here… all to cover up the non-appearance of a song or decent singer.

Lat – Another identikit performance from a national final. The song is good and modern and had a bit of rap in it. The lead singer has a really good voice and does not look that bad. However the outfits are awful, especially the red bow ties. The staging is simple, possibly too simple and the background lacks impact. The ANGEL at the end is a nice touch but easily missed.

Den – Another very simple performance from A Friend In London. The song sounds like lots of other songs and stays in your head. The lead singer seems to have contracted Lena’s “cockney patter” accent when singing but his singing is very clear and the message gets through. At the end he makes a run for it down the catwalk and you see his backless shirt!!!!!

Ire – Possibly the most anticipated act of the night. Jedward start off with one standing, the other lying down on the floor. The girl’s mics seem to be turned up a little bit too loud and take over. The guys are having a good time, not mater how they sound and everything seems spontaneous, even though it is not. It is that so bad it’s good a la Guildo Horn.

The 10 qualifiers are as follows
The number in brackets is their draw order

ESTONIA (8)
ROMANIA (17)
MOLDOVA (15)
IRELAND (6)
BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA (2)
DENMARK (3)
AUSTRIA (18)
UKRAINE (23)
SLOVENIA (20)
SWEDEN (7)

SF1 fall out

Well... what on earth happened there...?!!?!?!?

I am not going to go into too much detail here about each song and everything but suffice to say that last night's results were a little surprising.

Firstly we have the non-qaulification on Turkey and Armenia. One may have thought that diaspora voting would've got them through- so why did they fail?
One view is that the fact that countries such as Ned, Bel, Ger and Swe (which have high levels of diaspora) were not voting in this semi, so that was a good 30 odd points unavialable.
Secondly, both of their performances were not good. Armenia was breathy and her dancing was awful and she looked realy awkard. Turkey show was very weak, the outfits were really quite unflattering and there was no real schtick to it. I mean the girl in the ball was downright confusing. One could almost say boring.
Thirdly the songs were weak. Here, this fact would have greatly affected the jury vote. The jury is made up of 'music professionals' and I think they would more than likely pick up on the technical aspect of the songs and how they are written as well a their 'contemporary-ness' - of which niether of the songs in question were...

Norway also failed. Although the song was a fan favourite her vocal perfoamance on the night was poor. Not only was she not in tune but she also did a lot of screechy talking to the crowd between bits. The lveels of the backing singers were all over the place and I feel the backdrop was very muted and did not suit the colourful and African nature of the song.

Georgia and Switzerland however did get through. Georgia's song looked and sounded very different (not good - just different!) I feel a lot of ex-soviet power was behind this song as well as votes from possibly younger people who like this style of Linkin Park type stuff. Switzerland is a bit a funny one. No diaspora and no real neighbours. The juries would have liked this but I also think the viewers may have like the style of this. I mean- I could actually hear what she was singing !!!

We then also have the surprising qualifaction of Lithania. I would say that 90% of people would not have had this on their napkin. So where did it get the votes from?
I would almost definately look towards the juries. I know that many micked it was a Disney number - but is there much diference between this and Jade from the UK? Same kind of thing really. This kind of 'muscial' style number is not easy to write, or to sing and in fairness he was bang on every note.
From this, those people who like musicals possible would have also voted for this. Now Lithuania does not have such a wide spread diaspora as other countries do, however some of the ex-Soviet countries in this semi may have put their weight behind the song. That aside it probably would ahve got some votes from most countries and if it wasn't in the top 9, the juries would have given this one its wild card.

What does this tell us about semi 2...?

Bascially, you sing in tune. Perform well.
If you don't - you fail.

We may finally have a song contest again....

SF1 "Napkin of death"

Tonight is the night !!!

So here are my (many predictions) for tonight's festivities.

My prediction
TURKEY
HUNGARY
RUSSIA
AZERBAIJAN
ARMENIA
ICELAND
FINLAND
NORWAY
POLAND
SERBIA

I would rather this happened
TURKEY
HUNGARY
RUSSIA
AZERBAIJAN
ICELAND
FINLAND
NORWAY
POLAND
MALTA
SWITZERLAND

I think that TURKEY, HUNGARY, RUSSIA and AZERBAIJAN are safe bets and I pretty much think that SAN MARINO, LITHUANIA, PORTUGAL and ALBANIA have almost no chance. So the other 6 places could be taken up by almost any combination of the other 10, which is actually a tough ask.

I think a great deal of emphasis will be placed on the performance on the night. Fans may have their favourites but they will only get votes if they are any good (Era Stupendo being a good example) As I am typing apart for 3 particular songs I will vote for any how, I have no idea how I will feel about the others untilI see them on screen.

Exciting but scary !!!!

My Rankings

So, there are only 2 weeks until the big final in Duesselforf!!!

I thought it was time for me to put my faves in order...
This list is not how I think they will finish on the night but more of a personal list of my faves and hates. It would be A-MAY-ZING if ther final list actually looked like thes but I very much doubt it... I never get it right !!!

1) HUNGARY
What can I say? This is a class act. A very pretty girl with a huge voice and a song with a chorus like we haven’t heard in years on the ESC stage. If the girl can pull it off - this is in the bag. Shame it isn’t the full Hungarian version :o(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbKNKfePCrs&feature=relmfu


2) FRANCE
This guy is eye candy for the ladies and a voice that will please Radio 2 and a song that will appeal to Radio 3 listeners. Very much an old school type song and performance which will also please the juries. Loving the use of Corsican.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEb7hRo-Qyk&feature=relmfu


3) UNITED KINGDOM
I never thought I would say thins but I actually like a Blue song. I was so sceptical when I heard the guys were doing it but after just one listen of the song I was hooked – and so (hopefully) will the rest of Europe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2JYc_jWIDQ&p=813301637D2B481A


4) LATVIA
This is my guilty pleasure of this year. A very modern contemporary tune with lost of change of tempo and changes or style. The guy who sings has an amazing voice but with the stage performance be good enough?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7nehTefok4&p=813301637D2B481A


5) BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
Dino Merlin is back. A fabulous catchy track which makes you clap along from the start. I actually quite like the staged way the song is performed but many might find it a bit contrived and twee. You will be singing it though !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aN83DUSChM


6) SWITZERLAND
I have a real soft spot for this song. It has a nice folksy quality and Anna has a very nice clear voice and I have not yet heard her sing this song badly or out of tune. However will it stand out? This is my fear.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtlhYGVtZlk


7) RUSSIA
Having a RedOne song as your entry is pretty much a sure fire way of getting success in the contest. The song is bound to be a hit all over Europe and Alex will get the girl votes but I don’t think it is a winner.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J4-T22p0y4


8) AZERBAIJAN
This is actually a very nice, touching modern ballad sung by the only duo of the contest. Although I have no worries about Eldar’s ability, Nigar’s performance during the Azeri final was absolutely shocking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Vk4HYUatv8


9) NETHERLANDS
Now this song is very likely to be a non-qualifier but I do think the song is a very radio friendly song and could easily be on the playlist of Radio 2. Imagine the Jonas brothers in 20 years time… that’s about it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PP3ViOSOXg&p=813301637D2B481A


10) NORWAY
Unfortunately this song has recently slipped down my list. It is a fabulous song with an infectious chorus and a really good fun stage show. Shame that the song has been de-Africanised and made really bland.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x27iK7v35_o


11) GERMANY
Lena is back for Germany with a song that could not be more different to the happy-go-lucky ”Satellite” The song is a kind of minimalist gothic electro number all about kidnapping. Not a winner but it will be a song to remember.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFciOb0diQE&feature=related


12) SLOVENIA
The Slovenians have chosen a very contemporary song this year with a very good singer. Does not sound like a typical Eurovision song and is radio friendly. I have some reservations about Maja’s accent though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t0eIkKZVB0


13) ICELAND
The song has quite a twee old fashioned feel to it which in a way males it feel very familiar. A lovely bouncy song with such a sad, yet inspiring, back story. I hope the boys make the final for Sigurjón.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJNt0_6P9h0


14) ESTONIA
A big favourite with the fans but I am yet to be fully convinced. The verses and choruses are to predictable yet the bridges are very ear catching. I do really like the Bjork style macrobeat backing track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YOcbjWgEpg&p=813301637D2B481A


15) IRELAND
Jedward at Eurovision – who would have thought it !!! The boys may well be the most annoying thing to come from Ireland since Dustin the Turkey but the song is not that bad and should qualify with an energetic performance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wRCe_4QUrM


16) ITALY
Italy have finally come back to Eurovision and have returned with a very classy jazzy number. Will go down well with the international juries and the ‘older audience’ Could very easily be on the Radio 2 playlist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6Hz3MxthYI&p=813301637D2B481A


17) AUSTRIA
The Austrians also return after a short hiatus. The song is a very big brassy gospel type ballad which could have won the contest – 10 years ago. However Nadine is a very good confident singer and could stand out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc13B1ofQS4


18) SWEDEN
Personally this song should be way down the list but the fact that this is leading the fan votes means it will do well. The song is lazy and has no substance. The performance is too gimmicky and Eric can’t sing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YF3-Ep7zzI&p=813301637D2B481A


19) MALTA
This song does not seem to have many fans, which I don’t understand. There are not really very many high octane numbers this year and it is a bit of an ‘anthem’. Maybe it is just on the brink of ‘cheesiness’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIa_QV-LM8g&p=813301637D2B481A


20) FINLAND
Just so you know, this is *nothing* like Tom Dice from last year. Nothing at all. The song is a nice pleasant acoustic ballad but I doubt the message of the song will get through in its allocated time. Shame.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoDsA9PutU4&p=813301637D2B481A


21) MOLDOVA
So Zdob Si Zdub are back again- but without the Grandma. The song is pretty basic and the middle is confused musically however you will not be able to stop yourself from shouting the “So Lucky!” bits!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wUMGupcSiQ&p=813301637D2B481A


22) POLAND
All I can say is thank god she is performing this in Polish and didn’t get sucked in by the Anglo-fascists!!! The song is quite good, and suits the Polish language. She is a pretty girl and will get dirty old men votes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQjKGCXScUI&feature=relmfu


23) BULGARIA
At least Poly has decided to keep it in Bulgarian! However this may also be its downfall. Her performance seems quite basic too. The song sounds like a Pink song, and she does not look dissimilar either.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNU9_3kUouc&p=813301637D2B481A


24) SERBIA
This song looks like it should be a piss poor parody but is actually serious. It is a fun song, sung in Serbian, with a nice enough chorus but I feel the verses are to garbled and slow to warm up and get going.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLPCMrkPDGg&p=813301637D2B481A


25) SPAIN
This is really a bit of a damp squib to be honest. Lucia sings the song really well and has a great personality, but choruses with long oh-oh-oh bits and the start are just downright lazy. In Spanish (as always!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FteXzZszYso&p=813301637D2B481A


26) ALBANIA
When this won the Albanian preselection (with an orchestra AND in native Albanian) the song was epic and amazing. Now it just sounds like a freaked out menopausal woman with bad period pains. What a turnaround.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bpOngv520I&feature=relmfu


27) BELGIUM
Witloof Bay are the second only acappella band to feature in the contest. Although one could say that they are very talented and very good at what they do, this kind of thing never translates will at ESC. The song is a bit weak too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqnFq8QDciQ&p=813301637D2B481A


28) ROMANIA
Now , to me this song is your bog standard cheesy pop Eurovision fayre, and unfortunately this no longer cuts the mustard anymore. ESC has actually moved on a bit since Arvingarna’s entry in 1993….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96be3a5Wl8U&feature=relmfu


29) CROATIA
Now part of me is pleased to note that Croatia took a lot of trouble selecting the song and entrant this year. However the song has been rewritten and is now is sooooo corny. I demand she sings the original “Break a Leg” instead
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghWCySADZ_4&feature=relmfu


30) DENMARK
Strangely this song seems to be doing quite wellin the fan polls and I just do not get it. Imagine Busted singing “Our House” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. That is about it. Very unexciting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-EiRQvbItM&p=813301637D2B481A


31) TURKEY
Turkey have sent another rock number to the contest but methinks this will not have a top 10 finish as they have done the past umpteen years. I remember the days Turkey were always shit and this is a return to them…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beVb1UCLUHA&p=813301637D2B481A


32) BELARUS
This entry is a very eastern European stomper of a song with a very repetitive chorus. However no-one who is not Belarusian is going to openly vote for a song called “I Love Belarus” #epicfail
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T2d_woxdLQ&p=813301637D2B481A


33) SLOVAKIA
Like Ireland we have a pair of twins, this time female. The song itself is very modern and contemporary and American sounding but the girls have not performed this live ONCE yet. I smell a rat… and probably hear one too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7UmV6FYvmA&p=813301637D2B481A


34) SAN MARINO
Plucky little San Marino are back for only their second bite of the Eurovision cherry. Is not a bad old song really, with a slight ‘60s soul feel to it. Shame it will bomb in the contest – just be back next year!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4EPYt6Mj9o&p=813301637D2B481A


35) ISRAEL
Dana International is back for a second bite at the cherry (no pun intended) In fact she really should have stayed at home. The tune is weak, she can barely get the high notes and her song writing skills here are poor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN6eEqrgEgI&p=813301637D2B481A


36) ARMENIA
Oh dear. How cheesy. “Boom Boom Chaka Chaka” Did a three year old white these lyrics ? The song has a slight Mediterranean feel to it but has no redeeming qualities. Emmy will get dirty old men votes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7ZNKO7rYDU&p=813301637D2B481A


37) UKRAINE
Another boring ballad. I must have listed to this song at least 5 times and I still cannot sing it back to you no matter how much I try. Completely forgettable but will probably qualify though neighbourly voting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XrNvUiGVhg&p=813301637D2B481A


38) GEORGIA
This time a bit of indie rock. After a change of lead singer (which really was unnecessary) Still doesn’t change the fact that the song is weak and just sounds like a big guitary mess
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFV0Tcy9OXc&p=813301637D2B481A


39) LITHUANIA
Boring ballad time. The Lithuanian final must have been awful if this was the best they could offer. I also hope she has chucked that dress too. Not even the smattering of French in the chorus can save it or get it more votes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aazruGl2jY&p=813301637D2B481A


40) GREECE
Well, don’t make it *too* obvious that you really don’t want to win. This literally does sound like two perfectly good songs spliced together indiscriminately. Saying that he can’t rap and the other can’t really sing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v27gtuLhiac&p=813301637D2B481A


41) FYR MACEDONIA
We should be grateful. One song in the FYROM preselection was a man dressed in a chicken suit. The poor boy is trying is hardest but this just doesn’t cut the mustard. Will get the odd vote from Russian sympathetic countries.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKz3zzUpFGM&p=813301637D2B481A


42) CYPRUS
Poor Christos won the Cypriot version of Pop Idol and the prize included going to Eurovision. What a shit prize. You win a singing competition and your prize is to be sent to *another* singing competition. Shame the song is a whiny piece of shit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqPEsx1Disk&p=813301637D2B481A


43) PORTUGAL
Well, there is nothing like a protest song against your own government – and this is at least the 13th governmental protest song Portugal have sent to the contest. Maybe they should save the government some money by NOT BLOODY TURNING UP!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bDN53Rqh54&p=813301637D2B481A