2011 Winners - An Appraisal Part 3

We continue....


Latvia - Musiqq "Angel In Disguise"


There were a number of decent quality songs in the Latvian selection this year - shame the televoters chose to send this one.  Lauris Reniks must have thought that his "Banjo Laura" would win easily, as did everyone else. This, however, will definitely be joining the list of  DNQs that Latvia have racked up in recent years (another country who cannot afford to host I suspect).


Qualify?  Don't think so




Lithuania - Evelina Sasenko "C'est Ma Vie"


A very strong effort, if Evelina can carry this off live then she will qualify with no difficulty.  Lovely song.


Qualify? If it sounds as good as the studio version then certainly.




FYR Macedonia - Vlatko Ilevski "Ruslinka"


This shouty rock effort will definitely stand out, but wont be enough for it to qualify.


Qualify? Nope.




Malta - Glen Vella "One Life"


The Maltese NF was chock full of quality songs, and I am still at an utter loss why this one was the choice of the televoters.  He's a pretty-boy and nothing else. This convinces me that Malta will never win ESC, maybe they don't want to.


Qualify? Doubtful.




Moldova - Zdob si Zdub "So Lucky"


The only people who will be so lucky are those that are only tuning in for the final. This is dreadful *covers ears*.  Is this really the best Moldova could offer? Wretched.


Qualify? Never.




Netherlands - 3Js "Never Alone"


Didn't think this was the strongest entry they could have sent, however it has grown on me considerably the more I listen.  Been a long time since the Dutch last qualified, must stand a good chance with this effort.


Qualify? I hope so.




Norway - Stella Mwangi "Haba Haba"


Another entry that has distinct echoes of another song, Shakiras "Wakka Wakka" in this case. That said it is a very strong and dynamic entry indeed, and must have a very good chance of winning the whole thing.  Qualification, and a top 5 finish assured.


Qualify? Easily.  Possible winner.




Poland - Magdalena Tul "Jestam"


Wasn't my winner on the night of their NF, but a decent singer / song nevertheless.  Good chance of qualifying, but will finish mid-table on the night.


Qualify? Probably.




Portugal - Homens da Luta "Luta E Alegria"


Any respect I have ever had for Portugal has gone flying out of the window with this piece of utter EuroPap.  I live in hope that one year they do actually win, having been in the contest since the mid 60s, and underachieved considerably.  DNQ and no mistake.


Qualify? Not a hope in hell.




Romania - Hotel FM "Change"


This is one song that could do rather well.  A proper pop song, and nice message as well.  Should qualify with ease, and assured a shed-load of votes in the final.  Big chance.


Qualify?  Of course.




Russia - Alex Sparrow "Get You"


If the televoters are teenage girls then Alex Sparrow should win easily.  The song is not brilliant, average boy-band stuff, but if performed well in Düsseldorf should be at the business end of things.


Qualify? Should do.




San Marino - Senit "Stand By"


Another song that has grows on me with each listen.  Not sure if will qualify, would be nice for San Marino to be a part of finals night.  Senit is an excellent singer in any case.


Qualify? Maybe.




Serbia - Nina "Caroban"


Comes across as a bit of a back-in-the-day Eurosong.  Tuneful enough, but not sure if it is quite good enough to qualify.


Qualify? Doubtful.




Slovakia - TwIInS "I'm Still Alive"


Liked this one when I first heard it, getting a little bored of it now to be honest.  The best of the two twin-outfits in this years contest by a distance, their song is beginning to sound a tad ordinary now.  Thought they would qualify easily at first listen, jury is out now!


Qualify? Not sure.

2011 Winners - An Appraisal Part 2

Now here is part 2...


Cyprus - Christos Mylordos "San Aggelos S'agapisa"


At the risk of sounding hard to please, I don't fancy this one much either!  Utterly forgettable, not a patch on Jon Lilygreens song from last year. It will qualify, of course it will, however will be an also-ran on finals night.


Qualify? I would imagine so




Denmark - A Friend In London "New Tomorrow"


This song rips off so many others that I'm staggered it was allowed to compete.  More than a passing resemblance to "Sing For Me" by Andreas Johnson.  Doesn't deserve to qualify.


Qualify?  Not if I had my way.




Estonia - Getter Jaani "Rockefeller Street"


One of my favourites, liked this from the first listen.  Certain qualifier and one of Estonias better efforts in recent years.  Looks set for decent finish in the final as well.


Qualify? Without a doubt.




Finland - Paradise Oskar "Da Da Dam"


Shame that Finland have given up trying to win since Lordi triumphed in Athens.  There were a few better options in the Finnish selection than this piece of nonsense.  Probably qualify on the strength of the "pretty-boy" vote, but don't like it.


Qualify? Highly likely.




France - Amaury Vasilli "Sognu"


This guy can definitely hold a tune, and if the televoters/juries go for something a bit different then France will not be far away on the big night.  High quality entry, outstanding. Top 5 finish not out of the question.


Qualify?  Doesn't need to.




Georgia - Eldrine "One More Day"


If Eldrine sounds as tuneless as she did in the NF then this song will sink without trace.  Not keen on the rapper either.  No chance.


Qualify? No




Germany - Lena "Taken By A Stranger"


The defending champion returns with a very highly regarded effort.  All her pre-selection songs, from her new album "Good News", were out of the top drawer.  Whether it will be enough for her to bring home gold for the hosts again, hmmm not sure.  There will be one out there to beat I reckon.


Qualify?  Doesn't need to.




Hungary - Kati Wolf "What About My Dreams"


I really, really like this.  Great singer, great song.  If she decides to sing it in English, Hungarian or the bi-lingual version it will matter not.  Has the potential to match the placing of Frederika in their debut year of 1994.  Obvious qualifier.


Qualify? Without a shadow of a doubt.




Iceland - Sigurjons Friends "Aftur Heim"


I suspect there will be publicity a plenty surrounding the Icelandic entry, in the light of Sigurjon Brinks untimely passing.  The song isn't all that bad, and will surely qualify. Wont win, but should finish mid-table on finals night.


Qualify? Of course.




Ireland - Jedward "Lipstick"


Ireland are another country who have long since given up trying to win.  They cannot afford to host being the most obvious reason why I would imagine.  By sending this bigger-turkey-than-dustin there is a huge chance of non-qualification (they are not helped by the UK being unable to vote in their semi).  Had Nikki Kavanagh been the representative then a top 10 finish would have been assured.  Not with this rubbish though.


Qualify? Doubtful.




Israel - Dana International "Ding Dong"


The second previous winner in this years line-up.  Nowhere near as good as "Diva", if it does qualify it would be on the strength of her reputation as Eurovision Royalty and little else.


Qualify? Possibly, who knows.




Italy - Raphael Gualazzi "Follia d'Amore"


I was so pleased to hear that Italy were coming back, long overdue.  Absolutely love this song,  it is easily in my top 10 this year.  Can't see it winning, but will surely justify the Italians returning.


Qualify? Doesn't need to.

2011 Winners - An Appraisal Part 1

The 43 entries are just-about finalised, so I thought I would have a listen to all of them, and offer a quick appraisal of each. Here is the 1st part.....


Albania - Aurela Gace "Feel The Passion"


When I heard this in it's native tongue when it won the Albanian NF I wasn't over impressed. English improves it somewhat, however Aurela is still too shouty for me.


Qualify? Maybe




Armenia - Emmy "Boom Boom"


Don't know what I hate most about this, Emmys whining voice or the nonsense "Boom Boom Chakka Chakka" lyrics.  Considering that "Apricot Stone" was sublime, I was expecting better.


Qualify? No chance.




Austria - Nadine Beiler "The Secret Is Love"


Much more like it, the song and Nadine are excellent, and was a clear winner for me in their highly entertaining NF.  I'm delighted that Austria are back with this high quality effort.  A certain qualifier, and a top 10 finish beckons.


Qualify?  Easily.




Azerbaijan - Ell & Nikki "Running Scared"


This was the NF with the bored audience, the never ending rounds of singing and the contrived finish.  No televoting, and a jury deciding that two of the participants would perform a duet instead of there being one winner.  That said, the studio version of this entry has surprised me.  If they can pull it off live then it is a certain qualifier (just added it to my IPod as well, a ringing endorsement of any EuroSong)!


Qualify? If it sounds as good live then surely.




Belarus - Anastasia Vinnikova "Born In Belorussia"


If the rumours are true then Anastasia wont even be on the plane to Düsseldorf as this moderate, but supposedly over-political effort is due to be disqualified.  Might be for the best actually as the song is rubbish and would sink without trace in the semi final/


Qualify? You must be joking. No!




Belgium - Witloof Bay "With Love, Baby"


I cannot tell you how disappointed I am with Belgium.  After last years highly successful internal selection of both Tom Dice and his song I was expecting a lot better than this swing-effort.  Not my sort of music at all, and I struggle to sit through the whole 3 minutes. Painful.


Qualify? Maybe, who knows.  Not for me.




Bosnia & Herzogovina - Dino Merlin "Love in Rewind"


Another song that I find quite ordinary, even after a couple of listens.  Cannot see this qualifying, not good.


Qualify? No.




Bulgaria - Poly Genova "Na Inat"


One of my more favourite entries is this one. Great singer, great song.  Will need to be a little more tuneful at contest time perhaps, but I really like it.  Hope she qualifies.


Qualify? I hope so.




Croatia - Daria Kinzer "Break A Leg"


I have heard a lot worse this year than this one, even if the title is a bit rubbish.  Daria is an excellent singer, and she should qualify comfortably.


Qualify? Yes. 

Taken By A Stranger Wins In Germany

In a clear case of leaving the best until last, Song 6 of 6 in the German NF will be Lena Mayer-Laudruts entry as she attempts to defend her title in Düsseldorf.  It was the best song and will score highly in the final, although the runner-up "Push Forward" was another high quality effort.

The fact that the song sounds nothing like "Satellite" can only be a good thing, sending a clone would have been an embarrassing disaster.

Magdalena Tul wins in Poland

A highly entertaining Polish contest ended with pre-final favourite Magdalena Tul winning with her song "Jestem".  Didn't think it was the best entry on the night, like last year there were a couple better further down the field, in particular runner-up Anna Gogola whose entry has swiftly made it onto my IPod.


Magdalena will be a certain qualifier, but the song will finish in the bottom half on the big night.

Six More Entries Decided

Ireland


Unfortunately for the rest of Europe the Irish are inflicting the Brothers Grim(es) on us.  Jedward and their awful song "Lipstick" was not the winner with the regional juries, but carried enough of the telephone vote to beat Nikki Kavanagh by a short head.  In hindsight though RTE may just have played a blinder here.  The country (and presumably RTE) are virtually bankrupt, so send the worst entry ever - Genius!


They will struggle to get out of the semi-final, mainly because their rather large fanbase in the UK cannot vote, and the rest of Europe will be scratching their heads in bemusement.


Malta


Considering that their NF was chock full of quality efforts, I am at a loss as to why Glen Valla was the choice of the Maltese jury/televoters.  He is nothing more than a token Pretty-Boy, his disco effort "One Life", although a lot different from the usual girl-ballads they are more associated with, it is rather uninspiring, and will struggle to qualify.


Iceland

In a result that surprised no-one the late Sigurjon Brink will be represented in Düsseldorf as his song "Aftur Heim", performed by a tribute band consisting of five of his friends, was an easy winner in Iceland.  Nobody can claim it was the best song, because it wasn't, however the story behind it was more than enough to gain the sympathy of the Jury and televoters.  Whether the sentiments will be enough to bring it much success in the contest, who knows.


I understand this is the first time since 1965 that a deceased songwriter has been represented.


Finland


Another country on the long list of "..we do not want to win this thing.." as ordinary boy-band-type-performer  Paradise Oskar received the Finnish nod.  The song "Da Da Dam", is beyond uninteresting, it's nonsense title notwithstanding.




Belguim


After last year you would have thought that Belgium were on the way back, but Witloof Bay are no Tom Dice, nowhere near.  3 minutes of total tedium that I struggled to listen to.  Certain non-qualifier.


Norway

Finally, a wining entry I have a strong regard for. "Haba Haba" by Stella Mwangi (despite a hefty nod in the direction of Shakiras "Waka Waka" World Cup effort) is strong and dynamic and should get votes by the shed-load.  Must stand every chance of figuring very highly in the final, and could present Norway with their second winner in 3 years.

Eldar & Nigar to Duet for Azerbaijan

It took 3 and a half hours of low quality and low budget broadcasting to finally bring us the result of the Azerbaijan NF.  5 singers who had all pre qualified prior to Christmas sang 4 (yes 4) times each, then after what seemed like forever the Jury (no televoting involved) announced that the tuneless Nigar Jamal and the slightly less tuneless (but extremely young looking) Eldar Gasimov would duet in Düsseldorf. 


Had all the hallmarks of a pre-determined result, with Eldar being the only male entry and all.  You do not just suddenly decide on the night that a duet is your preferred option, that is nonsense. 


Performances by Anna Rossinelli, Safura and Sofia Nizharadze made the show slightly more bearable.

Finals in Ireland and Azerbaijan Tonight!!

Two finals tonight, luckily due the time difference they do not clash (and viewers will get to see a fair chunk of the Maltese semi-final in-between).  In Azerbaijan it is just the winning singer that is being selected, with the song being internally selected at a later date, however in Ireland it is a more conventional NF with 5 songs up for the vote.  I, along with many thousands of others, tuned into the Derek Mooney radio show on RTE Radio 1 yesterday afternoon to hear the final selection in full for the first time:


1. Don Mescall - "Talking With Jennifer" <<< reminded me of a cheapened version of "Jessie" by Joshua Kadison.  Boring, forgettable, no hope.


2. Jedward - "Lipstick" <<< Just to highlight the stupidity of these pair of half-wits, a 30 second snippet of this effort was leaked online earlier in the week, forcing RTE to hastily alter the voting system, handing the Juries more say.  Thank goodness for that, hopefully common sense and not the votes of a couple of thousand silly-daft teenage girls, will prevail.  The song is rubbish of the highest order, and if somehow it wins will be a bigger turkey than Dustin ever was.


3. Bling - "Shine On" <<<  Sounds like an early 80s also-ran in the UK ASFE, bland beyond belief.  Making up the numbers and nothing else.


4. The Vard Sisters - "Send Me An Angel" <<< The sort of song that has been done to death (and a darn sight better) a million times before.  Tuneless, and no chance of winning.


5. Nikki Kavanagh - "Falling" <<< Like last year, RTE have saved the most obvious winner until last.  A very modern song, in the style of Rihanna, it is the best effort by a distance.  A certain qualifier if selected and more than capable of delivering Irelands best result in over a decade to boot.




Lets hope the Irish Televoters / Juries get their act together and send Nikki to Düsseldorf. They would have every right to be confident of a big showing if she should be their choice.  Coverage starts at 21:30 GMT, 22:30 CET.  Link here >>> RTE LIVE 

EuroNite - Last Week 1999

The last contest of the Century took us to Israel, 20 years after they last hosted.  In a first, they employed the services of 3 presenters, including former entrant Dafna Dekel.


For the first time since 1977 the rule about having to sing in a language native to your country was abolished, hence many countries opting to sing in English.  Also it was the first contest that completely did away (on grounds of cost if memory serves) with the Orchestra.


The UK entry was sang by all-girl group Precious.  Indeed, our NF was pretty much of a muchness, with neither Sister Sway, Jay or Alberta really installing much confidence.  The better song go through, but I wasn't expecting victory.  Indeed, it was lead singer Louise Rose who made more headlines on the night, due to a slight wardrobe malfunction.


The winner was a slice of pure-schlager.  Charlotte Niellsen for Sweden with the Abba-esque "Take Me To Your Heaven" (exactly 25 years to the day that Abba had won in Brighton) scored a comfortable victory ahead of Icelands Selma with "All Out Of Luck".


Now, I have a question for you all. What was the last song in the 1999 Eurovision?  Croatia? No!  Dana International with "Free" in the interval - wrong again!  It is a bit of a trick question in all honesty, as the correct answer is "Hallelujah" sang by everyone at the end, sang in tribute to victims of the Balkan War, but more than that I felt a fitting end to the Contest in the 20th Century.

EuroNite - Last Week 1998

The 1998 was the last one (so far) to be held in the UK, thanks to Katrinas win 12 months previous.  Our entry on this occasion was Imaani with "Where Are You", although this song was not the recipient of my 10 penceworth in the NF.  I voted for "I'll Never Be Lonely Again" by Sapphire, which has since become a dancefloor classic and is far better (in my opinion).  If I wasn't over-fond of Imaanis song at the time, her behaviour post-contest didn't endear her to me either (more later).


The concert itself was held at the NIA in Birmingham and hosted by Terry Wogan and Ulrika Jonsson, whose dubious presenting skills (her often repeated faux pas at the expense of the late Conny van den Bos testimony to that) and even more dubious morals have never made me much of a fan.


As usual most of the better entries found themselves as also-rans, Malina Olinescu for Romania with "Eu Cred", and Marie Line with "Ou Aller" representing France deserved far better.


My second most hated figure in Eurovision also appeared this year, that talentless cretin Guildo Horn. His song was nothing more than self-indulgent clap-trap, and I can only assume his gantry-climbing antics were nothing more than a distractionary tactic from his non-existant singing voice.  Would have killed the contest stone-dead had it won.  Only Tuto Cutegno makes my blood boil more.


The winner could have been spotted a mile off.  No-one courted more pre-contest attention than one Sharon Cohen, better know as Dana International.  Say what you like, but "Diva" is one winner that for me is still a fine song, and how important a moment in the competitions history that a Trans-Gender participant should be victorious.  The final round of voting from the Macedonian jury saw off the challenge of Malta (no votes were forthcoming), and with a healthy 10 point haul helped the UK into 2nd place. Indeed, the United Kingdom received votes from every other participating country, but not enough top marks to see off Israel.


Imaani plummeted right down in my estimation in the wake of the contest, as I clearly remember seeing her interviewed on Daytime-TV being most un-complimentary about Dana International (she didn't quite say "..I came 2nd to an Israeli Transvestite, this is unfair and a disgrace.." but it wasn't far off I hate to say), and also rumours of demanding behaviour behind the scenes which surfaced didn't help.  Her song I am happy to tolerate, however for me Imaani remains one of my most loathed UK participants.

1st Semi Final - Germany

Well, I would have dearly loved to have brought you one of Lena Mayer-Landruts songs from last Monday, however the German Copyright Police have done their worst and no trace is available of any performance on You Tube, or been made accessible via download.  Big shame for anyone who missed it as the first 6 songs presented were all out of the very top drawer.  Of the three qualifiers the stand out effort, and a clear audience favourite, was "Taken By A Stranger".  It will take some beating make no mistake, and assuming it is the choice of the German televoters, stands a good chance of claiming a second consecutive victory.

Netherlands NF - Result

The Dutch representative, internally selected band 3Js, will perform the song "Je vecht nooit alleen"  in the second semi-final on the 12th May.  A half-jury / half televote selection process gave this song the nod ahead of 4 others.  It's an ok song, but not particularly outstanding, and I fear this will join the long, long list of Netherlands-Non-Qualifiers of recent years, indeed it was 2004 that they last figured on finals night.

All Rise - It's A Blue UK!

The BBC have finally announced their plans for this years Song Contest. It has been long rumoured that the performer would be internally selected for the first time for 17 years, but we also understand that the song has also been internally selected, in line with the last two NFs, so the British viewers will have no say in what is performed in Düsseldorf (I cannot be alone in feeling cheated slightly).


The act in question are re-formed early 2000s boyband Blue, meaning that Anthony Costa finally makes a contest proper after coming in 2nd behind Daz Sampson in 2006.


The news appears to be going down better with our European neighbours, who appear to be quietly impressed, than the UK EuroSong fraternity who are distinctly underwhelmed in the main.  My opinion?  It could have been worse, although only Simon Webbe has really had any solo success since they split.  I would rather wait until the song is released before passing proper judgement. 

Martins Freimanis 1977 - 2011

Unfortunately I'm reporting another yet more tragic news.  Martins Freimanis, who I recall as one 1/3rd of F.L.Y who represented Latvia in 2003 with the much under-appreciated "Hello From Mars"  (my favourite Latvian entry by some distance), and writer of "The World Is Not Over" a couple of years later, has passed away after complications following a bout of Infulenza.


In a sad co-incidence with Sigurjon Brinks recent passing, Martins also has an songwriting entry in his own countrys NF this season,  "Hop" by Blitze (and of course Lauris Reiniks also of F.L.Y  is represented in his own right with "Banjo Laura").


It's all terribly sad, RIP.

Ukraine To Pull Out????

I hope that this rumour doesn't turn out to be true.  Gossip doing the ESC rounds is indicating that Ukraine are so scared of winning in Düsseldorf that they would rather pay a fine to the EBU by pulling out after the cut-off point instead of appearing.  Please tell me this wont happen.


I did enjoy my Sunday afternoons before Christmas watching their qualifiers, including Jemchug (above), and am looking forward to their NF immensely.  It would be awful  if this was all for nothing.

More Qualifiers....

More pre-selection qualifiers have taken place over the last weekend again in Finland, Norway and Iceland.  The winners this week are:


Finland


Paradise Oskar (nothing special), Milana Misic (a clear winner for me, nothing will beat her surely), Father Mckenzie (average boy-band nonsense).




Norway


Hanne Sorvag (run of the mill NF fare, unoriginal and not sure about the guitar-as-a-prop), BabelFish (could see this winning, although not to my taste)




Iceland


Yohanna (see below), Matthias Matthiasson & Erla Bjorg Karadottir (EMO comes to Eurovision - this will not win).


***


Feel a little sorry for Yohanna, because in any other year (nothing to do with her previous ESC appearance) her entry would be more than good enough to secure the Icelandic nod.  However, this is no ordinary year in their pre-selection, with news arriving that the late Sigurjon Brinks entry will still be performed in the third Semi Final this weekend as planned by a group calling themselves "Sjonnis Friends". If "Aftur Heim" is moderately decent, then the sentiment factor should see it over the line (it would in any other country).  It would be a nice tribute, it remains to be seen whether the Icelandic televoters are swayed by such things.

EuroNite - Last Week 1997

Last Wednesdays offering took us to Dublin in 1997, although on this occasion my night was totally destroyed by my DVD skipping and freezing throughout the broadcast.  I have no recollection of this occuring last time I viewed this particular year, and as it is my favoutite contest of the 1990s I know for a fact I would have remembered.


I had to abandon "The Great British Song Contest" fairly hastily as it kept freezing and skipping all the way through Sam Blue, and then jumping forward to Katrina before freezing completely.  The wretched DVD then proceeded to continue its worst all through the contest proper.  Despite removing and inspecting said disc for fingerprints/damage, and only locating two barely-there surface marks that I thought I had polished away, the whole night was fragmented.  I did manage to get it to play for a large part of the contest uninterrupted, but as we got to the later stages of the contest (VIP for Hungary, see above) the freezing recommenced. I was tearing my hair out at this point.


Obviously apart from it being my favourite contest of the 1990s  it was all the more disappointing as I missed Katrina (including the reprise), Boyzone in the interval and the whole of the vote as Carrie Crowley remained completely frozen on my screen.  I had no choice but to bring the curtain down early. 


I have set about the faulty disc with one of my husbands hammers, and a replacement will be sought in good time before this year comes round again.

Sigurjón Brink 1974 - 2011

At the risk of this blog becoming one long obituary, I hate to have to being news of another tragedy to hit the ESC community.  Icelnadic NF entrant of last year, and of this years as well (he would have appeared in the Third Semi Final a week on Saturday) Sigurjón Brink has passed away from a heart attack at the age of 36.  This is awful news, and our prayers go to his wfe and his 4 children.


His entry in last years Icelandic NF was "Waterslide" (see below), and it was one of my most favourite non-qualifiers.


RIP.

Semi Final Draw News

The draw for the two semi finals, plus which of the "Big Five" get to vote in which one has been made in Düsseldorf. In a strange move no telecast was made available, with updates available via dedicated Twitter feed. The running orders are as follows:

Semi Final One 10th May Albania, Finland, Armenia, Switzerland, Norway, Georgia, Turkey, Serbia, Russia, Poland, Croatia, Azerbaijan, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, San Marino, Iceland, Greece, Portugal (voting rights - UK, Spain)


Semi Final two 12th May: The Netherlands, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Ukraine, Cyprus, Austria, Sweden, Moldova, Belgium, Slovakia, Israel, FYR Macedonia, Denmark, Belarus, Bulgaria, Latvia, Estonia, Romania, Slovenia, Ireland (voting rights - Germany, France, Italy)


The one thing that struck me straightaway was the face that yet again the UK will be unable to vote for Ireland  - lets hope their entry is strong enough to qulaify without our neighbourly help!

Augusto Algueró 1934 - 2011

More sad news reaches us with the death of the well known ESC Conductor of the  1960s/early 70s Augusto Algueró.  He conducted on a number of  occasions, including one of the joint-winners in 1969 "Viva Cantando", and he also composed the first Spanish entry "Estando Conigo" in 1961 and wrote the music for Jaime Morrey and "Amanece" in 1972 (see below) - this is one song I have always though would have made a great Bond Theme!

History

Spain 1961: Estando contigo (composer)

Luxembourg 1969: Catherine (conductor)

Spain 1969: Vivo Cantando (conductor)

Spain 1970: Gwendolyne (conductor)

Spain 1972: Amanece (Composer/Conductor)

Recent Qualifiers

3 countries have recently held pre-NF qualifiers, and the lucky participants are as follows:


Finland


Johanna Livinainen (I'm thrilled, her song is exquisite), Cardiant and Marko Maunuksela.


Iceland


Haraldur Reynisson (song reminds me of "Fly On The Wings of Love", except not as good) and Erna Hrónn Ólafsdóttir (whose song is lovely and must have every chance of winning).


Norway


Helene Bøksle (song was nothing special, there will be something to beat it) and  Åste & Rikke (cannot see what the fuss is with this one,  it's very modern but again nothing special (in my opinion).

Tonight - Finnish SF 1

The first of 3 semi-finals of the Finnish selection is broadcast this evening - watch it here from 8pm GMT (9pm CET):  Finnish TV


Automatic Eye, Jonna, Johanna Livanainen, Marko Maunuksela and Cardiant are up for the vote, with any 3 from the 5 going through to the NF.


I hope Johanna makes it through, it was one of the very few I thought stood out from the entries on offer.

EuroNite - This Week 1996

After a weeks gap, last Wednesday night saw our EuroTrip head to Oslo for the 1996 contest.  It was presented by Morten Harket (despite being of-age to appreciate A-Ha at their peak, was never a fan) and Ingvild Bryn (who comes third on my Most Annoying Female Presenters list, behind a certain German lady from 1983).  I wish I had written the line that contained the words "...vast amounts of money, thousands of man hours and many sleepless nights...".


The United Kingdom were in the graveyard Number Two slot.  Our NF took on a slightly different format that year, with the final 8 whittled down to 4 by listeners of Radio 2 before the qualifiers were put to the Televote.  It was a poor year, with not one entry outstanding.  It was fairly obvious that Gina Gs Euro-Disco song was going to win, and there are many who believe this effort was the UKs finest hour - not me (can tolerate it if played full blast in a club when I am the worse for drink) - it was a bit formulaic and lyrically challenged for me, certainly wasn't helped by a tuneless rendition on the night (don't start me on that dress, and Gina not having the legs to carry it off). We deservedly finished amongst the also-rans.


The winner that year was Ireland, for the 4th time in 5 years.  Eimear Quinn with "The Voice" for me capitalised on the popularity of Celtic music, fuelled by the phenomena of Riverdance,  I thought at the time (and still do) that it was quite exquisite, and felt it had a big chance.  That said, my 12 points that year would have gone to Estonia (above).  I simply loved Maarja Liis & Ivo Linna with "Kaaleke Haal", but suspect that many jury members may have been creeped out by a middle-aged man singing with a girl young enough too be his daughter, and handed there votes elsewhere.  Pity, as the song is light-years better than the one they eventually won the contest with several years later.


Two other performances of note - Elisabeth Andreassen for Norway (the host country could not be accused of not trying to retain the crown), and Maja Blagden for Croatia (if you ignore the high pitched screech mid-song).


All in all, an entertaining show!

Flemming Jorgensen 1947 - 2010

Flemming Jorgensen 1947 - 2010

Some very sad news to start the year with my ESC friends, with the death of Flemming Jorgensen, lead singer with Bamses Venner who represented Denmark at The Hague in 1980 with the delightful "Tænker altid på dig".  He passed away on New Years Eve following a heart attack.

A much underrated Danish entry in my opinion, but I always felt that the song itself would have fared a lot better had the language-rule not been in force back then, as the English language version "Miss You" is a proper heart-breaker.  That, and had he been a little more soberly dressed of course,  we are talking top 5 had that been the case.  To me the performance was always overshadowed by the choice of outfit, and the language barrier (unless you speak Danish I guess).

RIP Bamses.

Hotel FM Win In Romania

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

The year has got off to a great start for Hotel FM as their song "Change" is the Romanian representative in Dusseldorf.  I'm delighted, this was the only one of the Romanian Pre-Selection to make it on my IPod, the only one I wanted to listen to more than once.  I'm confident they will qualify, but feel there will be something better that will beat it on finals night.