THE NETHERLANDS: DOUWE BOB IS BACK WITH THE SHAPE I'M IN

Douwe Bob is one of the artists I've been following since he slowed down Eurovision in 2016. Judging his resent interviews he's had a rough ride since including too many parties, alcohol and becoming a not so nice a person. Add breaking up with his girlfriend and alcohol abusing dad in a care center and that got him sitting on his sofa in a boat - he's Dutch after all - for months until he realized music is his savior and he better shake himself out of that misery. Thus The Shape I'm In. 

If you liked his previous album Fool bar you are going to like this one, too. This blogger isn't a big fan of country pop/rock but for some reason Douwe hits the right spots and this new album is something I listen with pleasure over and over again. The lead single is Shine, and also I do has been released for promotion, a duet with Jacqueline Govaert. Twelve songs in all and they all could be next singles, but I took instant liking to Consider, Make believe and Running around. 

This is Douwe's fourth album following Born in a storm (2013), Pass it on (2015) 

and Fool bar (2016)

ITALY: LISTEN TO THE SANREMO GIOVANI ENTRIES

Rai has published the Sanremo 2019 Giovani entries. With a quick listen through this blogger didn't quite find anything to be extremely excited about but below you can see my pick of those 24 entries that got my attention for more than 30 seconds for a reason or another. I don't usually agree that much with the jury that will pick up the 24 for the shows also because they have to keep in mind to get some variety and balancee between male/female/groups - or so I wish they do! If half of these make it to the tv I consideer it a success for me ;-p

You can listen to all entries HERE. Two of these artists will be selected in a prime time tv show in Deceember to join the Big category and could become Italy's Eurovision song contest 2019 entrant. However, they must present in Teatro Ariston in Sanremo with a new song come February...

Andrea Biagioni - Alba piena

Andrea Vigentini - Magari

Cordio - La nostra vita

Einar Ortiz - Centomila volte

Federica Abbate - Finalmente

Federico Angelucci - L'uomo che verra

Forlenzo - Non canto jazz

Fosco17 - Dicembre

Jole - La turista e il gondoliere nelle sfere di vetro con neve

La Rua - Alla mia età si vola

La Zero - Nina è brava

Laura Ciriaco - L'inizio

Le Ore - La mia felpa è come me

Liberamenti - Datemi spazio

Loomy - Coriandoli

Mahmood - Gioventú bruciata

Maria - L'amore non si cancella

Miriam Masala - Ops

Nico Arezzo - Gorilla

Nyvinne - Io ti penso

Sarah Dietrich - Per venirti a cercare

Seba - Cuore bomba innescata

Tr3ntan9ve - Lowcost

Vittorio Sisto - Oltre

EUROVISION 2019 - 42 COUNTRIES PRESENT IN TEL AVIV

EBU has published today the list of participating countries in 64th Eurovision song contest 2019 in Tel Aviv, Israel. This came as no surprise as of ysterday only Moldova hadn't made its intentions clear after San Marino's and Russia's confirmations the past few days. Only Bulgaria will be missing as they let us know last month despite initial intention to participate. 

EBU also lists several milestones: the Netherlands and Switzerland will send in their 60th entry, Greece its 40th, Croatia, Estonia and Slovenia their 25th, Latvia and Lithuania their 20th and finally San Marino it's 10th. Germany holds the record of most entries as they send already their 63rd one. They have ben abseent only once over the decades (1996 when Leon with Planet of Blue failed to qualify from the pre-selection causing the creation of Big4, later Big5 when Italy returned).

19 countries are yet to win the contest....

Albania (RTSH), Armenia (AMPTV), Australia (SBS)*, Austria (ORF), Azerbaijan (İctimai TV), Belarus (BTRC), Belgium (RTBF), Croatia (HRT), Cyprus (CYBC), Czech Republic (ČT), Denmark (DR), Estonia (ERR), Finland (YLE), France (FT), FYR Macedonia (MKRTV), Germany (ARD/NDR), Georgia (GPB), Greece (ERT), Hungary (MTVA), Iceland (RÚV), Ireland (RTÉ), Israel (IPBC/KAN), Italy (RAI), Latvia (LTV), Lithuania (LRT), Malta (PBS), Moldova (TRM), Montenegro (RTCG), The Netherlands (AVROTROS), Norway (NRK), Poland (TVP), Portugal (RTP), Romania (TVR), Russia (RTR), San Marino (SMRTV), Serbia (RTS), Slovenia (RTVSLO), Spain (RTVE), Sweden (SVT), Switzerland (SRG/SSR), 

Ukraine (UA:PBC), United Kingdom (BBC)

EUROVISION WISH LIST: PABLO ALBORAN

Another name Spain should send instead of some Operacion Triunfo newbie is Pablo Alboran. This blogger has been a fan since the beginning and he's still going strong: He was just awarded in Los Premios 40 as the Artist of the year and his Prometo as the Album of the year. He was also nominated for the Song of the year and the Video of the year (No vaya a ser). Since winning the same award as the Newcomer of the year back in 2011 he has collected already eight other ones. Add 12 Grammy or Latin Grammy nominations, countless other nominations and wins. In short he's one of the hottest artists of 2010's in Spain and in Latin America. Eurovision could make him a househod name in Europe as well following Julio Iglesias footstep with his soft voice singing sweet nothings into your ears... Check out also Miedo, El beso, Quien, La llave and Recuérdame

EUROVISION WISH LIST: ANNA FANIELLO

Her son Fabrizio did it. Twice. Her daughter Claudia did it. Now she has entered X Factor that also doubles Malta's Eurovision 2019 selection and charmed pants off from most everyone with her heartfelt cover of Mia Martini's Gli uomini non cambiano. Forget girl power - it's Mom power time (especially if we also get Pernilla Wahlgren for Sweden).... How cool that would be?! Mrs Faniello can sing, she's lovely and she deserves it. Check out also Cinque giorni, Il mare calmo della sera.

Fabrizio and Claudia can provide her backing vocals if needed. 

EUROVISION WISH LIST: SERGIU BOLOTA

Sergiu Bolotă has been trying to get to Eurovision for Romania already twicee - who knows if he's at it again and will be third time lucky? Last year he missed the final by placing 4th in his semifinal with self written Every little thing, adn the year before with Stig Rästa penned We were young (below). Since then he has released his debut album Umbre and string of singles like Tell me, Monstri, Pleaca and next one will be Un nou inceput. 

FINLAND: FANCY SOME LORDI HOT SAUCE? DILDO? CHOCOLATES?

Lordi is currently touring Europe with their #Sexorcism tour and is treating fans in merchandize stand with limited editions of various items. Another treat is coming in a form of their first real live DVD to be filmed in Pratteln Z7 , Switzerland later this month. 

Spice up your love with #Vodkatomicbomb lingonberry hot sauce 

or fix your sugar rush with #Chokelate chocolates. 

And 50 daredevils can get wild with #Lordildo! 

All of sudden the Lordi Cola of the 2000's seems rather innocent....

Tonight Lordi plays Heidelberg (Germany) and the tour continues to Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary and back to Germany, then Switzerland, Italy, Russia and finally Finland on December 28 at legendary Tavastia Club in Helsinki. They already did Austria, UK, France, Spain and Belgium.

EUROVISION WISH LIST: KRISTINA

Slovakia hasn't participated in Eurovision since 2012 and hasn't really shined when they did participate. One act however was a fan favorite and still remembered today despite finishing only 16th in the semifinal. That didn't hurt Kristina's career at home at all and has been ever since one of the biggest schlagr queens enjoying popularity also in Czech Republic and Poland... And that makes her a perfect candidate for an eventual comeback artist and make it even with the Horehronie injustice. 

Five albums and 30 chartings songs later - five #1's and 13 top5s - she's done also television and gained a lot of experience and confidence. 

Listen to Láska bombová, Si pre mňa best, Number one, Ta ne and  Navždy. 

ITALY: THE 69 FOR SANREMO GIOVANI - AND EUROVISION?

The new formula of Sanremo Giovani has been a success at least in submissions: a record 677.  The jury has now cut those to 69 (instead of planned 60) for the live auditions on November 12, where from the 24 finalists for the televised shows on December 20 and 21, 2018. Each night will have a winner and those two will enter the main festival in February among the Big artists.

Among the hopefuls also familiar names like Mahmood (Sanremo Giovani 16, 4th after Francesco Gabbani, Chiara Dello Iacovo and Ermal Meta), Federica Abbate (co-writer of Nessun grado di separazione (ESC16), Andrea Vigentini (Italian backing singer in ESC18 and long collaborator of  Ermal Meta), Icaro aka Antonello Carozza (co-writer of two Italian Jesc entries), La Rua, Einar Ortiz (from Amici), Federico Angelucci (from Tale e quale show), Nyvinne (Sanremo Giovani 18)..... Other names from Amici are Federico Baroni, Zic, Michele Merlo aka Mike Bird. From X Factor Ros, Diego Conti, Andrea Biagoni, Morgan Ics. And we also have The Voice of Italy winner Maryam Tancredi. 

It's worth remembering the eventual Sanremo winner and Italian Eurovision song contest entrant could be among these artist. 

EUROVISION WISH LIST: MARIO VENUTI

Mario Venuti may not be one of the most obvious names to think when thinking Eurovision but he come to my attention thanks to his duet with Alice in Tutto appare, and has delivered goodies like Caduto dalle stelle, Fammi il piacere, Ventre della città and Lasciati amare.  This Sicilian singer-songwriter and guitarist started his career in early 80's and found fame in group Denovo before going solo. In mid 90's he reunited various artist for a Battiato tribute album Battiato non Battiato where he covered E ti vengo a cercare. He has written for and collaborated with many other artists. He hasn't been to Sanremo for a decade, it would be nice to have him back.... and why not hav him in Tel Aviv, too. This DILF would certainly stick out.