Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

BlogIlkar wishes all the readers happy new year 2010 and thanks for the continuous support. Let's make 2010 even better, bigger and brighter, Oslo is waiting for us. And yes, it's Un año más !

And here's the Top-10 - the ten most voted Eurovision songs of all time as voted by over 800 fans all over the world! Watch live countdown in 3.minutes.me here . 10. Secret Garden - Nocturne (1995:Norway) 9. Ani Lorak - Shady Lady (2008:Ukraine) 8. Edsilia - Hemel En Aarde (1998:Netherlands) 7. Marija Šerifović - Molitva (2007:Serbia) 6. ABBA -Waterloo (1974:Sweden) 5. Željko Joksimović & the Ad Hoc Orchestra - Lane Moje (2004:Serbia) 4. Helena Paparizou - My Number One (2005:Greece) 3. Sertab - Everyway That I Can (2003:Turkey) 2. Danijela - Neka Mi Ne Svane (1998:Croatia) 1. Yohanna - Is It True (2009:Iceland)

The countdown continues live on 3minutes.me here. Meanwhile here's what's been going on in positions 51-90! 50. Imaani - Where Are You? (1998:United Kingdom) 49. Olsen Brothers - Fly On The Wings Of Love (2000:Denmark) 48. Natasha Saint-Pier - Je N'ai Que Mon Âme (2001:France) 47. One More Time - Den Vilda (1996:Sweden) 46. Sebnem Paker - Dinle (1997:Turkey) 45. Gigliola Cinquetti - Si (1974:Italy) 44. Eurobandið - This Is My Life (2008:Iceland) 43. Charlotte Nilsson - Take Me To Your Heaven (1999:Sweden) 42. Anne-Marie David - Tu Te Reconnaîtras (1973:Luxembourg) 41. Corinne Hermès - Si La Vie Est Cadeau (1983:Luxembourg) 40. Lenny Kuhr - De Troubadour (1969:Netherlands) 39. Edyta Górniak - To Nie Ja (1994:Poland) 38. Sandrine François - Il Faut Du Temps (2002:France) 37. Kalomira - Secret Combination (2008:Greece) 36. Katrina & The Waves - Love ...

Watch live on www.3minutes.com here . 90. Sandra Kim - J'aime La Vie (1986:Belgium) 89. Malena Ernman - La Voix (2009:Sweden) 88. Johnny Logan - Hold Me Now (1987:Ireland) 87. Chiara - Angel (2005:Malta) 86. Elisabeth Andreasson & Jan Werner Danielsen - Duett (1994:Norway) 85. Soraya - La Noche Es Para Mí (2009:Spain) 84. Sakis Rouvas - This Is Our Night (2009:Greece) 83. Niamh Kavanagh - In Your Eyes (1993:Ireland) 82. Anna Maria - Jopek Ale Jestem (1997:Poland) 81. Boaz Mauda - Ke'ilo Kan (2008:Israel) 80. Anna Oxa & Fausto Leali Avrei Voluto (1989:Italy) 79. Luminita Anghel & Sistem - Let Me Try (2005:Romania) 78. Aud Wilken - Fra Mols Til Skagen (1995:Denmark) 77. Urban Trad - Sanomi (2003:Belgium) 76. Ivo Linna & Marja-Liis Ilus - Kaelakee Hääl (1996:Estonia) 75. Nina - Nacida Para Amar (1989:Spain) 74. Sopho - Visionary Dream (2007:Georgia) 73. Elisabeth Andreasson - I Evighet (1996:Norway) 72. Carola - Fångad Av En Stormvind (1991:Swed...

Watch live on www.3minutes.com here . 130. De Toppers - Shine (2009:Netherlands) 129. Maggie McNeal - Amsterdam (1980:Netherlands) 128. Ines - Once In A Lifetime (2000:Estonia) 127. Lena Valaitis - Johnny Blue (1981:Germany) 126. Jelena Tomaševic ft. Bora Dugic - Oro (2008:Serbia) 125. Ruslana - Wild Dances (2004:Ukraine) 124. Mary Roos Nur Die Liebe Lässt Uns Leben (1972:Germany) 123. Cleopatra - Olou Tou Kosmou I Elpida (1992:Greece) 122. Anjeza Shahini - The Image Of You (2004:Albania) 121. Diana Gurtskaya - Peace Will Come (2008:Georgia) 120. Flor-de-Lis - Todas As Ruas Do Amor (2009:Portugal) 119. Inga & Anush Arshakyanner - Jan Jan (2009:Armenia) 118. France Gall Poupée De Cire, Poupée De Son (1965:Luxembourg) 117. Olta Boka Zemrën - E Lamë Peng (2008:Albania) 116. Joëlle Ursull - White And Black Blues (1990:France) 115. t.A.T.u - Ne Ver’, Ne Bojsia (2003:Russia) 114. Paul Harrington & Charlie McGettigan - Rock 'n' Roll Kids (1994:Ireland) 113....

Watch live on www.3minutes.com here . 170. Rita Guerra - Deixa-Me Sonhar (2003:Portugal) 169. Anastasia Prihodko - Mamo (2009:Russia) 168. Silje Vige - Alle Mine Tanker (1993:Norway) 167. Gina G - Ooh, Aah, Just A Little Bit (1996:United Kingdom) 166. Isabelle Aubret - La Source (1968:France) 165. Daniela Simons - Pas Pour Moi (1986:Switzerland) 164. Waldo's People - Lose Control (2009:Finland) 163. Ingeborg - Door De Wind (1989:Belgium) 162. Johnny Logan - What's Another Year (1980:Ireland) 161. Natalia Barbu - Fight (2007:Moldova) 160. Marija N - I wanna (2002:Latvia) 159. Vicky Leandros - L'Amour Est Bleu (1967:Luxembourg) 158. Evridiki - Ime Anthropos Ki Ego (1994:Cyprus) 157. Maria Haukaas Storeng - Hold On Be Strong (2008:Norway) 156. Mouth & MacNeal - I See A Star (1974:Netherlands) 155. Tina Karol - Show Me Your Love (2006:Ukraine) 154. Kamil Mikulcik & Nela Pocisková - Let'Tmou (2009:Slovakia) 153. Kenan Doğulu - Shake It Up Shekerim ...

Watch the countdown live on www.3minutes.me here . 210. Kim Jackson - Could It Be That I'm In Love? (1991:Ireland) 209. Jeane Manson - J'Ai Déja Vu Ça Dans Tes Yeux (1979:Luxembourg) 208. Simone de Oliveira - Desfolhada (1969:Portugal) 207. Lilianne St-Pierre - Soldiers Of Love (1987:Belgium) 206. Anabela - A Cidade (Até ser Dia) (1993:Portugal) 205. Toto Cotugno - Insieme: 1992 (1990:Italy) 204. Roger Cicero - Frauen Regieren Die Welt (2007:Germany) 203. Alex C. feat Oscar Loya - Miss Kiss Kiss Bang (2009:Germany) 202. Selma - All Out Of Luck (1999:Iceland) 201. Magazin & Lidija - Nostalgija (1995:Croatia) 200. Karolina - Od Nas Zavisi (2002:(FYR) Macedonia) 199. Silvia Night - Congratulations (2006:Iceland) 198. Kejsi Tola - Carry Me In Your Dream (2009:Albania) 197. Alexia - Aspro Mavro (1987:Cyprus) 196. Paul Oscar - Minn Hinsti Dans (1997:Iceland) 195. Glennis Grace - Impossible Dream (2005:Netherlands) 194. Michael Hajiyanni - Genesis (1998:Cyprus) ...

You have voted! Over 800 votes were casted and here are the results. You can watch the countdown live on partner site 3minutes.me here. 250. Elina Constantopoulou - Pia Prosefhi (1995:Greece) 249. Jakob Sveistrup - Talking To You (2005:Denmark) 248. Ingrid Peters - Über Die Brücke Geh'n (1986:Germany) 247. Lise Darly - Tout De Moi (2005:Monaco) 246. Rodolfo Chikilicuatre Baila El Chiki Chiki (2008:Spain) 245. Monica Aspelund - Lapponia (1977:Finland) 244. Maarja-Liis Ilus - Keelatud Maa (1997:Estonia) 243. Kasia Kowalska - Chce Znac Swoj Grzech (1996:Poland) 242. Put - Don't Ever Cry (1993:Croatia) 241. Andrea Demirovic - Get Out Of My Life (2009:Montenegro) 240. Nino - Hano (2001:Bosnia and Herzegovi) 239. Family Four - Vita Vidder (1971:Sweden) 238. Belle & the Devotions - Love Games (1984:United Kingdom) 237. Marcha - Rechtop In De Wind (1987:Netherlands) 236. Anne-Marie David Je Suis L'enfant Soleil (1979:France) 235. Linda Williams - Het Is Een Wo...

The countdown has started. Live here .

... France would send Mika . He's not French but Lebanese-American and has lived in the country for a long time and speaks fluent French. He has previosuly expressed his interest toward Eurovision and his wish to represant Lebanon - would France do? He beats Emmanuel Moire and Christophe Willem in a fan poll. Worth mentioning is Patricia Kaas came second last year in this poll (won by Chimène Badi who came 4th this time). It is also known France is aiming to send another big name to Eurovision after Patricia Kaas. Previous Eurovision entrants Lara Fabian and Natasha St-Pier came 8th and 12th, and other names include Najoya Bèlyzel , Anggun , Helene Segara , David Guetta . Emma Shapplin and Miss Dominique .

It's the end of 2009 and it's a good opportunity to see what's in store for next year by the Finnish Eurovision stars. This year's Waldo's People have been in the studio and we will get to hear some new stuff in March 2010. Also Teräsbetoni is in the studio but the date of the release has not yet been set. Lordi will head to the studios in Nashville, USA in February with their new producer Michael Wagener (Ozzy Osborne, Accept, Alice Cooper, Metallica) and a new album will come out in 2010. Jari Sillanpää will go on with his Kuin elokuvissa tour in March 2010, and Hanna Pakarinen her gigs in clubs. Katri Helena will also start her new tour Salaisuus in March,  and another veteran Marion Rung will also hit the road, backed by her gold selling album Elämänvoimaa , her first in nine years.

News are a bit old but did you know Dima Bilan launched with Oriflame two perfurms: Excite by Dima Bilan for men and Dancing lady by Dima Bilan for ladies. Anyone has had a sniff? The perfurms come with a song Co mnoy / Dancing lady .

NTU has announced moments ago that Vasily Lazarovich (28) will sing for Ukraine in Oslo 2010. A surprising choise as he has yet to release his debut album and has just a few videos under his name, like Proshay , Svoboda and  Gordy . More ballad here and some dance here . Something in English here and  jazzy stuff here. The man is his own producer and I think he's very promising. There's now an open call for songs for him. Let's see if the Ukrainians will turn this into a megaholabaloo once again on stage as he has the makings for it or will they be a bit more sober?! And it looks like Oslo 2010 will be a very male dominated affair!

IBA has in the end stick to their original choice and Harel Skaat (26) finally gets his chance in Eurovision! The final decision was made moments ago.

Croatian TV has announced the names for the Dora 2010 participants. Feminnem is trying once again!  And there are many other familiar names in the line up, too! These songs were selected out of 177 sent in songs and eight of them will go to the final where they will meet another eight songs, the invited ones. - Giuliano Danic - Moja Draga - Vokalina Skupina Rivers - Bez Tebe - Martina Vrbos - Ti I Ja - Mijo Lesina - Tajna Ljubavi - Betty Belle - Ne - Doris Teur - Ti me ne Zasluzujes - Nikola Marjanovic - Ti i Muzika - Feminnem - Lako je sve - Franko Krajcar - Jobrni Je Jobrni - Klapa Iskon - Vrime Za Kraj - Teska Industrija - Nazovi Stvari Pravim Imenom - Izvodac - Sada Osjecam To - Tomislav Modric & Ansambl - Trio Tulipan - Valungari - Vol or ne vol - Drazen Zanko - Moja Ljubav Jedina - Flip Dizdar - Sunce

T ogether with four other Eurovision fansites, including yours truly,  3minutes.me organised a Eurovision Top 250 this year. The votes have been counted, the list is ready! Tune in on 3minutes.me , where the broadcast of the 250 best Eurovision songs will start at 10:00 CET on Thursday!

Looks like there's a cat fight in Israel involving two TV stations, money and managements. And in the middle two local Pop Idol runner ups Harel Skaat and Vladi Bleiberg. The Israeli parliament will settle the matter tomorrow, they promise. Let's see how this ends. Will Harel have to stay home when he finally accepted to go for it??? Will the fact Vladi has already made some name in the Eastern Europe turn the cards for him?

Missed the Lena Philipsson & Orup live show this summer? No worries, you can listen to it right here on radio!

The Helsinki 2007 Eurovision winner, Marija Serifovic of Serbia has released a new album Andeo (Angel) earlier this month for the Serbian market. This follows her previous and third album Nisam andeo (I'm not an angel) in 2008. The album has been recorded in Sweden and produced together with Robin Rex. The album comes while waiting for Marija's first album in English to be launched later. She admits regretting she didn't do it right away after winning Eurovision... Meanwhile she is apparently in love! Here are Party tonight , Kada ljubis Andjela , Istinu preduti and her new video Sta da zaboravim .

Juliana Pasha (29) has won the national final in Albania with Nuk mundem pa ty , whatever it means. Anjeza Shahini came second and Kamela Islami third. Kamela was surely my favourite out of this top-3. Juliana came already 3rd in 2007 and 2nd last year so one can call this a "working win".  My favourites didn't do so well: 3rd, 7th, 8th, 15th and 19th. Oh well... (And judging the comments on various message boards fans are not happy screaming corruption and the usual. If there is a jury they blame the jury. If there is a televote they want a jury! Simple as that.) Juliana Pasha - Nuk mundem pa ty - 133 points Anjeza Shahini - Në pasqyrë - 118 points Kamela Islami - Gjëra të thjeshta  - 116 points Pirro Çako - Një tjetër jetë - 106 points Flaka Krelani - Lë të bëhet çfare te doje - 99 points Bojken Lako & Banda Adriatica - Love love love - 98 points Denisa Macaj - Aria - 92 points Dorina Garuci - Sekreti i dashurisë - 78 points Mariza Ikonom...

The first Finnish semifinal is only less than two weeks away and there have been already some releases, or singles or albums will be released shortly. Amadeus will release his debut album on January 27 (including Anastacia , Matador , Pyyhi tuuli kyyneleet and Onnemme kyyneleet amongst others) and Osmo Ikonen will release his second album including Heaven and hell in February. Eläkeläiset has already released a 2-cd with their "greatest hits" including their entry Hulluna humpasta . Antti Kleemola has already a radio hit with his Sun puolella and the single will be released shortly, as will Bääbs do with her You don't know tomorrow . Kuunkuiskaajat also released their debut album before Christmas and it includes two versions of their entry Työlki ellää . The album includes also Taivaallinen and Loputon tie . Promo singles for radio stations have been released several others, including Maria Lund who already made #4 in the radio playlists followed by Amadeus at #5, E...

Another Euroviisut 2010 video for you folks: Kuunkuiskaajat with their folksy and happy Työlki ellää . The title says it's practising video but it's just a run through of the song full of joy and happiness!And here they sing Winter wonderland in Finnish.

Laura Voutilainen and Veeti Kallio will be dubbing the new Disney cartoon The Princess and the Frog that will premiere in Finland in mid-February 2010. This is not the first time the Eurovision veteran in 2002 and hopeful in 2010 are singing together, in 2001 they dueted on Laura's album in Ei edes kuolema .

The Belarussian selection that was supposed to be for Eurovision 2010 has come to an end with Artyom Mikhalenko and Don't play in love (click Show 2 over the pics)  emerging as another language challanged winner. This contest was hosted my ONT that didn't get the full EBU membership and therefor the situation is rather unclear in Belarus. A new round of selection is going to be held in February and then the two broadcasters will decided who gets to go to Oslo 2010. The only thing for sure is the writers of this song are going to be there as guests!

A special treat for my lovely readers. Rafael De Alba has made a Spanish adaption De tu lado of Antti Kleemola's Sun puolella in Euroviisut 2010. Enjoy!

Rafael De Alba has sent this song Chelsea boy to the Spanish selection and here comes the video! Enjoy! And vote after January 13!

Last night in Albania they had the so called newcomers night. Two acts will join the 18 "big" finalists in the final tomorrow. Tonight instead the big ones will perform their songs with a different version, arrangements, duets and so on.... The qualifiers were 14-year-old  Goldi Halili and Iris Hoxha .

D'eux was Celine Dion's first collaboration with Jean-Jacques Goldman, and since its original release in March 1995 it has become the best selling French language album in the world with over 9 million copies sold. Later three of the songs would make it to her next English language album Falling into you : If that's what it takes , I don't know and Fly . But the original French one topped the charts in France, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands. In Canada it made it only #7 but has since sold 7 x platinum. The total European sales of the album is around 8 million, nearly 4,5 of them in France alone. And now you can have it remastered with added bonus tracks (demo and singback versions of some of the songs) and a DVD. The DVD contains the videos for Pourque tu m'aimes encore , Les derniers seront les premieres , J'attendais and Je sais pas , interviews and Tv-apparences. A must have! I have always preferred Celine in French and I'm a fan of Goldman ...

The rumours were true this time (finally!) and Harel Skaat will go for Israel for Eurovision 2010 in Oslo. Great! The national selection Kdam will be held later where Harel will perform 4 songs, out of which the winner will be chosen. It's quite remarkable that all four artists known so far for Oslo 2010 are male soloists! UPDATE: Today, December 26 IBA has announced the announcement was not ment to be announced so the saga continues at least until Monday: will he be or will he not be the chosen one?

Albania kicked off its selection production for Eurovision on Christmas eve with Festivali I Këngës offering a lot of etcnic ballads and a few uptempo numbers, all with live orchestra. One can only wonder how the songs will turn out on studio versions (and in 3 minute version)! Previous winner Anjeza Shahini did a great job with her song but it might be just a bit too much drama for Europe. Teuta Kurti was one of my favourites (love that lonely piano) but the song's way too long and should be reworked for Eurovision in case of a win. Same goes for Kamela Islami . A very nice track (again with the lonely piano in the background!) with low spoken parts. Dorina Garuci offered an uptempo song that owed quite a lot to Charlotte's Hero in the first lines of the refrain. With a good remix this one could be a good choice for Oslo 2010. Maybe... Juliana Pasha seems to be some sort of a favourite but I find her songs simply boring. Denisa Macaj offers very Joksimovic sounding song...

Punctual as every year the news I have been waiting for have arrived: Harel Ska'at for Israel! This is the fourth year in a row he has been announced and then the news have turned not to be true. As it seems his management has thought the previous years it wouldn't be good for him "at this point of his career" but this time around he/his team have proposed themselves to IBA. Will IBA say "yes" after three "no"s? Waiting for official announcement, until then it's just an everlasting rumour.... Here he is in action: At ve'ani , Veat , something else . I for sure hope this time it's true!

Malta has its third semifinal some days ago featuring previous winner Miriam Christine with uptempo and repetitive Beautiful contradiction , The Garrett with classic Eurovision americanized ballad My dream , Tiziana Calleja with latin inspired Words are not enough that promises a lot but the mix and the singer just aren't tight enough, Eleanor Spiter with rather forgettable pop song Velvet ocean , Francesca Borg with I surrender that is unfortunately lost in anonymous arrangement. It might need a much stronger and heavier orchestration to make it stand out. Last but not least selection veteram Eleanor Cassar with rather over performed Choices . And no, I still don't think we have heard the winner yet. Out of these I would pick up My dream , it felt genuine and pleasant to listen to.

BlogIlkar proundly presents Rafael de Alba's entry for the Spanish selection for Eurovision 2010, Tu pais te necesita! This is third time he presents a song after Quédate hoy in 2008 and One more chance in 2009. and now he goes in English with Chelsea boy .  You can listen to all these three songs with several others on his MySpace . Songs to the selection can be sent until January 12, 2010 and the day after the voting starts!

Here's Find my way to Betlehem , Carola's new Christmas song for 2009. BlogIlkar wishes all the readers a peaceful Christmas time.

Another Euroviisut 2010 artist has published a videoclip, Osmo Ikonen to his Heaven or hell . Previously Bääbs did a fun video for You don't know tomorrow .  Osmo is one of the main contenders if you believe the fan poll in Viisukuppila.fi. .

Watch Carola trying to save the Silent night sung with Liza Minnelli two years ago in Stockholm.... Meanwhile her Christmas in Betlehem album has been charting on iTunes here and there including reaching top-5 in Sweden and Norway (and #4 in Sweden  in the "real" album charts) and is/was charting in top-20 also in Finland, Luxembourg, Italy and Belgium, and in top-50 in Portugal, Switzerland, Denmark, Netherlands, Greece and debuts in Austria at #173. In the US it made to #154 on iTunes

Another familiar name in Sanremo 2010 Nuova generazione is Claudia Faniello with Guardami. She has been a regular in the Maltese selection for Eurovision the past few years. High alert , L-Imhabba ghamja , Caravaggio , Sunrise and Blue sonata are her songs from there. besides that she won Festival Kanzunetta Indipendenza 2006 with Ma nafx . She's trying to win the ticket to Oslo with Samsara . Will she get to do both Sanremo and Eurovision in 2010? UPDATE: Apparently the voting in the website has no meaning whatsover. A jury will pick up the few names (6-8) who will get to Sanremo Nuova generazione 2010....

Roberto Meloni may be a big star in Latvia and has represanted the country already twice in Eurovision - in 2007 with Bonabarti.lv and a year later with Pirates of the Sea - but in his home country Italy the sardinian singer is little more than a nobody. Therefor, he is one of the many unknown ones to try to get to Sanremo 2010 Nuova generazione with his song Per un domani. Good luck, Roberto!

TRT launched an email voting for the fans to name their favourite singer for Turkey in Oslo 2010 some time ago and apparently these four names were the most voted for: maNga , the band that won the MTV Europe music award 2009 for Europe's favourite act, Armenian-Turkish alternative rock star Hayko Cepkin , Emre Aydin who won the same MTV Europe award maNga did a year before, singer-song writer Sebnem Ferah and pop singer Murat Boz . TRT is now negotiating with the artists in question - all of them mentioned many times the past couple of years as possible entrants, or wished for - and also trying to figure out what kind of an act would do in 2010: male, female or a band. If this top-4 turns out true it is quite remarkable Tarkan is not on it.... and why no one ever mentions Mustafa Sandal ?

Slovakian TV has announced the 60 acts that will be presented in six semifinal on January 22, 24, 29, 31 and February 5 and 7. The two semifinals will be held on February 14 and 21 and the grand final on February 28. The Slovakian Eurovision represant in 1996, Marcel Palonder is trying a bis, so are 15 acts from the 2009 selection as well, including Thomas Bezdeda (3rd), Martina Shindlerova (5th), Robo Opatovsky (6th), Smola y Hrusky (9th), Peter Bazik (10th), Andrea Sulovska (10th), Michal Chrenco (12th) and Robo Simko & MassRiot (13th). The rest are newcomers.

A couple of days have passed from the second Maltese semifinal but nothing was lost listening the songs a bit late. Glen Vella imitated badly Michael Jackson, Aldo Busuttil was the tenor of the evening but the song's not going anywhere and he struggled to keep it going at all. Claire Galea played the Patricia Kaas card and despite lacking her charisma delivered a rather nice 3 minutes. Claudia Faniello offered a rather chaotic pop song that many seem to like and talk as possible winner. I'm not so sure she will win this time either. (Will she eventually break Olivia Lewis's record?) Josef Tabone had rather catchy pop song but it's been heard so many times before with all its Na na nas and ooh ooh yeahs. At last Godwin Lucas & Eve Daily with their old fashioned Eurovision ballad. But no. I think and hope we still haven't heard the Maltese winner ...

As mentioned before Didrik Solli-Tangen is taking part in the Norwegian semifinals hoping to represant his home country at home ground in Eurovision 2010. He is also a friend of Alexander Rybak who brought the contest to Oslo and here they are together performing an Italian classic Torna a Surriento ! Didrik's MGP song My heart is yours is composed by Fredrik Kempe who has already penned and/or performed in Melodifestivalen and Eurovision songs like Finally , Cara mia , Hero , Hope & glory , Moving on and La Voix . Sounds like a winning combination!

Bääbs has been busy prepairing for Euroviisut 2010 and various newspapers have run interviews with her but Sue magazine put her in the cover of their 15th anniversary issue! And rightly so. Bääbs came from nowhere and qualified as one of the three songs from the open contest on internet for the Euroviisut 2010 semifinals joining the invited artists. Here's a bit of the interview in Sue. "I don't know really how it all started. We were speculating about Euroviisut I guess and soon a Facebook group Viola Euroviisuihin was born. In the end however we decided the guys would write the song and Bääbs would sing it solo." Bääbs or Päivi Kankaro tells. "My dad has always said: "Then when you are in Eurovision ... " and once even sent me a newspaper article where Lordi's and TV-resistori' s (her band) albums critic was on same page with a note attached "This is the closest you've got to Eurovision so far" she continues . "Eurovis...

This blog's favourite multi-European fan Peter is up again with a review. This time about the Euroviisut 2010 songs. It's nice to see how we disagree and agree in perfect harmony! :-) You can also read Rafael De Alba's review here. Well here we are again, another year when Finland is full of motivation to get another taste of Eurovision victory. Over the last few years there have been very inventive ways of picking a song that will appeal to a broad cross-section of Europeans. Finlands format is quite interesting and should produce a worthy winner for Finns, but will it be a song/singer combination that will appeal to Europe? Who knows? just another 5 months will tell. The following are my comments on the songs that have been chosen as this years finalists. While some of my comments may seem harsh, I do respect these people a lot for entering and being chosen for the finals, and wish them all the best of luck .... but only one can go to Oslo ! Amadeus - Anastacia • N...

Today seems to be the day of various lists and here comes also the list of Sanremo 2010 Big category. Many familiar names but also surprising absenses like Matia Bazar, Paola Turci and Gerardina Trovato whose presence was given as a sure thing just a day or two ago. Toto Cutugno and Enrico Ruggeri are the only Eurovision artists this time, but along them also previous winners of Sanremo are Arisa (last year's New comers winner), Simone Cristicchi (2007), Povia (2006), Fabrizio Moro (Newcomers winner 2007) and Sonohra (Newcomers winner 2008). Personally I'm a bit disappointed with the list. None of my real favourites is included and I do not have an instant favourite to pick up at this point. And yes, Emanuele Filiberto is there, too. He could have been the king of Italy if things went a bit different way.... ARISA – “Ma l’amore no” MALIKA AYANE – “Ricomincio da qui” SIMONE CRISTICCHI – “Meno male” TOTO CUTUGNO – “Aeroplani” NINO D’ANGELO – “Jammo ja” IRENE GRANDI – “La ...

RUV has also announced the artists and the songs in their three semifinals. And here they are:  Semi Final 1:   Íris Hólm - "The One" Karen Pálsdóttir - "In The Future" Kolbrún Eva Viktorsdóttir - "You Are The One" Sigurjon Brink - "You Knocked On My door" Matthias Matthiasson - "Out Of Sight" Semi Final 2:   Edgar Smári Atlason - "Now And Forever" Sigrún Vala Baldursdóttir - "I Believe In Angels" Menn Ársins - "Gefst ekki upp" Jógvan Hansen - "One More Day" Hvanndalsbræður - "Gleði og glens" Semi Final 3:   Anna Hlín - "Komdu til mín á morgun" Arnar Jónsson - "Þúsund stjörnur" Sigurjón Brink - "Waterslide" Steinar Logi Nesheim - "Every Word" Hera Björk - "Je Ne Sais Quoi"

Slovenian TV has announced the 14 songs that will compite in the semifinal and their reserves. Half of them will join the seven invited songs in the final. Amongst the semifinalist we have some familiar names like Brigita Suler and Manca Spik while two other familiar names Samuel Lucas and Sebastian made it only as reserves! Here are the semifinalist: Dež - Nina Pušlar Dovolj ljubezni - Martina Šraj “Franjo”- Zadnji Taxi Gremo na Emo - Vaso & D Plejbeks Iz navade - Petra Pečovnik Le en dan - Martina Feri Moj si zrak - Marko Vozelj Narodno zabavni rock - Ansambel Roka Žlindre & Kalamari Od tod do večnosti - Sara Kobold Para me - Brigita Šuler Priznam - Ylenia Zobec Roko mi daj - Langa Tukaj sem doma - Manca Špik Živim za zdaj - Saša Zamernik And the reserves: Ptice v letu - Zala Hodnik “Na pravi poti” - Samuel Lucas Ko mine ta dan - Andrej Ikica 3 stvari - Sons Nova pomlad - Katja Fašink in Rok Ferendja Bodi ob meni - Sebastian Gremo ven - Skupi...

ERT has finally confirmed the list of ten artists to take part in the national final in the end of February and this time it is for real, it seems. Most names speculated before are in it, including Katerine Avgoustakis who seems to be the pre-contest favourite and the one to beat. Here they are: Giorgos Alkaios & Friends Yorgos Karadimos Manos Pyrovolakis & MP3 Second Skin Christos Hatzinasios Despina Ricci Katerine Avgoustakis Group Melisses Eleftheria Eleftheriou Group Emigre

Switzerland goes national again when they announce a Swiss Michael von der Heide as their represant for oslo 2010 with Il pleut d'Or so for a change it sounds like we will have a song in French! The song will be publicly presented on January 9, 2010.  He has been around since 1996 and has released seven albums so far. He also participated in the German selection in 1999 with Bye bye bar finishing 5th. This announcement came as no surprise as his name has been circulating for some time now. Here is a medley of his biggest hits.

The song the Netherlands is sending to Oslo has been revealed today. Pierre Kartner wrote the song last Sunday in a few hours and the result is here . He sings himself on this demo but six unexprienced singers will try to make wonders with and win the honor to bring it to Oslo 2010. Good luck NL, you're going to need it! Well, at least it is and remains in Dutch: Ik ben verliefd, shalalie....

New countries keep finding Blogilkar. This time it's Myanmar, previously Burma that becomes the 167th country to pay a visit.... Welcome!

NRK has announced the artists in the third and last semifinal so the line up is now ready and it seems to be very strong in the host country of Eurovision 2010. Most names have been rumoured already so no big surprises. Mira Craig and A1 are there as is Didrik Solli-Tangen, a friend of Alexander Rybak. Here is the full list: 3rd semi final, 23 January - Mira Craig - I'll take you high (Mira Craig) - Fred Endresen - Barracs on the hill (Fred Endresen, Olaf Øwre) - Belinda Braza - Million Dollar Baby (Robin Nordahl, Frode Andersen & Gerard James Borg) - Didrik Solli-Tangen - My heart is yours (Hanne Sørvaag & Fredrik Kempe) - The Diamond - European girl (Matias Tellez, Håkon Njøten & Axel Vindenes) - Karoline Garfjell - Tokyo night (Aggie Peterson) - A1 - Don't want to lose you again (Ben Adams, Mark Read, Christian Ingebrigtsen, David Eriksen) 2nd semi final, 16 January - Venke Knutson - Jealous couse I love you (Laila Samuelsen, Alexander Kronlund, Luc...

While Finland was struggling year after year in Eurovision, from one fiasco to another null pointer we did well in various festivals in Poland, Romania, DDR and Bulgaria in 1970's and early 1980's. Marion won Sopot (twice) and Jukka Kuoppamäki Rostock and other awards were rolling in but in Eurovision nothing.... Now those festivals are pretty much gone, Finland has even won Eurovision once and also the other Finnish pop music festival Syksyn Sävel that produced hits like Melodifestivalen does in Sweden these days is only a distant memory... watch this fun documentary with dozens of Eurovision national final songs, clips from various festivals and footage you may have never seen before in YLEäs Areena here: Mrs Screen's music history ! It's entertaining even if you don't speak Finnish! And try to spot as many familiar faces as you can! The clip is available until December 20, 2009.