Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

I'm doing with great pleasure a return to my second home town Rome after two years.... The blog will be back in a week or so.... Meanwhile you can enjoy this . Qui nel cuore mio...... I ricordi non passano mai eccoli qui. Sono molto più forti di noi . più vivi.

Here we are, after 300 songs and 88 artists we have the top-5 as voted by the listeners of Iskelmä radio. The most loved songs by (schlager) Finnsof the 2000's. 1. RAKKAUS ON LUMIVALKOINEN - YÖ No wonder this was voted the best song knowing Yö's popularity and this song must pull all the right strings also in non-fans: dramatic and melancholy playing with the patriotic tunes with "for a little moment love is snow white" and such. Calculated or not but a great track anyways. Has become popular song in the funerals so is this the Finnish Angels by Robbie Williams?? 2. KAKSI PUUTA - JUHA TAPIO Juha Tapio won the Emma award last year thanks to this song as the best male artist. His career has been steadily going higher and higher and this might be the culmination where everything falls into place. Or has he something better still coming up? The lyrics of this song are pure poetry that make you think with its story about two trees that grow and stand in the rain and...

6. MÄ PUTOAN - YÖLINTU Yölintu is a danceband that's been around since 1992. Their vocalist is Simo Silmu who also scored single hits on this list, too. Ten albums so far that have sold 7 gold discs, 5 platinum and 2 double platinum albums. This song is maybe their biggest hit and from 2002. 7. KIITOS JA KUNNIA - YÖ Yö has been around since 1981 and were part of the Pori movement that culminated later in Dingo who also may have stolen their fans as their record sales dropped dramatically in mid 1980's. After nearly 15 years of thin years what comes to success Yö came back in early 2000's and has been selling (multi)platinum in each their four latest albums again. Singer Olli Lindholm also won Iskelmä Finlandia 2008. I guess the guys never thought in early 1980's they would end up 30 years later as schlager radio's pets! 8. KAIKISTA KASVOISTA - ANNA ERIKSSON No doubt one of the best singers in Finland. She's now making small steps to conquer Scandinavia with...

Good news for all Alice fans. In an interview in occasion of her concert in Verona Folk earlier this month she confirmed she's planning a new pop album to be released already in 2011! It's about the time, too. Her latest pop album with new songs is Exit (1998). She's also working on a new tour that deals with the concept of time. She says she will sing on that tour also songs from the early 1980's, songs that she hasn't performed live since. But don't expect to hear Messaggio , the only song she admits regretting a bit. On the other hand she is again singing Per Elisa live. "It reminds me of a particular period and it has a good energy. And no, it doesn't talk about drugs as often written. I knew at the time drugs existed but I never was in the crowds where they were used. I wouldn't have enough experience about the matter to write about it. Nor do I now for that matter!" she laughs . "But it is very interesting to see how lyrics can b...

We continue with familiar names with the exception of Neljänsuora, Each song is worth its place here I guess, even Finlanders who really aren't my cup of tea but the song's great. C'est la vie is very recent hit and Milla is a true classic, too. And tomorrow we enter the top-10!! 11. OHIKIITÄVÄÄ - JUHA TAPIO 12. HETKEKSI EN SULLE RUPIA - LAURI TÄHKÄ 13. LOISTO - YÖ 14. OIKEESTI - FINLANDERS 15. SUN SÄRKYÄ ANNA MÄ EN - JOHANNA KURKELA 16. TIE SYDÄMEENI - YÖ 17. C'EST LA VIE - ANNA PUU 18. SIIPIRIKKO - NELJÄNSUORA 19. HUKUN - JANI WICKHOLM 20. MILLA - ANSSI KELA

Alcazar's Andreas Lundstedt surprised his boyfriend figure skater Niklas Hogner in a live nationwide radio program Sommar i P1 by finishing the programe by "... and last but not least, greetings to my boyfiriend Niklas. Do you wanna be my man forever? Will you marry me? " Once Niklas got over the shock by being proposed with a few million listeners he said "yes!". How cute. The lovebirds are not celebrating the event together as Andreas in on tour and Niklas is not with him.  Another high profile gay marriage in Sweden in 2010 after the Peter Jöback wedding in June? Andreas has a long history in Melodifestivalen and has even done Eurovision once, in 2006 but for Switzerland. He has done three times solo: Driver dagg, faller regn (1996), Jag saknar dig, jag saknar dig (1997) and Move (2007) and with Alcazar in Not a sinner, nor a saint ,(2003)  Alcastar .(2005) Stay the night ,(2009) and Headlines (2010). He was also dating Magnus Carlsson for many years and...

Now there's a video for this Safety by Dima Bilan and Anastacia. So far apparently released only in Russia but there are plans for an European wide release and promotion.

Two Swedish Eurovision stars have been abusing alcohol that has caused their careers and private lives to go down the drain. Kikki Danielsson has tried a come back and sober up several times in the 2000's, so far in vain, but now Jan Johansen comes out as clean. "I got drunk for the first time when I was 12. Since then I have been drunk every other day, more or less " he says. "It ruined my career and my personal life, but it is so common in this business to have a drink after show no one noticed. Since September 28, 2008 I haven't touched alcohol. I was diagnosed with ADHD and all of sudden it all fell apart. I was drinking because of that! After diagnosis I got my life back" Well done Jan! Maybe it's time to record some great songs again? Like Se på mig and Let your spirits fly . And best wishes to Kikki to make it. And give us more Bra vibrationer ,  Varför är kärleken röd and I dag & I morgon .

We are nearing the top-20 and the names are already very familiar. Anna Eriksson has some of her best songs here, so does Lauri Tähkä. Popeda enters with their rather dubious song "20 cents" - it remains unclear is he has 20 cents or 20 centimeters in his pockets that she refuses to even look at as they both are the same in Finnish.... Also Jenni Vartiainen is here with her tribut to lesbian affairs. Lauri's Rakkaus ei oo pysyvää has become a very popular with its tango version amongst the tango singers and has been covered by both Amadeus and Marko Maunuksela, tango kings 2009 and 2010.  21. LINTU - ANNA ERIKSSON 22. PREUSSINPUNAISTA - YÖLINTU 23. MAAILMA ON RENKI - LAURI TÄHKÄ 24. UHKAPELURI - AGENTS 25. KAKSKYTÄ SENTTIÄ - POPEDA 26. TAIVAS TIETÄÄ - JARI SILLANPÄÄ 27. OOT VOIMANI MUN - ANNA ERIKSSON 28. RAKKAUS EI OO PYSYVÄÄ - LAURI TÄHKÄ 29. IHMISTEN EDESSÄ - JENNI VARTIAINEN 30. SAMMUNUT NUOTIO - AGENTS

After four years of picking up their nose for Eurovision ORF has decided to return and will be present in Germany 2011. A casting show is apparently being used as the national selection procedure. Last time Austria participated in Helsinki 2007 with Eric Papilaya's Get a life, get alive .

Some great tracks in this part once again and songs by already very familiar names. Worth mentioning PMMP's fantastic Pikkuveli , a story about a (gay?) little brother. Yö's Särkyvää also recorded by Annika Eklund and Pasi won Iskelmä radio's talent hunt last year.  31. HILJAINEN ON LAULU RAKKAUDEN - TAIKAKUU 32. RAKKAUDESSA SUURIA - PASI VAINIONPERÄ 33. MONTA MONTA - LAURA VOUTILAINEN 34. SUOJAAN KAIKELTA - LAURI TÄHKÄ 35. KUUNNELLAAN VAAN TAIVASTA - HECTOR 36. ELÄN ITSELLENI - POPEDA 37. SÄRKYVÄÄ - YÖ 38. PIKKUVELI - PMMP 39. KELPAAT KELLE VAAN - JUHA TAPIO 40. ELÄ VIELÄ - SIMO SILMU

Join CatCat, Euroband and hundreds of Eurovision fans from all over Europe for the very first Eurovision cruise on m/s Baltic Princess on September 4-5. The cruiser leaves Helsinki on September 4 at 6.30pm and returns the day after at 4.30pm. The boat is filled with fans, Eurovision karaoke, Eurovision drag show, CatCat show, Euroband show, Eurovision DJ's.... what else do you need? And did I mention CatCat? Hurry up to book, the offer end July 31 here .

Nina Hagen's new album Personal Jesus has made it to already #16 in the German album charts, making it her best placing since Unbehagen in 1979! Meaning it features better than her hit scoring Angstlos , In ecstase and others! You can prelisten this Jesus filled affair here . I prefer Nina like this or this . Or this . But it was great to see her live in Helsinki this summer even if there was a bit too much Jesus and too little Cosma Shiva! And with Jesus or without, Nina should do Eurovision!

esctoday.com has made a list of best selling Eurovision artists. No surprise ABBA tops the list but there are some surprises, who would have thought Nana Mouskouri at the top? But she has been extremely popular at her day. Some names are not in the top-10 like Lara Fabian who might be the 11th. Bucks Fizz might be 12th and Lulu have also sold a lot, including the single To Sir with love , that was the most sold single in the US in 1967. Then we have the outsiders Ajda Pekkan , Samira Bensaid and Albano . Ajda Pekkan is said to have sold some 50 million records but there's no official proof of that. Samira Bensaid is one of the best sellers in the Arabic world and her record sales are said to be anything between 20 to 200 million. But there's no proof either. Albano claims to have sold something like 160 million records but that most likely includes his solo mefferts and the records sold with Romina Power, so... excluded. But then we have also Ricchi e Poveri with record sal...

Chisu makes only her second entrance here proving Radio Suomi does favour another kind of music. Still, her breakthrough single makes it to #44. The usual Agents, Juha, Paula, Lauri, Jani, Pate and Jari fill in the rest with one hit wonder Vesterinen. 41. MÄ ELÄN VIELÄKIN - AGENTS 42. MITÄ SILMÄT EI NÄÄ - JUHA TAPIO 43. YÖPERHONEN - PAULA KOIVUNIEMI 44. MUN KOTI EI OO TÄÄLLÄ - CHISU 45. SUUDELLAAN - LAURI TÄHKÄ 46. KUKAAN EI KOSKAAN - VESTERINEN YHTYEINEEN 47. EN ANTAA MUUTA VOI - AGENTS 48. KUU - JANI WICKHOLM 49. AJAN PÄIVIN, AJAN ÖIN - PATE MUSTAJÄRVI 50. KAUNIS IKÄVÄ - JARI SILLANPÄÄ

Anna Bergendahl has been having "a fantastic summer" as she says on tour and having a lot of time off, too. She has not decided yet what to do this fall. "I love to study, it's great to learn new things but I also have music in my heart so I hope I can do both in the future. After all I am only 18! Eurovision was a great experience even if I was kicked out in the semifinal like no Swede before and I learned a lot. I would absolutely love to do it again . in 10 or 20 years! " Her new single and video will be The Army off her debut album.

Hello Marshall Islander somewhere between Australia, US and China and welcome! You get the number 184! :-)

Cyprus will use the talent show Performance to pick up their represant for Eurovision 2011 in Germany. The finalist are chosen and the final will be on September 2010. Obviosuloy we won't know the song but the artist only then. Here are the finalists: Costa Ioannides Christos Milordos Nicole Nikolaidou Louis Panagiotou Daphne Seisou Annita Skoutela Stella Stylianou Malvina Charalambidi Marios Charalambous

Dancebands hit back here just before the top-50 but we have Paula, PMMP, Juha, Taikakuu (with vocalist Janne Raappana), Valvomo and Juha Tapio to make it bearable.... 51 . JOS LUOJA SUO - PAULA KOIVUNIEMI 52. PIIKKILANKAA - TAIKAKUU 53. OLEN LÄHELLÄSI - JUHA METSÄPERÄ 54. LAUTTURI - PMMP 55. MIKÄ KESÄ? - VALVOMO 56. UKKOSTA JA ULLAKOLLA - JUHA TAPIO 57. PIMEÄSTÄ VALOON - YÖLINTU 58. IT HURTS TO SAY GOODBYE - AGENTS 59. UKKOMETSO - PATE MUSTAJÄRVI 60. PIENTÄ UNELMAA - CHARLES PLOGMAN

A very good selection of songs here from Elisa to Noemi to Laura Pausini to Gianna Nannini to Biagio Antonacci and so on. I like each and every song (or video) in this list and while you can't vote you can enjoy some good music. Here's the medley and here are the full videos. Enjoy! The Italian OGAE members can vote until August 4, 2010.

Claudia Faniello has released the first single I hate this song from her coming album that is to be released European wide. After a string of rather medicore songs in Malta song for Europe, and participations in various international festivals here and there including Sanremo 2010 she is ready to turn on the rock vibe and finally emerge from being just Fabrizio's lil' sis.

The Tango king 2004 Tommi Soidinmäki who has been a bit away from the spotlight - his latest album is from 2007 - has set a new goal: Euroviisut 2011 as he states in a recent interview. Tommi started singing at 4 and soon participated in children's singing competitions and later on went on to win as adult Lavatähti 2000, Ponnahdus pinnalle 2001 contests for new voices and then Tango king in 2004. In 2006 he was nominated for the best newcomer of 2005 in Iskelmä radio. He has released three albums to date. Here are some of his songs: Sinut , Laulu joutsenien , Takapenkin kuningatar , Korkan siivet . Will he do a comeback in Euroviisut 2011 where he will eventually meet the reigning tango king Marko Maunuksela?

We are nearing the top-50 and the dancebands are making way to poppier and rockier artists. In this part we have a lot of lauras and Lauris, Annika's classic Euroviisut entry and Jari with the omnipresent Yö and Finlanders. 61. KUULTA KYSELEN - LAURA VOUTILAINEN 62. KATUJEN KUNINGATAR - YÖ 63. SHANGHAIN VALOT - ANNIKA EKLUND 64. PITKÄT PELLOT - LAURI TÄHKÄ 65. TIMANTTINEN TÄHTI - LAURA VOUTILAINEN 66. KIMPALE KULTAA - LAURI TÄHKÄ 67. PAREMMIN KUIN KUKAAN MUU - JARI SILLANPÄÄ 68. PUISTOSSA - ANSSI KELA 69. SINUN VUOKSES - FINLANDERS 70. ASFALTTIVIIDAKKO - ANNE MATTILA

The old rivals have put their bras (or the lack of them) in peace and entered the studios together to record Blondie's boombastic Call me . Life could be worse.....

Eurovision winner Lena will do a promo tour in Sweden next week. She will do promo gigs and sign albums in MediaMarkts in Malmö, Stockholm and Uppsala, and perform in Rix FM's festival in Helsingborg and TV4's Sommarkrysset. All this between July 29 and August 1. Her album has made it to only #31 in the Swedish charts but maybe it will get a boost after this visit? Satellite was a number one hit in Sweden, and the other two singles so far made it to numbers 27 and 39.

We are heading for the top but the names stay the same! Janne Raappana is here, too, as is Anssi Kela with one of his finest songs. Simo Silmu is here solo as he is also Yölintu's solist. Eppu Normaali and Egotrippi break the danceband oriented mole and Sakari Kuosmanen is present well deserved. 71. OLISITPA TÄÄLLÄ - CHARLES PLOGMAN 72. SUURENMOINEN ELÄMÄ - JUHA TAPIO 73. JUNA KULKEE (IL TRENO VA) - KARI TAPIO 74. NUMMELA - ANSSI KELA 75. PIENI SYDÄN - SAKARI KUOSMANEN 76. SADAN VUODEN PÄÄSTÄKIN - EPPU NORMAALI 77. SYDÄNSÄRKYÄ - SIMO SILMU 78. KAVERI - JANI WICKHOLM 79. ODOTA MUA - JANNE RAAPPANA 80. ÄLÄ KOSKAAN IKINÄ - EGOTRIPPI

Laura Voutilainen wins the 10th Iskelmä Finlandia award tonight in Nokia. Juha Tapio was the Public's choice but Pirkko Mannola, who decided on the award said Laura has grown into "international, multitalented singer and performer over the years breaking musical barriers". True. She started as a rather horrible schlager artists and developed into a great performer and stage artists and over the past few years also has found good songs to record and scored hit after hit. Congrats Laura! And Juha Tapio, too!

It's been 25 years since Sandra Kim scored the so far only victory for Belgium in Eurovision with J'aime la vie . She was claimed to be 16 but in reality was only 13 at the time. But time flies and it's been 25 years and for the occasion she has released a new video for it. Or an old one really. A funny idea that in this case works very well, especially if sponsored by an life insurance company! Here .

A real gem visits my blog and becomes the number 183: Bhutan! Whoever over there in Himalayas visited me: a big welcome hug!

The usual cast here, too: Kari Tapio, Sillanpää, Yö. Eppu Normaali, Kela, Edelmann, Eriksson but then we have Janne Raappana with his fantastic cover of Biagio Antonacci's Iris and one hit wonder Teleks. 81. SE JOKIN ALKAA - KARI TAPIO 82. TAHDOIN TAIKKA EN - JARI SILLANPÄÄ 83. HÄN TANSSI KANSSA ENKELEIDEN - YÖ 84. TAHDON SUT - EPPU NORMAALI 85. 1972 - ANSSI KELA 86. JOS VAIN VOISIN - JANNE RAAPPANA 87. SININEN SOINTU - SAMULI EDELMANN 88. KUKA SAA SUT NYT - ANNA ERIKSSON 89. KAKSOISELÄMÄÄ - PATE MUSTAJÄRVI 90. TUULILASIN NURKKAAN - TELEKS

If I had only know earlier they would be there! But I didn't so I am here instead and they are there. So near but yet so far. Sigh. All I can do is comfort myself with their videos, like Santa Maria (Del buen ayre) , La Gloria, Diferente , Mi confesion , Una musica brutal and La revancha del tango !

We have reached the top-100 and this one features the ever present Yö, Yölintu, Paula Koivuniemi, Anne Mattila and Lauri Tähkä with Jani Wickholm. Even Annika Eklund is featured providing the female vocals for Pettävällä jäällä .... Anne Mattila scored a megahit with Perutaan häät after Anna Eriksson turned the song down and didn't want to record it! 91. SATUKIRJAN SANKARI - YÖ 92. SITÄ SAA MITÄ TILAA - YÖLINTU 93 . KUKA PELKÄÄ PAULAA - PAULA KOIVUNIEMI 94. PERUTAAN HÄÄT - ANNE MATTILA 95. ONNENLANTTI - JORMA KÄÄRIÄINEN 96. MIES JONKA YMPÄRILTÄ TUOLIT VIEDÄÄN - ZEN CAFÉ 97. SUOMEN NEITO - JANI WICKHOLM 98 . SUOLAISTA SADETTA - EPPU NORMAALI 99. PETTÄVÄLLÄ JÄÄLLÄ - YÖ 100. REIKÄINEN TAIVAS - LAURI TÄHKÄ

Italy has already chosen its song for the OGAE Song contest 2010 ( Nina Zilli) and Finland is about to do the same. A lot of familiar names from come back Marion to Johanna Kurkela, from Laura Voutilainen to Jenni Vartiainen and CatCat's Virpi, Kuunkuiskaajat and Chisu.. Listen to all the songs here .

Quite interesting and good selection of songs here. From Euroviisut/Eurovision Sillanpää, Laura and Kari Tapio. Two pretty good covers of evergreens like You raise me up and Autumn leaves. Laura and Jani with one of their best tracks. And the ever popular Irina, Tähkä, Plogman and Agents. And late Aki Sirkesalo to complate the set. 101. UNTA EN SAA (LOVE ME TONIGHT) - JARI SILLANPÄÄ 102. RAKKAUTTA EI PIILOON SAA - LAURA VOUTILAINEN 103. KUIN TAIVAISIIN (YOU RAISE ME UP) - KARI TAPIO 104. VASTAUKSET - IRINA 105. JUOMARIPOIKA - LAURI TÄHKÄ 106. PÄIVIN ÖIN - JORMA KÄÄRIÄINEN 107. LANKA JO PALAA - CHARLES PLOGMAN 108. KUOLLEET LEHDET (AUTUMN LEAVES) - AGENTS 109. TULE MUN LUO - AKI SIRKESALO 110. KAIKKI MUUTTUU - JANI WICKHOLM

Rasmus Seebach scores a hit in Sweden with his fourth single off his debut album, Natteravn . It made it to #6 in Sweden and curiously only #32 in his native Denmark where the previous singles all made top-3: Engel (#1), Glad igen (#2), Den jeg er (#3) (that is dedicated to his late father, how he has finfluenced his  life and how he has forgiven him his alcoholism amongst others. Tommy died in 2003 at the age of 53) and Lidt i fem (#3). Rasmus is a son of Tommy Seebach who Discotangoed Denmark to 6th place in Eurovision 1979 and then sung about curls two years later with Debbie Cameron finishing 11th. He was not third time lucky when the stars above him in the sky awarded him only 22nd place in 1993 . He took part in the Danish national finals five additional times without winning. Maybe Rasmus will follow his footsteps some time soon?

Anssi Kela's got two songs here - including the fantastic Mikan faijan BMW - and so does Pate Mustajärvi as he is als the lead vocalist of Popeda. Kari Tapio is present here, too, as well as Kristian and Mamba. 111. LÄPI YÖN - KRISTIAN MEURMAN 112. MIKAN FAIJAN BMW - ANSSI KELA 113. KAKSI SISARTA - ANSSI KELA 114. MÄ ELÄN VIELÄKIN - PATE MUSTAJÄRVI 115. VIELÄ TOIVON - JUHA METSÄPERÄ 116. YKSINÄINEN PITKÄ TIE - JANNE TULKKI 117. PAALUPAIKKA - KARI TAPIO 118. LAULU JOUTSENIEN - TOMMI SOIDINMÄKI 119. RIO DE JANEIRO - POPEDA 120. VIE MUT LÄPI YÖN - MAMBA

Amadeus Lundberg, now ex-Tango King will take part in his aunt Anneli Sari's next tour and musical production Taivaan portit (Gates of heaven). The tour will start on October 21 in Varkaus and end on November 27 in Hämeenlinna and 31 shows has been set.  Maybe that collaboration will give a boost to his career that has gone from The Next Big Thing to almost forgotten within a year to the wider audience excluding the tango crowds. His album sold only 7.000 copies and can be found on sale boxes in record stores and supermarkets by now for a few euros, and his pre-announced victory in Euroviisut ended outside the super final. His private life has given more headlines than his career thriumps but hey, he's still only 21....

A couple of great tracks in this one, too, from Anna Eriksson, Egotrippi and Laura Voutilainen. Kari Tapio is here with his Euroviisut runner up and the rest is the usual dance band stuff spiced up with Pate Mustajärvi's effort.... Suvi Teräsniska has one song here and one more much much higher. Charles Plogman, Anssi kela, Matti ja Teppo and Agents are featured in this chosen ten once again. 121. EI SE MENNYT NIIN - ANNA ERIKSSON 122. MATKUSTAJA - EGOTRIPPI 123. VAARALLINEN YLLÄTYS - LAURA VOUTILAINEN 124. VALAISE YÖ - KARI TAPIO 125. ROKKIMAKKARA - PATE MUSTAJÄRVI 126. JALAT ALTA - CHARLES PLOGMAN 127. ÄLÄ MENE POIS - ANSSI KELA 128. KYLMÄT ENKELIT - SUVI TERÄSNISKA 129. NÄIN SE KESÄLOMA TOIMII - MATTI JA TEPPO 130. EMIGRANTIN LAULU (ONNEN RUUSUT) - AGENTS

Eurovision winner Lena has a new single out, fourth from the debut album, and a very nice video to go with it. Touch a new day is a bit of a Thelma & Louise, isn't it?

Il festival di Castrocaro, the most important Italian contest for new voices (along with Sanremo of course) has reached its 53rd edition in 2010 and was won by Nicola Traversa. He sung along with covers his own song, Gabbia . All I can say is "remember his name!" Castrocaro has launched the careers of many winners and non winners from Gigliola Cinquetti (1963), Giuni Russo (1967), Alice (1971), Luca Barbarossa (1980), Zucchero (1981), Eros Ramazzotti, Fiordaliso (1981), Silvia Salemi (1995), Rosario Di Bella (1987), Lighea (1993), Donatella Milani (1982), Laura Pausini and so on, the list is endless.

A very good selection here mostly today with Zen Cafe's, Irina's and Disco's classics with more tracks from Paula Koivuniemi and Lauri Tähkä added with the ever present Kari Tapio, Yölintu and Finlanders Mamba completes the set. 131 . PIHA ILMAN SADETTAJAA - ZEN CAFÉ 132. ENEMMÄN KUIN MILLOINKAAN - FINLANDERS 133. ÄITI VALVOO - KARI TAPIO 134. BELLA CAPRI - KARI TAPIO 135. SÄ ONNENI OOT - MAMBA 136. TIMANTTI - PAULA KOIVUNIEMI 137. KYMMENEN KIROSANAA - IRINA 138. RAKASTA RINTANI RUHJEILLE - LAURI TÄHKÄ 139. LIIAN SUURI CITY - YÖLINTU 140. L EVOTTOMAT TUULET - DISCO

This part is filled with dancebands and three excellent songs to spice it up: Puhu äänellä jonka kuulen, Oo siellä jossain mun and Kaunis päivä . Three acts very popular at the moment and with young and not so young. 141. PUHU ÄÄNELLÄ JONKA KUULEN - HAPPORADIO 142 . ANNA JATKUA YÖN - FINLANDERS 143. ETKÖ UNTA SAA - YÖ 144. MENNYTTÄ MIESTÄ - YÖLINTU 145. KELLOT SOI - TOPI SORSAKOSKI 146. OO SIELLÄ JOSSAIN MUN - PMMP 147. SYDÄNPUOLI SÄÄTÄ VASTEN - KARI TAPIO 148. MEIDÄN LAULU - MATTI JA TEPPO 149. UNOHTUMATON ILTA - AGENTS 150. KAUNIS PÄIVÄ - ANNA PUU

The charity concert for the earthqueke victims in Abruzzo organized by Laura Pausini and other grand ladies of the Italian music scene with nearly 50 leading female artists including Alice has now sold over 200.000 copies in 3 weeks becoming the most sold DVD in Italy. The ladies sung in solos, duets and trios their own and other's songs. Here is some amatorial footage from the concert - unfortunately the DVD includes only one song by each artist! Alice , Mietta , Paola & Chiara , Spagna and all of them doing the finale.

The annual rumours of Mika's involment in Eurovision are circulating again. When he has been given as the UK singer, when he is quoted of wanting to represant Lebanon if and when they return and this time he is said to be the one to write the UK entry for 2011 following the succesful Andre Lloyd-Webber & Diane Warren and the less succesful Peter Waterman fiasko. Well, it's summer, hot and rumours are flying....

Third time lucky. They have been asked by the Dutch TV in 2009 and 2010 but thanked no. This time they said yes and will go to Germany. Expect some acoustic stuff in Dutch. Most likely. They will perform five songs in the national final sometime early 2011 and 50-50 televote-jury will pick up the song they will take to Berlin. Or Hamburg. Or some other city the Germans fancy hosting the show next year. They are the second act chosen and will meet this year's winner Lena for Germany.....

A bit poor selection this time (and very few Youtubes available) but Jari Sillanpää is here with his Eurovision 2004 entry. Other Euroviisut artists are Jani & The Jetsetters and Kristian Meurman and once again present Kari Tapio. Even a charity single is included and a rockband, Egotrippi as well as girlband Tik Tak. But the biggest of them all is Juha Tapio. 151. TUULIKKI, PIDÄ HUIVISTASI KII - NELJÄNSUORA 152. JÄTÄ MUT - JANI & JETSETTERS 153. LUPA ELÄÄ - ARTISTIT VERENLUOVUTUKSEN PUOLESTA 154. AAMU - KRISTIAN MEURMAN 155. ANNA POIS ITKUISTA PUOLET - JUHA TAPIO 156. EN PYYDÄ PALJON (TE QUISE TANTO) - KARI TAPIO 157. PÖYTÄ TÄYTEEN! - MATTI JA TEPPO 158. TAKES 2 TO TANGO - JARI SILLANPÄÄ 159. NÄMÄ AJAT EIVÄT OLE MEITÄ VARTEN - EGOTRIPPI 160. HEILUTAAN - TIKTAK

It is rumoured 3JS or Jaap, Jan and Jaap will be the band chosen to represant the Netherlands in Germany 2011. They have released three albums so far since 2007 and their biggest hits are Hou van mij , Watermensen , Wiegelied and Bevlogen als vogels . We will know maybe tomorrow if this is true, as TROS will held a press conference to tell us about their plans. In that case the Dutch will most likely continue singing in their native which is always refreshing.

This set of ten songs is very good. Disco is here, so is Irina, Juha Metsäperä, Simo Silmu, Samuli, Mari... and Laura Voutilainen with the song that I personally is one of her best if not the best! 161. USKON JA LUOTAN - FINLANDERS 162. KETÄ SINÄ ODOTAT - DISCO 163. PIENEN HETKEN - JUHA METSÄPERÄ 164. ÄLÄ SANO MITÄÄN - IRINA 165. ENKELTEN TULI - SAMULI EDELMANN 166. VAIN RAKKAUS - MARI RANTASILA 167. TAIVAAN TUHAT KYNTTILÄÄ - SIMO SILMU 168. SYVÄÄN PÄÄHÄN - EPPU NORMAALI 169. AAMUISIN - ZEN CAFÉ 170. EN MIELESTÄIN SUA SAA - LAURA VOUTILAINEN

Spanish has been celebrationg their world championships now for some 24 hours and they truly have lived their dreams now. So has Soraya, providing vocals to Antoine Clamaran's quite wonderful dance tune Live your dreams , a track that would not have been out of place in any of the latest Kylie albums really. Great stuff for summer!

This part is rather poppy and Eurovisionary with Katri Helena, two Kirka songs, Mikael Konttinen's fine Ota kiinni and Annika Eklund's follow up to Shanghain valot - almost a part 2 if you ask me! 171. ENKELEITÄ ONKO HEITÄ - ANNE MATTILA 172. YÖ - YÖ 173. TEETÄ JA PAAHTOLEIPÄÄ - NELJÄNSUORA 174. MINÄ TOIVON - KATRI HELENA 175. POKKA - IRINA 176. OLET MUN SÄ VAIN - AGENTS 177. KUN SINUT SIINÄ NÄÄN - KIRKA 178. LUULET SÄ TOSIAAN - KIRKA 179. OTA KIINNI - MIKAEL KONTTINEN 180. OLE HILJAA JA SUUTELE MUA - ANNIKA EKLUND