LIVE: SANREMO 2013 - QUARTA SERATA

I'm joining in a little delayed and missed Malika Ayane doing Cosa hai messo nel caffe and now it's Daniele Silvestri doing Lucio Dalla's classic Piazza Grande. Tonight is all about the past and the evergreens before the Newcomers battle it out later, much much later tonight....

Tonight there is a jury "of qualità" along with the televote to decide on the winner of the Newcomers.

Next we had Annalisa with last year's winner Emma doing Alice's winnning song from 1981, Per Elisa written by Franco Battiato. Well, what can I say? Two "amiche" can't even half fill the shoes of Alice, who alone has more power in her voice. Rather senseless performance I must say. On the other hand it's always good this song was included proving it's all but forgotten. Oh, the poor girl are out of breath and with a dry mouth after that? Oh dear....

Next another legend, Antonella Ruggiero, ex-Matia Bazar with Marta sui tubi in Nessuno. From 1959. This Antonella sui tubi works much better and la Ruggiero is divine as always..... And a great return for her to the stage of Teatro Ariston. Her 11th time.
After that the four presenters from 1989 that equal to Toto Cutugno in Eurovision 1991, only times four. And they haven't really improved at all, lol. Thank heavens Raphael GUlazzi come to save the moment....

He sings one of my all time Sanremo favorites, Elisa's winning song Luce (Tramonti a nord-est) from 2001. And he makes the song his, very different arrangement, a total Gualazzi make over but the song is so good it doesn't matter... Very, very different indeed.

Next Modà doing Io che non vivo from 1965, much better known in the world in the version of Dusty Springfield: You don't have to say you love me. Another great track but this version isn't very good I'm afraid. Sometimes it's better to stick to the original arrangement me thinks....
Another great classic follows, Canzone per te, winning song from 1968, sung by Simone Cristicchi this time (very nicely, too). Sergio Endrigo didn't bring this song to Eurovision but Marianne that year and it didn't go that well. Why didn't they send this one?

Luciana is wearing some famous dresses from the past and already had Nilla Pizzi's dress and this one's Caterina Caselli in 1968. In versione miniatura, of course.... With the famous haircut. And she's not happy.....

One more for the road.... Then we have Peter Cincotti and Simona Molinari with Franco Cerri doing a 1959 song Tua that caused a scandal back then for its lyrics and they way it was sung. That's in a suggestive way ;-p

Meanwhile in Austria Natalia Kelly has won the national final. Ok, she wa smy second favorite so I guess I havr to be satisfied after all....

Next the 1988 winning song Perdere l'amore then sung by Massimo Ranieri, now Maria Nazionale with Mauro De Domenico in guitar. Very nice, Napoletan version. I repeat once again Maria is the revelation of this festival for me. I want to know more about her music....

Next a tragic song from the Sanremo's history. In 1967 Ciao amore ciao was eliminated from the final, singer Luigi Tenco committed suicide in his hotel room  but Marco Mengoni performs the song very, very well looking also very sharp tonight. Maybe he should record this, too!? He even got emotional almost having tears in his eyes... maybe highlight of the evening so far?

Fabio leaves the Teatro to unveil the statuo for Mike Bongiorno, legendary Sanremo host (11 esitions) and leaves the house to Luciana.... and this happens..... "Finally I can do whatever I want!"

And here it is: a stutue for Mike Bongiorno in Corso Matteotti in Sanremo. ALLEGRIA!!

And in the sign of allegria here comes Rocco Siffredi and Elio e le storie tese.... doing another show number that is fun to watch but would I ever put this into my iPod? Never!
Next we have a classic from Nada and 1969, Ma che freddo fa. This time Max Gazzè is having cold... Somewhat cold performance indeed lacking something. Warmth?

Then enters another Sanremo legend, Pippo Baudo. A total of 13 editions of Sanremo, mainy in the 1990's and early 2000's and they were beautiful festivals indeed..... He remembers his festivals from 1968 onwards. And memories are many! Luciana obviously makes fun both of them , especially Fazio and then some more off key singing follows when Pippo and Fabio sing to Luciana.... Sigh...

And finally Pippo himself gets this beautiful award of Sanremo with a palm tree and a lion he has given away so many times. Can I have one, too? (Even a plastic replica will do, thank you!)

Next we have Chiara doing Mia Maetini's song from 1989, Almeno tu nell'universo. A true classic. But unfortunately she's about an universe apaet from the original performance by Mimi....
Last but not least Ragazzo di Via Gluck by Adriano Celentano, anno 1966. This time by Almamegretta and many guests... Clementino, James Senese and so on. Raiz instead is not here, he's celebrating Sabbath....

Then follows some more jazzy piano in Sanremo this year. By Stefano Bollani.  Hmm, interesting, after his Brazilian piece he asks the audience for songs to play and then plays a medley of them! Geniale! Wonders one can do with one single piano.... standing ovation from the orchestra!
Then finally (23.46) we start the Newcomers final. It's 50-50 jury-televote.

First we have Antonio Maggio with Mi servirebbe di sapere. He's very good, funny and vocally great. The song is happy and jolly. And most of all it looks like he's having the time of his life on stage. But then he has already a lot of experience. He has also changed from his red suit last night to a glittery black one for the occasion. My favorite. Period.

Ilaria Porceddu follows with In equilibrio.  She wears the same dress, didn't she believe she would make it to the final? My second favorite song here. I wouldn't mind her winning either but somehow I think Antonio would have more to give in the future. Maybe.

Third Blastema and Dietro l'intima ragione.  Still nothing for me I'm afraid.... but his hair is pretty tonight!

Last but least Renzo Rubino and his inno for gaylove, Il postino (Amami uomo).  I'm surprised this made the final because of it slyrics but also because it's a very tradiotional and standard song. Maybe it was indeed the lyrics that made it stood out?! Could it be he wins tonight? he gives a very good performance, somewhat excited but good.
00.16 The songs are over and the televote will be closed right after the pubblicità!

And after that Caetano Veloso. Two songs for him, Voce è linda and Piove. Or the Italian Eurovision entry 1959... So many times Eurovision hits the stage in Sanremo and yet in four days it hasn't been mentioned even ONCE! That will change tomorrow night, of course but they could create the attention by name dropping every night if they wanted to....

Veloso will give away the award for the best lyrics in this year's festival. It goes to Il Cile and Le parole non servono piú. Ah. Then Stefano Bollani turns and performs with Veloso Come prima. Very beautiful...

00.45 Finally..... Renzo Rubino wins Premio della Critica! And the winner is... Antonio Maggio! And he bursts out in tears :-) Could he be going to Malmö 2013 as well?