THE STORY OF VALENTINA MONETTA

Valentina Monetta released earlier this summer Crisalide - La storia di Valentina Monetta while waiting for her new album coming out early next year to coincide with her third consegutive participation in Eurovision song contest for her native San Marino. This CD sums up of her journey so far from the jazz clubs to the worldwide stage and adoration of Eurovision fans and not only. Her debut album Il mio gioco preferito was released in 2011 in digital form and this one has the best from it, with added tracks, namely her Eurovision entries so far in various forms plus I'll follow sunshine, another Siegel penned song that originally took part in the Maltese Eurovision selection.

A real nice surprise is to discover that Valentina herself has written or co-written those earlier songs. Una giornata bellissima already gained fame when her name was first mentioned as the Sammarinese represent as this was just about the only thing online on Youtube at the time. This blogger likes a lot Diadaba jazz with it's nice lounge feeling. Reproduced it wouldn't be out of any of those compilation cds played in cool bars all over the world - I imagine myself listening it in some some place hot, with a nice caipirinha in my hand and smell of aftersun in the air waiting for some tasty seafood dinner...

Real gems of this album are the jazz versions of The social network song and Crisalide. Facebook is featured also in Euroclub version while Crisalide in four different versions, as is its English version Chrysalis: Dance, Radio pop, Radio jazz and original, clear fillers and bonus tracks but it's great to have them all in one place!

All in all a very enjoyable album showcasing Valentina's both sides. And a very good appetizer in wait for the worthcoming "real" album. Which direction she will go, or will she go on mixing both styles or will she manage to create her own sound? And most of all, how will her third Eurovision entry be like?

Meanwhile we can enjoy her live in Stockholm Pride and Eurovision cruise from Helsinki to Tallinn next month...

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Sabina Babayeva for Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijani selection show for the represant was as long as the selection process for the five finalists. Kurt Calleja from Malta and Can Bonomo from Turkey were present with Ell/Nikki to see Sabina Babayeva to emerge as the winner after each and every finalist had done about zillion songs amongst other guests. Now the Azeri TV will shop around a suitable song for her.

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GOODBYE, FAREWELL...

The time has come. After all these years, 5,7 million visits, 12.000 articles I guess the time has come. As much as I love and care for Eurovision it just doesn't feel the same. The Corona years took their toll and the past two years and certain decisions have helped me to mature the idea that next year I will hear the songs for the first time in semi-final just like any so called local. The bubble has burst. Add the toxicity in social medias and fandom. The arrogant teenagers who saw their first contest somewhere 2017 or even 2021 who think they know it all and only their opinion matters. Did I mention the toxic atmosphere on social medias? I'm too old for that sh*t. It's been a long ride that took me to various Eurovision on spot as a fan and tourist, as a journalist, as a delegation member. I met some great people, made memories of lifetime. In stressful, sad periods of my life this blog has been my safe place, a place to escape and forget everything else for an hour o...

FINLAND: REMEMBERING KIRKA

Boobs for summer: Samantha vs Sabrina!

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Today's funniest Eurovision related story comes from Belarus. Some sources claim Ivan wants to perform on stage naked and with live wolf or wolves. It surely would be a first on Eurovision stage! We have seen some forgotten underwear over the years, and some cardbox animals though..... Is it time to take things a bit further? No, according the rules live animals are not allowed, and Eurovision being a family show nudity won't do either. (It seems to be ok to be half naked if you are a dancer though..... )

Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

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