Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Amir has released a follow up single On dirait to follow the huge success of his fortunate Eurovision entry J'ai cherché ...  On dirait qu'on à tous un ange On dirait, on dirait bien que c'est toi On dirait que dans ce monde étrange On dirait que t'as toujours été là

Here are some random pics that didn't squeeze into any post over the past two weeks from my lovely collaborators Robert, Jack and Markus in Stockholm, and myself. No intruduction, you should recognize everyone, right? Thank you guys once again for all the fun and work, you made me feel like being on spot. Thank you!

Five hours. That's all I had in the wonderful Eurovision bubble. Just enough time to meet some dear friends and fellow bloggers, delegation members and OGAE friends and enjoy the glittery sunlight in Stockholm. But now back at home and enjoying the event from home sofa......  Amir's J'ai cherche welcomed me to the Globen area on tha music bridge, there couldn't have been a better start for the day. Next two hours were spent next to Sanja, Frans, Amir, the guys from Minus One, Francesca Michielin, Gabriela Guncikova, Ivan, Månz Zelmerlöw, quite a few head of delegations and commentators, waiting two hours for Ira Losco who didn't show up, and all things Eurovision. Life's good. Next stop EuroClub/Fan cafe meeting Justs and Aminata.  The most famous Eurovision beard  Frans Justs Then I had just enoug time to check out Eurovision vilage, NK's lovely Eurovision windows  and their very, VERY sad "Eurovision shop"..... and wo...

France took the stage for the first time last night. Amir was in the good mood before the rehearsal and very curious about the stage. No visible signs of pressure of being the main challenger for the victory along with Russia. All eyes were on Amir and did he deliver? Yes, he did. In his signature blue suits and white t-shirt with tennis shoes he charmed the cameras and sung well. But the rest. Simply blue (again!) lit stage, with moon in the floor an planets in the backdrop. I would have never said this but I almost missed those tutu girls now. One can say at least France is not overstaging it as often has happened. Maybe it looks good on telly. Maybe. I hope so. Maybe this is the simple act without gimmicks with just the singer on stage belting it out I was looking for before, the anti-Russia. The general feeling in the bloggerdom seems to be a bit let down. Not Amir but all the rest. 

Four strong male artists in this one, all of them favorites for the win. LATVIA - JUSTS - HEARTBEAT ((Aminata Savadogo) Last year's Aminata wrote Justs Sirmais a song that became one of the favorites to win it all in Stockholm, even before he won the national final in Latvia. Blogilkar : I really liked this when I heard it for the first time, but it has lost a bit of its appeal since. However, it's the first hearing that counts and Latvia should do very well this year. It's quite similar to their entry last year, Aminata all over it it but sung by Justs it makes it very different though. He's easy on the eye, has a great voice and the song is quite original. More of a play with sounds and production than melody but it works. 8,5 Jack:  Aminata is Latvia's savour! She achieves one of their best ever results in Vienna and is set to do very well with Heartbeat, sung by the beautiful Justs. Riga 2017? 9 Peter:  Good opening, catches attention, a solid ...

Listen Looking for you here France's Amir is besides prepairing his performance for Stockholm 2016 Eurovision having fun with the other Eurovision songs. His promotour includes Eurovision in Concert in Amsterdam and the promo events in Israel and London. And he's about to release his debut album Au coeur de moi soon! It must also include fantastic Oasis, that this blogger enjoyed already before it was known he's the chosen one this year.  This blogger thinks France is closer to winning Eurovision since.... well.... ehm.... can't remember! (And no, I never thought Amaury Vassili had a chance!)

The entries have been handed out in Stockholm to EBU and SVT and one by one the Eurovision versions of the songs are being delivered and revealed to us. Let's start with the good ones. Israel has done something to Made of stars and it has turned out very intense and classy indeed. The best ballad thingy along with Serbia this year by far! I don't miss Ella D at all! France has cut the beginning anf the end to make it a three minute one, and apparently made it also softer and faster. Great job! Also Spain has changed a few thing but nothing major. I may have liked the original a bit more for it's heavier beats and a bit more amateurish sound.... But this isn't bad at all! And then the bad. Albania what have you done? Gone is the drama, the atmosphere, the mystery.... All is left is Eneda's voice, far more less convincing in English. From ok that could have been pretty good to one of the worst. Unlistenable. 

February 29 update: It is now confirmed. Oui oui! It seems France has revealed tonight (February 25) - unexpectacly and way ahead of time - their repressant in Stockholm 2016 Eurovision. It's apparently Amir Haddad, known for being finalist in The Voice. He's of Israeli, Tunisian, Moroccan and Spanish origin but born in France. He's entry is   J'ai cherché a bilingual pop anthem . He participated already in the Israeli Kokhav Nolad and released one album in 2011. The in 2013 he was in France and finished third in The Voice behind Kendji Girac and Maximilien Philippe. The news spread in the French media like fire but it seems there's no formal conrimation yet....