Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Malta's long and adventurous selection comes to an end on SuperSaturday February 11, 2023. Along the way we lost one of the favorites, Aidan and his Regina as he was disqualified, threatened a lawsuit but then the dust settled and we are left with 16 songs, selected through the submissions and the 40 selected songs were presented in three quarter finals, cut down to 24 for the semifinal. Along the way we also lost most Maltese language entries and Eurovision veteran Jessika, but Fabrizio Faniello made it. In the final there will be 50/50 jury/televote and hold your horses, this is Malta. The winning song may not end up to Liverpool, only the singer if they manage to buy a better song to her/him/them..... A fact that I find very ridiculous and unfair. Brooke seems to be the front runner (again) now that Aidan is out of the picture. Brooke - Checkmate ** She's not here for the first time and this time she could make it. This is a kind of song fandom will go crazy while the bigger...

Malta is next in line to reveal their cards for Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool. As usual the line up is full of familiar names from previous national finals and even two Eurovision veterans Fabrizio Faniello (2001, 2006) and Jessika (San Marino 2018), not forgetting fan favorites and runner ups  Aidan and Brooke who are yet to win the ticket to the main event. Add two Junior Eurovision participants Francesca Scibberas (2009) and Eliana Gomez Blanco (2019). There will be six shows in total; first quarter finals with ten acts each (and apparently in a very tuned down staging with no dancers, props etc it is rumored) and then a semi-final with 24 acts, while the top-16 make the grand final on February 11, 2023. The show dates are January 13, 20, 27, February 3, 9, 11) and maybe thanks to Aidan's success this year there seem to be several songs in Maltese this time! Great! Update 1/23: The selection process has been changed to three heats (January 13, 20, 27), one semi-final (February 9)...

Her son Fabrizio did it . Twice . Her daughter Claudia did it . Now she has entered X Factor that also doubles Malta's Eurovision 2019 selection and charmed pants off from most everyone with her heartfelt cover of Mia Martini's Gli uomini non cambiano . Forget girl power - it's Mom power time (especially if we also get Pernilla Wahlgren for Sweden).... How cool that would be?! Mrs Faniello can sing, she's lovely and she deserves it. Check out also Cinque giorni , Il mare calmo della sera . Fabrizio and Claudia can provide her backing vocals if needed. 

  Ira's got something to say So does Dami: If you don't love the person in the mirror you probably hate those around you that try to love you as it won't make sense to you why anyone decent would love you.. Try to love yourself. Be kind to yourself and others.    Lordi certainly doesn't have problems in that department. Mr Lordi and Ox exchange some spit to celebrate their 12th anniversary being monsters together Also Conchita is having something important and serious to say with  Syrian band and their Small House project for the New European Songbook On a lighter note Imri enjoys being in the bubble Douwe's got a new job Kristian went triple platinum, yuhuu! Robin drove a boat. Is he the dark angel? Joci promotes some kitchens Faniellos did some tv Kaliopi enjoys October sun And last but not least.... Ding dong! Krista got married finally!

Pictured is Malta's national flower, Maltese centaury Eurovision in Malta is as popular as ever and 156 songs were submitted this year. First they were cut to 60, and then directly to 16 cutting the usual semifinals this time. In the end it was a close run with two songs: Maltese language Kewkba by Janice Mangion and Breathlessly by veteran Claudia Faniello who won in the end with 4.996 calls against 4.544. This was Claudia's 11th song and 9th year she participated. She must have been whispering breathlessly finally ! The song is written by Philip Vella, Sean Vella and Gerard James Borg. They have too many songs in the competition already to even mention them..... Claudia Faniello (29) was known for years only as Fabrizio Faniello's little sister but she has grown over the years a star of her own right with a very original sound. She's been a familiar figure in Maltese television, competitions and festivals since she was 12. She won Festival Kanzunetta Indipe...

Claudia Faniello was... err... 9th time lucky when she finally won the ticket to Eurovision with Breathlessly , following her brother Fabrizio's footsteps, but this blogger thinks she will outshadow his performances in the contest and finally step out to the spotlight big time! It's also a return to the contest for songwriting team Philip Vella and Gerard James Borg, with added Sean Vella.  Claudia (29) needs no presentation. This was already her 9th Malta Eurovision entry and 8th year she was taking part. Previously she has scored two second places and one third so it was about the time, too! She has released one album so far and a string of singles since 2006, when she won Festival Kanzunetta Indipendenza.  Just for the fun here's Claudia's Eurovision journey to this point: 2007 L-imhabba ghamja (7th) 2008 Caravaggio (2nd)           Sunrise (3rd) 2009 Blue sonata (4th) 2010 Samsara (8th) 2011 Movie in my mind (9th) ...

Claudia Faniello, one of the finest voices in Malta. Often compared to Ira Losco and known as Fabrizio's little sister but she has proven in the past ten years she's a star of her own right. She may have taken part in the Maltese Eurovision selection with 8 songs between 2006-2012 but not winning  (yet...), She came second with Caravaggio and Pure though. Miles away is a lovely pop tune with a hint of country. Check out also her latest video and self written song   You said . 

Or so they promise. June 14th on Valletta's Waterfront a special concert will be held and if their promises are true all their Eurovision stars will be walking on water from Joe Grech to very heavily pregnant - maybe she will break the water instead walking on it, wouldn't that be a 7th wonder? - Ira Losco and all of them in between: Helen and Joseph, Renato, Paul Giordimaina, Georgina, Mary Spiteri, William Mangion, Chris and Moira, Mike Spiteri, Miriam Christine, Debbie Scerri, Chiara, Times Three, Claudette Pace, Fabrizio Faniello, Lynn Chircop, Julie Zahra, Ludwig Galea, Olivia Lewis, Morena, Thea Garrett, Glen Vella, Kurt Calleja, Gianluca Bezzina, Firelight and Amber. And PSB's orchestr will be there directed by Paul Abela. Special guests will be there still and this blogger's wild guess is they are the Junior Eurovision winners and some other participants from Malta, some Eurovision royalty and who knows names like Claudia Faniello who has participated about a...

Malta will select its entry this weekend. Being one of the most Eurovision crazy nations on planet it's always fun to see and hear what they get up to. On the other hand, the shows tend to drag on like Sanremo festivals at worst in the 1990's and even this time the interval act guest stars list seems to be endless, all from last year's Eurovision winner Emmelie De Forest presenting her new song Rainmaker to this year's Swiss and Ukrainian representatives SebAlter and Maria Yaremchuk along with local names like Junor Eurovision winner Gaia Gauchi, Red Electric, Winter Moods, The Crowns and Gorg u Powlu. Eurovision veterans Ira Losco and Gianluca Bezzina will host the shows.  The 20 songs in the semifinal will be cut to 14 for the Saturday final by an international jury including Sammarinese Alessandro Capicchioni among others and televoters. The line up includes two previous winners, Fabrizio Faniello and Miriam Christine. After listening the songs for a few times t...

Malta will have it's national selection once again for 2012 and it will take place on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th of February at the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre in Ta’ Qal. As usual many familiar names among the artists and songwriters including even two previous winners Fabrizio Faniello (ESC 2001 and 2006 ) and Mirian Christine ( ESC 1996 ). The 20 in semifinal become 14 for the final. I have listened the songs a couple of times and here's my wild guess for the ones that will stay in semifinal: Andreana Debattista, Corazon, Amber, Ryan Paul Abela, Pamela and Deborah C . They just didn't pull any strings in me that would indicate Eurovision success or that I'd would particlarly want to listen them over and over again.  I don't have a clear favorite either, the live performance will be crucial me thinks. A the moment my favorites are (in no particular order) De Bee, Romina Mamo, Chris Grech, Miriam Christine, Wayne William, Firelight, Christabelle, Davi...

Malta has revealed its 20 hopefuls for Copenhagen 2014 Eurovision. As always the list is filled with familiar names and songs penned by Gerard James Borg, Paul Abela, Philip Vella, Paul Giordimaina, Fleur Balzan and the Micallef brothers among others. Also among the artists we spot mostly familiar names including two Eurovision veterans Fabrizio Faniello and Miriam Christine. The Micallef brothers seem to have attemps to hide themselves behind new names, Wayne as William and Richard is with the band Firelight including sister Michelle. Keep it in the family! Is  this the year Micallef clan finally makes it? I hope so! There are even two previous Junior Eurovision participants among these 20: Sophie Debattista (2006) and Daniel Testa (2008). Daniel also holds the country's best showing in that, 4th. The selection went from over 70 to 50 and then finally 20. The semiFInal is on February 7, 2014 and will cut them to 14 for the final the night after. Some Kind of Wonderful - ...

It's over five years Toše Proeski was killed in the car crash but he is certainly not forgotten in the Balkan area. And even new songs emerge, like this Sve je ovo premalo za kraj , a song apprently found on his laptop and never released before until now.  He has topped the charts already twice after his death, with Jos uvijek sanjam da smo zajedno in 2010 and with The hardest thing in 2008. Recently another Eurovision veteran Fabrizio Faniello recorder The hardest thing as well....

The 24 semifinalists for the Maltese selection have been announced and surprisingly Fabrizio Faniello's song didn't make it. His sister Claudia is shortlisted once again though. So are many other very familiar names like Richard Edwards, Klinsmann, Kevin Borg, and then we have two Bezzinas, two Zammits and among the writers the same names come across again and again: Boris Cezek (3), Dean Muscat (3), Paul Giordimaina (2), Fleur Balzan (2), Philip Vella (4), Gerard James Borg (7), Wayne Micallef (2), Richard Micallef (2) and there are even the usual Thomas G:son, Ray Agius, Marc Pelinck... Richard Micallef/Edwards besides being co-author of two songs he performs two; one solo and one duet. And will he be third time lucky and finally win it after Finally and Look at me now ? This blogger doesn't want to take sides but.... let Edward win!!! 01. Perfect day – Janice Debatista (Boris Cezek, Dean Muscat) 02. Never walkaway – Chris Grech (Matthew James Borg, David Cass...

OGAE Italy is having its annual meeting in Bologna this weekend and the program includes the usual dinners and karaokes with the guest of honor Fabrizio Faniello. Here's an interview (In Italian) with him by OGAE Italy president Cristina Giuntini. He's doing career in Indonesia these days but dreams of Sanremo.... and he has a song running for Eurovision 2013 as well... His latest single is a Tose Proeski cover The hardest thing .  Se vuoi sapere più che cos'è OGAE Italy, clicca  qui . 

The Maltese final also takes place tonight starting at 20.30 CET and you can watch it on eurovision.tv. Readers of this blog know I am all for Richard Edwards this year (sorry Wayne!) and I believe he has a good chance. If not then Claudia Faniello might finally make it. Or then we will have something surprising in the making. I will be back after the show for comments. All my favourites made the final with the exception of Eleanor Cassar so I can just sit back and see what happens... Lawrence Gray - In Your Eyes Deborah C ft Leila James - You Make Me Go Uh Uh Dorothy Bezzina - Autobiography Gianni Zammit - Petals On A Rose Claudia Faniello - Pure Danica Muscat - 7 Days Fabrizio Faniello - I Will Fight For You (Papa's Song) Corazon - Mystifying Eyes Richard Edwards - Look At Me Now Kaya - First TIme Amber - Answer With Your Eyes Wayne Micallef - TIme Kurt Calleja - This Is The Night Janvil - You Are My Life Klinsmann - No Way Back Francesca Borg - Take Me Far

Malta will have its semifinal tonight. Out of 24 songs 16 will go on to tomorrow night's final where the winner will be decided by a jury and televote. Last year's winner Glen Vella will provide some big smiles and high notes on both nights. Fabrizio Faniello is after his third win while the regulars Eleanor Cassar, Claudia Faniello, J.Anvil, Lawrence Gray and Wayne Micallef, just to name a few are after their first one. Last year's runner ups Richard Edwards and Kurt Calleja both are back at it. If the ten  highlighted ones are through, this blogger's happy at this point. You can listen all the songs for example  here . The show starts at 20.30 CET. 01. Danica Muscat – Seven Days 02. J. Anvil – You Are My Life 03. Isabelle Zammit – Walk On Water 04. Francesca Borg – Take Me Far 05. Klinsmann – No Way Back 06. Richard Edwards – Look At Me Now 07. Annalise Ellul – Whoop It Up 08. Kurt Calleja – That Is The Night 09. Romina Mamo – DNA 10. Nadine Bartolo – Can’t...

Malta has announced the 24 lucky semifinalists and as expected it's a family affair and even if not most every artist is a familiar name and already participated in the Maltese selections. When this goes on year after year one treats them a bit differently, wishing this or that artist would finally make it and win as it is his/hers about 18th time with no win. Think about Eleanor. Or sinply because they are good. My own personal favourites, the Micallef brothers and Faniello siblings all proved to have a good one this year, too. And if you wonder why Wayne wasn't it the pre-selection where they sung for the judges it's because he was in the States but then he does have merits.... Last year's runner up Richard and 3rd placed Kurt are back with a bang. Claudia has been a runner up in the past, so has Eleanor. Listen snippets of the songs here , here and here . This bloggers early favourites are Claudia Faniello, Danica Muscat, Eleanor Cassar, Fabrizio Faniello, Kaya, Ku...

As usual the list of the 62 songs and singers that have qualified so far in Malta is a familiar reading. These are selected from 161 sent in songs and 24 will make the cut in the end for the semifinal. We don't know yet the songwriters but how many Borgs you think there will be? Anyways, as the same names circulate in the Maltese selection every year they start to feel like family members. And only so many family names you even think you know the ones that might be new ones.... Some singers have several songs and I guess they have have to eventually pick only one if selected with several so there will be changes. Somehow it is very cute with this little circles.... And this bloggers favourite families Faniellos and Micallefs-Edwards are there again! It's time for a Micallef, isn't it? 7 days - Danica Muscat All eyes on me - Kelly Schembri All my love - Fiona Cauchi Answer with your eyes - Amber Aquila's theme - Ludwig Galea Autobiography - Dorothy Bezzina Back to ...

Malta has revealed its Eurovision 2012 plans and interested had two days to send in their entries it seems. And as soon as that was over the names of interested artists started circulating, amongst them also the singing Faniellos, Fabrizio and Claudia. Claudia's international career may have not started the way she and her management wished for with the release of her first album but Fabrizio is doing fine. Last weekend he was in Latvia's Pop Idol and has also sung a theme song for the big German show celebrating 50 years pop, The sound of life is pop . And there's also a great remix of Know me better . Things are cooking well for him the time being so a trip to Baku would be the icing on the cake?

Malta once again produced a solid national final, maybe a bit weaker than the previous years as the highlights were far and between. My favourites after relistening the songs stay the same, runner up Richard Edward's Finally and Fabrizio Faniello's No surrender . A special mention to Kelly Schembri's Love me like your money who's apparently trying to break through in the UK with a fancy video.