Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

And here are the last four of the semifinalist.... ALBANIA - Adrian Lulgjuraj & Bledar Sejko - Identitet Albania is using every trick int rock book for their performances; pyros and smoke and flashing lights, black leather and it's all very... well, old school rock. Not sure if it will get the televoters wild, nor the juries. After last year's excellent showing Albania may be stopped in the semis this year.... GEORGIA - Nodi Tatishvili & Sophie Gelovani - Waterfall Is it so that this is in the end my favorite of the semifinalist? It may be. The best ballad. If Europe wants a ballad it's Georgia where we are heading. Their voices are fantastic, the song is Disney-like, yes, it's like a musical tune, yes. But it's beautiful. It's a real Eurovision ballad. A real Eurovision duet. The staging is rather simple but still dramatic with the fire rain, some dry ice..... and real chemistry between the singers. Wonderful! And guess what? We've go...

Emil Ramsauer (95) is way older than Eurovision itself but he takes on the stage like it was his second home. Together we are one . The Takasa slogan. We are one. The Eurovision 2013 slogan. Who was before? The chicken or the egg? Who cares. Switzerland started their rehearsals today as well and the song may not be so well received by the fans but I suspect the televoters and juries will disagree on that. And best wished to Lys Assia, who is apparently hospitalized...  get well soon, you still have years to come back to Eurovision. Look Emil!

Cyprus - Despina Olympiou - An Me Thimáse First thunbs up for Cyprus for singing in Greek (especially when the English version sounds very bland, just like San Marino btw). The problem with this song for me is that I like it when I'm listening to it, but otherwise I don't remember it or rank it very high, unfortunately. I think Cyprus may have a hard struggle to get past the semifinal, and it's a shame considering they have an artist with a real career, a beautiful song and even sing it in original language. But the sparkle is missing.... Hungary - ByeAlex- Kedvesem A little bit the same goes for Hungary that has changed their original version to Zoohacker remix for Eurovision, even if there is even better remix yet around, namely  Lotfi Begi's Deep In The Forest Mix . I like it everytime I hear it, but tend to forget otherwise. The song has something irresistible about it though and even if I must admit I was very surprised it won in Hungary and I was wonde...

This is fabulous! I always liked You and me and may be written that it could win the whole thing last year, but a lot has changed then, including their image and uniforms. Anyways, Heilsarmee is now Takasa, that officially means "pure" in swahili or something. You can also read it The Artist Known As Salvation Army - brilliant! The uniforms are gone and they have a pure and innocent look now. The song is still fantastic and the video the best this year so far! Back to the top contenders! Trés sympa indeed, or molto simpatico!

Emil Ramsauer, of the Swiss Heilsarmee that represent the country in Eurovision 2013 in Malmö in May with You and me , celebrates his 95th birthday today! No need to add that is an Eurovision record! Congratulations, Emil! (PS. Emil was 38 when the first Eurovision took place in 1956....)

Heilsarmee, including 94-year-old Emil who was strongly against it, have agreed to accept the changes EBU demands before their participation for Switzerland in the Eurovision 2013 in Malmö tells Martin Künzi of Swiss Salvation Army. They will drop their Salvation Army uniforms and have come up with three different solutions that are being considered and decided upon at the moment. Also the name will change. They haven't yet decided the name for the band (that actually really had no name before!) and are toying with six different ones. One thing seems to be certain though: it will be in English. They have a meeting with SFR next week and will present their solution for both problems, that are then proposed to EBU. Then it is in EBU's hands, Heilsarmee won't agree to any other compromises, says Künzi. If not found suitable they just have to disqualify us. One thing remains unchanged, the song You and me . 

SRF has just updated their Facebook page with this photo. Does it mean they have agreed with Heils Arnee and the army will indeed go to Malmö 2013 and represent Switzerland? I hope so. The song is good and who cares about the uniforms and the name? If this is settled - the official announcement whould come this week - we can start guessing and wondering if we will get priests for Germany and what EBU will think about that?! Meanwhile let's listen You and me .

When Heilsarmee aka Salvation army won the Swiss final last Saturday it didn't take long the questioning started. As we know EBU doesn't allow any advertising or brand names or commercial stuff in the songs and such. So what can we do with the name of the band and their uniforms? Apparently only to change them or they are out. However, it's not sure if the band will agree to that (and that would be a such a shame!). We should know better before the end of the year.... The Salvation army was founded in the United Kingdom in 1865 and operates in 126 countries today. It's a Christian organisation known for it's charity shops and charity work. Apparently they are also a but homophobic but as that's new to me so I won't go into that any deeper.  In Finland they are best known for their Christmas Red Kettles that come to the streets a week before Christmas and people can donate money and goods (like toys, clothes) for the poor.  Anyways, also their entr...

So they did it! Jesse came second and Carrousel third. You and me will be the Switzerland's entry in Malmö 2013 and I think they will get quite a media stir. Some GLBT organizations are or were trying some boycott against them saying the organization is homophobic. I can't say a thing about that as I don't know but then when Lordi won didn't they also accuse them of everything? Mr Lordi was Satan himself and the band ate babies for breakfast. Both have a catchy song, memorable act and I wouldn't be surprised if Switzerland scored their third win in May. The only thing is it is so early still and there are five months to go.... The final results are also now available and it looks like the list below. It seems Swiss take Eurovision a bit more seriously than other nations, as the monkey business didn't get higher than 7th place 1. Heilsarmee mit "You and me" (37.54%) 2. Carrousel mit "J'avais rendez-vous" (17.26%) 3. Jesse R...