Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

A special treat awaits in the UMK final in Barona Arena, Espoo in February. Hanna Pakarinen, Pernilla Karlsson, Kaisa Vala, Emma Salokoski, Johanna Iivanainen and Suvi Teräsniska will perform together in a number inspired by YLE's program Mikaelin naiset . In this program Mikael Konttinen, also Euroviisut veteran himself chats with female artists about a song they have chosen and has meant something special to them. In the end they perform it together with Mikael and his grand piano. I wonder what will they sing in UMK? Another confirmed guest will be Teflon Brothers featuring Meiju Suvas and Stig. 

So, after the third semifinal and YLE's surprising wildcard we have the ten finalists for the Finnish final on February 12, 2011 in Turku, the European capital of culture in 2011. And there's a little bit everything from gospel to glamrock, metal to acoustic pop, radiopop and powerballads. All three qualifiers from the internet selection got to the final making way to the big changes next year in Euroviisut. Six songs are in English now and Iivanainen, Hintsanen and Misic have said they will sing in English should they win so only Maunuksela is left in Finnish, and he has said it stays in Finnish no matter what. Two big fan favourites didn't make it, Jimi Constantine and Tommi Soidinmäki and YLE's wildcard went to Eveliina Määttä instead of them. Weird. I guess I'm now for Paradise Oskar and Stala & So. With Johanna Iivanainen (in English) as the black horse... Saara Aalto - Blessed with love Cardiant - Rapture in time Father McKenzie - Good enough Sami Hi...

How a song changes! Johanna Iivanainen qualified for the Euroviisut 2011 final with Luojani mun , a song many fans overlooked completely, myself included. I was a bit disturbed by the lyrics for some reason, a bit too religious perhaps? Actually the foreign fans did like the song better than the Finnish ones in a poll. Anyways I did appreciate her sweetness and vocals and the melody is beautiful. But here is the English version now and all of sudden the song comes together or what do you think? She has also said should she win the song will be in English in Germany. I think we have a very dark horse here! Luojani mun Vs Skylarks in the breeze

Tomorrow evening the Euroviisut 2011 circus kicks off in Finland with the first semifinal. It's broadcasted live from Tohloppi TV-studios in Tampere at 20.00 CET on YLE2. I guess there won't be a webcast outside Finland this time either but don't worry: I'll be here blogging live so please tune in. Eurovision 2007 hostess Jaana Pelkonen leaves her dayjob in politics for awhile and leads the show but this time she has a new partner (third in history to be exact) Tom Nylund, a familiar voice from radio. Unfortunately this seems to be clearly the worst of three semifinals. Automatic Eye, Cardiant and Jonna are expected to qualify while reigning tango king Marko Maunuksela and Johanna Iivanainen haven't convinced the Eurovision fans but everything can change when the big public will get to vote and we see and hear the live performances. The same ones would qualify with the international voters in slighty different order. Check the songs below, and especially Jonna's...

Johanna is an award winning jazz singer who has also collaborated with many respected musicians, bands and orchestras. Her vocals have been featured in over 40 albums so far and she has toured with various acts as well. As a solo singer she has released her debut album in 2004 and four years later a compilation with her various recordings, Loisto - The Collection. Other albums she has released with Eero Koivistoinen, Lyra All Stars, Korpi Ensemble, Soi Ensemble, 1N, Luomo and Antti Sarpila Swing Band. In 2002 she won the Louis Armstrong award and 2003 Sony Jazz award. She was also nominated for Jazz Emma in 2004 for her debut album. Here are some of her songs: Mieleni meri , Hiljennä minut , covering a Finnish poprock classic, Yö's Joutsenlaulu and Small country . Johanna will take part in the first Euroviisut semifinal on January 14, 2011. The song will be revealed on November 29.