Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Israel chose internally Mei Finegold (31) and the song Same heart was picked up for her. Mei learned the business in the hard way as an undergroud rock singer until she took part in the reality talent show in TV in 2009 where she came third but made her name known. Musical theater and human rights are close to her heart and she has won awards as musical actress and has given birth to a baby girl while running also her pop career. And now she will have the Eurovision makeover. Robert: Another power woman in the contest of this year. This woman has alot of expression and emotion and a powerful voice. All 3 songs of Mei in the final were good and I also had a preference of the song Same Heart . Mei's song is on my playlist and she belongs in the final for me. Blogilkar:   I adore her voice, the song is very good and was my favorite among the songs she offered us. I like the mix of English and Hebrew as Hebrew is one of the languages I love to listen to. The song is nicely r...

Israel has chosen. In an apparently very short affair the three videos were shown and then after awhile it was announced Same heart has been chosen. And a good choice it is. One of the better ones so far this year, me thinks. She reminds me a great deal of Italy's Emma what comes to her voice and I would like her to sing a bit higher from the beginning. And it amuses a lot that every time I hear "You feel me up " instead of "You fill me up" ... Oh well.... Here's Same heart . Do you beat in the same heart?

Another ballad for Malmö 2013. Even if I'm a sucker for Israeli ballads I'm not quite completely convinced with this one, Rak bishvilo (Only for him) by Moran Mazor even if it is beauiful, well sung and arranged. Let me sleep over it and relisten tomorrow....

Israel selects tonight. The show starts at 20 .00 CET and there will be 70-30 televote-jury. This is maybe the best final line up this year, when seven songs out of ten are very good, and even the other three passable. In the line up selected songs for 2013 any of these will shine! Those three I don't care so much are songs 7-9 and my favorites are Judah, Ron, Rani and Kathleen.... as we know now Kathleen withdraw yesterday and will be replaced by second chance runner up Nicki Goldstein and We are one .It was one of the songs I shortlisted at first place and has the Eurovision 2013 slogan in the title, could we ask for more? Judah Gavra – Hayom (We're beautiful) Moran Mazuz – Give me a sign Ron Weinreich – Love is one Shani Zamir – Forever Hila Ben David – Beautiful Rani Sandler – Find a way Meital de Razon & Asi Tal – Toda la noche Moran Mazor – Rak bishvilo (Only for him) Vladi Blayberg – We are free Kathleen Reiter – Ad elay... (Jusqu'a moi)

One of the best songs in tomorrow's Israeli final is out. Kathleen Reyter has decided to withdraw and for very valid reasons it seems. Read the whole story here . Such a shame.... Listen her entry here .

Israel has its short and effective second chance round with three songs tonight and justice be made Judah Gavra made it to the final. Most think he should have done it already previoysly. Anyways, his song We're beautiful has something about it and will fit nicely to the next Thursday's final. And obviously his presence there will make many happy for other obvious reasons....

The national selections season is nearing the end this weekend is the ultimate proof: five new songs will be selected and even a semifinal and two second chance rounds take place.... All five finals can be watched live on eurovision.tv. I'm a bit torn between Estonia and Hungary, but most likely will end up having both streams on and Sweden on telly.... talk about Eurovision cacophony!!! Saturday March 2, 2013 18.30 ARMENIA FINAL - read more here 20.15 HUNGARY FINAL - read more here 20.35 ESTONIA FINAL - read more here 20.00 SWEDEN Second Chance - read more here , watch it here 21.00 SERBIA Semifinal - read more here Sunday March 3, 2013 19.45 BULGARIA FINAL - read more here 21.00 SERBIA FINAL - read more here 21.00 ISRAEL Second Chance - read more here

The songs that came 4th in the three semifinals have a second chance this Sunday.  Three very different songs in the line up and this blogger is torn between Judah and Yarden really.... Does that mean Nicki will take the last ticket to the final then? Judah Gavra - We're beautiful Yarden Tzur - Replace you Nicki Goldstein - We are one

Tonight the last semifinal took place in Israel and we have three more qualifiers. Once again I agreed with 2/3 and the second chancer was also among the ones I picked up.... Hila Ben David - Beautiful Meital De Razon & Asi Tal - All night Moran Mazor - Just for him Next we have the second chance round next Sunday where tonight was sent Nicki Goldstein with We are one .

I'm nicely in sync with the Israeli voters this year even if I get it all wronf everywhere else. :) These three made it to the final: Ran Sandler - Find a way Vladi Bleiberg - We are free Moran Mazoz - Give me a sign while Yarden Tzur with Replace you will get a second chance. Change yarden and Vladi and I got a jackpot! Tomorrow night the third and last semifinal and more information here .

The first semifinal in Israel is over and three songs and artists qualified directly: Shany Zamir – Forever Ron Weinreich – Love is one Kathleen Reiter – Back to me while  Judah Gavra with We’re beautiful gets second chance before the final. All in all I'm pretty happy with the results, but I didn't watch the show so have to check the live videos later. Tomorrow follows the second semifinal. Read more here .

Israel starts its selection tonight with the first of three semifinals before the second chance round and the grand final. You can read more here . Among tonight contestants also model, singer, actor Judah Gavra , who has caused a little stirr on internet but not necessarily for his singing skills or the song..... Showtime 20.00 CET here . A mixed jury-televote will send top-3 to the final and 4th placed song to the second chance.... Laila - Bo  Adir Getz - As long as I sing  Ortal Ofek - Tell me why  Adi Cesare - We will never let you fall  Shany Zamir - Forever  Ron Weinreich - Love is one  Aderet - Victory  Kathleen Reiter - Back to me  Judah Gavra - We're beautiful  Lihi Griner & Omri 69 Segal - Just like me

Another very busy weekend ahead. After Irish final last night this weekend is filled with semifinals and we will be presented another internally selected song, What if for Russia. On Saturday Estonia has its second and last semifinal while Sweden has its last and fourth before the second chance round next week. Romania and Hungary have their Eurovision weekend when they both have both of their semifinals this weekend, on both days. On Tuesday Spain will have its final and on Wednesday both Croatia adn Macedonia will present their internally selected songs....  (Times will be updated when available). All shows online on respectable broadcaster's websites. Saturday: 20.35-21.50  ESTONIA - semifinal 2, read more here 20.00-23.10  ROMANIA - semifinal 1, read more here 20.00-21.30  SWEDEN - semifinal 4, read more here 20.15-21.50  HUNGARY - semifinal 1, read more here Sunday: 20.00-23.10  ROMANIA - semifinal 2, read more here 20.15-21.50...

Israel's third semifinal flirts with latin rhytms, a song that recalls the slogan for Malmö 2013, an Ofra Haza inspired effort and generally okeyish songs. I have no idea what Israeli people will prefer so I'm not even try to guess who will qualify. I kinda like Bezelel, Hadar, Michael, Hila, Moran but then I'm a sucker for Israeli ballads... and Nicki could create a real boom if sent to Malmö with the slogan song, me thinks. Liran Notik - Alive Meital De Razon & Asi Tal- Toda la noche Alon Jean - Live my life Bezelel Raviv - No war Hadar Ozeri - Ten maa'wal Michael Harpaz - Dear mom Nicki Goldstein - We are one Hila Ben David - Beautiful Julieta - Fantasia Moran Mazor - Only for him Listen to the semifinal one songs here , semifinal two songs here .  The semifinals will be held next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Then a second chance round on Sunday, and the grand final on Thursday March 7, 2013.

Israel's second semifinal has another ten songs with the multiple languages and rhythms and rather typical Eurovision ballads. If Israeli want to go for one like that, Ran Sandler could be the one to send off to Malmö. Or Moran Mazuz, whoever is more convincing live. And there's even one Spanish sung summer song but didn't that train pass by already? A nice one but maybe not for Malmö? And what to make of very moody Haya Samir? Or Vladi's disco anthem? Or Yarden's sweet little song? This semi is a hard cookie for this blogger. Sarit Avidan - Mon amour Hen Cohen - The heart's asks The Ultras - Happy birthday Ran Sandler - Find a way Moran Mazuz - Give me a sign Soulkey - Living one time Haya Samir - Happy and sad Vladi Blayberg - We are free Yarden Tsur - Replace you Roni Silver - In my heart

Israel will have a marathon selection for Eurovision, KDAM 2013. It all starts on Tuesday, February 26 when the first ten songs will battle it out. Then on Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 another 20 try to get the ticket to the final but before that we have also Second chance round on Sunday, March 3.  The first ten songs are out. There will be 70-30 televote-jury and three songs will qualify for the final while the 4th placed songs will have the second chance. A multitude of languages is heard in the songs along with Hebrew; Spanish, Italian, French, English... Pretty decent selection all in all, but maybe still missing the winning act? I would save Laila, Adi, Kathleen and Judah with first hearing and without seeing them perform.... Laila - Bo   Adir Getz - Ha'ikar she'ani shar   Ortal Ofek - Tagid li lama   Adi Cesare - We Will Never Let You Fall   Shany Zamir - Forever   Ron Vanreich - Love Is One   Aderet - Victory   Kathlee...

Israel participated in the Eurovision for the first time 40 years ago. Since then they have collected three wins, two second places and one third place. This year IBA organizes after a break again the national final Kdam and turns it into Melodifestivalen: three semifinals each with ten songs on Fenruary 24, 25 and 26 and top-3 qualifying for the final. The songs that places 4th and 5th will have a 2nd chance on March 3. Out of these six songs one will access the final. The final with ten songs wil take place on March 7. There will be 30/70 jury/televote. This blogger recognizes among the hopefuls Vladi Blayberg but also names Niki Goldstein, Liran Notik and Hila Ben David are known names in Eurovision circuit. Hila Ben David - Beautiful Julietta - Fantasia Lihi Griner & DJ Omri Segal - Just Like Me Vladi Blayberg - New Day Eric Forman - Livin' One Time Kathleen Reiter - Ad Elay Hen Cohen - Halev Mevakesh Moran Mazuz - Give Me A Sign Bezalel Raviv - No War Ortal ...

IBA's plans for a national final with several singers each with two songs has been cancelled and there will be an internal selection instead. How about Idan Raichel who is currently working on his new album or Ivri Lider ? Here are some goodies from Raichel: Mima'amakin , Rov ha'shaot , Hakol over and If you go . Ivri Lider covered Rita 's fantastic Bo for the movie Yossi and Jagger (a great touching movie btw, highly recommended) and Jesse has been a big hit in gay circuits and he has also done fun covers of I kissed a girl and The man I love . IBA pick up the phone and call these guys up, they have even collaborated in the past so get them both!

Israel returns to national final Kdam and there are ten acts battling it out including the 1998 Eurovision winner Dana International. Unfortunately Vladi Blayberg withdraw with his Lirkod and was then replaced by Adi Casare. Several artists from the local Idols are taking part but then we have already had three excellent ones in Eurovision: Shiri Maimon , Boaz Mauda and Harel Skaat so one can expect the Israeli Idols are a bit better than most! KNOB - Ohev et ze Dana International - Ding dong Hatikva 6 - Hakol sabata Adi Casare - Suicide for love Chen Aharoni - Or Michael Greylsummer - Tu du du Niki Goldstein - Amri itach Sivan Bahnem - Kach oti Adi Cohen - Al alhava Idit Halevi - It's my time

IBA has published today the songs for Kdam 2011, including the long awaited Ding dong by Dana International. The Israeli final will take place on March 8, 2011. Here they are: Adi Cohen - Al haavah Knob - Phev et ze Chen Ahroni - Or Idit Halevi - It's my time Hatikva 6 - Hakol sababa Nikki Goldstein - Amti eifach Sivan Bahnem - Kach oti Michael & Shimrit Greilsammer - Tu du du Dana International - Ding dong Carmel Ekman - El gagoai