Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

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 . 

Richard Edwards, another one from the talented and musical Micallef family (check out yesterday's Wayne William). He also tried to get to Eurovision as solo artist several times ( Finally , Look at me now , Fall like Rome ) until making it with the family in Firelight . His latest solo is Burning . Check out also fantastic   My mistake . Another very talented singer-songwriter. And maybe, just maybe I will have some news for you when I return.... 

Wayne William, or Wayne Micallef, released his album two years ago, a collaboration of songs he's been working on for the past five years when he has also participated in the Maltese Eurovision selections with Where you belong , Save a life , Everybody sing , Time and Some kind of wonderful , but ended up representing Malta with the rest of Micallef family in the band Firelight and Coming home in 2014. Anyways, the title track of the album is his latest video.... Check out also Don't fade away . Excellent voice and beautiful ballads with some uptempo. That's Wayne. One of this blogger's long time Maltese favorites. And when I return from holidays I just may have some news for you.....

The most prominent young man of Malta 2015. That's Malcolm Pisani's title he was awarded, a familiar name from a few Maltese national selections for Eurovision but he's yet to make the cut for the semifiinals. Now he has teamed up with DJ's Ticli & Gas, who have previously worked with Kurt Calleja among others. 

Remember amazing Davinia with Bondesque Betrayed from Malta's national final 2013 where she placed third? Shes no longer betrayed but has been going on with her career and is one of the top hits in Malta's radios this summer with Reckless ..... Enjoy!

I have been following the Maltese selection closely for years now and generally liked it quite a lot but this year seems to be the weakest effort so far. I mean, the songs aren't bad but they are very even, bland. No particular highlights - except a couple that stood out with the first snippet hearing -  nor lows. It feels like these are mostly songs that didn't make the selection this spring considering these exceptional circumstances this time. I may be wrong but that's my impression. At this point every song could make the final and any song can drop out. Propably it all comes to the staging, live performance and shining on stage when it matters come semifinal time. And talking about nuns. Sister Cristina in Italy is from another planet compared to these Maltese sisters. The whole affair is lacking the heavenly inspiration of any kind. If the song was sung by anyone else it would have never made the cut, I think. I wasn't a fan of Bezzina's last effort and ...

Here they are, the season's first semifinalist with their preview snippets. There is asual a little bit of everything from taylor made Eurovision pop to beautiful ballads, opera pop and even the nuns but mostly the middle of the road radio pop that is hard to say what kind of impact they do in 3 minute versions. Most of the acts have previous experience in the national final but there are some newcomers, too: Karen DeBattista, Lyndsay Pace, Iona Dalli and Minik plus of course the nuns. Nine of the acts competed also in the Februay selection for 2014.... Then we have the Eurovision veterans Glen Vella, Ludwig Galea (in Trilogy) and Gianluca Bezzina (in L'Ahwa), And Alexander Rybak has penned Franklin's song. As for the other songwriters it's quite remarkable there is only one Gerard James Borg-Philip Vella collaboration while Philip Vella has written solo two more songs. But then we have SEVEN Elton Zarb songs with varous co-writers. Malta's selection will take pl...

News from Malta tonight as well. The 134 songs have been shortlisted to 48 (what happened to the news they won't reveal this list at all?) where from the 20 semifinalists will be selected. Many familiar names and previous winners but one is missing, Ira Losco. Her return has been rumoured and speculated for months and she's not in. Yet. Maybe she will be granted a wildcard. Maybe some other wildcards will be granted as well. Anyways previous winners Miriam Christine (1996), Ludwig Galea (2004), Olivia Lewis (2007), Glen Vella (2011) and Gianluca Bezzina (2013) with his sisters and brothers following the example of the Micallefs are in with several previous Malta Song for Europe participants. And hallelujah, there is even a group of nuns! We will see how many of these are included in the end.... Malta's selection will take place already this November 21-22, 2014. 12, Baker Street  – Karen DeBattista Beautiful to Me  – L-Aħwa (aka Bezzina Family) Break All Borders ...