Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

One of the marathon selections of this year (again) comes to an end. After four heats, two semifinals, several changes in the line up and 49 songs we have only eight left, two of them sung by Monika Marija until she withdraw one of them this week, and line up includes also two Eurovision veterans Jurgis DID of InCulto fame (2010) and his wife Erica Jennings of Skamp fame (2001) performing together. There's everything from jazzy groovers to angry female rappers and Turkish bazar humour.  Only two songs have scored full votes from both jury and televoters in each passage: Monika Marija's Light on and Jurijus' Run with the lions . Jurijus is also my favorite along with Monika Marija. But with Criminal , the song she withdraw, and now also Jurijus is propably facing a date related disqualification.... (Update: Case closed. He can participate) Henry & Tommy Modric - Neverpart Justina Budaitė-Junà - Strength of a Woman Monika Marija - Light On Jurgis Brūzga ...

  Phew. It feels like Lithuania started its selection process first months ago, and now ends it as the last national final of the season! Wo-hoo! We made it. Another year. A few internally selected artists still need to present their songs (Russia, Georgia) and Bulgaria will reveal their act tomorrow, but for the selections go - this is the last! Did they save the best for last? Erm... no. Ieva's fragile ballad needs a stellar live performance to make it outstanding. If she does, she can go actually very far with it. Same goes for Monika Marija with her song she herited from Erika Jennings who pulled out. Only that Ieva is better, as is her song. Jurgis is all groovy and all that, but rather uninteresting lift music. Kotryna has pretty much the same song and act as he does, only with added female and less good. Paula surprised in the semifinal with a new arrangement to the song, more acoustic and was a bit of a surprise qualifer. Then we have The Roop that has quietly sneak...

Lithuania's Eurovizijos once again features countless songs and artists and this year isn't without drama either. First Erika Jennings withdraw after the first semifinal, critizing the jury and the procedure that puts total newcomers and real professionals like herself in the same line and under same judgement. In one word: humiliating. This blogger totally agrees, I have always wondered why in some countries this kind of selection & live auditions take place even for the solid professionals. If I was one, I certainly wouldn't go for one (but as I am not so no worries!) Her song The truth will however continue, as it will be now performed by The Voice winner Monika Paulauskaité. But not only Erica, also a true veteran Mia opened her heart after her elimination and the multiple top placer is out this year. Below are the qualifiers from the four heats. Next stage are semifinals where these 24 become 12 for the semifinal and then 6 for the final (I suppose......