Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Fourth time lucky Christabelle came and conquered. I was a bit wrong about runaway winner and she certainly was one. All international jurors placed her first and so did the televoters. Her staging had some gimmicks and as usual she did deliver live. And surprise: her song is written by Swedish Thomas G:son and Johnny Sanchez with Maltese Muxu and Christabelle herself. Christabelle has participated three times before in Maltese selection: 2014 with Lovetricity (8th), 2015 with Rush (2nd) and 2016 with Kingdom (4th). Richard and his dad finished second and Brooke third. Actually these three songs were above all the rest clearly as you can see below. Christabelle — Taboo (jury 60 + televote 73) 133 Richard & Joe Micallef — Song for Dad (31 + 67) 98 Brooke — Heart of Gold (37 + 47) 84 Aidan — Dai Laga (34 + 8) 42 Eleanor Cassar — Back to Life (19 + 17) 36 Petra — Evolution (27 + 6) 33 Matthew Anthony — Call 2morrow (26 + 6) 32 J...

  Malta's Eurovision final takes places tonight in Valletta's Ta'Qali and there will be 50-50 televote-juries. What can I say about the songs? There's no Eurovision winner this year either among them, that's for sure, sadly. Nor a sure qualifier either. I guess my favorites - not thinking at all in Eurovision terms - are Richard & Joe and Eleanor I guess, followed by Deborah C and Dwett (maybe for all the wrong reasons though). Turn it up needs a good remix and it could become something great though. Christabelle and Brooke are quite good if staged and sung well live, Jasmine, Matthew Anthony and Tiziana follow on my list with Lawrence Gray , even if takes some moments to let it sink in it's Lawrence baby. Aidan leaves me borderline, I might learn to like it a lot or then not with further listenings but these comments are based on hearing the songs when they came out, and now for the second time after all these weeks. I have no clue who's goi...

Here they are. The lucky 16. As it is Malta the list is filled with seasonal veterans (Deborah C for the 7th year in a row, for example) and even one previous winner (Richard Micallef aka Edwards aka Firelight 2014 frontman), some newcomers and some comebacks after years, like Eleanor Cassar. And not forgetting previous runner ups Lawrence Gray,  Brooke and Christabelle looking for another shot. Thomas G:son, not welcome in Cyprus anymore has squeezed in a song in Malta instead, the Christabelle's one. Sadly quite a few other foreign composers in the list, too. The real veterans in this editions are Lawrence Gray reaching his 14th entry, Eleanor Cassar her 12th and Richard Micallef (in various combos or solo) 9th. This  time he brings along his dad! Keep the family together, after doing Eurovision with brothers and sister.  Aidan - Dai Laga  (Aidan Cassar) Avenue Sky - We Can Run  (Jonas Gladnikoff, Matthew Ker, Glen Vella) Brooke Borg - He...

Malta will select its entry for the Eurovision song contest 2017 tonight in a show from MFCC Ta' Qali. Daniel Azzopardi and Charlene Mercieca are the hosts and Ira Losco will be performing, too. Malta has dropped the usual semifinal + final selection and goes for one off final instead, also goes for 100% televote to choose the winner. All this aid this is one of the most unintereting Maltese finals ever in my opinion filled with anonymous bubblegum pop. To stand out one must shine on stage, or will the ballads be strong enough to beat the pop acts? Brooke is the big fan favorite, but this blogger goes for Richard Edwards, Claudia Faniello and most of all Janice Mangion singing in Maltese. Kevin Borg could surprise as well this time around.... Maybe. How sad it is that one is looking forward most for the interval act, The Travellers ? Watch here from 20.50 CET Laserlight – Klinsmann Coleiro  10th (332 votes) Ray of Light – Raquela Dalli Gonzi   8th (551 vote...

TVM has announced tonight the 16 names that made it to Maltese final for Eurovision. Listen to the entries by clicking the title. As usual many familiar names from Claudia Faniello making a welcome return to Kevin Borg, Franklin Calleja, Klinsmann and Eurovision veteran Richard Edwards. And OMG, a song in Maltese!!! After the first listening - and that's what counts to the most viewers - sadly it's a rather boring and worst selection of songs for many years in Malta. However there are a couple that shine through. First of all Janice is a real star of the show, as her song title suggests. I wonder if this is written by Corazon Mizzi, it well could be (*just discovered it's not but Emil Calleja Bayliss and Marc Scicluna). The Travellers have made Maltese sexy again so let's see how she does. I'd be thrilled to have this one in Kyiv for sure! Richard Edwards and Claudia Faniello deliver songs that sound like real songs and not written Eurovision formula in min...

Malta has revealed the 60 songs still in the running for the Eurovision 2017, picked out from 156 submissions. As usual there are many returns and familiar names. This blogger is very happy to see Wayne William and Richard Edwards at it again, and Claudia Faniello is back! And Klinsmann! Kaya! (I hope that's the Kaya I saw this summer at Qormi Wine Festival as she was awesome!) Brooke! The songs will be further cut to 16 for the final as there won't be semifinal in Malta this time.  Beautifully Bruised – Raquel Galdes Brid of Prey – Nadia Vella Bombshell – Maxine Pace Breathe – Kylie Colerio Breathe – Cherylis Breathlessly – Claudia Faniello Butterfly – Lyndsay Pace Calling Out – Wayne William Chasing My Dreams – Maria Cini Child of the Sun – Romina Mamo Chill Out – Christian Arding Crazy Games – Shauna Vassall Cruise Control – Michela Pace Different Light – Jessica Magro Don’t Let Your Heart Say No – Dominic Don’t Look Down – Mirana Conte ...

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.....

Maltese Firelight totally came home on the stage of EuroClub on May 3, 2014.

Malta had its usual pretty good selection of Eurovision tunes and finally the Micallef clan took home the trophy! Richard Micallef aka Richard Edwards fronts Firelight that includes sister Michelle and also his brothers Daniel in acoustic guitar and Wayne, who joins this Eurovision adventure as a backing singer. The brothers plus Michelle formed the group The Mics that took part in 2003 and 2005. In 2011 Richard was already a runner up with Finally and last year he tried with Fall like Rome . But now it's all about Firelight and Coming home . Robert: Malta for a change had a really strong preselection with many good songs this year that did not sound as amateur demos anymore. Firelight was my number 2 to win the Maltese ticket so I'm quite happy about it. Its a great song and done by really good singers. I expect them to do well: Certainly final and most probably top 10. My personal favourite to win the Maltese preselection however was De Bee's Pin the middle becau...

Malta takes a move back from plastic pop when Firelight's folksy Coming home won the national final last night. Or to tell the truth, Maltese televoters went for Jessica's Hypnotica and Daniel Testa's One last ride and even De Bee's Pin the middle before Firelight, but as they counted only 1/7 of the total votes the international jury pushed Firelight to the top. But who's complaining? I'm certainly not! This blogger's been waiting for years the Micallef clan to take over and finally it happened! Firelight is a new project fronted by Richard Micallef (aka Richard Edwards, already a runner up in this contest) and Michelle Mifsud and includes also Tony Polidano, Matthew Ellul and Leslie Decesare. Richard Edwards took part as solo last year with Fall like Rome (13th), 2012 with Look at me now (5th), 2011 with Finally (2nd) Televoting results: 1. Jessica - Hypnotika ,  2. Daniel Testa - One last ride , 3. De Bee - Pin the middle , 4. Firelight - ...

Malta will have it's national selection once again for 2012 and it will take place on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th of February at the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre in Ta’ Qal. As usual many familiar names among the artists and songwriters including even two previous winners Fabrizio Faniello (ESC 2001 and 2006 ) and Mirian Christine ( ESC 1996 ). The 20 in semifinal become 14 for the final. I have listened the songs a couple of times and here's my wild guess for the ones that will stay in semifinal: Andreana Debattista, Corazon, Amber, Ryan Paul Abela, Pamela and Deborah C . They just didn't pull any strings in me that would indicate Eurovision success or that I'd would particlarly want to listen them over and over again.  I don't have a clear favorite either, the live performance will be crucial me thinks. A the moment my favorites are (in no particular order) De Bee, Romina Mamo, Chris Grech, Miriam Christine, Wayne William, Firelight, Christabelle, Davi...

Malta has revealed its 20 hopefuls for Copenhagen 2014 Eurovision. As always the list is filled with familiar names and songs penned by Gerard James Borg, Paul Abela, Philip Vella, Paul Giordimaina, Fleur Balzan and the Micallef brothers among others. Also among the artists we spot mostly familiar names including two Eurovision veterans Fabrizio Faniello and Miriam Christine. The Micallef brothers seem to have attemps to hide themselves behind new names, Wayne as William and Richard is with the band Firelight including sister Michelle. Keep it in the family! Is  this the year Micallef clan finally makes it? I hope so! There are even two previous Junior Eurovision participants among these 20: Sophie Debattista (2006) and Daniel Testa (2008). Daniel also holds the country's best showing in that, 4th. The selection went from over 70 to 50 and then finally 20. The semiFInal is on February 7, 2014 and will cut them to 14 for the final the night after. Some Kind of Wonderful - ...

Malta needed over four hours last night to pick up the 16 finalists so let's see what time they end tonight, or tomorrow that is. Anyways, the competition is wide open and after last night's results anything can happen. Too many bubblegum disco chicks made it to the final but hopefully they will eat each other out (this said, two of the more interesting ones of those, Ylenia and Melanie, didn't make it! Weird... And where's Klinsmann and Franklin?). I'm not even going to start predicting the winner now..... The fun starts 20.30 CET and you can watch it live on TVM or eurovision.tv. Davinia – Betrayed Deborah C - Love-O-Holic Chris Grech - Never walk away Gianni Zammit - Us against the world Janice Debattista - Perfect day Jessika - Ultraviolet Domenique - Too little too late Dorothy Bezzina - Starting from the end Petra & Richard - Wonderful today Gianluca Bezzina - Tomorrow Richard Edwards - Fall like Rome Kevin Borg - Needing you Scar - Super...

Malta selects its entry this weekend for Malmö 2013. Tonight we have the semifinal qith 24 songs ans 16 of them will make it to the fial tomorrow night. There will be a mixed jury-televote but the jury counts 7/8 and the televote 1/8. Once again there are too many familiar names to mention then all but Claudia Faniello tries once again, so does Richard Edward (solo and duet), Klinsmann, Gianni and most of all pre-contest favorite Kevin Borg, the Swedish idols winner some suns ago. And among the writers we have the usual suspects Gerard James Borg, Paul Giardimaina, Fleur Balzan, Philip Vella, Dean Muscat, Thomas G:son, Paul Abela, Marc Paelinck, Ray Agius.... The bubblegum pop overdose is a certainty. Here's one recap of all the songs.Swiss Heilsarmee has been confirmed as a guest star. The fun starts at 20.45 CET here . I have picked  below 12 songs that I'd like to get through. Not necessarily the ones I think will get through... I have no idea who will win! I always...

Toby produced  Stay has been released in Malta featuring Kurt Calleja, Richard Edwards, Marilyn Mifsud, Raquela and Steve Compagno who has also written the song. A very pleasant track for a good cause. All profits go in aid of L-Istrina 2012. Get yours here .  (Previously Richard Edwards and Toby have collaborated in a remix of Richard's MSFE entry Change ) 

The 24 semifinalists for the Maltese selection have been announced and surprisingly Fabrizio Faniello's song didn't make it. His sister Claudia is shortlisted once again though. So are many other very familiar names like Richard Edwards, Klinsmann, Kevin Borg, and then we have two Bezzinas, two Zammits and among the writers the same names come across again and again: Boris Cezek (3), Dean Muscat (3), Paul Giordimaina (2), Fleur Balzan (2), Philip Vella (4), Gerard James Borg (7), Wayne Micallef (2), Richard Micallef (2) and there are even the usual Thomas G:son, Ray Agius, Marc Pelinck... Richard Micallef/Edwards besides being co-author of two songs he performs two; one solo and one duet. And will he be third time lucky and finally win it after Finally and Look at me now ? This blogger doesn't want to take sides but.... let Edward win!!! 01. Perfect day – Janice Debatista (Boris Cezek, Dean Muscat) 02. Never walkaway – Chris Grech (Matthew James Borg, David Cass...

Maltese Richard Edwards has reworked his Eurovisionary Change with Toby and it's all dancy summer song now despite the somewhat heavy lyrics. Here . Great stuff proving once again what a great vocalist Richard is. Here's the original from 2010. 

The Maltese final also takes place tonight starting at 20.30 CET and you can watch it on eurovision.tv. Readers of this blog know I am all for Richard Edwards this year (sorry Wayne!) and I believe he has a good chance. If not then Claudia Faniello might finally make it. Or then we will have something surprising in the making. I will be back after the show for comments. All my favourites made the final with the exception of Eleanor Cassar so I can just sit back and see what happens... Lawrence Gray - In Your Eyes Deborah C ft Leila James - You Make Me Go Uh Uh Dorothy Bezzina - Autobiography Gianni Zammit - Petals On A Rose Claudia Faniello - Pure Danica Muscat - 7 Days Fabrizio Faniello - I Will Fight For You (Papa's Song) Corazon - Mystifying Eyes Richard Edwards - Look At Me Now Kaya - First TIme Amber - Answer With Your Eyes Wayne Micallef - TIme Kurt Calleja - This Is The Night Janvil - You Are My Life Klinsmann - No Way Back Francesca Borg - Take Me Far