Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

The big favourite Yohanna failed to win the Icelandic national final for the first time with Nòtt ( Slow down ) but the Icelandic may have been right by sending Coming home after all as it did reach the final against all odds. I have an ugly feeling Yohanna would have followed the faith of many other previous "did well the first time, did a fiasco the second time" as she did have a lot to stand for after her 2nd place in 2009. Nòtt is a lovely song and I like it a lot, but is it very strong and memorable, something people would vote for? Does it have the power of Is it true? Not really.

Another day of rehearsals and it's already day 6 in Dusseldorf. The past days I have been blogging based on the videos I have seen on various sites but I have not read the comments by various writers and bloggers as I didn't want them to influence me and see the performances in a different way, like "they all like this and I don't, am I wrong? Should I say something nice?" but now after I did some reading I noticed I have agreed with most of them. Not always of course, that's the beauty of Eurovision or anything related with people's taste. Quite often I have paid attention to the same detail as other bloggers - a good example is Romania and its dancing girls. So, all seems to be fine so here we go again! First on stage this morning was Iceland with their guys in jeans, white shirts and vestcoats. They perform very well and it looks and sounds fine. I am starting to think they will qualify after all as it seems they manage to create the right atmosphere ...

Rather confusing back drop for the Icelandic entry. Otherwise the performance and vocals are just as expected, no surprises or changes. This is also a big question mark. I would like to say it has no chance whatsoever to reach the final but then if it does I'm not surprised! Televoters sometimes go for something unexpected in masses and you are left wondering what happened - just thing about the Latvian and Estonian winners! Here are the videos: AKOE , Escdaily , Official

Iceland has a different story to tell in Eurovision 2011. The usual plans changed when one of the finalist Sigurjón Sjonni Brink, aged 36, suddenly died only 12 days before the semifinal he was scheduled to perform of a brain haemorrhage caused by an aneurysm.. His wife and co-writer of the song  Thorunn needed urgently to decide how to go. She came to the conclusion with his friends that Sigurjón would have wanted the show go on. Six of his collegues joined forced and performed the song, it qualied for the final where it won easily the Icelandic final (25.449 votes against the fan favourite Jóhanna's Nótt with 18.506) Aftur heim become Coming home for D ü sseldorf and is performed by guitarist Vignir Snaer Vigfusson, drummer Benedikt Brynleifsson, piano player Palmi Sigurhjartarson, guitarist Gunnar Olason, bass player Hreimur Örn Heimisson and singer Matthias Matthiasson under name Sjonni's Friends. Gunnar, Vignir and Benedikt all have already Eurovision experience: Gunnar ...

Germany - Lena - Taken by a stranger *** This is risky business for Germany and Lena as she sings. First of all the song may result very strange and without any memorable hook for the first time listeners, and secondly how many televoters will think "she won last year, let someone else win now"? For me this song is like a piece of soap. Every time I think I get it it slips away again. I kinda like it when I hear it but forget it the second the song ends. Not a good sign. Cyprus - Christos Mylordos - San angelos s'agapisa *** I like this very much until the lady starts screaming and the beat goes thundering. But maybe there's a reason for that. Great that they sing in Greek and the song has a feel of identity and Cyprus didn't go for an easy Europop this time. I guess this is a good example of a song that will all stand on its live performance: if it is nailed they might reach the final, if it is not convincing ... no final. Qualifier: With some luck.   Iceland...

The Icelandic entry has been translated into English and is Coming home now. Very simple and fitting video for the song that I have no idea what Europeans will think about....

Hreimur, Vignir, Gunni, Pálmi, Matti & Benni or Sigurjón's Friends with Aftur heim has won the Icelandic final. His widow was on stage with the group and Icelandic voted propably more for respect and tribute to the great artist Sjónni Brink was. Oh well... it's a jolly little tune. Magni came second and who knows where Jóhanna finished....

Amongst the five countries choosing their entry tonight is Iceland with a strong line up. Jóhanna and Magni are the big favourites so it's all about ballads or will they battle each other out, or will the fans of late-Sjónni Brink vote his song all the way? And will Erna outsing the others? Update: Ok, as expected Icelanders went for respect and nostalgy and voted Sjónni's song for Germany. Magni came second.  Haraldur Reynisson - Ef ég hefði vængi Erna Hrönn Ólafsdóttir - Ástin mín eina Yohanna - Nótt Matthías Matthíasson & Erla Björg Káradóttir - Eldgos Jógvan Hansen - Ég lofa Magni Ásgeirsson - Ég trúi á betra líf Sigurjón's friends - Aftur heim 

Tonight the third semifinal takes place in Iceland and you can follow it live on RÚV's website as usual. Tonight it's a solid back, all male cast and two of the biggest names are in; Magni Ásgeirsson and Jógvan Hansen and the delicate matter of Sjónni Brink's song. I have not written in this blog about his sudden and sad death at the age of 36 just a couple of weeks ago but it doesn't mean I haven't cared. I have. I have always liked his songs in the Icelandic selections and he will be missed. His song will now be performed by his friends, by the request of his family. Let's see if the Icelandic will vote the song all the way to Germany out of respect? I like all the songs tonight and can't pick up my favourites. Listen yourself here . I will update this post with results later. Georg Alexander - Morgunsól Magni - Ég trúi á betra líf -> FINAL Jógvan - Ég lofa -> FINAL Buff - Sáluhjálp Sigurjón's friends - Aftur heim -> FINAL

Mārtiņš Freimanis, the Latvian Eurovision star died today. He was taken to the Infectology Centre of Latvia last week with severe respiratory inflamation. He was only 33 and follows Sjónni Brink, the Icelandic singer who died recently at only 36. I hope this 2011 season will prove wrong the old saying about twos and threes.... He represanted Latvia in the homeground in 2003 as part of F.L.Y and also wrote the more succesful entry in 2005 .