Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

This is from 1999 when the Nylon Beat girls were hot, hot, hot. Later at least Antti Tuisku has covered the song that translates to Black Christmas, referring this time not to no-snow Christmas but the mood... Nylon Beat - Musta joulu

Totally unfounded rumours from Russia and Greece. While we wait that the rumour that Dima Bilan will try again we have the latest local X factor winner Sergey Savin listen as a possibility, especially as he is guided by primadonna herself, Alla Pugatcheva. Check him out here and here . And here's one more, a real video. Why he makes me think Italian X Factor winner Marco Mengoni? Is it the good madness both seem to posses? On the other hand there's a rumour Russia might be having a national final after all... Greece is a mess as well, as usual, it seems. Names come and go and a very welcome addition to the list right now is Kostas Martakis who already tried with Always and forever and should definately try again. His other goodies include Agapi mou , Anatropi , Fila me , Sex indigo and Η ΑΓΚΑΛΙΑ ΜΟΥ .

This is a real classic. Zacharias Topelius wrote the poem (1887) and Jean Sibelius the music. This is the song that usually opens any Christmas concert in a church and the song's been recorded by dozens of artists. Translates to I don't seek power nor riches (just peace on earth) En etsi valtaa, loistoa - Rajaton

Blogilkar's partner site 12.points.tv has a very nice review of Helena Paparizou's Greatest hits & More album here . The album came out already this spring but now around Christmas all compilations are actual again as gifts. The album includes Helena's solo material both for the domestic market and international, B-sides, covers, duets and new songs, namely Baby it's over and Love me crazy / Oti niotho den allazei . A triple-CD and excellent Christmas present idea . For yourself. Helena has already released a new song Mr Perfect off her worthcoming new album.

Remember Samuli Edelmann, the runner up of Euroviisut 1991 with Peggy ? He has done a long career ever since as a singer and an actor, just like he wished to do in the postcard there. His latest is being hunted down by Tom Cruise himself in Mission Impossible 4 ... Samuli tells he had a couple of days to pack her things and go to Prag without even seeing the script if he accepted the role. Which he did so he could act next to his teenage hero.  The movie got its red carpet premier last night in London and Samuli was there, too.

Some of the Maltese entries are online already and here's Richard Edward's fabulous Look at me now and there you will also links to other goodies, like Wayne Micallef's Time .

Jari & Taika, the band that is leading the liking poll in UMK's website and is a hot favourite to win the national final next February has made a promise: if they win they will drive to Baku across Europe with their Zetor tractor! That would be their PR-tour as they would drive the Zetor to city squares and play mini concerts on the trailer. Anyways, the band that consist of amateur musicians who in real life are farmers, service man, mechanic and a weather technician. The singer Jari Mustajärvi tells the song came to him one late night in spring 2011, thus the title Aamuyön ikuisuus (Eternity of the late night/early morning). He had it on his hard disc that broke down. Because of the tsunami in Japan it took 8 weeks before he got a new one, then there were the farming work to be done in summer before he got to working on it again. He thinks all that was faith. This way the song had time to develop and mature in his mind. Then he sent it to UMK just that people would here it. ...

Anna Abreu will be the main guest star in UMK's final in Helsinki's Ice hall. She seems to be rather thrilled to be able to perform on such a big stage being able to do "never seen before" kind of a show. Anna shot to the fame from Idols 2007 where she was the runner up but since then has become one of the most sold Idols artists of all. So far she has sold over 170.000 albums. Her debut sold double platinum, second platinum, third gold and the fourth is yet to certificate. Her hits include End of love , Vinega r (that got some airplay also in the UK), Music everywhere , Hysteria , Worst part is over and Stereo . She's half Portuguese and sings also in Portuguese and Spanish. She was also one of the judges in the Finnish Strickly come dancing .

There has been over 100.000 "Tykkää" aka "Like" in UMK's songs since they were made public. As we know the jury that will choose the 12 semifinalists amongst the 40 songs will keep a close eye also on this, and other movements in social medias. But then who knows what they will choose? If we look at the top-5 since the liking started the most solid performer has been Jari & Taika that debuted as number 2 and moved to number one and has stayed there since. Also Iconcrass and Raita Ilomäki have stayed in top.5 for five weeks already. The Spyro and Jessica Wolff have climbed there later on. You can check the full list here . This is how the top looks like this very moment I am writing this: 01. Jari & Taika - Aamuyön ikuisuus (6303 tykkää) 02. Jessica Wolff - Better (5191 tykkää) 03. Raita Ilomäki - Usko rakkauteen (4846 tykkää) 04. The Spyro - Teleport My Heart (4838 tykkää) 05. Iconcrash - We Are The Night (4617 tykkää) 06. DCX - Erase You (460...

Just what I feared. The stress of the Swiss national final and all the holabaloo around it and especially after it - that she mainly caused herself I would like to add, read more here - was too much for the 87-year-old legend.  She has undergone some examinations and needs to rest. After all she has a heart surgery lass than a year ago. And just think if she had won.... It was propably to everyone's best, especially hers, she did not win. Blogilkar wishes a speedy recovery, Lys!

San Marino is very willing to participate in Eurovision 2012 in Baku but will it be able is another matter. Money. Once again. However they are already working for the participation and are confident they can make it as they absolutely want to be in Baku, the sources tell. But like with Italy we will have to wait until EBU's official announcement most likely. Due later this month.

Time to check again new and a bit older songs by Eurovision artists. First of all the French artist in 2012 Anggun. She has released Mon meulleur amour which is pretty fantastic. Would not have been a bad entry for Eurovision either but it seems the song won't be from her new album Echos but only in the making now. Severina's Brad Pitt is on EFR12's playlist and I'm loving it more every time I hear it. Great stuff! And much better than her rather annoying Eurovision entry... Harel Skaat has released a video for his 21st century and it's catchy alright. Another hit from EFR12's playlist is Eric Saade's Hotter than fire that gets my attention everytime is is played - and you know I'm not a big fan but this one rocks!

This is from Antti Tuisku's second Christmas album that just sold gold. Time will tell if this will become a real classic that other singers will cover and everybody will know by heart... Translates to Christmas star . Antti Tuisku - Joulun tähti

UK took its third win in a row in this year's OGAE Song contest when Adele scored high most everywhere with Someone like you . Italy's run of runner up places continues here when Modà's La notte scores second place before Spain's Malu and Blanco y negro . France, Andorra, Finland and Germany secure the western European leadership on the scoreboard. I'm very pleased with Kaija Koo's good solid 6th place with Vapaa . Re sults: 1. Someone like you - Adele (United Kingdom) 189 2. La notte - Modà (Italy) 146 3. Blanco y negro - Malù (Spain) 127 4. Je veux - Zaz (France) 117 5. Males experiences - Rocio Rivas (Andorra) 107 6. Vapaa - Kaija Koo (Finland) 99 7. Nackt - Jay Khan (Germany) 87 8. Den' bez tebya - Nu Virgos (Russia) 77 9. Klista ta stomata - Antonis Remos (Greece) 72 10. You'll be mine -The Pierces (Rest of the world/USA) 70 11. Mistakes - Brian Mcfadden (Ireland) 61 12. Perje - Milan Stankovic (Serbia) 46 13. vVorbij - Udo (Belgium) ...

Finns are metal people and there are several Christmas songs covered by the groups of that genre. Here's Viikate's take on Zacharias Topelius penned poem (1853) that Karl Collan wrote the music to. One of the most loved Finnish Christmas songs (won the voting in the 1960's and again in 2002. Translates to Sylvia's Christmas song. Viikate - Sylvian joululaulu

Blogilkar is pround to announce a further collaboration with EFR12 radio (here or just click the logo on right hand side). Songs and artists featured in Blogilkar's posts will make the EFR12's playlists and are featured on daily On aura demain shows 4pm-8pm starting today. Make sure to tune in! Read more here . And here . This week they play Dana International & Subliminal, Katri Helena, Scooter ft Vicky Leandros, Julia Volkova, Cèline Dion, Jeaachristophe and David Civera just to name a few artists that have been featured in Blogilkar's Life after Helsinki 2007.

A name to remember, to say the least! Montenegro has internally chosen a self-titled poet, musician and media manipulator, ex-competitive sailor Antonije Pusic aka Rambo Amadeus to represant the country in their comeback to Eurovision scene in Baku 2012. He has released ten studio albums snce 1988. His latest album dates 2008 and is titled Hipishizik Metafizik . Here's another track, Urbano, samo urbano . For some reason I think Montenegro won't make the final this time either....

It looks like the grand old lady Lys Assia didn't take easy her defeat in Saturday's Swiss final. Not that the song would have been dated - I must say I think she did it surprisingly well and even if the song isn't maybe exactly my cup of tea it suited her and it was a whole package - and people didn't vote it because of that but first she attacked the voting system but admitted then that these are the times and styles. And she has a point that this is supposed to be a song contest and not a dance contest but..... the biggest thing of all: One of the panelists used "Du" instead of "Sie" when addressing her. OMG! How dared he? Didn't he know who she is? She felt so humiliated she went speechless, if you believe her. Well, she has a point there, too, but... But can't she just gracefully step back and retain the last of her dignity before she makes a complete fool of herself? And maybe demand the apology in private as no one noticed until she b...

Malina Oliescu (37), the second ever Romanian Eurovision entrant back in 1998 with Eu cred (I believe) apparently didn't believe anymore life was worth living when she jumped from the 6th floor of a building and died instantly. Her friends tell she has said several times she would commit suicide before but this time it was for real. Maybe due some boyfriend problems, the gossip tells... Sad, sad, sad... This blogger believes no other person is worth a suicide.

Swiss people have chosen Sinplus with Unbreakable for Baku 2012 Eurovision. In top-3 also Chiara Dubey and Ivo. Sinplus and Chiara both came from the Italian speaking television's selection. Sinplus is brothers Gabriele and Ivan. Here is the postcard and performance. Results: 1. Sinplus – Unbreakable (17.87%) 2. IVO – Peace & Freedom (16.02%) 3. Chiara Dubey – Anima nuova (13.82%) 4. I Quattro – Fragile (10.56%) 5. Katherine St-Laurent – Wrong to Let You Go (9.91%) 6. Patric Scott feat. Fabienne Louves – Real Love (9.81%) 7. Raphael Jeger – The Song In My Head (5.96%) 8. Lys Assia – C’était ma vie (5.46%) 9. Macy – Shining (3.49%) 10. Atomic-Angels – Black Symphony (2.36%) 11. Emel – She (1.3%) 12. Guillermo Sorya – Baby Baby Baby (1.19%) 13. Ze Flying Zezettes Orchestra -L’autre (1.17%) 14. Sosofluo – Quand je ferme les yeux (1.08%) Swim against the stream Following your wildest dream, your wildest dream Swim against the stream Following your wildest dream...

Here we go. Who will Switzerland select? The selection so far has been very varied when different language groups have had their say but here they are united. But wouldn't it be nice if they had a selection like the good old days? Three songs in German, three in French, three in Italian and one in Retoromaniaan? :-) There a jury in the house but they will only comment. The voting will be 100% televoting tonight. 01   Patric Scott feat. Fabienne Louves *** We continue where we left with 2011 season: a duet with Oh oh ohs . And we have a windmachine so the 2012 season starts with the ultimate Eurovision clichees. Vocally ok with lot of smiles and posing but the song isn't really going anywhere, is it? Black and red in the dresses and on staging plus four wooden ladies posing in the background as well. 02 Emel * Did I mention the stage is quite nice and so are the postcards. But Emel is in a funny stress. I was expecting something oriental or a bit Greek perhaps but why...

 Another week of singing all sort of songs is over and the second qualifier in the Azeri selection is Məryam Kərimov. She belted out amongst other I will always love you , and rather stunningly I may add. Her Eurovision cover was Wild dances so she can do uptempo, too. Then she also covered Alla Pugatsova's Arlechino . And she can do simil-bossa nova , too. I might start thinking this year the singers selected are much better than last year if they go on like this....

Tonight the Eurovision 2012 season starts for real when we will have the first national final.   Die grosse Entscheidungsshow – Eurovision Song Contest 2012 will be aired live on SF1 at 20:05 CET from Bodensee Arena in Kreuzlingen. The line up is pretty solid (even if someof my favourites didn't make it) and it's hard to predict the outcome. I guess the live performance and the stage presense is crucial once again. Three songs in French. Sosofluo and Ze Flying Zezettes Orchestra both follow nicely Anna Rossinelli's acoustic sound while Eurovision legend Lys Assia goes totally nostalgic. Canadian Katherine St-Laurent sings bits in French in her classic Eurovision ballad. One song in Italian. Chiara Dubey is sweet and fragile with her acoustic song. Flirting with Italian are I Quattro with boombastic tenor pop heard about zillion times before - and most of them better. (I would have preferred this tenor pop in the line up) Patric Scott & Fabienne Louves offer c...

No doubt Mixalis Hatzigiannis is a superstar in Greece and his native Cyprus. His career took off from Eurovision 1998 with Genesi when he was just 19 ( in 1995 he wasn't that lucky yet) but these days he doesn't seem that keen on Eurovision. Oikotimes writes he has said "no thanks" three times to Greece and twice to Cyprus. At least. In 2007 he may have originally said "yes" to come to Helsinki 2007 as a composer but demanded George Michael to sing the song!? Now that would have been something! Then again 2010 ERT was after him but money came in between those plans. The year after, in 2011 he apparently just said "No". But in 2010 and 2011 also CyBC was after him but once again it all fell flat because of money. Or so the story goes.... I would love to see him back in Eurovision if he ever has a change of heart as he has matured a fantastic songwriter and performer. And he has once again a new single/video out, Tharros h alitheia .

Jean-Jacques Goldman, the French superstar who saved Cèline Dion's career in French. What can I say? I came across, can't remember how, to his debut solo album Démodè (1981) with hits like Il suffire d'un signe as well as follow up Minoritaire (1982) with Comme toi , Quand la musique est bonne and Veiller tard but when Positif (1984) came out I was totally sold and continued my adoration to this guy well to the 1990's. Envole-moi (and the international release Love me away ), Nous ne nous parlerons pas , Dors bébé dors , Encore un matin , Ton autre chemin and most of all Long is the road  ( Americain ) are all songs from this album I knew by heart and still do... well, sort of (age doesn't come alone...). The album sold over one million copies in France alone and made him a megastar for years to come, especially when his following albums were filled with hits as well. He opened the French music to me and I was hunting several artists who remain favourites...