Thank goodness that such fringe, lunatic harmful nonsense is marginalised and unimportant in the UK
But they must always be actively opposed. We cannot afford to become complacent.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Evil
Says it all, really.
Thank goodness that such fringe, lunatic harmful nonsense is marginalised and unimportant in the UK
But they must always be actively opposed. We cannot afford to become complacent.
Thank goodness that such fringe, lunatic harmful nonsense is marginalised and unimportant in the UK
But they must always be actively opposed. We cannot afford to become complacent.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
So, my full review of the Big Night!
First, the contest was very well produced and staged - couldn't be faulted.
The songs were more of a mixed bag.
BOSNIA - a drifting and ethereal ballad, but I didn't think as strong as last years Bosnian entry.
SPAIN - Boy band D'Nash were easy on the ear, particularly the blond one with the pecs, and its a stirring song. I thought this should have done better than it did
BELARUS - The voice was missing here. Its a catchy modern pop song, but the singing was reedy, and someone should advise him that one needs to put one's arms fully under the sunbed (or rub the fake tan in more efficiently). This was overrated and did better than it deserved
IRELAND - This was one of my pre-contest favourites and its still one I will play for personal pleasure, but the performance didn't work. Lead singer Cathy veered offkey, and the staging just didn't work - in a cosy pub this would have been fine but it just looked wrong somehow
FINLAND - Loud rock. Next.
MACEDONIA - This came over very well, the singing was strong and she performed it well. Not a worldbeating song though the instumentation was striking
SLOVENIA - The first visit to the world of Popera , this was tipped as a victor by some. I didn't share their enthusiasm - thought it was an overblown bore. It sounded a bit like one of those patriotic songs on the old communist newsreels
HUNGARY - Excellent stuff - though the performance wasn't quite as strong as in the semi. Still a brave and ambitious piece of music, great voice and fab song. real music!
LITHUANIA - Cool and classy, too much so for an event which requires some immediacy, but an excellent entry which should have done a lot better
GREECE - A British singer, and not exactly the most polished performance of the night, but he looked as if he was enjoying himself. Ricky Martin should sue - and what about those jim-jams he was wearing?? Jolly stuff!
GEORGIA - As a total contrast, this one was far from conventional ... fantastic stuff from a singer whose voice I loved from first listen. Great debut from Georgia and I think it should have done better than it did Musically, think Bjork or Kate Bush.
SWEDEN - Just ghastly. Glam-rock which rips off at least two 70's examples
FRANCE - They were wearing pink. Very pink. This simply sounds more bizarre each time I hear it. Its French. Very French, and probably very clever, but I didn't like it
LATVIA - I thought this might have been a front-runner, and certainly it was very professional but clearly it failed to make the impact of the semi. Ballad popera this time
RUSSIA - one of the most contemporary entries, very Pussycat Dollski. Can't remember a thing about it though - sums up a lot of modern pop music all told. Boring.
GERMANY - Cool, cool - but unfortunately, german and jazz don't really make great bedfellows. I liked this a lot but its certainly for a niche market
SERBIA - The winner, and i think well deserved. A big ballad, an unconventional singer, a simple performance - the sort of thing which people would say would never win under televoting. I'm glad it did.
UKRAINE - The crazy song of the night - think obviously male drag queen in Bacofoil singing a cod-cossack chant in german. Bizarre. I'm not really keen on joke entries. This waqs mildly amusing but I'm relieved it didn't win
UK - Oh dear. This was all very british - much like daz last year. All very cliched with double entendres and airline props, but no-one could do anything with a song as appalling as this. OK, its camp cheese and doesn't pretend to be anything else but that doesn't mean I have to like it
ROMANIA - The third novelty song in the night. This was like an outtake from Borat
BULGARIA - Percussion rules. Strangely haunting although there's no tune to speak of - but does create a certain mood
TURKEY - Another contemporary song, and this was about the best of that style. he seemed to be having microphone problems at the start but recovered well. Memorable chorus, not surprised it got 12 from the UK
ARMENIA - Lovely ballad sung extremely well by a very handsome singer! I always thought this would do well - I thought a charming song. Very professional.
MOLDOVA - Upbeat rock - don't like it.
The songs were more of a mixed bag.
BOSNIA - a drifting and ethereal ballad, but I didn't think as strong as last years Bosnian entry.
SPAIN - Boy band D'Nash were easy on the ear, particularly the blond one with the pecs, and its a stirring song. I thought this should have done better than it did
BELARUS - The voice was missing here. Its a catchy modern pop song, but the singing was reedy, and someone should advise him that one needs to put one's arms fully under the sunbed (or rub the fake tan in more efficiently). This was overrated and did better than it deserved
IRELAND - This was one of my pre-contest favourites and its still one I will play for personal pleasure, but the performance didn't work. Lead singer Cathy veered offkey, and the staging just didn't work - in a cosy pub this would have been fine but it just looked wrong somehow
FINLAND - Loud rock. Next.
MACEDONIA - This came over very well, the singing was strong and she performed it well. Not a worldbeating song though the instumentation was striking
SLOVENIA - The first visit to the world of Popera , this was tipped as a victor by some. I didn't share their enthusiasm - thought it was an overblown bore. It sounded a bit like one of those patriotic songs on the old communist newsreels
HUNGARY - Excellent stuff - though the performance wasn't quite as strong as in the semi. Still a brave and ambitious piece of music, great voice and fab song. real music!
LITHUANIA - Cool and classy, too much so for an event which requires some immediacy, but an excellent entry which should have done a lot better
GREECE - A British singer, and not exactly the most polished performance of the night, but he looked as if he was enjoying himself. Ricky Martin should sue - and what about those jim-jams he was wearing?? Jolly stuff!
GEORGIA - As a total contrast, this one was far from conventional ... fantastic stuff from a singer whose voice I loved from first listen. Great debut from Georgia and I think it should have done better than it did Musically, think Bjork or Kate Bush.
SWEDEN - Just ghastly. Glam-rock which rips off at least two 70's examples
FRANCE - They were wearing pink. Very pink. This simply sounds more bizarre each time I hear it. Its French. Very French, and probably very clever, but I didn't like it
LATVIA - I thought this might have been a front-runner, and certainly it was very professional but clearly it failed to make the impact of the semi. Ballad popera this time
RUSSIA - one of the most contemporary entries, very Pussycat Dollski. Can't remember a thing about it though - sums up a lot of modern pop music all told. Boring.
GERMANY - Cool, cool - but unfortunately, german and jazz don't really make great bedfellows. I liked this a lot but its certainly for a niche market
SERBIA - The winner, and i think well deserved. A big ballad, an unconventional singer, a simple performance - the sort of thing which people would say would never win under televoting. I'm glad it did.
UKRAINE - The crazy song of the night - think obviously male drag queen in Bacofoil singing a cod-cossack chant in german. Bizarre. I'm not really keen on joke entries. This waqs mildly amusing but I'm relieved it didn't win
UK - Oh dear. This was all very british - much like daz last year. All very cliched with double entendres and airline props, but no-one could do anything with a song as appalling as this. OK, its camp cheese and doesn't pretend to be anything else but that doesn't mean I have to like it
ROMANIA - The third novelty song in the night. This was like an outtake from Borat
BULGARIA - Percussion rules. Strangely haunting although there's no tune to speak of - but does create a certain mood
TURKEY - Another contemporary song, and this was about the best of that style. he seemed to be having microphone problems at the start but recovered well. Memorable chorus, not surprised it got 12 from the UK
ARMENIA - Lovely ballad sung extremely well by a very handsome singer! I always thought this would do well - I thought a charming song. Very professional.
MOLDOVA - Upbeat rock - don't like it.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Me on the ESC! Link to Radio 5
www.bbc.co.uk/fivelive/programmes/#r
Go down to the Richard Bacon show, its todays show, and go forward 2hrs 38 minutes on the player.....
Sorry, Scoochers, you will not like what I have to say!
Go down to the Richard Bacon show, its todays show, and go forward 2hrs 38 minutes on the player.....
Sorry, Scoochers, you will not like what I have to say!
Friday, May 11, 2007
so...the semi final....
Bulgaria - This isn't very accessible, but I like the way they got away with playing the percussion live. I thought it was effective and haunting and I'm pleased it made it
Israel - Sorry, I find this offensive in every way. The worst in the semi - dodgy lyric, tuneless and not in the least funny
Cyprus - Tired, derivative disco-pop, and I think her voice was average at best. This years Kate Ryan
Belarus - This was well staged. He missed a few notes but he is an appealing performer. I can't say it does a lot for me but I can see the appeal
Iceland - he can certainly sing, but this sort of stadium rock simply isn't what I like to listen to
Georgia - I was seriously worried about this - such a difficult song to sing, but I thought she was awesome. This is really ambitious stuff and its been in my top 5 since the outset. probably still too non-commercial to win, but in terms of musical quality this has it in spades
Montenegro - One of many rock songs tonight, only one of which made it. He performed this well but song wise its bland and forgettable
Switzerland - What is it about Swiss acts? This was as inept at Piero, It had a real 'amateur dramatics at the village hall' feel to it - the singing was appalling. Why didn't they get a couple of singers who could have sung this well - because it actually needed good singers to work, with all the high notes.
Moldova - Not my sort of music but well performed and competent. The only rock-influenced song to make it
Netherlands - She gave it her all, but there's only so much you can do with a song which really didn't get anywhere. Almost any other song would have been better from the new album - I think she should have gone with one of the ballads.
Albania - Very professional performance but absolutely no discernible melody
Denmark - I thought this probably would qualify but this wasn't schlager's year - and that can only be a good thing. Its all been done before: musically, this was back to gay disco 80's style and whilst catchy enough, essentially very insubstantial.
Croatia - The female singer was very off-key throughout and the song didn't get anywhere - bottom 5 I'd say
Poland - This deserved to qualify. Really well performed and effective, but perhaps the song was just a bit too messy.
Serbia - Wonderful voice, I liked the intriguing staging, and this was really an obvious qualifier
Czech republic - I really can't comment fairly. This sort of music just isn't what I can bear to listen to, full stop
Portugal - This was nice and I thought she sung it very well. Somehow, though, it lacked that extra bit of impact - i didn't vote for it, even though I like it, which speaks volumes
FYROM - I like the instrumentation and she sung it flawlessly. Very deserved qualifier
Norway - I hate this. Its everything wrong with Scandi-Eurovision in three minutes. A clinical, cynical attempt to 'do Latin' - about as Latino as dried elk salami and about as appealing. Trash and I'm delighted it didn't qualify.
Malta - This was just too busy, too messy. Olivia was OK but I just found it a pain on the ears. Now, can we have one of those lovely Disney ballads and a top 10 place next year, please?
Andorra - I think it was the singing wot dun it. It was young and fresh, but the lead singer went badly off key frequently. I can't think of any other obvious reasons for it not getting there
Hungary - Along with Georgia, I had placed this in the 'classy but too good' category. This was splendid - so simple, and I love the voice. Very contemporary, I can imagine this being played on UK radio next to Amy Winehouse.
Estonia - Just very, very dull. She sang it well, though
Belgium - I loved this as its so mush the sort of music I love - but the singing was all over the place . He couldn't seem to decide whether to sing normal key or falsetto. Groovy stuff and I would have liked to see it qualify but i wasn't all that surprised when it didn't
Slovenia - This was surprisingly effective, visually - but i still don't think that the blend of opera and disco works
Turkey - Restrained performance, but I think it was an obvious qualifier. Again, very contemporary, although I thought the staging was at odds with the style of the song
Austria - The verses were good, and he looked fine, but the chorus led us to loud rock category again and I think that ruined it for me. I just don't like rock.
Latvia - I really liked this on the night. The singing was just so good and it came over as so uplifting and anthemic - its now in my top 10!
So, for all the whingers. On the whole the BEST SONGS MADE IT. And its good to see Hungary and Georgia through with songs which are not commercial and which are musically more ambitious.
Israel - Sorry, I find this offensive in every way. The worst in the semi - dodgy lyric, tuneless and not in the least funny
Cyprus - Tired, derivative disco-pop, and I think her voice was average at best. This years Kate Ryan
Belarus - This was well staged. He missed a few notes but he is an appealing performer. I can't say it does a lot for me but I can see the appeal
Iceland - he can certainly sing, but this sort of stadium rock simply isn't what I like to listen to
Georgia - I was seriously worried about this - such a difficult song to sing, but I thought she was awesome. This is really ambitious stuff and its been in my top 5 since the outset. probably still too non-commercial to win, but in terms of musical quality this has it in spades
Montenegro - One of many rock songs tonight, only one of which made it. He performed this well but song wise its bland and forgettable
Switzerland - What is it about Swiss acts? This was as inept at Piero, It had a real 'amateur dramatics at the village hall' feel to it - the singing was appalling. Why didn't they get a couple of singers who could have sung this well - because it actually needed good singers to work, with all the high notes.
Moldova - Not my sort of music but well performed and competent. The only rock-influenced song to make it
Netherlands - She gave it her all, but there's only so much you can do with a song which really didn't get anywhere. Almost any other song would have been better from the new album - I think she should have gone with one of the ballads.
Albania - Very professional performance but absolutely no discernible melody
Denmark - I thought this probably would qualify but this wasn't schlager's year - and that can only be a good thing. Its all been done before: musically, this was back to gay disco 80's style and whilst catchy enough, essentially very insubstantial.
Croatia - The female singer was very off-key throughout and the song didn't get anywhere - bottom 5 I'd say
Poland - This deserved to qualify. Really well performed and effective, but perhaps the song was just a bit too messy.
Serbia - Wonderful voice, I liked the intriguing staging, and this was really an obvious qualifier
Czech republic - I really can't comment fairly. This sort of music just isn't what I can bear to listen to, full stop
Portugal - This was nice and I thought she sung it very well. Somehow, though, it lacked that extra bit of impact - i didn't vote for it, even though I like it, which speaks volumes
FYROM - I like the instrumentation and she sung it flawlessly. Very deserved qualifier
Norway - I hate this. Its everything wrong with Scandi-Eurovision in three minutes. A clinical, cynical attempt to 'do Latin' - about as Latino as dried elk salami and about as appealing. Trash and I'm delighted it didn't qualify.
Malta - This was just too busy, too messy. Olivia was OK but I just found it a pain on the ears. Now, can we have one of those lovely Disney ballads and a top 10 place next year, please?
Andorra - I think it was the singing wot dun it. It was young and fresh, but the lead singer went badly off key frequently. I can't think of any other obvious reasons for it not getting there
Hungary - Along with Georgia, I had placed this in the 'classy but too good' category. This was splendid - so simple, and I love the voice. Very contemporary, I can imagine this being played on UK radio next to Amy Winehouse.
Estonia - Just very, very dull. She sang it well, though
Belgium - I loved this as its so mush the sort of music I love - but the singing was all over the place . He couldn't seem to decide whether to sing normal key or falsetto. Groovy stuff and I would have liked to see it qualify but i wasn't all that surprised when it didn't
Slovenia - This was surprisingly effective, visually - but i still don't think that the blend of opera and disco works
Turkey - Restrained performance, but I think it was an obvious qualifier. Again, very contemporary, although I thought the staging was at odds with the style of the song
Austria - The verses were good, and he looked fine, but the chorus led us to loud rock category again and I think that ruined it for me. I just don't like rock.
Latvia - I really liked this on the night. The singing was just so good and it came over as so uplifting and anthemic - its now in my top 10!
So, for all the whingers. On the whole the BEST SONGS MADE IT. And its good to see Hungary and Georgia through with songs which are not commercial and which are musically more ambitious.
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