Countries In Review: Bulgaria

Eurovision  is starting up again, so it's high time for me to take a look at the next country on my list--Bulgaria.

Bulgaria is one of the world's most important producers of rose oil.

As of right now, it's unknown if Bulgaria will be participating in next year's Eurovision Song
Contest.   Due to a combination of political and financial issues, the Bulgarian national broadcaster has not been able to finalize their participation in Vienna and has been given extra time by the European Broadcasting Union to make a decision on entering.

I would love to see Bulgaria back at Eurovision after a year's absence, but unlike other countries that have returned this year, I can certainly understand if the Bulgarians decided to opt out.  Unlike Cyprus and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria has a rather dire  Eurovision record.

In the nine years Bulgaria sent a song to Eurovision, they only made it to the Eurovision finals once:

 Elitsa Todorova and Stoyan Yankoulov   "Water"  2007

Bulgaria hit the sweet spot in 2007--a pseudo-ethnic number in a year were pseudo-ethnic numbers were few and far between.  That, combined with Elitsa and Stoyan's obvious talents on percussion, got them to fifth place in Helsinki.

But other than that success, Bulgarian songs have died in the semifinals:

Sometimes, it's very obvious why they failed, such as Bulgaria's entry in 2009:

Krassimir Avramov   "Illusion"   2009

It's a train wreck of off-tune singing, bad costuming, strange dancing, and insane musical style mash ups.  It's like they threw all the cliches for Eurovision songs into a blender and came up with this song.  It's terrible, but it is amazingly so. 

Most countries have had this experience, sending a song that is completely off the wall and not being able to leave the semifinals.   However, Bulgaria has a problem in sending good songs with excellent performances that are stranded once votes come in from across Europe.

Poli Genova   "Na inat"   2011

Sofi Marinova    "Love Unlimited"  2012

In 2011 and 2012, Bulgaria sent two strong performers who gave superb performances yet failed to excite the voters.

This is where you have question the EBU's assertion that there is no "political" voting in Eurovision.   Unlike Bulgaria's neighbors, Bulgaria doesn't automatically receive points because of common cultural or musical ties.   That means it has to overcome a barrier that other countries rarely have to deal with.

It's not necessarily fair, but it is the nature of the contest.

I hope Bulgaria does return to Eurovision next year and I hope they are able to bring a song and performer that will blow us away.  After all, Austria won last year.

------

And for the record, my personal ranking of Bulgaria's entrants:

1. “Na inat”   Poli Genova   2011

2.  “Love Unlimited”   Sofi Marinova   2012

3.   “Angel si ti”   Miro   2010   Shockingly good, but the white leather is laughable.

4.   “Let Me Cry”   Mariana Popova  2006   Very good singer, somewhat let down by the staging (and the weird guy with the bleached hair).

5.   “Water”   Elitsa & Stoyan   2007

6.   “Lorraine”   Kaffe   2005    I can't even talk about how bad the lyrics are...  Oh dear lord...

7.   “Samo shampioni”   Elitsa & Stoyan   2013   Never go back to Eurovision with the same basic song you sent before.  It's not going to be successful.

8.   “DJ. Take Me Away”   Deep Zone & Balthazar   2008   This was their follow up to Elitsa
& Stoyan?
9.  “Illusion”   Krassimir Avramov   2009

Countries in Review: Bosnia/Herzegovina (part 2)

The Stari Mostar is perhaps the most recognizable landmarks of Bosnia/Herzegovina.

When looking back at my top five choices of Bosnian songs, one thing connects them all--compelling performances by their lead singer.  Having had twelve years of musical training in choral groups, I have major respect for performers who have actual talent in being able to present a song effectively.

5.  Maja Tatić   "Na jastuku za dvoje"   2002

I have a confession to make.  I love female singers from the Balkans with husky, powerful voices and Maja Tatić fits very much in that mold.  The song may be subpar and her styling disappointing, but I could listen to her sing the phone book.  Anybody know if there's a recording of Maja Tatić singing the phone book?  I'll buy it from you.

4.  Hari Mata Hari   "Lejla"   2006

Hara Mata Hari took Bonsia to their best placement at Eurovision, a third place finish.  It's an good example of the "Balkan Ballad".  I only have one big problem, and that's because it is a Željko Joksimović song.    Joksimović is and extremely successful Serbian singer--coming in second and third at Eurovision.   Hari Varešanović, the lead singer of Hari Mata Hari, is a good singer, but he's no  Joksimović

3.  Davorin Popović   "Dvadaset prvi vijek"   1995

This song was never going to win Eurovision.  It feels weird and dated and probably felt that when it was performed on stage in Dublin.   But even with that criticism, it's easy to see how Popović is considered a musical legend back in his home country.  Popović's ability to interpret lyric is something that comes across even though he is singing in Serbo-Croatian.    It wasn't going to win, especially since it followed the eventual winner of the 1995 contest.  However, this song is a nice feather in the cap for Popović--a quality international moment to top off a very successful career.

2.  Regina   "Bistra Voda"   2009

Although this song came in a disappointing ninth in 2009, this is one of the Eurovision songs and performances that has aged quite well over time.  It's a great example of song style, performance, and staging that comes out of the region and how amazing and effective they can be when everything works well together.  I just wish that they had some better camera work--at times it's very static.

1.  Dino Merlin   "Love In Rewind"  2011

This song is an earworm and it's the rare earworm I don't mind having stuck in my head.  It's been that way ever since I first heard it back in 2011.  The sunny, upbeat feeling of the song isn't an obvious choice for a successful song at Eurovision, but came in sixth in Düsseldorf even from the dreaded place of second in the running order.  Had it drawn a better place in the second half of the contest, this could have been a contender to win in a rather weak year.  (And I would have been much happier.)

Finally, I'm through with Bosnia and Herzegovina.  Next up, Bulgaria.

Eurovision 2013: Romania

Romania is a country that has had a very successful track record at Eurovision in the past few years, so the results of their national final--Selecția Națională--usually produces a song that could potentially contend in the Eurovision final.

I have to say that the Romanian public chose the most interesting song to be sent to Eurovision this year.

 

Cezar   "It's My Life"

 

Interesting, right?   Cezar is a classically trained countertenor and this song an audition piece, featuring his vocal range.  It brings to mind a song from a couple of years ago:

 

 

Malena Ernman   "La Voix"   Sweden   2009 

 

I have to admit that "It's My Life" is definitely stands out this year--as many other commentators have noted, this is a serious ballad laden contest.  Cezar's performance is the antithesis to that, and it's one of the few songs that have a whiff of camp to it--something that has been missing from the contest in the past few years.

 

As for Cezar's chances to make it to the final, I have to say it's questionable at best.   Although Ernman did rather well--coming in fourth in her semi-final--a man singing at the level of a mezzo-soprano is much less acceptable than a comely blonde.

 

But Romania is the last song in the semifinal it's placed in and Romania has qualified every year that a semi-final has been in place--so it's likely to qualify and sink to the bottom on Saturday night, much like "La Voix" did.

 

I can respect the choice of the Romanian public.  I don't understand the choice.   I would have gone with the song that won the jury vote:

 



 

Electric Fence   "Emilia"

 

It its own way, "Emilia" is as odd as "It's My Life", but it's weirdness is very much of many of the Moldovan entries of previous years.  Those Moldovan entries have become personal favorites, and I would have loved seeing Electric Fence bouncing around the stage in Malmö.

 

Would it have been a better choice?  I honestly don't know.  But it would have been fun to watch.





Eurovision 2013: France

Dear France 3,

We need to have a talk.  

I love what you send to the Eurovision Song Contest.

You gave me the anchor song when I do my marathon training.

 

Jessy Matador   "Allez Ola Olé"   2010

 

You've inspired my friends in a local burlesque troupe.

 

 

Anggun   "Echo  (You and I)"   2012

 

You've won my approval for taking the Eurovision with a big dose of humor:

 

 

Les Fatals Picards   "L'amour à la française"   1997

 

 

And last but not least, you made me fall in love with her.

 



 



Patricia Kaas   "Et s'il fallait le faire"   2009

 

But this year you chose to send this.

 



Amandine Bourgeois  "L'enfer et moi"

 

I've listened to it.  I've tried to embrace it.  I just can't.  This makes me sad. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Paul at Alaskans Like Eurovision 

Countries In Review: Belarus

As the summertime--with its warm temperatures and hours of sunshine continue to distract my judges--it's time more me to continue reviewing countries, and next on my docket is Belarus, a country I know very little about.

I am blessed with having a coworker who was born and raised in the country of Belarus, and I've been lucky to learn a great deal about Belarus--from the time of Rus to the modern day--and she's shared with me wonderful stories and pictures of the country, including the one included in this post.

The Cathedral of Saint Sophia is one of the numerous churches found in Polotsk, and is the oldest church in the country of Belarus.             Photo courtesy of Olga Segelavich
 

As for Belarus in the Eurovision Song Contest, I had to do a bit of research on my own.

Belarus hasn't been the most successful country in the Eurovision Song Contest, making the finals in only two of the seven years they've competed. 

Unlike many countries, who attempt to do something completely original, Belarus seems to copy successful entries from other countries in previous years.

The best example of this "borrowing" could be found in Belarus' most successful entry in the ESC.

 

Dmitry Koldun "Work Your Magic"  2007

 

I must admit that the James Bond feel of the song, combined with the interesting dance moves and a rather strong performance from the Princess Di lookalike works really well.

 

But compare it to the Russian entry of the prior year, the "borrowing" is self evident.

 

 

 

Dima Bilan  "Never Let You Go"  2006

 

When the cribbing is well done, I'm have no issue with it.  I prefer Koldun to Bilan and wouldn't have minded a better placement than sixth, which is where "Work Your Magic" placed in 2007.

 

However, borrowing can also produce something that is totally inferior to the song it's using as a template--for example my vote for the worst song Belarus has ever sent to Eurovision.

 

 

 

3 + 2 "Butterflies"  2010

 

I admit I might be controversial, since this was the other of the two Belorussian songs that been performed in the Eurovision final, but this song is absolutely horrible.

 

However compare the song and staging to the following song, which was performed the prior year.

 

 

 

Jade Ewen  "It's My Time"  United Kingdom 2009

 

The classy route really worked well for Ms. Ewan, who gave the UK their best placement in years, but instead of giving the floor to one very talented singer, they gave it to five less talented singers who were off key--making the song ear-cringingly bad.  Combined with a stupid gimmick and lyric that is trite makes "Butterflies" my least favorite Belorussian entry.

 

But that gloss of class really helped.

 

My favorite Belorussian Eurovision song is probably going to be controversial as well, but for an entirely different reason.

 

 

 

 

Anastasia Vinnakova  "I Love Belarus"  2011

 

 

People say that politics and Eurovision are not connected and the European Broadcasting Union tries to keep political songs out of the contest.  However, this song can be seen as very political when looking at the climate of Belorussian international politics at the time. 

 

The previous December, Alexander Lukashenko the President of Belarus, won his fourth election as president.  His reelection was marred by protests and soundly condemned by most Western countries, who felt the elections were neither free nor fair and the European Union increased sanctions on the president and other high level members of the Belorussian government.

 

"I Love Belarus" was announced as the Belorussian entry to the Eurovision Song Contest a few months later, Ms. Vinnakova's ode to the love of her country can be read as more than a light pop song.  It can also be read as a statement from Belarus to the rest of Europe--which has even more power when you realize that this song was delivered in Germany--the center of the European Union.

 

There's no way you can deny that the combination of politics and pop makes this a tantalizing song, and is why this is definitely my favorite Belorussian song.

 

And for those of you who are interested, here's how the rest of the Belorussian entries stacked up:

 

1.  Anastasia Vinnakova  "I Love Belarus"   2011

2.  Aleksandra and Konstintin  "My Galileo"  2004   Let's face it, I love quirk.  Even if you can't understand a word the singer is saying.

3.  Polina Smolova  "Mum"  2006    A for effort, dear, but WHAT are you wearing? 

4.  Litesound  "We Are The Heroes"   2012   Had they not changed the song and made the group wear ridiculous outfits, this one would be a contender for my favorite.

5.  Dmitriy Koldun "Work Your Magic"  2007

6.  Angelica Agurbash "Love Me Tonight"   2005   Enjoyed the gimmick, wish she could stay on key.

7.  Ruslan Alekhno   "Hasta La Vista"  2006   Why didn't this work?  It should have...  It just doesn't.

8.  Petr Elfimov  "Eyes That Never Lie"  2009  They promised hard rocking, but Elfimov is a low rent Tom Jones with over-processed platinum hair.

9.  3 + 2   "Butterflies"  2010

 

And that's it for Belorussian entries to Eurovision.  I'm looking forward to next year's contest and what they'll send.  Will they be original or will they send the Belorussian take on "Euphoria"?  Either way, I'm I'll have an opinion.





Countries In Review: Azerbaijan

It has been a couple of weeks since I last updated my journal, and in that time a lot of things have changed--including my residence.  That means that I have finally gotten back around to updating my Eurovision blog and I can continue with the next country in my review posts--Azerbaijan.

Baku, Azerbaijan's capital, is a leader in ambitious buildings like the planned Hotel Crescent

Azerbaijan is the newest country in the Eurovision Song Contest, first sending a song in 2008.  And in those five years, they have been they have been extremely successful, having placed no lower than eighth in the final contest.  It's a track record that most other countries would envy.

Personally, I've never been much of a fan of Azerbaijani entrants.  I've always found them to be more of a part of Azerbaijani international policy that actually being representative of their actual musical culture.

A case in point is the song that won the contest back in 2011:

Ell and Nikki  "Running Scared"  2011

I've made my opinion known in my introductory post to this series of blog posts, and I still consider it to be pretty horrible--which is only compounded by the fact that really only one person involved with the song was actually living in Azerbaijan at the time--Eldar Gasimov, the male singer in the duet.

But it did exactly what the Azerbaijani government wanted it to do.  It won the contest, brought Eurovision to the country, and the government used it to try to propel Azerbaijan onto the world stage and a place where large events could be held.

It still doesn't change the fact that I despise the song and cannot believe it beat out a group of much better songs to win the contest.

But it's not surprising.  They tried the same thing a few years previously and came in third with this song:

Aysel and Arash  "Always"  2009

This time the only Azerbaijani was the lovely Aysel.  Better song too.

Really the only song that doesn't come of completely prepackaged is the first song Azerbaijan sent to Eurovision

.

Elnur and Samir  "Day After Day"  2008

I will be the first to admit the staging is absolutely ridiculous; it's pretty self-evident how cheesy it is.  However, the song was written by two Azerbaijanis and feels more authentic than anything else they've sent afterwords.  So this one gets the vote for best Azerbaijani entry.

So from best to worst:

1.  Elnur and Samir   "Day After Day"  2008

2.  Sabina Babayeva   "When The Music Dies"  2012  The addition of  Alim Qasimov saved this one.

3.  Safura   "Drip Drop"   2010  If a song could try too hard, this would be the song.

4.  Aysel and Arash   "Always"  2009

5.  Ell and Nikki   "Running Scared"   2011

Yeah, I must admit I'm pretty savage on Azerbaijan Eurovision entrants.  But I have hope that now they have won the contest, proven that they are a country on par with the rest of Europe, they will pull back on the hyper-packaged songs and send music that is more reflective of their own musical culture. 

Eurovision 2012 Entrants: Estonia

Estonia has been one of my favorite countries at the Eurovision Song Contest, in the past few years, they've sent songs that have gone onto my favorites playlist on my iPod, so I was kind of looking forward to the Estonian entry.

Ott Lepland  "Kuula"

Although he gets major brownie points for singing in Estonian, his performance leaves me flat.  It's just a guy standing at a microphone, holding the stand like he's on a merry-go-round.  No matter how gorgeous the voice or how handsome the man singing the song, just standing there just isn't good enough.

Well, unless you're this person

Patricia Kaas  "Et s'il fallait le faire"  France  2009

All bow down to the greatness that is Patricia Kaas.

Sorry.  Got distracted for a minute...

However, I know a way that this dull staging can be changed, and Estonia can put some more people on the stage.  Just adapt this video and it's sure to be in the final.

"Kuula", interpreted by HOFF - the Haapsalu Horror And Fantasy Film Festival

A Eurovision song and zombies.  Yep.  I'm in.  And so would all my friends, the least of which is the lovely Janet S., who is a zombie fanatic. 

Zombies and Eurovision, two things that go surprisingly great together...

Eurovision in Review: Armenia

Welcome back to Eurovision in Review, where I get to do some navel gazing and rate the quality of each Eurovision country's entrants.

Not only do Armenians take Eurovision seriously, they take their chess seriously, as evidenced by their win at the 2011 World Chess Team Championships.

I have to admit that one of the most disappointing things about this year's contest is the fact that Armenia isn't participating this year.

It's understandable, since the two countries have been at a very uneasy peace after the end of the Nagorno-Karabakh War.  The war was over the Azerbaijani region of Nagorno-Karabakh, withic lasted from 1991 to 1994.  The region is internationally considered part of Azerbaijan, but with an Armenian-backed de facto state in control of the region and the conflict has kept the region unstable since and has consistently spilled over into the Eurovision Song Contest.

But you're not here to get a history lesson, you're here for the music.

Armenia started participating in the Eurovision Song Contest since 2006, when APMTV, the Armenian national broadcaster, became a full member of the European Broadcasting Union.  And like many of the former Soviet Republics, Armenia has taken the Eurovision Song Contest very seriously, with all but one of their entrants making the finals.  That's not something to be sneezed at.

the Worst

Good grief.  Even "the worst" for Armenia is pretty darn good.

Emmy "Boom Boom"  2011

I don't dislike this song one bit--it was my guilty pleasure song of last year's contest, but no matter how much charm and stage presence Emmy had or how entertaining the dancers were, the vocals are tantamount.  Emmy didn't have the voice to pull it off and by the end of the song, all the singers were off key. 

Although I have all the goodwill towards this song, it sadly didn't succeed and it's the reason I had to rank it the worst.

the Best

This one is a no-brainer.

Inga and Anush  "Jan Jan"  2009

Why yes, Inga and Anush, I am "dancing nor par".  I've been "dancing nor par" ever since I listened to this song last because I can't get the darn thing out of my head.

The eastern exoticism with the costumes of the singers and dancers, the fun lighting on the stage in Moscow and their near pitch perfect performance, well, this stands out of the six really good performances by Armenian entrants.

And for those who are really interested in my full rankings:

1.  Inga and Anush  "Jan Jan"  2009

2.  Sirusho  "Qélé Qélé"  2008  Great singer, not enough charisma to take it over the top.

3.  Hayko  "Anytime You Need"  2007  Another good singer, he just needs to learn where to hold the mike.

4.  Eva Rivas  "Apricot Stone"  2010  They started with a close-up of her boobs.  Enough said.

5.  André "Without Your Love"   2006  A pastiche of prior years winners, but still entertaining.

6.  Emmy  "Boom Boom"  2011

The difference between the six are very small; Armenia sends quality acts.  I wish they were going to send a song to Baku.  But there's always next year...

And click here if you want to listen to the songs yourself  and let me know who you think is best and worst.

Next up, Austria. 



Countries in Review: Andorra

Compared to all of the other countries in Western Europe, Andorra is a newcomer to the Eurovision Song Contest, and the reason is simple.  To take part in the Eurovision Song Contest the country must have a broadcaster that is a member in good standing of the European Broadcasting Union, and Andorra didn't have a national broadcaster until 1989, when the Andorran government created  Rádio i Televisió d'Andorra and didn't join the EBU until 2002.

Considering the city of Anchorage, Alaska is more than three times as big as the country of Andorra, I was shocked to find that the Caldera Spa in Andorra is the continent's largest.

Andorra has entered the contest only six times, from 2004 to 2009, without any success in making it to the finals, and has not competed since, for financial reasons and is not likely to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest again.

Had the country had more success in the contest, I suspect that that they would still be participating, but in their six years, they never made it out of the semifinals.

The reason is pure and simple--a small country new to broadcasting and on a very tight budget is not likely to be capable of putting on the quality of performance that other countries--like Sweden or Azerbaijan are capable of putting on.  So they're at a disadvantage in getting votes, and having a small talent pool to draw from, you're not likely to be able to pull the quality of singers you could get from countries like Russia or Greece.

That means these songs have to be graded on a curve much lower than the Albainian songs.

The Worst

After listening to this song more times than I care to admit, I have to say that the worst song in my mind is this one:

Marian van der Wal  "La Mirada Interior"  2005

It's not because of the singing.  Ms. van der Wal is able to stay on key, which can't be said by other entrants.  What this song suffers from is "let's throw a lot of crap on stage and see if it works" syndrome. 

That's not to be said that it's a bad thing.  In fact, two recent winners--"Believe" and "Fairytale" could be said to have "thrown a lot of crap on stage", but unfortunately in this case, it worked against the song.    The Grecian outfits on the women, the half naked men in velour bell bottoms, and the fans.  They just didn't go together, and distract from the singer, not enhance the performance.

The Best

How I desperately want to say that this song is the best:

Jenny  "Sense Tu"  2006

If I were judging the best on the quality of singing, Jenny is head and shoulders above any of the other Andorran songs.  And it's the only Andorran Eurovision song that I don't skip over when it comes on the stereo in my car.

But the staging is completely wrong.  It's absolutely atrocious, and I can understand why it came in last in the semifinal that year.   I'm certain the choreography and costuming was going for sexy, but it just comes across as sleazy and makes poor Jenny look dumpy.  She's an attractive woman, but in the overlong lace housecoat over a black negligee, she just looks kind of sad.

I'd also like to say this was the best song:

Anonymous  "Salvem el món"  2007

But poor Niki Francesca was absolutely terrified.  His vocals were flat and he appears to he hiding behind the microphone. Lead singers should have charisma, and considering the rest of the staging was so strong

So, to cut the difference, my best is this one.

Susanne Georgi  "La teva decisió (Get A Life)"  2009

The singing is gruff, not up to par with Jenny and the staging isn't as good as Anonymous, but as a whole it's the most pulled together entrant Andorra ever entered.   Besides, Ms. Georgi is pretty darn cute when she's holding her guitar. 

So I'll summarize--from best to worst

1.  Susanne Georgi  "La teva decisió (Get A Life)" 2009
2.  Anonymous "Salvem el món" 2007
3.  Jenny "Sense Tu" 2006
4.  Marta Roure  "Jugarem a estimar-nos"  2004   The dancing was great, sadly the singing wasn't.
5.  Gisela  "Casanova"  2008  My god, what is she wearing?
6.  Marian van der Wal "La Mirada Interior" 2005

And as always, if you're interested, you can listed to all of the songs by following this link. 

Next up, Armenia.