Countries in Review: Bosnia/Herzegovina (part one)

Although it appears landlocked, Neum is Bosnia/Hezegovina's only coastal town.

It's always disappointing when a country decides to opt out of the Eurovision Song Contest, especially so when they decide not to participate for financial reasons.  Bosnia and Herzegovina haven't entered Eurovision since 2012 due to the cost of participation.

Before starting this blog, I probably would have said "good riddance", but using this blog to look in depth into Eurovision, I am genuinely disappointed that they don't enter.  I've learned to love music from the Balkan region, and not having a Bosnian entry in Eurovision makes this Eurovision lover sad.

But it's not going to stop me from ranking the previous Bosnian entries.

I have to say that most of the Bosnian entries are pretty serious in the "Balkan Ballad" style, like the very first entry Bosnia sent, back in 1993:



Fazla   "Sva bol svijeta"   1993

Although the song sounds quite dated--you can tell by the orchestration it's from the early 1990s, "Sva blo svijeta" is worth listening to because it is one of the few times where the politics of the time are overtly shown at Eurovision.  The Bosnian war was at its zenith in 1993, and Fazla was almost unable to get out of the country due to bombings.  Just listen to the applause from the audience at the beginning of the song--an ovation that may never be repeated.

But the same straightforward, dramatic presentation can be seen in the most recent Bosnian entry:

MayaSar   "Korake ti znam"   2012

It's a lovely romantic song that was negated by the strange styling.  I was put off by the long limp hair and the oversized black dress.  (Isn't it incredible how the most minor things can put down a perfectly decent song?)

Yet, the most memorable Bosnian entry is one that breaks that mold:

Deen   "In The Disco"  2004

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present you the gayest performance ever to grace the Eurovision stage.  (Yes, even gayer that Conchita Wurst.)  I jokingly say that this is the only song at Eurovision you can potentially get a sexually transmitted disease from.  It's so not to my taste, but I think the over the top performance is exactly why it was successful and is definitely memorable.   

6.   Maya Sar   "Korake ti znam"   2012  
7.   Alma & Dejan   "Ostani kraj mene"   1994   I do love duets where the people actually look like they enjoy being together.
8.   Alma Čardžić   "Goodbye"   1997   The first peppy sounding song that Bosnia sent.
9.   Nino Pršeš   "Hano"   2001   The presentation of the song just failed to live up to its promise.
10.   Fazla   "Sva bol svijeta"   1993
11.   Maria   "Rijeka bez imena"   2007   I like Maya Sar's take on this basic song better.
12.   Deen   "In The Disco"   2004
13.   Mija Martina   "Ne brini"   2003   This is a song that is much better in English..
14.   Amila Glamočak   "Za našu ljubav"   1996   She has a nice voice, but the song is dull.
15.   Dino & Beatrice   "Putnici"   1999   Pretentious.
16.   Laka   "Pokušaj"  2008   I have a feeling that this is a cultural thing.  I just dont get this.
17.   Feminem   "Call Me"   2005   ABBA did this much better. 
18.   Vukašin Brajić   "Thunder and Lightning"   2010   Don't bother.  It's horrible.

My top five Bosnian songs should be posted soon.

Eurovision 2013: Georgia

I cannot believe that I'm going to say this.  I really like the Georgian entry.

Nodi Tatishvili & Sophie Gelovani   "Waterfall"

I'll be the first to admit that this is a very calculated choice by the Georgian broadcaster, GPB.   They got the composer of the winning entry from last year, Thomas G:son, and looked at the staging of the winner from two years ago and came up with this song.

Usually I would deride this sort of thing, but the choice of Tatishvili & Gelovani have something that Eurovision duets in previous years tend not to have--chemistry.

If you take a look back a prior years' duets, the singers feel like they're singing in different worlds. 

 

Chanée and N'evergreen   "In A Moment Like This"   Denmark   2010

 

 

Ell and Nikki   "Running Scared"   Azerbaijan   2011

 

 

Greta Salóme & Jónsi   "Never Forget"   Iceland   2012

You may feel differently, but I feel that there was no connection between the singers in the three songs I've posted above, while the Georgian entry has that connection.  It looks like the two actually like each other.  For me, that goes a long way to sell the song, since my idea of a good duet is set up by this song.

 

 

Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers   "Islands in the Stream"

 

Tatishvili and Gelovani are the singers who come closest to that level of chemistry that Parton and Rogers have.  That means I'm flying the flag for the Georgian entry, even though I tend to hate duets in Eurovision.

Eurovision 2013: Greece

Even under an economic crisis, Greece is very much a Eurovision powerhouse, and they're still willing to put on a show.

And because of budget constraints, the Greek national broadcaster partnered with the oldest Greek music channel  MAD TV to put on a 2 and a half hour Eurovision extravaganza--where many former Eurovision winners came and performed duets with current Greek singers and bands.

The usual suspects--Dima Bilan, Marija Šerifović, and Alexander Rybak--showed up, but the highlight was this duet.

Vicky Leandros and Elena Paparizou   "Apres Toi" 

 

I always love it when a winner from more than 10 years ago comes back and performs their song, and I enjoyed the two Greek winners of the Eurovision Song Contest (even though Leandros represented Luxembourg) singing on one of the more memorable French language winners of the Eurovision Song Contest.



The winner, however, was a complete contrast to "Apres Toi":

Koza Mostra and Agathonas Iakovidas    "Alcohol is Free"

Greece has decided to send the quirkiest song to Eurovision this year, taking the mantle up from perennial favorite Moldova.

"Alcohol is Free" takes ska and mashes it with Greek folk music into a hybrid that is going to immediately appeal to appeal to all of my friends here in Alaska.   I fully suspect that this song will be in the top three when I have my Eurovision viewing party in May or June.

I also have to confess I'm kind of taken with it as well.  You've got to love an upbeat number that makes some interesting allusions to the current economic crisis that is overtaking Europe and to ancient history.  It reminds me of a song that faded away back a few years ago.

 

InCulto   "East European Funk"   Lithuania   2010

 



The difference is that the Greek song is much more "serious"--the shtick of InCulto sank their chances back in 2010, while I expect "Alcohol is Free" to make the top ten if not make a run for the top.

Way to go Greece!  I'm rooting for you to win the whole thing.

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 

Eurovision 2013: Denmark

This is "Only Teardrops" too...

Dansk Melodi Grand Prix, the Danish national final, took place back on January 26th, with ten songs competing for a chance to perform just across the Øresund Strait in Malmö, Sweden.

It took me until now to review the contest, because some of the songs and performances were not readily available on YouTube, my source for all of the national finals.

But after some digging, I was able to find the full contest, and I feel like I can comment the contest as a whole, even though I may not be able to post links to the actual performances--like Brinck's performance of  "Human"--which I would love to vivisect because it was bad in so many ways.

But instead I'll write about:

 

The Winner

  

 

Emmilie de Forest    "Only Teardrops"

 

Denmark wants to win the contest again, and their choice of song pretty much proves it.  "Only Teardrops" takes a things from prior successful songs--staging notes from "Euphoria" last year and the Celtic flair from the Irish winners back in the 1990s.  Then they stole the lighting and costuming from this song:

 

 

Aloysha   "Sweet People"   Ukraine   2010

 

Altogether, the song is very eye catching and likely to do well in the contest, fitting in with the goals SVT has for the contest.

 

Do I personally like it?   Not really.  I find the song and performance overly melodramatic.  But then again Loreen and "Euphoria" didn't speak to me either.

 

Should Have Won 

 

It's either a good thing or a bad thing that there were really no stand outs for me on what song should have won, and I can't even criticize the songs that made it into the top three and the superfinal.  However of the three songs in the finals, I would have voted for this song:

 

 

 

Simone  "Stay Awake"

 

I will admit this this song feels dated--it looks and sounds like something that might have been sent to the contest in the late 90s or early 00s.  But Simone controls the stage in a way that de Forest didn't, and I must confess I'm all for a Latin beat and girls swirling around in fringe-covered dresses.  So I have to go with my own personal preference here, even though I think "Only Teardrops" will be stronger in May in Malmö.

 

 

My Favorite

 

I'm going to go a little outside the box for my favorite, because I really enjoyed the interval act--a medley of Eurovision winning performances:

 

 





 

 Brotherhood of Man   "Save Your Kisses For Me"   United Kingdom   1976

Herreys   "Diggi-Loo  Diggi-Ley"   Sweden   1984

Johnny Logan   "Hold Me Now"  Ireland   1987

 

I have to say I enjoy having old winners brought out and have them perform their winning songs, and this medley is more watchable than most of the songs that were presented in the actual contest.

 

Is that bad?

 

All in all, I think Denmark put on a good show and chose a strong song.  That's what a successful National final should be.

 





 

 

 







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: Albania

Welcome to the first of my "Country In Review" Eurovision posts. 

The nice thing about deciding to to the "Country In Review" blog posts is that I get a chance to take a look at the songs from a country at a whole instead of looking at the songs in comparison to other songs in a given year.

(Although I have to admit that I might enjoy this because I like ranking things and have since I was a little kid.)

And since I'm anything if not methodical, I'm staring alphabetically, and that means Albania is the first country I'm reviewing.

The former Enver Hoxha Museum in Tirana.  From what I understand, a good place for some high-speed tobogganing.

  

Albania has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since 1994 and has always been sponsored by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar and has chosen their entrant through their year-end concert program Festivali i Këngës.  Festivali is a multi-day show performed in the Pallati i Kongreseve and is pretty impressive as national finals go, with a full orchestra, high productions values, and a lot of talented Albanian singers.  (I recommend looking around for clips from Festivali.  It's well worth your trouble.)

And after listening to all of the Albanian entrants a number of times, I have to admit I had judged the country's songs rather harshly in the past.  I had just dismissed the Albania's songs because it's in the Balkans, which in my mind means that you can send crappy songs and they'll do well because the other countries in the region will vote for you.

But after listening to the Albanian Eurovision songs, I'm shocked by the quality of them.  The songs are for the most part, quite good.
So let get going:

The Worst

By far, the worst song is the Albanian entrant from 2005:

Ledina Çelo  "Tomorrow I Go"

Pretty much it's a cheap rehash of the winner of the 2003's contest,

Sertab Erener  "Every Way That I Can"  Turkey

except that Ms. Erener has stage presence out the wazoo and singer/dancers with a great gimmick, while Çelo has refugees from a Greek vaudeville act.

The Best

I thought that this one was going to be easy.  Before I decided to do this post, there was only one Albanian entry that I've ever rated highly, and it's the entrant from 2010:

Juliana Pasha  "It's All About You"

Ms. Pasha is pitch perfect on the song, the backing singers are fantastic, and the person who did the lighting design for the stage in Oslo deserves an award.  I like playing it loud in the summertime with the windows down in my car and it's gotten me through mile 20 of a marathon.  I still don't understand why it came in sixteenth, but then again, my personal favorites never seem to do well.

But while listening to all the entrants, I had to add the the first Albanian entry to the best list as well.

Anjeza Shahini  "The Image of You"

Ms. Shahini can sing can't she?

Ever since I first heard this song, I've been singing it.  The chorus is super catchy and the melody is tricky enough to stay hooked in my brain.

It's still give the top prize to Pasha, but instead of by a country mile, I'll have to give it to her by a nose. 

 

 

For those of  you who are interested, here's a ranking of all the songs, and if you'd like to hear them all, just click this link.

1.  Juliana Pasha  "It's All About You"  2010

2.  Anjeza Shahini  "The Image of You"  2004

3.  Rona Nishliu "Suus" 2012

4.  Aurelia Gaçe  "Feel the Passion"  2011     Scary stage presentation ruins song
5.  Kejsi Tola  "Carry Me in Your Dreams"  2009       More like nightmare, if your dream is this.
6.  Luiz Eljji  "Zjarr e ftohtë" 2006       Performance was really bland.
7.  Frederik Ndoci  "Hear My Plea"  2007       Performance was melodramatic, too melodramatic.
8.  Olta Boka  "Zemrë e lamë peng"  2008     Completely forgettable.
9.  Ledina Çelo "Tomorrow I Go"  2005

Next up, Andorra!

Why Did You Send This?: Russia 2010

I think it's absolutely fantastic that many of the countries have national finals that allow the public to decide which singer goes on to represent their country at the ESC.  And most of the time, I can understand why the people voted the way they did, even if I disagree with their decision.

However, every once in a while, the people's vote is so egregiously wrong.  Take Russia's national final in 2010.

Who wouldn't have voted for these ladies?

Russia 1's national final broadcast presented 25 songs, and after the voting was completed, Peter Nalitch and Friends won with over 20% of the vote with their song "Lost and Forgotten".

Peter Nalitch and Friends  "Lost and Forgotten"

It's emotive, "romantic", and so screechy I can barely make it through half of the song without turning it off.

It's mind blowing that it (and another song) were more popular with Russians than this:

Buranovskiye Babushki  "Dlinnaya-dlinnaya beresta i kak sdelat' iz neyo aishon"

Catchy and heartwarming, isn't it? 

This group of six ladies from the Udmurt Republic, a constituent entity of Russia, became something of an Internet sensation for their performance, garnering them a feature on NPR's Morning Edition, something that Nalitch was not likely to get.

And it's understandable, the simple performance of the song in Udmurtian is able to transcend national boundaries, something "Lost and Forgotten" is unable to do.

Had it gone to the Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo, I think it would have given Lena a run for the top of the board, or at least get more votes from non-Eastern Bloc countries