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.

Eurovisionaries: Vice Vukov

The "Alaska's Choice" part of my blog has finished up the first ten years of the contest, and for fun (which only a true Eurovision nerd would do) I've been looking back over the results, and I have to admit I feel sorry for Vice Vukov.

Vice Vukov represented Yugoslavia twice in the 1960s--in London in 1963 and in Naples in 1965.  We gave him no respect in either year; Vukov came in dead last in our voting.

Vice Vukov  "Brodovi"  1963

 



The fact the he came in last made me want to learn more about him, and after doing a little bit of reading on him, I have to say that he's worthy of induction into my list of Eurovisionaries.

Vice Vukov was born in the Croatian city of Šibenik in 1934, and was a Croatian nationalist.  He chose a singing career because he wanted to be able to make money and not have to compromise he his personal political beliefs.

His first musical success was in 1959, when he won the Opatija Music Festival, and had a very successful career throughout the 1960s.

However, he was never able to hide his own personal political beliefs and in 1971 he became the target of Josef Tito.  1971 was the year of the "Croatian Spring", where linguists, politicians, and students fought for more autonomy from Yugoslavia.  Vukov upset the leadership of Yugoslavia by making statements about the Communist government at a national festival.  Vukov found himself on a governmental black list--forcing him into exile in France for three years and effectively ending his career for more than 15 years.

Vice Vukov  "Čežnja"   1965

 

 

However, with political change in Yugoslavia, Vukov was allowed to record and release a record in 1989, bringing him back to national prominence.  However, Vukov decided to focus on politics, supporting the centrist Democratic Party of Croatia.  His political ability won him and ambassadorship as the Croatian ambassador to Switzerland in 2001 then a seat in the Croatian parliament in 2003.

 

Unfortunately, after the fruition of his political ambitions, he slipped and fell in the Croatian parliament building, suffered massive head trauma, and lived in a vegetative state until his death in 2008.  It's a tragic end to a fascinating individual; and he is most assuredly Eurovisionary.



Eurovision 2013: Croatia

Croatia did what a number of other countries that decided to select their song internally for the 2013 contest, and they chose to highlight a local variety of folk music--klapa.

 

Klapa s Moro  "Mižerja"



 

Klapa s Moro is a supergroup, bringing together singers from a number of klapa groups in the company, and "Mižerja" appears to be a good example--with tight harmonies, passionate lyrics, and little musical accompaniment--hallmarks of a classic klapa.

 

I must admit I am mesmerized by the song--I am a sucker for tight harmonies and impeccable musicianship--but this has almost no chance of getting out of the semifinal.

 

I don't think that's a bad thing though.  I believe that the Croatian broadcaster entered this song in 2013 not to win the contest, but to highlight a local style of music and promote it to a worldwide audience.  At that purpose, they've succeeded.  I have been listening to klapa since I've heard this song, and I look forward to seeing it staged in May.

Eurovision 2013: Russia

Sometimes you hear a song for the first time and just know immediately it's going to be in contention to win the contest.

Russia has decided to send that song this year.

Dina Garipova  "What If"

 

Russia has sent a "by the books" Eurovision song--a lovely young woman singing a sweeping song that has a very catchy melody.  (And calls of plagiarism.  But that's a discussion for another time.)

I would always put Russia through to the final of any Eurovision Song Contest, but there is one reason I think it's a contender--and that's the choice of the singer.

Ms. Garipova was the winner of Soros Goros, the Russian version of the American TV show The Voice.  She has ample experience in front of cameras in high pressure situations.  I can see her hitting the stage in Malmö, presenting the song perfectly, and picking up medium to high marks from across Europe.  In this year, where the field of songs is wide open, that level of performance could win the entire contest.

Is it to my personal taste?  No.  Could it win?  Hell yes. 



Eurovision 2013: Spain

After taking a break for personal reasons, it's time to get back to reviewing national finals, and now it's time to take a look at the Spanish national final.

Spain chose their representative internally, and selected El Sueño de Morfeo.  ESDM is in an established group in Spain--having been together for almost 10 years, released four albums, and have had a couple of hits on the Spanish charts. 

The song, however, was chosen in a televised program.  El Sueño de Morfeo: Destino Eurovisión presented three songs and a mix of jury and televoting chose the winning song. 

ESDM   "Contigo hasta el final"

 

This song ran away with the voting--it was chosen as the best song by all of the judges and the public.   To my ears it's three minutes of instantly forgettable music--something that you would hear when looking for clothing at an upscale clothing store.

I think they would have been much better served by sending either of the other two songs ESDM represented. 

 

ESDM   "Dame tu voz"

 

 

ESDM   "Atrévete"

 



 

But in comparison to the other two songs, "Contigo hasta el final" is a solid choice.  The professionalism of the group is likely to score well with the judges, and I expect it will be in the top half of the voting during the final. 

 

I doubt that Spain will win the entire thing, but I do think Spain isn't going to embarrass themselves, and ESDM will get wider exposure throughout Europe.  It's a win-win situation, and that's exactly what Spain wants out of the contest.

 

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: Norway

It's funny, for some entries, I'm able to write almost without thinking, while with other, I'm stumped for weeks.

This entry is one of those.

I really should have had not trouble writing about the Norwegian national final--Melodi Grand Prix--because it was a well run show with a a wide selection of musical styles:

Vidar Busk  "Paid My Way"

 

 

Gromth featuring Emil Solli-Tangen   "Alone"

 

 

Sirkus Eliassen   "I Love You Te Quiero"

 

You would think that  national final that can have rockabilly, heavy metal/opera, and white rap should be easy to write about.  But really all ten songs presented in the national final were quite good, including the the winner

 

 

 

Margaret Berger   "I Feed You My Love"

 

"I Feed You My Love" isn't to my musical taste, I preferred this song

 

 





Gaute Ormåsen   "Awake"

 

 

but the song is quite interesting and the performance was striking.  It was the song to send to Malmö, and I suspect that Berger is going to be a contender in the final--the performer, song, and production are tailor made for the Swedish production style.

And that's about all I can say about the Norsk Melodi Grand Prix.  When you have a well produced songs with strong songs (even if they're not to my personal taste) and a very solid winner, there's nothing that you can really pick apart.