Today seems to be a bit dull and given that the songs that have been on stage in the first half this does not surprise me. However there is much to discuss.
Serbia - Rehearsal Video
Without a doubt Zeljko is more than able to perform on stage. The performance is awfully similar to the 2004 performance and based on the number of steady cams on stage there will be a lot of close ups of instruments. The background is very blue. Zeljko is going to walk out onto stage as the instrumental starts [reminds you of anything].
Macedonia - Rehearsal Video
Once again I was not sure what to expect here. I don't like the song particularly. Vocally this is spot on and people are very impressed with the vocals but that is not surprising. The background is blueish and fairly unremarkable. All in all this is getting positive feedback but really am unconvinced about this song in a very vocally strong.
Netherlands - Rehearsal Video
This is the highlight of the start of this semi-final for me. As I have previously mentioned I never really liked what she wears but I think overall this is working really well on stage. It hasn't really lifted itself immensely but it is a song that is really dividing people. While I cannot look at this without thinking that Lesley Gore is going to jump out and launch into a verse of Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows. The background is not to different from the national final. I can't call this at the moment.
Malta - Rehearsal Video
I'm not a massive fan to this song but at the same time the remix has done a lot for it. Vocally it is risky particularly that note at the end which might have to be dropped after a couple of nights at the Euroclub. The shadows of people dancing in the background is something that I'm surprised that they have not been used before. Vocally though risky the rehearsal was good. The backdrop is fairly unremarkable, being very similar to the one from the entry before.
Showing posts with label Joan Franka. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joan Franka. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
In Praise Of Country Music
While I try to plot out how to cover Eurovision fortnight 2012 next week and the week after, despite not knowing how many hours I have in the day, I shall continue to try to get all the reviews done as quick as I can. Anyhow while I originally set out to have all this stuff done before rehearsals started that seems increasingly likely that I won't have. Anyhow might be time to down a small medium large bottle of something and bang these out but anyhow here goes the Netherlands.
You might be forgiven in not remembering that the Netherlands in fact launched a new open style national final contrasting from their previous internal artist selection and public song mix. Anyone remember the giant suitcase. No? This is the problem, like Portugal despite changing the selection procedure they still have produced a fairly formulaic Dutch song.
And this is a great thing.
I am in the minority of fans who have liked most of Netherlands entries over the past five years. This year si no different. Joan Franka may have come from the most dull and deary national final you could think of this is a really nice and sweet country music song. It bounces along and really does draw you in. I'm not the biggest fan of Joan's outfit choice though and think that she should go with something more natural for Eurovision.
This has a couple of weaknesses: namely the song is too early in the running order to really make an impact on the voting public. I also think that despite the fan popularity of this song it is failing to make an impact in fan circles outside of the UK and Ireland. On the positive side I think this might make an impact outside the usual Eurovision fan voting public in the semi finals.
Verdict: This really is a great song. It's not one that makes me pick up the phone but really this is one I really am going to look forward to. Sadly though I cannot imagine this making it though to the final. Which is a real shame and will mean that thanks to Norway's unfortunate decision not to send Bobby Bare to the contest, there will once again be a final lacking in country music.
Grade: B+
You might be forgiven in not remembering that the Netherlands in fact launched a new open style national final contrasting from their previous internal artist selection and public song mix. Anyone remember the giant suitcase. No? This is the problem, like Portugal despite changing the selection procedure they still have produced a fairly formulaic Dutch song.
And this is a great thing.
I am in the minority of fans who have liked most of Netherlands entries over the past five years. This year si no different. Joan Franka may have come from the most dull and deary national final you could think of this is a really nice and sweet country music song. It bounces along and really does draw you in. I'm not the biggest fan of Joan's outfit choice though and think that she should go with something more natural for Eurovision.
This has a couple of weaknesses: namely the song is too early in the running order to really make an impact on the voting public. I also think that despite the fan popularity of this song it is failing to make an impact in fan circles outside of the UK and Ireland. On the positive side I think this might make an impact outside the usual Eurovision fan voting public in the semi finals.
Verdict: This really is a great song. It's not one that makes me pick up the phone but really this is one I really am going to look forward to. Sadly though I cannot imagine this making it though to the final. Which is a real shame and will mean that thanks to Norway's unfortunate decision not to send Bobby Bare to the contest, there will once again be a final lacking in country music.
Grade: B+
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Surprise!: More points to Sweden
While we have been giving some coverage and opinion to the results of the OGAE votes. However as the results seem to be pointing in one direction it seems aimless to continue giving coverage to Sweden winning each club. Full results are available over on www.escxtra.com.
It is very unsurprising to see that Iceland is coming second either, fans have been behind both of these entries since the start.
The most interesting trend is the fact that the Netherlands came second in the UK but didn't score so well in many other fan clubs. I suspected that this would be the case as it seems that the fans would love the entry are mainly British. That is not to say that other fans [including myself] do not really like it but I think it is mainly peaking in the UK.
It is very unsurprising to see that Iceland is coming second either, fans have been behind both of these entries since the start.
The most interesting trend is the fact that the Netherlands came second in the UK but didn't score so well in many other fan clubs. I suspected that this would be the case as it seems that the fans would love the entry are mainly British. That is not to say that other fans [including myself] do not really like it but I think it is mainly peaking in the UK.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
An American Indian And A Balkan Ballad For Baku
Tonight saw Netherlands and Slovenia both select their songs for Baku.
Netherlands selected a bouncy song for Baku sung by a Joan Franka called You and Me. It is rather cheesey. What was interesting was the consistent disagreement by the dutch with the results of the international jury. Given that it contained 100 members they represented a wide fan base so should have been listened to more. Joan won the televote with 53.8%. Netherlands are in a tough semi-final so their qualification is unlikely.
Slovenia have decided to not send a rather controversial act to Baku. (You'd know I wrote this while I was watching EMA). Eva Boto will sing a pretty Balkan ballad. I think it is better than Croatia alright, not sure how it fares out against non balkan songs. Anyhow here it is:
Netherlands selected a bouncy song for Baku sung by a Joan Franka called You and Me. It is rather cheesey. What was interesting was the consistent disagreement by the dutch with the results of the international jury. Given that it contained 100 members they represented a wide fan base so should have been listened to more. Joan won the televote with 53.8%. Netherlands are in a tough semi-final so their qualification is unlikely.
Slovenia have decided to not send a rather controversial act to Baku. (You'd know I wrote this while I was watching EMA). Eva Boto will sing a pretty Balkan ballad. I think it is better than Croatia alright, not sure how it fares out against non balkan songs. Anyhow here it is:
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