When you commit to being Press for a nation, the very least you have to do is display their press photographs! Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasy, who both did a magnificant job of hosting "Eurovision: Australia Decides", will return for a third year to commentate on the Eurovision Song Contest for Australia in May. In between them in this gorgeous picture is their representative this year, the amazing Kate Miller-Heidke, who will be singing in SF1, the focus of my show this week. I am leaving the UK to fly out to Tel Aviv on Friday May 10th and so that means I have the show you will hear now, next week which will focus on SF2 and then my last show in the UK pre-Eurovision on Tuesday May 7th, which will be a three hour special. In that show, you will get to hear not only Maruvfrom Ukraine but the 41 actual entries that made it to Israel in MY order (bottom to top). Stay tuned for all those...
In this show, I played all of the SF1 entries in the order they will sing on Monday 13th (Jury) and Tuesday 14th (Public), along with the Direct Finalists that are linked to the show by voting and taster performing (France, Israel and Spain). What I did this week was chat about my initial thoughts on each song, if they were in my top ten and whether I thought that would match reality. Have a listen and see if you agree:
I also played some of the special guest material from the Madrid Welcome Night and Pre-Party that took place on Friday and Saturday, together with a tribute to two people with connections to Eurovision who have recently passed away - here is the total playlist...
"Replay" - Tamta
"Heaven" - D mol
"Look Away" - Darude ft Sebastian Rejman
"Fire Of Love (Pali Się)" - Tulia
"Sebi" - Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl
"Friend Of A Friend" - Lake Malawi
"Az én apám" - Joci Pápai
"Like It" - ZENA
"Kruna" - Nevena Božović
"Wake Up" - Eliot
"Keep On Going" - Oto Nemsadze
"Zero Gravity" - Kate Miller-Heidke
"Hatrið mun sigra" - Hatari
"Storm" - Victor Crone
"Telemóveis" - Conan Osíris
"Better Love" - Katerine Duska
"Say Na Na Na" - Serhat
"Roi" - Bilal Hassani
"Home" - Kobi Marimi
"La Venda" - Miki
"Amor d'água fresca" - Dina
"I'll Try Not To Cry" - Kathy Kirby
"Bombo" - Adelén
"Europe's Living A Celebration" - Rosa
"Senhora do mar (Negras águas)" - Vania Fernandes
Regular readers will know that I was yet again a juror for the SECHUK Jury 2019 and that I graded all the entries as if I were a Eurovision panelist, using the following categories:
VOCAL CAPABILITY
STAGE PERFORMANCE (if from a NF)
COMPOSITION / ORIGINALITY
OVERALL IMPRESSION
I am NOT going to reveal my scores here - I will do that on my May 7th show when I run down all 41 entries. What I will do here is list the other components of each entry, some of which I mentioned in the show. Gary Speirs asked us all to not only supply a score but also a 50-ish word comment for each entry plus a memorable WORD. That hasn't appeared on the Jury website yet so I'll list them here - they are my initial thoughts on each entry and the word was my summarised feeling about it. Remember that these are MY comments - yours will differ and therefore:
NEITHER OF US ARE WRONG!
Here are the videos that were used to judge each entry - they were the first footage for us to watch because we judged it as though we were seeing the material for the first time and not as a better video, after five reruns or after a revamp:
So starting with song one that will open Eurovision 2019, here you go...
CYPRUS - 'Banger'
The fans scream "Fuego 2.0" - if you use the same songwriter and want to improve on second place in Lisbon, "Replay" will have similarities. Tamta is a better singer than Eleni though and if given the same level of staging excellence in Tel Aviv, we COULD be visiting Cyprus next year...
MONTENEGRO - 'Passé"
Have Boyz II Men lost one of their songs in Podgorica? The highlight of "Heaven" was before D-Mol started singing, with the nice set-up of group members in black suits against musical scale! Apart from that, vocally good but staging and song will see Montenegro only appear on SF1 night.
FINLAND - 'Disappointing'
The best track to send to Eurovision from a mediocre bunch, "Look Away" would be better with just the DJ mix of Darude blaring out. It is a song contest though and unfortunately Sebastian's voice is not utilised well - a definite Finnish fail this year unless the staging becomes phenomenal.
POLAND - 'Resonant'
Yet another "love or hate" entry for Tel Aviv, Tulia will blast away any cobwebs from the start with this perfect example of white voice singing mixed with soft rock, the English lyrics of "Pali się (Fire Of Love)" being superfluous as the Polish words and the actual vocals are what gives this all its power.
SLOVENIA - 'Regret'
If we lived with auto-translate in our heads, "Sebi" would show us all one of the most beautiful love poems ever written. Unfortunately being in Slovene means that we just have Zala's clear love and passion for Gašper to work with - this is so minimalist that it passes me by
CZECHIA - 'Catchy'
The Czech public went for the most upbeat entry in ESCZ 2019, providing Eurovision with potentially its opening song. Lake Malawi's "Friend Of A Friend" is insanely catchy but I am unsure whether the impact of the music or vocals will see Czechia in the Final or return to the days of non-qualification.
HUNGARY - 'Powerful'
"Az én apám" doesn't have the 'wow' of Origo but Joci still has the intensity, vocal power and control to command the attention of everyone watching despite it just being him on stage. It'll appeal to Eurovision's 'once a year' voter who has no clue he's done it all before.
BELARUS - 'Routine'
This is decent breezy pop, with ZENA, although just 16, providing Contest experience through JESC as performer and presenter. "Like It" is however VERY generic, VERY bland and VERY forgettable - the staging in Tel Aviv will have to be out of this world to get Belarus back into the Final.
SERBIA - 'Impassioned'
Nevena Božović has the chance to atone for her DNQ with Moje3 in Malmö with the bilingual "Kruna", a song that really shows off her superb voice and the ability to emote this power ballad down the camera. It also allows her to join the 'three times at Eurovision' club.
BELGIUM - 'Musing'
As "Wake Up" and "City Lights" share a composer, it isn't unexpected to have the same intensity musically and in Eliot's voice. The studio version puts that across really well but will that translate to the live stage? The slower pace here might lead to Belgium being overlooked this year.
GEORGIA - 'Commanding'
Georgia forgot that 'Odd Year = Song For Europe', as Oto acts strong and provides a level of intensity not seen since Nina Sublatti oximated everyone in Vienna. This forceful performance is totally engaging to watch but "Sul Tsin Iare (Keep On Going)" being all in Georgian is potentially stopping this progressing to the Final.
AUSTRALIA - 'Gobsmacked'
Some people see just an opera singer, tall dress and an acrobat when in fact "Zero Gravity" is one of the greatest concepts ever to hit Eurovision - the metaphor of depression moving to and from Kate, she finally controlling it with a mix of opera and EDM is a masterpiece.
ICELAND - 'Blimey'
A repeat of Lordi or PKN? Hatari are so Marmite that "Hatrið mun sigra" will either be top 5 or SF non-qualifier, a unique footnote either way in Eurovision history. I love the energy, power and batsh*t madness that floods the screen and will overwhelm the arena in Tel Aviv.
ESTONIA - 'Stig'
You can't go wrong with a Stig Rästa song! Victor's voice might not be epic enough for "Storm" but his connection, stagecraft and those special effects at Eesti Laul were the deciding factors. Doesn't hurt that it is one of the few songs stuck in my head at the moment...
PORTUGAL - 'Stargate'
If "Telemóveis" had been the interval act at the Altice last May, this would have been declared a cultural Portuguese masterpiece. And yet we will see Conan perform as their actual entry in Israel! Incredibly unique staging, music and singing but is it all too weird for a Final placing?
GREECE - 'Incredible'
One of the most radio friendly, musically intricate and yet vocally unique songs that Greece has ever sent to Eurovision, Katerine provides her adoptive nation with its best chance of a podium since Kalomira. Juries will love "Better Love" - staging needs to be right to get the public on board.
SAN MARINO - 'Mismatch'
Everyone will have the line "Say Na Na Na" in their head after this one but that aside, San Marino will spend yet another year out of the Final as Serhat's voice just doesn't suit this 1980s B-side, apparently written in five minutes on a napkin that repeats and repeats and...
FRANCE - 'Charismatic'
Will the French landslide televote be replicated in Tel Aviv? Bilal's endearing nature, social media savvy and stagecraft excellence will now have three months of vocal training added to try to turn "Roi" into more than another top half success but possibly into France's best result of the 21st Century.
ISRAEL - 'Safe'
We joke that the hosts will want to avoid a win on home soil and will put forward something safe, something unremarkable, something 'My Lovely Horse'. Well done Israel, "Home" ticks all those boxes and more. A standard ballad, well sung by Kobi, that will seamlessly blend in on Final night.
SPAIN - 'Exuberance'
Welcome to Tel Aviv's show opening / closing song! What Miki lacks in vocal excellence, he more than makes up for with happiness and superb crowd interaction during three minutes of Latin ska. Pavilion 2 will be jumping and rocking, with the fandom chanting "La Venda", grinning from ear to ear.
So who made it into my top ten from SF1? Here is the list and that won't change until at least the second lot of rehearsals and possibly even not until Jury SF1 on the Monday:
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So that is my top ten for this year's SF1 - my preferences and likes, rather than predictions. Show 37 was meant to be getting the views of one or two of the other radio hosts but nothing actually materialised in that regard, so you are stuck with my choices instead! Next week's show will be much the same but focusing on SF2 and perhaps some material from the Moscow pre-Party if there are any special guests there. That will be show 38 and we are on the final countdown until Tel Aviv...
MONTENEGRO - 'Passé"
Have Boyz II Men lost one of their songs in Podgorica? The highlight of "Heaven" was before D-Mol started singing, with the nice set-up of group members in black suits against musical scale! Apart from that, vocally good but staging and song will see Montenegro only appear on SF1 night.
FINLAND - 'Disappointing'
The best track to send to Eurovision from a mediocre bunch, "Look Away" would be better with just the DJ mix of Darude blaring out. It is a song contest though and unfortunately Sebastian's voice is not utilised well - a definite Finnish fail this year unless the staging becomes phenomenal.
POLAND - 'Resonant'
Yet another "love or hate" entry for Tel Aviv, Tulia will blast away any cobwebs from the start with this perfect example of white voice singing mixed with soft rock, the English lyrics of "Pali się (Fire Of Love)" being superfluous as the Polish words and the actual vocals are what gives this all its power.
SLOVENIA - 'Regret'
If we lived with auto-translate in our heads, "Sebi" would show us all one of the most beautiful love poems ever written. Unfortunately being in Slovene means that we just have Zala's clear love and passion for Gašper to work with - this is so minimalist that it passes me by
CZECHIA - 'Catchy'
The Czech public went for the most upbeat entry in ESCZ 2019, providing Eurovision with potentially its opening song. Lake Malawi's "Friend Of A Friend" is insanely catchy but I am unsure whether the impact of the music or vocals will see Czechia in the Final or return to the days of non-qualification.
HUNGARY - 'Powerful'
"Az én apám" doesn't have the 'wow' of Origo but Joci still has the intensity, vocal power and control to command the attention of everyone watching despite it just being him on stage. It'll appeal to Eurovision's 'once a year' voter who has no clue he's done it all before.
BELARUS - 'Routine'
This is decent breezy pop, with ZENA, although just 16, providing Contest experience through JESC as performer and presenter. "Like It" is however VERY generic, VERY bland and VERY forgettable - the staging in Tel Aviv will have to be out of this world to get Belarus back into the Final.
SERBIA - 'Impassioned'
Nevena Božović has the chance to atone for her DNQ with Moje3 in Malmö with the bilingual "Kruna", a song that really shows off her superb voice and the ability to emote this power ballad down the camera. It also allows her to join the 'three times at Eurovision' club.
BELGIUM - 'Musing'
As "Wake Up" and "City Lights" share a composer, it isn't unexpected to have the same intensity musically and in Eliot's voice. The studio version puts that across really well but will that translate to the live stage? The slower pace here might lead to Belgium being overlooked this year.
GEORGIA - 'Commanding'
Georgia forgot that 'Odd Year = Song For Europe', as Oto acts strong and provides a level of intensity not seen since Nina Sublatti oximated everyone in Vienna. This forceful performance is totally engaging to watch but "Sul Tsin Iare (Keep On Going)" being all in Georgian is potentially stopping this progressing to the Final.
AUSTRALIA - 'Gobsmacked'
Some people see just an opera singer, tall dress and an acrobat when in fact "Zero Gravity" is one of the greatest concepts ever to hit Eurovision - the metaphor of depression moving to and from Kate, she finally controlling it with a mix of opera and EDM is a masterpiece.
ICELAND - 'Blimey'
A repeat of Lordi or PKN? Hatari are so Marmite that "Hatrið mun sigra" will either be top 5 or SF non-qualifier, a unique footnote either way in Eurovision history. I love the energy, power and batsh*t madness that floods the screen and will overwhelm the arena in Tel Aviv.
ESTONIA - 'Stig'
You can't go wrong with a Stig Rästa song! Victor's voice might not be epic enough for "Storm" but his connection, stagecraft and those special effects at Eesti Laul were the deciding factors. Doesn't hurt that it is one of the few songs stuck in my head at the moment...
PORTUGAL - 'Stargate'
If "Telemóveis" had been the interval act at the Altice last May, this would have been declared a cultural Portuguese masterpiece. And yet we will see Conan perform as their actual entry in Israel! Incredibly unique staging, music and singing but is it all too weird for a Final placing?
GREECE - 'Incredible'
One of the most radio friendly, musically intricate and yet vocally unique songs that Greece has ever sent to Eurovision, Katerine provides her adoptive nation with its best chance of a podium since Kalomira. Juries will love "Better Love" - staging needs to be right to get the public on board.
SAN MARINO - 'Mismatch'
Everyone will have the line "Say Na Na Na" in their head after this one but that aside, San Marino will spend yet another year out of the Final as Serhat's voice just doesn't suit this 1980s B-side, apparently written in five minutes on a napkin that repeats and repeats and...
FRANCE - 'Charismatic'
Will the French landslide televote be replicated in Tel Aviv? Bilal's endearing nature, social media savvy and stagecraft excellence will now have three months of vocal training added to try to turn "Roi" into more than another top half success but possibly into France's best result of the 21st Century.
ISRAEL - 'Safe'
We joke that the hosts will want to avoid a win on home soil and will put forward something safe, something unremarkable, something 'My Lovely Horse'. Well done Israel, "Home" ticks all those boxes and more. A standard ballad, well sung by Kobi, that will seamlessly blend in on Final night.
SPAIN - 'Exuberance'
Welcome to Tel Aviv's show opening / closing song! What Miki lacks in vocal excellence, he more than makes up for with happiness and superb crowd interaction during three minutes of Latin ska. Pavilion 2 will be jumping and rocking, with the fandom chanting "La Venda", grinning from ear to ear.
So who made it into my top ten from SF1? Here is the list and that won't change until at least the second lot of rehearsals and possibly even not until Jury SF1 on the Monday:
The Orange Carpet and Opening Ceremony
are only 18 days away!
are only 18 days away!