The music is definitely bordering on the edge but her voice is beautiful (during the small segments of singing there is in this piece) and it will be interesting to see whether Azerbaijan go with something different to the Melodifestivalen-like entries that seem to run strongly throughout their Eurovision history. She has given the Contest a go before, losing out to Ell and Nikki in the 2011 Azeri preselection - she gets her chance in Kyiv...
It's still in Ukraine...
There was never any doubt in my mind that, barring a Russian military invasion, Kyiv would be hosting the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest. Everyone appears to be focused on getting all the admin, sponsors, venues and official partners in place and the timeline meets with the EBU's approval, almost. The new head of the project gives off good vibes as far as I am concerned and I think we will have quite a different Contest this year - not as slick as Stockholm perhaps but then again, what could be? A lot of fans need to get used to the fact that 2016 was very much one of the best ever Eurovision productions and I think that even Sweden might struggle to even match that next time they win. At least everyone can calm down about "would the Contest stay in Kyiv? Ukraine? Would it go to Russia?". I think that once the NF season really kicks off, all the Kyiv preparation will fade into the background a little, which will help Ukraine a lot by allowing them to get on things and not have the Eurovision world micro-criticizing everything they do...
Two "Slovenian Beauties" return to EMA...
You spot Maja Keuc and Raiven amongst that lot? I definitely did - Maja is now known as Amaya and is top of the 'thumbnail tree' whilst Raiven's purple hair makes her stick out a mile. Both have featured in my other blog 'Eurovision Beauty' and I will be keeping an eye out for each of them, especially as both have a great chance of making the Final from their respective SFs. Hopefully the Slovenian entry with be more "Here For You" than "Blue And Red"...
Armenia narrowed it down to the last six...
Here was the final twelve and it was now down to each coach to select which was their favourite artist to go through to the SFs. Lucy, Artsvik and Hasmik were still there, three of my 'fab four' - there was a huge shock to come but more because of the actual artist's performance, rather than the coach's decision. Here was the show - very entertaining, it has to be said, with some of the front runners doing badly, whilst some of the outsiders provided superb shows:
If Depi Evratesil wanted to keep some tension going for those who hadn't seen the show, this thumbnail shot wasn't the best one to use! Sort of gives away the six who went through, unfortunately, but it is definitely worth a watch - as usual, my thoughts on the events of the night...
From what on paper was one of the strongest duels, Iveta's dream team fell apart with shockingly awful to just okay performances on show. Hasmik became a poor Michael Jackson tribute act rather than try to make "The Way You Make Me Feel" her own version and it all sounded very, very weird. It was by far and away her worst vocals and staging to date and even moving onto a brief blast of "Leave Me Alone" didn't really help. Totally the wrong choices for her and that was probably the main reason for Vahe getting the nod from Iveta, although his rendition of "Radioactive" wasn't that much better. If he had been in any other pairing, he would have been out too. Vahe sounded out of his comfort zone with loads of heavy breathing and clipped words that I didn't like. Hasmik looked stunned to be knocked out of Depi - judging from what I saw, it was unfortunately the right decision...
From the worst pairing to possibly the best of the round, Gevorg was unlucky to be up against Syuzanna giving probably her best showing to date. She did what does best, stand there, sing a power ballad and belt it out, even though someone had bizarrely dressed her up like a priest! "And I'm Telling You, I'm Not Going" was sung amazingly well, a little bit jazzy perhaps, but she gave it oodles of passion and impressed all the judges with her performance, it being one of the best of the series so far. Poor Gevorg had to follow that but he gave it his best shot. "A Song For You" was performed immaculately, sung superbly, acted wonderfully with an imaginative use of a stage prop and he connected superbly with the camera. I was almost praying for there to be a 'wildcard place' for him to qualify as well but it was not to be. On the night, I would have agreed with Inga to put Syuzanna through...
Only Egine could pull off singing a song called "Sexy Silk"! Her performance was full on erotic, lots of suggestive lyrics to sing whilst gyrating that amazing body of hers, playing the role of maneater superbly well. I have to say that her stagecraft is the best in the show bar Marta and she connects supremely well with the audience...okay, with the men in the audience! She is not the best singer but she uses her strengths well and hit some surprisingly high notes spot on. Anna was the counterpoint of Egine - possibly better vocals but her staging paled into insignificance compared to the lady in the purple dress with a thousand cuts. She sung her song well and put some emotional delivery into it but it was very dull visually in comparison. Egine was the clear winner here - maybe Hayko saw something underneath that body that I didn't...
This was perhaps the most predictable duel of the night with the long time favourite easing into the next round. Opera Viva being given "You Raise Me Up" seemed a little odd, especially as the focus was on the guys again, rather than the darker haired brunette with the best voice. Everything was very sedate, admittedly beautiful but slow and there was none of the emotion of the Westlife version here, giving them really no chance against Artsvik. She strode to the microphone like a winner, then sang "Stand Up For Love" perfectly from the depths of her soul, providing connection with the viewers just through the movement of her arms and she got a deserved standing ovation. Even if Opera Viva had been given a song to really show off their talents, it was always going to be the end of their Depi Evratesil road...
Possibly the bitterest duel of the night, Lilit was not a happy bunny when she found out that she had lost out to Lucy. Lilit did her usual 'tear the hide off a song' and went all OTT with her facial expressions and unbelievable vocal gymnastics, neither of which "Nothing Compares To U" really needed. The subtlety of Prince and Sinead O'Connor's efforts knocked Lilit's 'into a cocked hat' and showed it off to be too overblown and too cabaret. Lucy, on the other hand, was control personified - she sung beautifully, there was just the right amount of stagecraft and acting and it showed off Lucy's versatility, something that Lilit didn't really have. Aram made the right choice which didn't please Lilit at all, not hugging anyone and providing a one liner as her sign off. Oh to be able to understand Armenian...
Egine might be an obvious beauty but Marta here showed off a classical beauty with her pose on the chair, again bringing yet another side of her character to the stage. Singing an Armenian song for a change, this wonderfully measured performance was totally different to her previous sassy, woman-in-charge acts and it proved the right thing to do. This showed her delicate sensual side and also allowed her beautiful voice the focus it possibly lacked in previous performances. This was the duel of 'chalk and cheese', with Alexander going all musical theatre on us, if something from "Dante's Inferno : The Musical" was being staged in Yerevan! I assume his effort was another self-penned number as it matched his style and drama from previously and then some. He appeared to be dressed as a maniacal ringmaster at best, a devil at worst - it was amazing to watch and listen to but Mr Plato was always on borrowed time as far as Depi Evratesil and the original reason for this show was concerned. It did seem to go on forever! In the end, Anush went for the right choice - Marta through and now gaining some ground on the leaders.
All in all, I agreed with the coaches and my dream team was one act lighter - how far would Artsvik and Lucy go?
The MF 28 are revealed...
Belarus lines up but not with the Bear...
Have Belarus found their "Riga Beaver"? Is this a reference to the Teddybear Airdrop over Belarus in 2012? We may never know as this didn't make the final thirteen entries for the Belarus NF but I wish it had, just for the sheer inanity of a ten foot polar bear running around the stage and NOT FALLING OVER! Please TVR, have the guy in the costume on your show somewhere, I'm sure that TEO would love it...maybe. As for the actual acts that we will be able to watch on 20th January, here they are in the running order drawn a couple of days ago:
My tips for the top? Aleksandra Tkach singing ‘Be Stronger‘ was my favourite here - this is actually one of the best Belarusian entries I have ever heard, not that is saying much most years. The music might be minimal with just a keyboard and electronic drum beats and all very laid back but she has an absolutely amazing voice, hitting some superb top notes and she gives great emotion in her face. Seeing this was the first audition piece, I am sure the judges were hopeful that it would all be like this! Making up my top three would be NAVI and...can't believe I am saying this...NAPOLI! I remember the former from a previous NF and their singing in their native tongue makes them stand out, ironically. Superbly upbeat, very folky, she's the vocal powerhouse of the duo but they have great harmonies and rhythm. This is quite the toe tapper and it would get any crowd going as I cannot imagine not jumping and singing along to this. As for NAPOLI, an ever present in Belarus NFs (their Sanna Nielsen, perhaps?), she seems to have improved hugely over the last twelve months! I love the hair, her outfit and the staging, almost reminded me of Anja Nissen in DMGP last year. Simplicity of song seems to help her immensely as she didn't sound off once, she was able to give it loads of attitude and fun and the chorus is very, very catchy. Seeing she was second last year with a Disney princess act and a song packed with so many lyrics that even the best singer would have had trouble dealing with, I wouldn't be surprised to see Olga Shimanskaya (NAPOLI, keep up) winning here and singing in Kyiv...might even get them into the Final too.
RTVE reveal their online 30
Milena Brody was the entry that did it for me - "Momento" hooked me in with the heavy single drum beats at the start and Milena's voice cutting across that nicely, showing off her versatility with her range. Lots of light and shade with this one, she's got a very listenable voice with discernible emotion - the song almost paints a picture of her singing this without seeing her, if that makes any sense! Of all the thirty, I am excited to see if she makes it through to "Objetivo Eurovisión". Pedro Elipe has a very gentle and subtle song on his hands with "Del dolor" - nice vocals that reach a peak during the chorus, also a talented musician with his piano playing and overall a delightful piece with just those two aspects coming together to provide one of the best entries in the list. Íñigo has a very traditional Spanish pop song on his hands with "Hoy es por mí" that hooks you in, with the heavy electronica matching the fast paced lyrical content. The song then slows nicely to provide the focus on his voice which is excellent throughout his range. Rebeca Moss provides my fourth selection with "Volveré por ti", a beautifully sung ballad, her voice containing lots of heartfelt emotion and power - extremely listenable all the way through.
The top ten will be reviewed by an expert panel who will select the top three to compete in a special streamed episode next month - will any of my preferences be there?
Italy reveals the AreaSanremo contestants...
The Swiss Six make their mark...
Unfortunately for a lot of Eurovision fans (including me), a certain Lidia Isac is not amongst them, which is a real shame as her entry alongside Daniele Guastella was a damn sight better than the majority of the six picked for the NF! For me, only Timebelle could possible 'cut the mustard' in Kyiv with "Apollo":
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Wow, so much is going on at the moment! The last ten days have been a snowball of announcements from various countries, some of which I have decided to roll over onto my next summary post, including the reveal of Eesti Laul's entries (one half announced so far, the rest next week) plus the news that one of the Big Five nations has revealed what they will be doing this year with their selection process. One that is close to home...
Lightning striking twice?
Let's hope it is just the NF arrangements that are the same
and not the start of another year of disappointment for the UK...