And so we’re back for the last 5 of this year’s 43. After a couple of days of doing sod all but sitting on our arses, Ralph, Drashig and I are reviewing the secret club which has become known as the Big 5. And surprisingly it isn’t the yawn fest it normally is.
France
This seems to be everyone’s song to beat, all swirling clouds and clever shots of the sun are the perfect backdrop to our man’s vocals. He’s note perfect as you’d expect of someone of his classical training but something inside me tells me it hasn’t quite got what it takes to go all the way across the finish line. Juries are going to lap this up for sure as are western europe televoters, but I can’t but think that it’s not everyone’s cup of chai in Vladivostok. It’s just that little bit too pompous. Even his official photo has been airbrushed. Gonna go damn close mind….
Ralph and Drashig: Turn the volume down
Verdict: top 5
Italy
Largely ignored and probably going to suffer a little coming after France but I’m more taken by this one. Simplicity is everything. There’s no smugness here and this guy really knows his musicianship. The only comparable pianist I’ve come across is the great Ms Amos herself. He plays so hard that he actually experiences pain and that’s a sign of a person who is investing all their emotions into something. Unfortunately I hate jazz and I think at least 70% of the rest of the world do to. What is for exactly? Surely sleeping tablets are a lot easier?
Ralph and Drashig: zzzzzzzzzz
verdict: will be enough not to disgrace Italy on their return but not a lot else.
United Kingdom
Now I’m not one of the people that’s written this off just because there were one or two technical hitches in rehearsal. Indeed the indecent haste with which some people have been willing to stick the knife in for this is quite remarkable. I think the staging is clever. Sure it still needs some work and there’s stuff to iron out but clearly a lot of thought has gone into this.
Ralph and Drashig: I like to eat these bones
verdict: Blue may well be the colour
Germany
Whereas others are saying watch out for France, I’m saying watch out for Germany. This is so subtle and well done that it could sneak through the pack. Lena already has a big following. Sure she’s not Lys Assia (she’s got a pulse) but it’s almost effortless. Whereas I felt the presentation of Satellite let it down, here it’s really very special.
Ralph and Drashig: scary woman wants to steal our chair
verdict: could be the double for Germany
Spain
Spain are a bit hit and miss. Even when you think they’ve got something good like last year, they always seem to fall flat on their arse somehow. I don’t know quite why. Here again we’ve got an infectious party tune with partying backdrop. I can’t quite see it being a challenger but if several dull ones get drawn towards the end you never know.
Ralph and Drashig: habba habba (no that’s Norway!)
verdict: mid table again. I think they’ve worn a groove there.
And so that’s all 43 folks. Very special thanks to Ralph Beagle and Drashig for sitting through the whole thing with me and not shedding blood.
We’ll do top 10 predictions next week.
Toodle pip…..