The Albanian entry is chosen by RTSH. Albania first took part in 2004. Albania has yet to win Eurovision.
Oh well!
It’s a nice set – again!
This was a wee bit – well – late really – poor old Luiz was having poor sound issues in his ear – not that we would hear a difference in this disparate day of all days.
The bagpipers were there and the sorta dancers were there and there was not a lot else.
It’s a bit like putting out the washing on a sunny day, then it goes cloudy and you wish you never started, that’s this song – Unanimously awful – sorry.
United Kingdom – Well….. one is at a loss to describe Javine. I think she is akin to Finland. She tries hard and does what she does really well – and on TV it comes across well. I just think that the next 2 in the draw , Malta in particular and Turkey in very different ways, will extinguish her fire and leave the UK as another damp squib of a result. Be under no illusion peoples of Europe, this song is very very good, but it has definitely been beaten by simply better songs and better performers and better choreography. Prediction – top 10
Malta. As stated with the “better song” category – this is it. By fuck does she sell this song down the camera – the shots in the hall are excellent – now admittedly she is not the thinnest person in the world, however, it is blatantly obvious that she is the talent and she will possibly win this contest. It is a simple performance of a simple song and should do very well indeed.
Turkey – This is dangerous – There are lots of dancing in the local Kazbar – drums that are being hit with verve and lots of heavy choreography. Wearing a cut off Jean Paul Gaultier dress she and her waiters prance around – Sertab-esque grunts and things make this song a damn sight better than it ought to be really! – Prediction – Top 10 possibly. Gulserin also comes across well on stage as well and does look into the camera, at her age I would not say it loves her!
Albania – The only way that this song will get anywhere is with a stick of Dynamite or a lobotomy all over Europe. It’s absolutely dire – The violin playing detracts a little from a heap of an awful song with no redeeming qualities what so ever. Just think , Fans of this contest have been subjected to this since December – Europe will cry after 2 minutes when their ears reach new heights of pain as she wails through the song. Do not vote for this.
You’ve got your curmudgeonly midweek slump on again, intcha!
As I type I’ve had to do a runner into the corridor, cos a huge rumble’s about to kick off in the conference room. The Montenegrins have set up a huge tat stall right by where I was peacefully sat on the floor, doing my pixie journo thing. This song has just gone enormous. They’ve shipped in half of whatever the capital of Montenegro is, and the performance was so massive I fear this could trouble the scorers quite severely. It’s got a bit of everything – porcelain faced boys, a smudge of homo-erotica, a bit of Hitler youth dancing, some bad timpani miming and one heck of a massive vibe. Ooh, and some bad yet good prancing about. Of all the songs I’ve seen this week, this is the first one that’s had that vibe. It’s got one heck of an atmosphere – ooh, and the scrum’s about to begin. They’ve got some fashion of gypsy band to lead ’em in. Folk’n’roll!
Elsewhere, Spain was a magnificent spot of hokum. Three mad birds in flowery frocks shrieking and having a heck of a lark. Me like. Me like lots. And so should you.
Phil, for once this blustery day, was bang on about France. Lifeless, repetitive and a sure fire tip for plumb last if Monaco didn’t have the vote. And man, she doesn’t look good close up.
Turkey’s far better than expected, with lots of smiles and proper co-ordination – so much so that Albania looks dog rough when bunged up behind it. Get some proper choreography kids!
Popping off to see that Stenmark kid do his business now. Franko was fit to kill when I last saw him – he’ll be proper homicidal when Sweden get going!
Laters youngsters,
TV’s Roy D Hacksaw
Well – twas the Start of the Big 14…. I have sat through some toss this week – however, my faith has suddenly been restored.
Javine was ace – her backing singers, however, leave a lot to be desired. On a red stage (well it is a song about fire!) – she does have a commanding presence – her voice fills the stage and she is presented really well – this is how the UK performers should have been for the last two years – confident and assured. HER choreography is superb – her backing singers, however, are somewhat wooden and staid – especially the two drummer lads with her. This may well detract from a spot on performance!
Then I had the pleasure of sitting through one of the finest rehearsal performances I have ever seen. They say it’s never over until the fat lady sings, and Chiara just blew me away. This song makes me cry at the best of times because it touches me in all the right places – seeing it live made me be in floods of tears. This is the first song this week that makes the hairs on my neck stand up – this has winner written all the way through it and if it doesn’t win – it will be up there with Greece as a potential…. There is nothing false about this song – it is sung with a genuineness and sincerity that has been rarely seen here this week – It is also the first song that I can see with the credits rolling over it at the reprise… 20/1 it is now…. it wont be for much longer!!
Gulseren is a goddess – blimey there is lots of Choreography in this – lots of drum bashing – dancing, Gulseren pouting at the camera – as TV’s Mr Roy Delaney said – it’s better than it deserves to be – and he’s right – the remix has done this song the power of good and its the first song to make use of the drums as instruments as opposed to props. This goes down well on screen and could just sneak into a very very crowded top 10.
Albania – the only thing to say is – well she’s in tune now! – Lots of choreography doesn’t disguise a weak song.