MAKING YOUR MIND UP
Martin Hutchinson
Manchester Evening News, UK
May 3 2007
THE Eurovision Song Contest is the one music festival where everyone
is out to have a good time, and why not? Thanks to the ESC, we have
one night of honest fun.
Of course, there is the serious matter of voting, and for the past
few years, the voting panel has made way for televoting.
However, there is a possibility that the phone lines may go down in
one or more countries. Therefore, there is still a ‘stand-by’ jury
based in every participating nation.
Entry is open to anyone and in 2000, after a few years of applying,
I was selected for the stand-by jury in London. I was part of a team
of eight people, four from within the music industry and four not;
also there had to be four aged under 40 and four over.
We were a damn good jury too, as we all unanimously picked the winners
– Denmark’s Olsen Brothers!
This year, the final is in Helsinki on May 12 – following Lordi’s
triumph last year – and comprises 24 songs. We already know 14 of
them. France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom are automatically
entered (as they are the four main Euro broadcasters) and the other 10
countries are based on the top 10 songs from last year. The remaining
10 places are made up from the best songs from the semi-final on
May 10.
Here are my thoughts on the 14 songs we know will be taking part in
the final – in the order they will be performing.
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Ethnic-sounding ballad from Maria Sestic with
some crystal clear vocals. Maria is a bit of a looker too which
helps. Has an outside chance.
Spain: D’Nash are very energetic with flamenco influences.
Ireland: This piece of Gaelic warbling shows that they haven’t yet
saved up enough to risk the expense of winning it again.
Finland: The hosts are on the rock path again but Hanna Pakarinen’s
effort is a more orthodox rock song with English lyrics.
Lithuania: This is classy. No gimmicks, no ethnicity, just a very
pleasant mid-tempo song by 4Fun that could be heard in any country.
Obviously all the Baltic nations will give it points.
Greece: Yes, I like this. Singer Sarbel has smouldering Greek looks
for the ladies and the song has an uptempo beat. Hearing this,
I can’t help thinking of Ricky Martin’s La Vida Loca.
Sweden: A bit of fun from The Ark. Happy, jolly, bouncy. Definitely
has a chance.
France: At last, the French have left behind the ballads and have
gone for a happy sound with English and French lyrics.
Russia: A growling electro backing for female trio Serebro. This is
another good one that should get some serious votes.
Germany: Roger Cicero’s song is a bit of jazz, from a country renowned
for not taking the contest seriously. It’s just different enough to
get votes.
Ukraine: There’s always one entry that’s seemingly just for laughs and
this is it. Verka Serduchka is the singer and it’s annoyingly catchy.
United Kingdom: Flying The Flag by Scooch (pictured) sounds like an
old Stock, Aitken and Waterman hit. An out and out dance track with
more double entendres than you can shake a stick at. Nobody will vote
for it, although it deserves a top 10 place.
Romania: This effort from Todomondo is just too ethnic sounding to
stand much of a chance.
Armenia: This totally failed to interest me, despite the fact it’s
in English. Three minutes of abject boredom from Hayko.
See how many I get wrong; after all, Terry Wogan NEVER gets it
right either!