Estonia - Verona - Koit Toome & Laura

Digital Release Image

14 - 85 pts in semi 2
Koit Toome & Laura won the Estonian selection Eesti Laul with their song Verona.

The song is written by Sven Lõhmus who already has a few Eurovision entries to his name.
The single version of Verona was released as a digital single on Januari 1.
The Eurovision edit and karaoke were released on April 12.
The Eurovision version can be seen and heard here.

Both Koit and Laura have been on the Eurovision stage before.
Koit Toome's Mere Lapsed (Children of the sea) ended 11th in the 1998 contest in Birmingham.
Laura was a member of Suntribe who tried their luck in the Kyiv contest of 2005 with the fabulous Let's Get Loud.
More about those below.

12"inch Vinyl
Vinyl's glorious return has not escaped Eurovision. Koit & Laura release a 12"inch maxi with six versions of Verona. Released on Moonwalk records. (4742423000156)

Vinyl back of sleeve, taken from Moonwalk records

A 1. Verona - Radio Version

A 2. Verona - Italian Version

A 3. Verona - Moon Taxi Remix

B 1. Verona - Eurovision 2017 Version

B 2. Verona - Club Remix

B 3. Verona - 1985 Version
The Radio version is the same version as the first single version (with the birds chirping in the intro)
The 12"inch comes with a download code for all six tracks (Mp3 246 and Wave files)
This Maxi single and other Verona goodies are available at the Verona Shop (here).

A digital EP release has five versions of Verona.
1. Verona - Italian Version

2. Verona - Moon Taxi Remix

3. Verona - Int'l Radio edit 

4. Verona - Club Remix

5. Verona - 1985 Version
The Int'l radio edit is almost the same as the Eurovision version, but has an extra bit of vocal intro. This is the only release that has this version.

Versions

The 12 inch

Verona - Eurovision version
- digital release, 12"inch, Kyiv 2CD
Verona - Single version a.k.a Radio version
- (first) digital release, 12"Inch

Verona - Italian version

- 12"inch, digital release (EP)

Verona - Moon Taxi remix

- 12"inch, digital release (EP)

Verona - Club remix

- 12"inch, digital release (EP)

Verona - 1985 version

- 12"inch, digital release (EP)

Verona - Int'l Radio version
- digital release (EP)
 Verona - Eesti laul version
- website only
Verona - karaoke (of ESC version)
- digital release

Laura's Greatest Hits
Laura release her greatest hits album to coincide with the Eurovision Song Contest.
The CD includes two versions of Verona (incl. the Italian one) and all her solo Eesti Laul entries (see below: Laura's Laul)
The full tracklist and picture are at the end of this page. Release date May 8, Moonwalk records.
The Cd will be available from the Verona shop.

Eesti Laul 2017
20 songs were lined up for the Estonian selection Eesti Laul including some familiar voices like Lenna Kuurmaa (Vanilla Ninja), Elina Born, Ivo Linna and eventual winners Koit Toome ja Laura.
You can still listen to the songs at the ERR/ETV Eesti laul pages.

Koit Toome 1998 4 track promo

Koit Toome

Koit Toome entered the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest with the song Mere Lapsed. He ended 11th. He recorded quite a few version of the song, more details about those  at the end of this post/page.
In 2007 he entered Eurolaul with the song Veidi Veel (A little bit more) but that failed to reach the three-song superfinal.

Koit's Eurolaul/Eestilaul efforts:
1998 - Mere Lapsed (winner, 11th in ESC)
2003 - Know what I Feel (2nd)
2007 - Veidi Veel (outside top 3)
The Estonian selection for Eurovision was named Eurolaul (Eurosong) from 1993 up to 2008. Since 2009 it's named Eesti Laul (Estonian song).

Suntribe & Laura 1st cdsingle

Laura's Laul 
Laura (Laura Põldvere, Laura Remmel for a short while) has entered the Estonian selection several times. in 2005 she was a member of winning combo Suntribe but also ended 2nd as a solo singer with Moonwalk.
Suntribe ended up 20th in the (single) semifinal of the contest in Kyiv.
2005 Let's get loud - Suntribe (Winner, 20th in ESC semi)
2005 Moonwalk (2nd)
2007 Sunflowers (3rd)
2009 Destiny (3rd)
2016 Supersonic (2nd)

Two cdsingles were released of Suntribes's Eurovision entry, the first one (pictured above left) included Let's Get Loud and runner up Moonwalk. (see end of this post)
Laura is the second artist returning to a Kyiv contest, Omar Naber being the other one.

Sven Lõhmus Eurovision entries
2005 - Let's get loud - Suntribe (20th in semi)
2009 - Rändajad - Urban Symphony (6th in final
2011 - Rockefeller Street - Getter Jaani (24th in final)
In total 18 songs by Sven Lõhmus entered the Estonian selection. They include all Laura songs and the majestic Club Kung Fu by Vanilla Ninja from 2003 that so should have won.

2018 Coverversion
PeterWilson and Sean Smith recorded a coverversion of Verona. Digitally released through Energize records.
First a single track was released, later three remixes followed. (including one by Matt Pop)

Links and sources
Special thanks to Martin!
Laura: Website, Facebook
Koit Toome: Facebook
Verona shop
ERR/ETV Eesti laul pages
Eurovision Colectors Guide 1956-2005
Check out these Estonian gems: 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009

From the Eurovision Vaults

Koit Toome 4 track promo

Mere Lapsed versions

Mere lapsed - version with piano intro

Children of the sea - English with piano intro

- also on promo cds Koit Toome with 3 other songs (picture)

Children of the sea - seascape edit

Children of the sea - deep blu remix

- all four above on cds promo (ETVCD 002)

Mere lapsed - Estonian with acoustic guitar intro

- on VA CD Eesti üheksakümnendad 1 (2000)

Mere lapsed  - seascape edit in Estonian

- on VA CD Eesti superhitt 3 (Aidem Pot Rec.POT CD 1052)

Mere lapsed - 2007 version

- on Koit Toome CD Allikas (private issue, no label)

Let's Get Loud versions

ETV Promo cds

For the national final (Eurolaul) Suntribe had four members, for Eurovision there were five.

Let's get loud  - Eurolaul version

- only on cds (Sky Plus / First Media 650 5214), also including Laura’s Moonwalk

Let's get loud  - Eurovision version*

Let's get loud  - extended     

Let's get loud  - moon taxi remix

Let's get loud  - moon taxi remix extended

- Above four on ETV / Moonwalk promo cds, no numbers

There's another edit of the Moon Taxi remix, but I don't know its source
* It reads Original version, but it is the later Eurovision version

The (fantastic) CD Moon Taxi by Estonian DJ's Moon Taxi includes two remixes of Let's Get Loud, two of Moonwalk and also one of the 2006 Estonian entry Through My Window by Sandra Oxenryd.

Laura's Greatest Hits tracklist

1. Supersonic

2. 94-95

3. Verona (koos Koit Toomega)

4. Moonwalk

5. Sunflowers

6. Muusa

7. 581 C

8. Lihtsad asjad (feat. Raivo Tafenau)

9. Destiny

10. Pühakud

11. Ultra

12. Südasuve rohtunud teed

13. Võid kindel olla 14. Kustuta kuuvalgus

15. 2020

16. Sädemeid taevast
17. Verona [Italian version]

Latvia - Line - Triana Park

Digital release image

18 - 21 pts in semi 1
Latvia will be represented in Kyiv by the band Triana Park who won the 2017 Supernova with their song Line.
Line is written by Agnese Rakovska, Kristaps Ērglis and Kristians Rakovskis.

Line was released as a digital single in Januari. (Krap records)
Here's the performance at the Supernova final
and here's the official video

Remixes were released on March 31 (see versions). At Spotify you'll find them under [Ex] Da Bass.
Another remix (Stan Sax remix) was released on May 31.

A promo cds is issued, it includes Line and five other songs.

Alive
On April 17 2018 Triana Park finally released their album Alive which includes the single version of Line. For now digital incl. Spotify, the CD was released on April 26. (orders at the Triana Park shop). Well worth checking out!


Triana Park are:

Agnese Rakovska - vocals

Edgars Viļums - drums

Kristaps Ērglis - bass

Artūrs Strautiņš - guitar

Club mix DRI

Versions:
Line - single version/ESC version
- Kyiv 2CD
Line - [Ex] da Bass Club mix
Line - [Ex] da Bass radio mix
Line - Stan Sax remix
- digital releases
Line - karaoke
- digital release (official karaoke album)

The Supernova formula to select the entry for Kyiv had 22 songs with a 4-song superfinal on februari 26.
You can listen to the songs here at Supernova.

Eirodziesma / Supernova

Traina Park (a.k.a. Triānas Parks) entered the Latvian selection five times before finally succeeding with Line.
Of course we have a list for you:

2008 Bye bye (4th)

2009 Call me anytime you need a problem (4th)

2010 Lullaby for my dreammate (Diamond lullaby) (4th)

2011 Upside down (withdrew afterplacing for final)

2012 Stars are my family (9th)

Links and sources
Thanks to Krzysztof.
Triana Park: Website, Facebook
Supernova pages
Latvia's latest hits 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 

France - Requiem - Alma

DRI Eurovision version

12 - 135 pts, not in semi 
France appointed Alma (Alexandra Maquet) to represent the country in Kyiv.
Her song, Requiem, is written by Nazim Khaled.

The original version of Requiem was released through digital shops on Januari 13.
You can watch the video clip of the song here at Alma's Youtube.
The song was reworked for Eurovision and contains some parts in English.

The official video of the new version is here.
A 1-track promo in cardsleeve (first version) is issued by Warner Music France.
Another 1 track promo features the Eurovision version.

The elusive 7th Heaven Requiem
Then there's the 7th Heaven remix. It was made but never released. someone got their hands on it and you can listen to it here in a podcast. Scroll down to the audio player. It starts at 3:20, is in bad sound quality. A better sound quality excerpt is at the newly opened 7th Heaven website (here) but it's only just over a minute. (It's in Showreel 2017-2018).
Why it never was released I don't know, it's not that bad.
You can find more details (list) on the 7th Heaven Eurovision remixes here at the end of the U.K. 2017 post.

Alma's debut album Ma Peau Aime is planned for May 5 and will include both versions of the Eurovision entry.
A 7-track promo, including both versions of Requiem, is issued by Warner.

Alma released her debut single La Chute Est Lente last year June. Well worth checking out too.

Last year Amir scored the biggest Eurovision hit in France since 2012, so it's no surprise one of the songwriters Nazim Khaled was involved in this years choice.
Amir's also had (by far) the most visited page at the Stockholm Collection.

Digital release image First version

Versions
Requiem - Eurovision version in French and English
- digital release
Requiem - Original version in French
- digital release
Requiem - Eurovision version karaoke (= instrumental)
- digital release (single track release)
Requiem - Eurovision version karaoke (with b-vox)
- digital release (official karaoke album)
Requiem - 7th Heaven club edit
- unreleased, but you can listen here (scroll down to player, starts at 3:20, bad sound but it's proof)

Charts
French top 200 (Ifop): 70, 175, -, 172, -, 187, -, 154, 70, 25, 5, 38, 101, -
Coverversion:
A coverversion (in English) was recorded by South African singer Karin Bekker.
Find out more here at Eurocovers

Links and sources
Thanks to Krzysztof 
Alma: Website, Facebook
France 2 Eurovision Facebook
Looking for the recent French songs?: 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009

The forthcoming album

Portugal - Amar Pelos Dois - Salvador Sobral

CONGRATULATIONS PORTUGAL!

Parabéns Salvador e Luísa

Portugal wins the 62nd Eurovision Song Contest

Digital release image

1 - 758 pts /1 - 370 pts in semi 1
What a way to celebrate your 50th* Eurovision entry! After 54 years Portugal wins the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time, and there's no debate, Salvador Sobral won both the Jury voting and televoting with an impressive lead.
Not bad for a country whose last (and best) top 10 placing was 21 years ago. (6th).
* 49 actually, plus a withdrawn entry in 1970

After a year in the Absent Friends Category Portugal returned to the Eurovision fold with Salvador Sobral who won the Festival da Canção 2017 on March 5.

His song, Amar Pelos Dois (Love for both of us), is written by Luísa Sobral, sister to Salvador.

Here's the live performance at RTP's youtube.

The song was released on March 10 (digital)
A promo cds includes the original version and instrumental.

Sony Music Portugal have released an official cd-single release of Amar Pelos Dois, on June 16. It includes the Portuguese and instrumental versions, just like the promo. Good news is you don't have to offer redic prices at the bay anymore. (Sony 889854570422)
Sony only handles APD, so there will be no album re-release (of the Excuse Me CD) with the Eurovision winner on it.
No English version is recorded by Sobral himself.

The picture discs offered at e-bay are counterfeit, unofficial, without permission, illegal etc. Don't buy them.

Here you can find an article on coverversions of Amar Pelos Dois in various languages.

cds artwork, pic from RTP

Excuse Me Ao Vivo
On December 15 a live album Excuse Me Ao Vivo is released. It includes a 6 minute version of Amar Pelos Dois which mainly features a lot of community singing. The album has 9 tracks, most songs from the 2016 album Excuse Me.
The digital version is out now, the CD is already spotted through FNAC Portugal (and isn't available outside Portugal). 
(Valentim De Carvalho 560523 1062923)
See full tracklist at the end of this post.
Thanks for the tip Frederick!

Who's Salvador Sobral?

The saviour of Portuguese Eurovision, Jazz singer Salvador (Salvador Vilar Braamcamp Sobral) entered the Portuguese Idols in 2009 where he finished 7th.

Seven years later he released his debut album Excuse Me with songs mainly in English, but also in two Spanish and one in Portuguese.

His most recent single from Excuse Me is Nem Eu (Me neither).
Listening to the album (spotify) I can't help but get some genuine 50's Chet Baker Sings vibes, wonderful stuff! Go on, have a listen.
Update: In the wake of the Eurovision victory the Excuse Me album charts in the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland and both Belgian charts and the Eurovision song isn't even on it.

promo cds

Festival da Canção '17
A compilation of all songs in the 2017 Festival da Canção is released by Sony and RTP. 15 tracks are studio versions, one is a live recording.
The digital album is available through itunes and the likes.
The CD was released on April 7.
Full tracklist below
It's available now here at Bearecords

Versions
Amar pelos dois - original
- Kyiv 2CD, Festival da Canção 2017 CD
Amar pelos dois - instrumental
- both digital releas, both on promo cds
Amar Pelos Dois (live)
- on album Excuse Me Ao Vivo.
The official karaoke album (digital release) has the instrumental.

Charts
Portuguese top 100: 38, 83, -, 3, 1, 2, 2, 6, 15, 31, 28, 43, 52, 61, 84, 90, -
Portuguese top 50: 41, 11, 13, 26, 31, 41, 46, 35, 36, 8, 1, 2, 2, 2, 8, 11, 10, 22, 39, 30, 37, -
Belgian top 100 (FL): 30, 35, -, 50, -
Netherlands top 100: 35, -
Sweden top 100: 33, -
U.K. top 100: 97, -
Germany top 100: 43, -
Switzerland top 100: 6, -
France top 200: 4, 110, -
Austria top 75: 22, -
Spain top 50: 1, 12, -

Coverversions:
Quite a few coverversions of Amar Pelos Dos can be found at your digital services.
Here's a few names:
Alfred Garcia (Spanish singer for 2018)
Anarita (Both Portugese and English versions on a Ball room dance album Oversway)
Leon Noel (digital single)
Svenska Lyxorkestern - För Oss Båda (Swedish, digital single)
Marina Damer (digital single)
Bruno M (digital single)
Sam Darris (digital single)
Elaine Brackin (digital single)
Gerson Galvan (digital single)
Spell Choir (acapella, digital single))
Mercuzio Pianist (Piano instrumental, digital single)
Leon Noel (Piano instrumental, digital single)
David Matevosyan (Violin instrumental, digital single)
Full list here

Single Nem Eu (2016)

Links and sources
Thanks to Frederick and to Paulo Bravo at Sony Music Portugal.
Salvador Sobral: Facebook
ESCPortugal
RTP Festival da Canção 2017 pages, Facebook
These years Portugal actually entered: 2014 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 






Tracklist Festival da Canção 2017

Picture from ESCPortugal.pt

1. Márcia - Agora 

2. Golden Slumbers - Para Perto 

3. Fernando Daniel - Poema a Dois 

4. Deolinda Kinzimba - O que eu vi nos meus sonhos 

5. Rui Drumond - O teu melhor 

6. Siraiva feat. Lisa Garden - Without You 

7. Salvador Sobral - Amar pelos dois 

8. Viva La Diva - Nova Glória (live)

9. David Gomes - My Paradise 

10. Lena d'Água - Nunca me fui embora 

11. Beea - Ao Teu Olhar 

12. Pedro Gonçalves - Don't Walk Away 

13. Helena Kendall - Andamos no Céu 

14. Celina da Piedade - Primavera 

15. Jorge Benvinda - Gente Bestial
16. Inês Sousa - Se o Tempo Não Falasse

Tracklist Excuse Me Ao Vivo

1. Change
2. Nada que esperar
3. Excuse me
4. Nem eu
5. Something real
6. Amar pelos dois
7. Ready for love again
8. Ay amor
9. Até já (encore)

Romania - Yodel It - Ilinca feat. Alex Florea

Digital release image

7 - 282 pts /6 - 174 pts in semi 2
After one year on the bench Romania is back with a vengeance. The Romanian public voted massively for Yodel It by Ilinca feat. Alex Florea in the final of the Romanian selection.

Yodel It, a combination of rapping and yodelling, was already released as a digital single in January.
A remix by Al Mike was released in April.
Another remix, by DJ Pantelis & DJ Pete was released in September.

The track was re-released in a remastered version with altered lyrics (the "sh1t" line is replaced) by Universal on March 29 with a karaoke version.

After a long selection process 10 songs entered final on March 5 where the televoters decided the winner..
Listen and watch to the final here at TVR
Last years unlucky boy Ovidiu Anton performed a special concert in the first semi final with his new band called Anton.

Versions:
Yodel it! - Eurovision version
- Kyiv 2CD
Yodel it! - Single version
Yodel it! - karaoke
- digital releases
Yodel it! - Al Mike official remix
- youtube, digital release
Yodel it! - DJ Pantelis & DJ Pete remix
- digital release 

Charts
Sweden top 100: 64, -
Netherlands top 100: 90, -
Germany top 100: 93, -
Switzerland top 100: 50, -
France top 200: 70, -
Austria top 75: 34
Spain top 50: 46

2nd DRI

Links and sources
Thanks to the Eurovision Romania Team and to Rick
Ilinca: Facebook
Alex Florea: Facebook
TVR Eurovision pages, Facebook
Romania's recent entries: 2016 (out) - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009
Romania are one of the very few countries that have always proceded from the semi to the final, Ilinca and Alex were no exception.