Thursday, September 27, 2018

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: 20162015 - 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]


Tuesday, May 15, 2018

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: WebsiteFacebook
Supernova pages
Latvia's latest hits 20162015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 

Saturday, March 31, 2018

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


Tuesday, March 27, 2018

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.
Mein Herz liebt für zwei/Amar pelos dois (live german/portuguese)
- Donato Plögert with Sobral on Plögert digital album Licht aus (2026)
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)

Saturday, March 17, 2018

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.

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Norway - Grab The Moment - JOWST

10 - 158 pts /5 - 189 pts in semi 2
Norway's Melodi Grand Prix 2017was won by JOWST and the song Grab The Moment.
JOWST is DJ Joakim With Steen and he is joined by Aleksander Walmann who takes care of the vocals.

Grab The Moment is written by Joakim With Steen himself and Jonas McDonell.
The song has been released as a digital single.
NRK have issued a 1-track promo cds. (NRK, no numbers)
NRK promo

Picture sampled from Soundcloud
The ten songs from this years Melodi Grand Prix were first available through Spotify and Tidal and later iTunes.
If you go here (at NRK) you'll get the listening links.
They have been released as separate singles rather than a MGP album.

Remix the moment
A remix contest for Grab The Moment is what we need. You can make a remix of the Norwegian Eurovision Tune, use all the samples you like (it's allowed you know). Grab the necessary soundfiles here at soundcloud (Click ...More and then download) and let us know how you're doing. Kill kill kill, kill kill, la la la.....
Update: Some of the mixes can be heard here at JOWSTs Soundcloud. Don't know if anyone won or anything.

JOWST made some friends in Kyiv. He remixed the Czech entry for Martina Bárta and also made a remix for Manel Navarro (Keep On Falling, not his Eurovision song)

Versions
Digital release image
Grab the moment - ESC/single version
- Kyiv 2CD, promo
Grab the moment - karaoke
- digital release

Charts:
Norway VG lista: 16, 15, 19, 27, 32, 39, -, 34, 6, 12, 22, 32
Sweden top 100: 56
Austria top 75: 73


Links and sources
Special thanks to Felix at NRK!
JOWST: Facebook, Website, Soundcloud
NRK MGP/Eurovision pages
More Norway entries are here: 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009



Czech Republic - My Turn - Martina Bárta

13 - 83 pts in semi 1
ČT, the Czech broadcaster, decided on jazz singer Martina Bárta as the Czech representative for the 2017 contest.
Her song is titled My Turn. It's written by Kyler Niko and DWB (Craig Watts, Paul Drew & Peter Barringer)
The song was revealed on March 7.
The official video is here at Eurovision.tv
Peter Barringer also co-wrote this years Polish entry.
promo
My Turn was released as a digital single on March 29. The karaoke version is also out now.
The promotional single is a 1-track cds in a large fold out sleeve (just over 7 inch) with lyrics, interview and bio's.

JOWST remix
Friendships were forged in Kyiv. Norwegian entrant JOWST made a remix of Martina's entry and it was released as a digital track on September 25 (CT/Universal)
JOWST remix Digital Release Image

Who is Martina Bárta?
Digital release image
Martina Bárta is an award winning Jazz singer and musician (she plays the French Horn) known from her work with the Felix Slováček Big Band and the Sinatrology project, celebrating the music of Frank Sinatra.
She also performs with her sister Kristina, who is a successful jazz pianist and composer.

Martina played the leading female role of Maid Marion in the musical Robin Hood by Ondřej Soukup and Gábina Osvaldová in Prague's Divadlo Kalich Threatre.
She won her spot in the musical through the casting show Robin Hood - Cesta ke slávě (Robin Hood - The Path to Fame)

Her star contined rising with the Scotch and Soda project in Germany where she interpreted Jazz classics with Martin Gartschock.

Karaoke DRI
Versions
My turn - single/ESC version
- Kyiv 2CD
My Turn (JOWST remix)
- digital release
My turn - karaoke
- digital releases


Links and sources
Martina Bárta: Website,  Facebook
Thanks to Martin at Ceska Televize
Czech out these Eurovision jewels: 20162015 - 2011

Gabriela Gunčíková (2016) is a national hero, she was the first singer to qualify for the Czech Republic. In the end she only finished 25th, but small steps will see the Czechs in the top 10 anytime soon, sadly it wasn't Martina's Turn.

Sunday, October 29, 2017

Moldova - Hey Mamma - Sunstroke Project

3 - 374 pts /2 - 291 pts in semi 1
Promo
Sunstroke Project won the Moldovan final with the song Hey Mamma.
Hey Mamma is written by the band themselves with Alina Galetskaya.

At Eurovision the Sunstroke boys delivered and gave the country their best ever result, improving by three places on their 2005 granny friendly debut entry Boonika Bate Toba which ended 6th.

Listen to the studio version here at Ragoza music's Youtube.
The song was been released on iTunes and other digital sources, along with a karaoke version. (see versions below)

May 22 sees another digital release now including a new version: The Anthony Waldhorn remix
Spotify is limited though, but you can listen at Anthony Waldhorns Soundcloud.
August sees the release of four remixes (two mixes each in two versions). They are released through JE/Just Entertainment in Italy and three of them are available through Columbia in Germany. Spotify releases only in limited territories.
JE has a Youtube that features all versions (here). See versions list below.

A promo CD is issued. It features 10 tracks including the Eurovision songs from 2017 and 2010.
Full tracklist below.

Digital release image
Sunstroke Project are:
Anton Ragoza - Violinist, composer
Sergey Stepanov - Epic Sax Guy
Sergey Ialovitsky – Vocal

Sunstroke Project with singer Olia Tira graced the Eurovision stage in 2010 with Run Away which made it to the final in Oslo and ended 22nd.
The Sax player caused a bit of a self-fullfilled internet hype as Epic Sax Guy and he kept the title ever since.

The 2010 page on Sunstroke Project with Olia Tira has been updated with the latest info, corrected links and all that. Please take a look at the Run Away versions and releases.

Remix DRI
Versions:
Hey Mamma - radio edit/Eurovision edit
- Kyiv 2CD
Hey Mamma - Anthony Waldhorn remix edit
- digital release
Hey Mamma - Anthony Waldhorn remix extended
- digital release
Hey Mamma - Cerruti Re-Touch (Radio edit)
- digital release
Hey Mamma - Cerruti Re-Touch
- digital release
It appears some of the the remixes are only available in limited territories. But you can listen through JE's Youtube.
Hey Mamma - karaoke version (single track release)
- both digital releases
Hey Mamma - karaoke version (= instrumental)
- digital release (official karaoke album)

Coverversion
A coverversion in Afrikaans was released by South African singer Karin Bekker.
Find out more here at Eurocovers.

Charts
Sweden top 100: 20, 18, 33, 24, 30, 36, 39, 48, 64, 90, 99
Netherlands top 100: 70, -
Switzerland top 100: 55, -
France top 200: 56, -
Austria top 75: 27, -
Spain top 50: 34, -
Belgium top 50 (FL): 49, -

You can listen to all the songs from the Moldovan selection  here at TRM (new link)

2016 re-issue Run Away (digital)
O Melodie Pentru Europa
Sunstroke Projects Moldovan national selection entries:
2009 - No Crime (3rd)
2010 - Run Away (with Olia Tira, winner, 22nd in ESC)
2010 - Believe (didn’t proceed to semi)
2012 - Superman (with Olia Tira, didn’t proceed to semi)
2015 - Lonely (semi final, withdrawn)
2015 - Day after day (3rd)

Links and sources:
Sunstroke Project:Website, Facebook
Sunstroke Project at BeaRecords.
TRM Eurovision page
Sunstroke Project at the Oslo Collection
Moldova's Eurovision efforts: 20162015 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009

Hey Mamma! Tracklist
1. Hey Mamma (Eurovision 2017)
2. Epic Sax (from the EP Don't Touch The Classics Vol.1.)
3. Day after day (2015 preselection)
4. Amor (2014 single)
5. Walking in the rain (2011 single)
6. Lonely (2015 preselection)
7. Not giving it up (2015 single)
8. Run away (Eurovision 2010)
9. Мария Хуана (Russian version of Maria Juana, 2016 single)
10. Home (2016 single)

Friday, September 15, 2017

Cyprus - Gravity - Hovig

promo cds
21 - 68 pts /5- 164 pts in semi 1
Hovig (Hovig Demirjian, Χόβιγκ Ντεμιρτζιάν) represented Cyprus in the 2017 contest with the song Gravity.
His participation was already announced in October 2016.
His song is written with Swedish Eurovision songwriter Thomas G:Son. It was presented on March 1. The digital single is out since March 2.
Remixes were made by 7th Heaven.
Listen here at Hovig Youtube.
The remixes were released (digital) on May 13.

A promo cdsingle  issued by RIK (PIK) features five versions of Gravity.
1. Gravity
2. Gravity - Karaoke Version
3. Gravity - Instrumental Version
4. Gravity - 7th Heaven Radio Edit
5. Gravity - 7th Heaven Club Mix

An Acoustic version of Gravity was released on September 15. Available through all digital platforms.
Digital Release Image of Acoustic version


Digital release image
Hovig first claim to fame was to end 7th in the X-Factor Greece in 2009.
In 2010 he entered the Cypriot selection for Eurovision with the song Goodbye which ended third.
In 2015 he tried again with the song Stone In A River (4th).
He has released a few singles the most recent being Stone In A River but he hasn't released an album yet.
Hovig is from Armenian descent so here you go: Հովիկ Դեմիրճյան.






Remixes DRI
Versions
Gravity - Original
- Kyiv 2CD
Gravity - 7th Heaven Epic mix / Club mix
Gravity - 7th Heaven Radio edit
Gravity - karaoke
- all above digital releases
Gravity - instrumental
- All on promo cds
Gravity - Acoustic
- digital release

Links and sources
Thanks to Krzysztof!
Hovig: Website,  Facebook
Thomas G:Son at Loreen's page (The Baku Collection)
More Cyprus entries: 20162015 - 2013 - 2012 2011 - 2010 - 2009 

Friday, July 14, 2017

Finland - Blackbird - Norma John

Picture from YLE's UMK page
12 - 92 pts in semi 1
Blackbird by Norma John is the winner of the 2017 Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK), the quest to find a Eurovision entry for Finland.
Norma John are Leena Tirronen en Lasse Piirainen and they wrote the song themselves.
The song has been released on the digital UMK album and as a seperate digital single (Feb 21).

A 1-track promo cds was made for radio, don't know if there's any promo for Kyiv.

A remix of Blackbird was released on July 12. (digital release)

pic from e-bay
Versions
Blackbird - ESC/UMK version
- digital release, Kyiv 2CD, radio promo
Blackbird - Remix
- digital single (July 12)
Blackbird - karaoke (= instrumental)
- digital release 

Leena Tirronen ended third in the 2010 X-Factor in Finland and got to release an album Leena Ihmemaassa (Lena in wonderland) and a few singles. None of them made it to the charts and she was soon dropped from her label (Sony). Lasse Piirainen co-wrote some of the songs on her album.
The pianist/keyboardist/producer tinkled the keys in the past for Milana Misic, Johanna Kurkela, Anna Abreu and more.


Digital single release image
10 songs were lined up for the Finnish Eurovision selection
They all have been released digitally (iTunes) and are available through Spotify
Capitol Records Promo cd-r's of the UMK 2017 album have been distributed by YLE at the UMK live events. (see coments)
The last time an official CD was released was in 2014.


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Links and sources
Thanks to Juha.
Norma John: Facebook
YLE UMK pages
Remember these Finnish entries?: 2016 - 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009