Saturday, December 28, 2013

Albania - One Night's Anger - Hersi Matmuja

Promo image from Hersi's Facebook
15 - 22 pts in semi 1
Herciana (Hersi) Matmuja won the 52nd Festivali i Këngës in Albania with the song Zemërimi I Një Natë (Anger of the night).
The song is written by Jorgo Papingji and Genti Lako.
For Eurovision an English version with a new arrangement is recorded. The Eurovision version is titled One Night's Anger.
Watch and listen here at the official Youtube channel
A promo set with cdsingle and DVD is issued. According to the inner sleeve it includes
CD :
- Zemërimi I Një Natë - original Albanian 3:33
- One Night's Anger - Instrumental 3:00
- One Night's Anger - Karaoke 3:00
- One Night's Anger - Official 3:00
- One Night's Anger - Unplugged 3:03
DVD :
One Night's Anger - Video
and the 5 same songs.
But in fact both discs have the five songs in mp3 (192) format and no video is included.

Versions
One Night's Anger - Eurovision version
- on the official Copenhagen 2CD
Zemërimi I Një Natë - original Albanian
- promo cds
One Nights Anger - First English version, slightly different intro
- video clip.
One Night's Anger - Unplugged 3:03
One Night's Anger - Instrumental 3:00
- unplugged and instrumental on promo cds
One Night's Anger - Karaoke
- on the official karaoke album, digital release, promo

pic from TVSH 
Zemërimi I Një Natë is the fourth Festivali i Këngës entry for the singer:
Last year Hersi ended third in the Albanian competition with Kush Ta Dha Këtë Emër (Who gave you this name).
In December 2010 she participated with Me Cilin Rri Ti Dashuri (Stay with the one you love) and finished 11th.
In 2006 Ah Jetë, Oh Jetë (Ah life, Oh life) ended 10th in the FiK final.

More Albania
Hairy Rockers Adrian Lulgjuraj and Bledar Sejko failed to reach the final in 2013, but 2012 saw the best result for Albania ever: Rona Nishliu took her stunning Suus to the 5th spot in the final.
Festivali I Këngës veteran Aurela Gaçe got stuck in the Eurovision semi in 2011 but both Juliana Pasha (16th in 2010) and Kejsi Tola (17th in 2009) made it to the final.

Links and sources
Herciana's FB
Thanks to Jean-François and to Elona Malosmani at RTSH.


Saturday, December 21, 2013

Ukraine - Tick Tock - Mariya Yaremchuk

Promo cds
6 - 113 pts / 5 - 118 pts in semi 1
Mariya Yaremchuk (Мария Яремчук) has won the Ukrainian selection for Eurovision 2014 with the song Tick Tock.
You can listen here.
A new version was recorded for Eurovision.
Listen and watch the new version here at the official Youtube channel. The song is also out on iTunes, Amazon and other digital sources.
Tick Tock is written by Maria herself with some lyrical help by Sandra Bjurman.



Digital release image
versions
Tick Tock - Eurovision version
- on the official Copenhagen CD
Tick Tock - Original version
- websites
Tick Tock - karaoke
- on the official karaoke album, digital release
A version with a different arrangement from the two above has been performed live.

1 track promo
Promos
CPH promo pack
A promo disc (cdrom) has audio, video and press info, it seems there are at least three different issues.
The first issue has a white disc and the hat sleeve and includes Tick Tock (wave file), videoclip, biography and photos.
The second issue has a black disc and the same sleeve.
The third one comes in circular picture sleeve and was used in Copenhagen.
More details wanted

Charts:
Sweden Digilistan top 60 (Digital sales charts): 42, -
U.K. top 200: 190, -

More Ukraine
Giant Igor Vovkovinskiy carried Zlata Ognevich onto the Malmö stage. Her Gravity ended third.
Gaitana didn't fare as well, Be My Guest ended 15th in the final. Mika Newton ended 4th with a little help from sandlady Kseniya Simonova. Sweet People by Alyosha ended 10th in 2010.
Can't believe it's already five years ago since Anti Crisis Girl Svetlana Lobodo paraded her Hell Machine onto the Moscow stage. You'd think the crisis would be over by now.

links and sources:
Maria Yaremchuk WebsiteFB (new) and VK
Thanks to Jean-François.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Macedonia - To The Sky - Tijana Dapčević

13 - 33 pts in semi 2
Tijana Dapčević (Тијана  Дапчевиќ) represented Macedonia (F.Y.R.O.M.) at the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest.
2nd promo (Copenhagen)

1st promo (Amsterdam)
On februari 2014 the song Tamu Kaj Shto Pripagjam (Таму кај што припаѓам, The place I belong) was presented, and also its English version To The Sky, which is the Eurovision version.
You can watch both through Tijana's Youtube channel
The English version is available through iTunes as To The Sky (Where Do We Go Now)
Next to English and Macedonian a Serbian version is recorded. You can download the Serbian version Voli Me at here Tijana's website.

The song is written by Darko Dimitrov, Lazar Svetkoski and Elena Risteska.
Elena Risteska is known from her own Macedonian Eurovision entry Ninanajna from 2006. (12th place)

A 3-track promo is issued for use at the Amsterdam Eurovision In Concert event.
It has the English, Macedonian and Serbian versions of the song. (see versions)
The promo (cd-rom) used in Copenhagen has four versions. The same three language versions plus the karaoke version.

There's also a USB stick-bracelet including all versions, a video of the Macedonian version, photos, bio's and lyrics.
Tijana's USB bracelet.

Originally the title Pobeda (Победа, Victory) was announced, it being an energetic uptempo track sung in Macedonian. I don't know if the song presented is the same song with just a different title or a new track.

Digital release image
Versions
To The Sky (Where Do We Go Now) - English version
- digital release, official Copenhagen CD
Tamu Kaj Shto Pripagjam (таму кај што припаѓам) - Macedonian
- youtube video
Voli Me (Воли Ме) - Serbian
- download at Tijana's website
To The Sky (Where Do We Go Now) - karaoke
- official karaoke album: digital release


Digital release image
Tijana has one Eurovision attempt to her name. She entered the Serbia and Montenegro selection with the song Greh. She ended 8th but Serbia-Montenegro ended up not participating at all.
She has released five albums since 2000, Muzika from 2010 being the most recent one.
Tamara of 'Tamara, Vrcak and Adrian' fame (Eurovision 2008) is the younger sister of our Tijana.

More Macedonia.
In 2013 Esma and Lozano didn't fare well with their Pred Da Se Razdeni (16th in semi) but several versions of the song were released.
Kaliopi did a lot better, ending 13th in the final in 2012 with the majestic Crno I Belo.
Next Time (2009), Gjoko Taneski and Billy Zver (2010) and Vlatko Ilievski (2011) didn't make it to the final.

Links and sources
Tijana Dapčević FB and website
MMM
Thanks to Jean-François, to Lior, to Bastiaan and to the Macedonian Eurovision team.

Austria - Rise Like A Phoenix - Conchita Wurst

Conchita Wurst is the winner of the 59th Eurovision Song Contest.
It's been a while, almost 50 years, but Austria clocked up their 2nd Eurovision victory with the much talked about song Rise Like A Phoenix by Conchita Wurst.
Since Conchita is the winner, her page has moved up. Please go here at the Copenhagen Collection to find out all about Conchita Wurst and the releases, versions, charts and everything else about Rise Like A Phoenix.
Promo cds image
1 - 290 pts / 1 - 169 pts in semi 2
Conchita Wurst (Thomas Neuwirth to his mum) was chosen to represent Austria in the Copenhagen contest already in November 2013.
The song Rise Like A Phoenix was presented on March 18 in a morning radio show at Hitradio Ö3.
RLAP is written by Charly Mason, Joey Patulka, Ali (Alexander) Zuckowski and Julian Maas.
Watch the video here. The song is released on iTunes and other digital sources.
A promo cds is issued including the Eurovision version and instrumental.

CDsingle
The CDsingle of this years winner is out now in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. (ORF/Heinzelmann)
The disc has the Eurovision version and karaoke.

Versions
Rise Like A Phoenix - Eurovision version
- on official Copenhagen 2CD, promo
Rise Like A Phoenix - Karaoke (is actually fully instrumental)
- on official Copenhagen 2CD, promo

More here

San Marino - Maybe (Forse) - Valentina Monetta

24 - 14 pts / 10 - 40 pts in semi 1
La Storia di Valentina Monetta continues. The Sammarinese singer was selected to represent the Italy-locked country for the third time in a row. And she took her country's result up again by reaching the final.
San Marino seems to be in no hurry, with five entries they have bettered the previous result just a little bit, but it's going up!
Promo single sleeve
The song for Copenhagen, written again by Ralph Siegel, is titled Maybe.
Lyrics are by Mauro Balestri, who also wrote the lyrics for Crisalide (Vola). Watch and listen here at the official Youtube.
An Italian version Forse is also recorded, the video of that one is here.

A digital release (March 6) features 5 versions of the song,
The same five versions are issued on a promo cds also including biographies, videos, lyrics, photos and other info. It comes in an 8 inch folder. (Sony / Jupiter 88843  061012)

Versions
Maybe - ESC version
Maybe - Radio version
Forse - ESC version in Italian
Forse - Radio version in Italian
Maybe - Dance version
- all digital release (Meteor music / Eurosong records), promo cds
Maybe (Forse) - Karaoke version
- on the official karaoke album (digital release)

Sensibilitá
A new album Sensibilità is out now and it includes three version of the Eurovision song
Maybe (Forse) (ESC-Version)
Maybe (Forse) (Radio Version)
Forse (Maybe) (Radio Version)
It also includes three versions of the title track Sensibilità and a duet with Vincenzo Monetta (of the Vincenza Monetta Trio) who is Valentina's brother.
Other duets are with Joshua de Cadenéx and with Sarah Jane Ghiotti.
The album includes 20 tracks in all, see full tracklist below.
The early rumour mill had Sensibilità as the title of the ESC entry, but in the end it became the titletrack of the new album.
Out on Sony / Jupiter (8441802652), digital out now (April 4), CD out since May.

Three In A Row: Third Time Lucky?
Not many artists have entered Eurovision three times in a row, but those who did all have a victory to their name.
Lys Assia (for Switzerland) and Corry Brokken (Netherlands) both entered in 1956, 1957 and 1958. Lys won the first contest, Corry the second.
Udo Jürgens sang three times consecutive for Austria. 1964 saw Warum Nur Warum finished 6th, but the song became a worldwide hit as Walk Away for Matt Monro. In 1965 Jürgens ended 4th and he completed his trio with the 1966 winner Merci Cherie.

More San Marino
In 2013 Valentina sang Crisalide (Vola) and she just missed out on a place in the final ending 11th in the thursday semi.
The much debated Social Network Song ended 14th in the tuesday semi in 2012. All included, 18 versions of the ill fated tune have been released.
Stand By sung by Senit ended 16th in the semi.
San Marino's debut entry was Complice by Miodio which ended last in its semi in 2008.

Links and sources:
Valentina Monetta's FB and website
Thanks to Jean-François and to Team Valentina Monetta.

Full tracklist Sensibilità
1. Sensibilità
2. Guardarmi ancora
3. Maybe (Forse) (ESC-Version)
4. Il grande risveglio
5.
Telepatia
6. Il vento
7. Viaggio samba (Duet with Vincenzo Monetta)
8. Non mi vergogno più
9. Hotel
10. Per te
11. Molto di più
12. Di nuovo qui
13. Il coraccio per amare
14. Il fiume
15. A Kiss (Duet with Joshua de Cadenéx)
16. Sensibility
17. Maybe (Forse) (Radio Version)
18. Sensibilità (Hip Hop Version)
19. Se (Duet with Sarah Jane Ghiotti)
20. Forse (Maybe) (Radio Version)

Sunday, November 17, 2013

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Continously Under Construction: the Copenhagen Collection.
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