Messages

• 

  Srebrenko ... says • 2 weeks ago

  Hello Till
  
  We are so close to show in Baku, but I don't feel so euphoric yet. There's no stage yet, and rehearsals almost started...
  
  I've listened to some older ESC songs you mentioned before: Portugal 09, Germany 06 and Romania 03. I would say that those songs have something in common - all three songs are upbeat and its lyrics have strong feelings of commitment in relationships. "Todas As Ruas Do Amor" is probably the best of the three songs, but since I don't understand Portuguese, I prefer the song from Germany. I didn't watch the ESC final in 2006, so it's not surprising that I don't remember this song, but thank you for mentioning it. It's a really nice song and singer has a lovely voice.
  
  Roman's song is one of my favourite songs this year. What do you think, could it be Berlin 2013?
  
  Wish you a good night :)
  Bye
• 

  Srebrenko ... says • 14/Apr at 18:05

  Hi Till :)
  
  I guess I'm not a very religious person, either, but I kinda like Easter and Christmas.
  
  Thank you for mentioning your favourite songs. I don't remember some of them: Portugal 09, Germany 06 nor Romania 03. I also know very little about the Eurovision prior to 2002. In fact, the only thing I remember before that time is that I watched the competition in 1998, and that I liked the songs from Israel, UK and Croatia. Since 2002, I watch it every year. I only didn't watch the final in 2006.
  
  I actually put Serbia and Slovakia on my cd, and B&H also, but I skip B&H almost every time...Bulgaria, Finland and Austria were fine too...Spain was excellent, should have put it...I rarely listened to Italy. And Ireland... :D I'm not really a fan of Jedward, I liked their song and performance last year because it was something different. This year, their music is kinda nice, but lyrics are still "jedwardish", so...
  
  Thanks for the information about Anri, I didn't know that. I haven't heard the new version, but the old was...unlistenable for me.
  
  My "blogs" were actually lists of 10 songs for each semi final, but I changed my mind and deleted them...
  It may sound disappointing, but I think there were better songs last year.
  Now, it seems to me that I like Israel 2011, Denmark 2011 or Hungary 2011 more than any other song this year.
  
  Talk to you soon.
  Have a nice time!
  
  Srebrenko

  Reply from Till-Oliver:

  Hi Srebrenko :)
  
  Sorry again for my late answer... I remember I wanted to write to you in time, so I could wish you a Happy Easter too, but that's obviously a week ago now.
  
  I also don't remember too much from earlier than 2003. That (with Sertab Erener) the modern times of Eurovision started and also when I really regained my interest in it. I am probably a few monthes older than you ;) and my first memories are from the early 80s, when I used to watch it with my parents and Germany's first victory with Nicole of course. I know the highlights and the famous songs for sure from the early times of Eurovision, but I really don't know so much more from before the Millenium. Since 2003 I have the CDs and all but one DVD, but I think I told you. I can pretty much sing to all those songs since then :)
  
  With this year's songs, Moldova is probably my favourite right now, passing Sweden, but I am sure Pasha will never win. My guess would be 12-18 in the final for Moldova.
  
  I was very curious today to see some pics or even videos from saturday's "Eurovision in Concert" in Amsterdam. I should probably go there too one day. Amsterdam is around 4 hours away by car. It's sure a cool event.
  
  Have a nice week. Talk to you soon.
  
  Till
• 

  Srebrenko ... says • 8/Apr at 16:00

  Hi Till,
  
  If you celebrate Easter today, I wish you a happy holiday! :)
  We celebrate it next Sunday...
  
  Have a nice day!

  Reply from Till-Oliver:

  Hi Srebrenko :)
  
  Thanks for your Easter wishes. I had to work 3 from the 4 days this year, so my holiday-expierience was limited :) I didn't even get to see my parents. I know, that your Easter is next weekend or at least I expected you to be orthodox, coming from Serbia. I know it is next weekend in Romania and expected it to be the same in Serbia. I am not a very religious person, but the orthodox church is the only one I really feel home at. I have been to Romania quite often and went to many orthodox churches and once even for Easter, with was especially impressive.
  
  With my Best of-CD I had to make some thoughts for myself first, how to do it, so I calculated and came to the conclusion that (on average) 2-3 songs from each year can be on it. It doesn't me that it has to be so strict. I started of with 3-5 from each year usually, because I couldn't decide, so there will be cuts anyway. I am not yet done with the CD. In fact I didn't really have the time at all last week, but form last year I am sure at least Azerbaijan and Latvia will be on it. From the year before I'll have Belgium, Georgia and Turkey. I'll give you some more that I totally love and that have to be on the CD: Portugal 09 (Todas As Ruas Do Amor), Moldova 09 (Hora Din Moldova), Israel 08 (The Fire In Your Eyes), Bosnia 08 (Pokusaj), Germany 06 (No, No, Never), Serbia 05 (Zauvijek Moja), Ukraine 04 (Wild Dances), Albania 04 (The Image Of You), Turkey 03 (Everyway That I Can) and Romania 03 (Don't Break My Heart). Just my personal taste :) Obviously I am a little more in favour of the eastern european songs, but I like that kind of music and I think usually some more efford was done there with well-known artists and not with people who's career is long over and that want to use ESC as a last chance.
  
  I almost completely agree with your favourites from last year. I would just like to add Slovakia, Bulgaria, Finland, Austria, Spain and Serbia to the mix. I would just leave out Italy and the Ukraine and maybe Ireland :) Sounds a lot, but I think on 80% or so we agree...
  
  As of right now my favs for 2012 would be (in that order): Sweden, Moldova, Italy, Switzerland, Israel, Ukraine, Germany, Malta, Spain and Slovenia. The new version from Georgia is quite ok I think. The version from the NF was terrible beyond words, but still the new version is nothing compared to their last 2 years. In fact Ari already sang the backing volcals for this blind girl in 2008. (In case you didn't know :) ) I like Finland too. With Slovakia I still don't know. When I see the video, I always have turn down the volume, but after "surviving" the first 30 secs or so, it's kind of catchy.
  
  I didn't find the time yet to have a look to your blog, but I will try to do so :)
  
  Talk to you soon. Till
• 

  Srebrenko ... says • 7/Apr at 23:07

  Hi Till :)
  
  First, I have to correct myself about Slovenian song. It is composed by Graic and Hari Mata Hari, you probably remember him, he represented B&H in 2006 with "Lejla". Beautiful song, also...
  
  I know how difficult making compilations of favourite songs can be. But, why do you have to take 2-3 songs from each year? I think that it would be easier to make a list of your favourite songs from that period, for example 2003-2012, and then to take first 26 songs from that list. Or maybe not? I'm curious which songs you put on your last CD... I put some songs from last year on a CD, after the contest, but I often skip some songs. My favourite songs from last year, that I've been listening the most are:
  
  Israel, Denmark, United kingdom, Hungary, Estonia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Latvia, Romania, Slovenia, Ukraine, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Russia.
  
  This year might be the time for a party song to win, but, as you said - with all the depression covering Europe...I wouldn't be surprised if a ballad wins this year...Some ballads were growing on me such as Estonia, The Netherlands, Germany, Azerbaijan, Spain and Serbia. With Denmark in it, you have my list of favourites for today. But, as you said before, tomorrow it might be different...
  
  I agree with you about Romania and Ukraine, and Russia, also. My bottom list is: Russia, San Marino and Georgia. I liked the song from Georgia last year, but this year not at all - it sounds annoying, strange and senseless... I could add: Finland, Montenegro, Slovakia and Lithuania to this list, also...
  
  You can find my current favourites from both semi-finals in my blogs.
  
  Regards... :)
  Srebrenko
• 

  Srebrenko ... says • 2/Apr at 00:55

  Hi, Till!
  
  Yes, I feel better now, thanks!
  
  It got a bit colder here, also. Actually, it was raining and even snowing a little on Sunday morning. Sometimes we have "stupid" weather in Serbia, also. You know, snow in April etc. Climate changes...
  
  Yes, I like the Danish song a lot. And they had some really good songs, like those you mentioned. I like "New Tomorrow" very much, also, it's one of my favourites from the last year, and one of the songs that I listen to the most. Although, my favourite song from Denmark is the one from 2005: "Talking To You" by Jakob Sveistrup. :)
  
  Graic composed "Verjamem" and "Molitva", but not the Portuguese entry in 2008. It was Andrej Babic, Croatian composer, who composed the Portuguese entry in 2008 (and this year, also).
  
  You noticed that my former countrymates don't always get along very well... What to say...But, we'll probably exchange 12 points this year, too...What to say...
  
  I find Estonian ballad beautiful; lyrics are wonderful, and the singer is good, in my humble opinion.
  Ambient of Portuguese song is interesting...
  And Irish song is bright, catchy, providing good vibes...
  
  I agree with you that a bit more courage to try something different might have been good. Like Austria, this year...The theme for this Eurovision is "Light Your Fire", so why not? Maybe that kind of song should be the winner this year... Or Norway, Cyprus, Romania, Moldova, Sweden, Ireland... Something that could light the fire... :)
  
  Talk to you soon.
  Bye

  Reply from Till-Oliver:

  Hi Srebrenko :)
  
  I am working again since 3 days. It was more nice to have holiday, but at least the days are passing by fast and bringing me closer to the first rehearsals in Baku, which probably should be in around 40 days. For the big Eurovision week I'll have holiday too :)
  
  Thanks for the correction with Babic/Graic. I know "Talking to you". I have all the CDs back to 2003, so recently I tried to make CDs for the car with the best songs each year, so I don't have to change the CDs so often. 26 songs fit on one 80min CD and Jakob Sveistrup didn't make those 26 songs from 2005. I like the song, but it was another strong year. All the CDs are damn good. Right now I am trying to put a CD together with the best songs from 2003 to now. I'll wait for this years CD. Then I'll have the last 10 years. It really difficult to do, as there will be just room for 2-3 songs from each year, but it should be cool when it's done :)
  
  I like the austrian song too, but I am not even sure, if they reach the final. I think the first semi is stronger. At least there are lots of songs I like.
  
  I am thinking too, that this year might the time for a party song to win. Usally the same concept doesn't work 2 years in a row. I don't think a ballad will win this year. It's also always a bit about how Europe feels at the evening of the final. With all the depression covering Europe, it's maybe time for some fun and fireworks on stage, so Romania and the Ukraine are probably right in the mix this year. I hope it's not Russia. I forgot to mention this song in my Bottom5 last time. I really don't like it and it almost makes me feel ashamed. I know a lot of ppl like it, but not me :)
  
  Have a good time. Talk to you soon. Till