The first semi final of Romania's selection for the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest is about to take place. You can watch the webcast by following the link below.
This article will be constantly updated.
The jury tonight:
Adrian Ordea, Madalin Voicu, Liliana Levinta, Dida Dragan, Viktor Socaciu, Sliviu Elekers, Andrei Keresteli, Danny Constantin, Gabriele marica, Bogdan Miu, and our very own Aris Kalimeris.
The show has started and the host welcomes us from the greenroom – which is indeed a green room. Fancy! The jury is introduced.
1. Nico and Vlad Mirita – Pe-o margine de lume
We start with a ballad. Although it can be said that it is of high quality, it is not really cathy and lacks a hookline. It's a duet in a very classic style, the couple looks very good on stage and the performance is simple but professional. Good vocals. This is one of the entries that probably has a 50/50 chance of reaching the final.
2. Innessa & Millenium – La storia della pioggia
Another ballad, this time all in Italian. Again a good performance, it will be an exciting fight among the ballads this evening.
3. Adrian Enache – Te iubesc
Yet another ballad, this one seems a bit more half-harted. The stage performance mixes some elements (bands, a saxophone player…) but seems very chaotic. The least professional entrant so far.
4. LaGaylia Frazier – Dr Frankenstein
Number four in the first semi final is a Swedish song about a character in a novel by a British writer. This one is the favourite according to the esctoday.com poll and indeed very catchy. Although the song can't deny its Swedish roots, it is not that much of a plain Europopsonghaving many disco elements. Very professional performance. hard to believe that this won't make it to the final.
5. New Effect feat. Gentiana – Zamira
Some shouting at the beginning followed by much taka taka taka… very creative. The song seems to try to combine techno and hip hop with a Spanish summer / beach song but is not very succesful.Overall a weird entry and to make thinks worse the singers are completly off-key (if there is a key at all).
6. Tabasco – Love is all I need
If you expected some hot Latino band, you might be disappointed and that's why the choice of name for this band seems more than strange. The song is very repetitive and doesn't have much to offer, especially not the boring lyrics. Probably not a favourite tonight.
7. Catallin Josan – When we're together
The second half starts with a very romantic ballad of a classy kind. There are two standard dancers in background that fit very well (although the idea is not very new). The performance by the male singer is very sweet, but could be even a bit more charasmatic. The vocals are ok, but definitely not perfect.
8. Daniela Nicol – Why
The talking at the beginning is not necessary and pretty dated. The song tries to sound as modern as possible by mixing hip hop and pop elements, but it does not really work. The song sounds very chaotic towards the end and the vocals are far from flawless.
9. Yana – C'est la vie
What a boring and dated song title! The song is up-tempo Europop with some mediterranean elements. Interesting but definitely not typically Romanian.
11.Ana Mardare & Irvin Doomes – Heaven
A gospel attempt. The vocals are strong, a bit too strong partly – especially the male singer goes sometimes over-the-top. The performance is nice but it is hard to believe that this genre would be popular in the Eurovision Song Contest.
12. Simona Nae – The key of life
The intro seems to be inspired by Mozart's Magic flute. The main part is completely different – an ethnic disco pop song with some polka elements. Interesting mixture and the vocals are very good. The performance is perfect for the song and this could have definitely been one of the entries in the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest.
The lines are now open.
