The second semi final of the Norwegian national selection for the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest is about to be held. Another seven songs will be presented and two will move forward directly to the national final.
WEBCAST – Norway: MGP Replay (available worldwide) click here!
Participants
Composer/lyricist in brackets.
- Wenche Myhre – Alt har en mening nå (Thomas Thörnholm, Michael Clauss, Danne Attlerud/Jan Vincent Johannessen )
- Publiners – Te stein (Bertil Bertelsen/Olav Nygaard, Morten Horn, Ronny Bertelsen)
- Tine Wulff – Ride (Marte Wulff)
- Alexander Stenerud – Find my girl (Alexander Stenerud)
- Janni Santillan – (Like you did) yesterday (Janni Santillan)
- Julius Winger – Like an angel (Julius Winger, Ole Jørgen Olsen)
- Tone Damli Aaberge – Butterflies (David Eriksen/Tone Damli Aaberge, Mats Lie Skåre, Billy Burnette)
LIVE
The show has started.
1. Wenche Myhre – Alt har en mening nå
Current poll result: 13.0% (3rd)
1968 German entrant Wenche Myhre enters the stage but fills the hall with her presence, which shows why she is one of Norway's most succesful artists ever. The rather nostalgic stage song suits her very well and her performance including some background dancers towards the end, is very strong, vocally flawless and charming. Only the choice of outift seems not to have been the best one.
2. Publiners – Te stein
Current poll result: 10.2% (4th)
Slightly medieval tunes from the second act tonight. The whole act reminds of the group Nordman from the 2008 Swedish national final, which managed to kick three-time-representative Carola out of the competition. The song is not as memorable as many others in the MGP 2009, but the vocals are flawless. The fire effects on stage could have been used better on stage so that the overall performance is strong, but not outstanding.
3. Tine Wulff – Ride
Current poll result: 7.4% (=5th)
A laid-back midtempo pop song with country elements is tonight's number three. This entry is definitely different and a nice change of tone, but it can not be seen as sure that this would do well both in the national final and in the Eurovision Song Contest. However, yet another charming and vocally perfect performance.
4. Alexander Stenerud – Find my girl
Current poll result: 15.7% (2nd)
The first notes of this ballad sound very similar to the song Sorry seems to be the hardest word. The tune is performed by the lead singer of the group Zuma that took part last year. Again he appears on stage in a classy suit. The overall performance is not particularly bad but not outstanding either. Generally a probable but not definite qualifier tonight.
5. Janni Santillan – (Like you did) yesterday
Current poll result: 7.4% (=5th)
Janni accompanies herself on the piano while performing her self-written ballad. The song has a strong and memorable melody and the vocal performance is flawless and very emotional. If this could make it to the final in Moscow? Generally, the style might be a bit too American.
6. Julius Winger – Like an angel
Current poll result: 4.6% (7th)
A very simple performance for a rather simple tune. Again, the vocals are strong but generally this is not the most outstanding song or performance tonight. If it will qualify anyway?
7. Tone Damli Aaberge – Butterflies
Current poll result: 41.7% (1st)
The last entry tonight is a classic pop song. The performance is kept simple, which probably works the best with the music and the vocals are very strong. Generally, this performance is the one that is the closes to Maria's performance last year and so it might have very good chances of qualifiying tonight.
Tonight's interval acts is dedicated to the song La meg være ung (Let me young) from the 1964 Norwegian final, originally performed by… Wneche Myhre. This might well help her qualify tonight.
Results:
Alexander Stenerud and Tone Damli Aaberge to the final!
