Slovenia picks a flower from the South

The second country to pick their entry on Saturday with the EMA Final taking place in Ljubljana. See previous posts for the songs that qualified from the semi-finals. This was the first time that the Slovenes got to pick an entry without the interference of a jury, which has always skewed the vote in the past. So it's the first time that a Slovene entry actually has genuine popular support, which I guess is a good thing.

The winner was Alenka Gotar and her operatic pop song Cvet Z Juga (Flower Of The South). It remains to be seen whether or not they'll translate this into English come May or not. Personally I think it would make little difference... I mean people are used to hearing opera in Italian so why not in Slovenian? I think she could do with replacing the backing singers - especially the screechy one - and also losing the cheesy dance, which adds nothing to the song at all. Overall I reckon that Slovenia have a fighting chance of qualifying this year, she's gonna stand out if nothing else.

Watch the vid from the final of EMA below.

Alenka Gotar - Cvet Z Juga

You can find an mp3 of the song here:- http://www.box.net/public/dcte0qlqu4

Slovenia:- Semi-final 2

Slovenia's second semi-final took place on Friday night in Ljubljana. The seven songs below were voted into the final by the Slovenian public.

Eva Černe - Čudeži Smehljaja

This girl won the latest edition of Slovenia's Pop Idol show. The song's dull as, but the stage show's pretty interesting. Her voice seems to falter a bit, but then that's understandable when you've got 4 Miss Whiplashes after ya!

Nude - Element L

Despite the name of the band they're performing in boiler suits. Spot the guy in the boots, plus another guy in yellow braces (bring it on!). I like this song... it's sort of a Slovenian Coldplay. Interesting. They could do worse than picking this.

Žana - Druga Violina

Hideous song. Hideous voice. Cheesy Phantom of the Opera guy. This is just dreadful.

Zlati Muzikanti - Pepelka

A bit of a Balkan sing-a-long. They look like they're after recapturing their Venetian past!

Tadeja Fatur - Drugačna (Pesem)

Well this one starts off pretty interesting n all. Then it just descends into disco anarchy! The dancers are clearly doing a Jade Goody workout video!!!

Steffy & Donald TrumpeT - Zadel Si Me V Živo

This would blatantly get the 12 points from Yorkshire!!!

Denis - Nor Sem Nate

A bit of a reggae romp. Shame the boy's totally flat. He managed to fool the audience with the false ending though!!!

Slovenia:- Semi-final 1

Right then. Thursday night saw Slovenia kick off on the road to Helsinki with their first semi-final held in Ljubljana. Always ones for a quick turnaround, the second will be held on Friday with the final on Saturday. The vids below are of the songs that qualified for the final.

Alenka Gotar - Cvet Z Juga

Well the Slovenes usually either go for deadly serious or deadly cheesy, but this is possibly the only one that crossovers into both territories. She's got a great voice and it's different enough that it will stand out should it win their ticket to Eurovision.

Zablujena Generacija - Kdo Hoče Plesati Z Menoj?

Fuckin yes! This HAS to represent Slovenia. They fuckin' rock. They even end the song with "Oi! Oi! Oi! Oi! Oi!" Fuckin lovin it! The cameramen seem to have had a nervous breakdown though!

Martin Perovič - Zadeni Me

Pretty (sub) standard Balkan pop fayre. Points to note... his failing voice and lack of stage presence... the half-hearted strip by the backing singers... the fit dancers. Have braces suddenly come back into fashion? That's the second time this national finals season I've spotted 'em... ;-)

Sebastian - Naj Svet Zakriči

Tina Karol has morphed into a camp bloke who's nicked Carola's flag wavers! His voice is not bad considering all the dancing he's doing, but I'm bored, although if you you look carefully his boyfriend in the audience is clearly enjoying the performance!

Alya - Vizija

I need counselling!

Dean Vivod & Tonus Kitaris - Hitmejker

And you thought the Norwegians were weird! I pray to God that this doesn't go to Helsinki.

Don Corleone - Bella Mia

Well if you've been waiting all your life to hear a Slovenian piss-take of Italy then here ya go!