Eurovison 2015 New York Jury Official Results

Here are the results of the New York Jury voting for Eurovison 2015

12 Points. Italy
10 Points. Serbia
8 Points. Australia
6 Points. Estonia.
5 Points  United Kingdom
4 Points. Sweden
3 Points. Azerbaijan
2 Points. Austria
1 Point. Russia

Now we will see what happens.

Eurovision 2015 LIVE: PART 2

Sorry. We had technical difficulties so started a new post. For comments on the earlier part of the show, see the other post.

Austria:  Like it. Like the beat and his voice. Hope the piano is metal.

Greece:  Boring.  But she seems less out of breath than earlier in the week.

Montenegro:  Romantic. But it got one"boring."

Germany:  Love her voice and her stage presence. But we hate the song.

Poland:  Still poignant.

Latvia:  Painfully boring.

Romania:  Still really like it. Moving. Hope they do well.

Spain:  One liked it but others felt it needed the Rent-a-Hunk to hold any interest.

Hungary:  Pretty good ballad. One said boring.

Georgia:  Old school crazy Eurovision. The camp is back.

Azerbaijan:  We like it.

Russia:  She has a nice voice and she performed it well.

Albania:  She did it well but it doesn't work without the video.

Italy:  Applause. The best singers of the night.

Now the New York jury will begin its deliberation.

LIVE: Eurovision 2015 Grand Final

Conchita can fly!  But otherwise a very boring opening number, but the salute to social media was fun.  But now it begins for real.

Slovenia:  Nice catchy beat and good facial expression, but we do not care for her voice.

France:  Well done, better than her video.  She nailed it.

Israel:  It is hard to believe he is as young as he is.  It is a train wreck of a song but a very fun one.

The shoes have to go. 

Estonia:  Her voice is very good, his less so.  Good song with an onteresting beat. 

United Kingdom:  They nailed it!  Well done.  Love the song with its Charleston beat. They are top 10. 

Armenia:  Kind of boring. The voices do not match well. 

Lithuania:  Want to like them more than we do.  A little wishy washy, that is not serious, not kitchy.  

Serbia:  Still good. She had the audience in her hands the whole time.  

Norway:  Very well done.  The best yet they have done.

Sweden:  Hejja Sverige.  His best yet, but everyone is on their game tonight as well. He has competition.

Cyprus:  It is a simple and beautiful song well sung, but one member says boring.

Australia:  He is a great dancer.  Awesome.  Great beat.  Should place very high.

Belgium:  Contemporary.  Catchy. Different.

Technical issues make us continue on a new post.  See the continuation.

  

Eurovision Song Contest 2015: The Grand Final Preview

You don't have to go anywhere!  We've done all the bitchy
judging for you, right here at Radio Free Järbo

It's here!  Finally it is time for the Grand Final.  You've read the other preview commentary, now here is what we have to say about those who automatically qualify for the final.  Come back to the blog later for live comments and for the official results of the New York Jury.  Scroll down for our predictions.  

France
Lisa Angell
"N'oubliez Pas"
Lisa has a nice voice with the best of Edith Piaf's qualities and without the annoying ones.  The song builds nicely and is well done in the video, made more moving with its scenes of the beaches from D-Day.  Well timed, with the recent 70th anniversary of VE day recently, the song should do well, but we guess it is only a top 15.  Still, it is a far, far cry from the absolutely horrid, execrable song France sent last year. 

United Kingdom
Electro Velvet
"Still in Love with You"
We really like this swing throwback song.  Far from Eurovision standard issue, it is spirited, bouncy, and has the best, most clever English language lyrics in the whole contest.  I wish their voices were just a little better, and they will need to nail their performance tonight in order to get into the top 10, where I think they belong.

Someone is glad Australia
is in this year. 

Australia
Guy Sebastian
"Tonight Again"
We wonder how many executives of television stations around Europe are saying, "Why the [bleep] did we let them in?!"  This is a great, fun, song and Guy has been making friends all over Europe this week.  If he nails the performance tonight, we would not be surprised to see him in the top 5. 

The current reigning Queen of Austria
poses before her flag. 

Austria
The Makemakes
"I Am Yours"
This is a really nice soft rock ballad and could be a bit of a sleeper spoiler tonight if Europe is paying attention.  It has all the best qualities of a George Harrison song.  They perform it nicely in the video.  The lead's voice is good and clear and it overall makes for good listening.  It might just be a little too soft to get high in the voting.  I predict it gets a number of 1-6 point votes but few 8, 10, or 12's.   Will they burn the piano tonight?

Equal time for the two straight
male readers of my blog. 

Germany
Ann Sophie
"Black Smoke"
Ann Sophie has a smokey voice herself, which we would normally like.  But I can't quite get behind this song, as much as we want to like it.  It never really seems to take off.  

Where are all these half
naked hunks
with flags coming from?

Spain
Edurne
"Amanecer"
This is another song that should be more interesting than it is.  It starts soft and builds throughout, and she has a beautiful that can do soft and loud equally well.  But the full package doesn't deliver.  Speaking of packages,  Gunnar says even the man's full nudity in the video couldn't save the song.  That says something right there.  

Truer words than this have
never been spoken. 

Italy
Il Volo
"Grande Amore"
I think this song has a very good chance to win (förlåt mig Måns) because it has everything going for it.  The song itself is great in the way that it builds, in that popular Andrea Bocelli way.  (Their manager has worked with Bocelli, in fact.)  The Three Adorable Tenors, as we have dubbed them, individually each have great voices and they blend perfectly when they sing together.   They have extensive experience with performing all around the world.   All pulled together, they could win this shindig.  The only thing they have working against them is that no one seems to vote for Italy.  Maybe the Three Adorable Tenors can change that.


Our prediction for the top five:
Serbia:  If she has a night like she did Tuesday, she could win.
Italy:  See above.  They have it all.
Sweden:  The bookies have Sweden as a favorite, but there is competition.
Australia:  This is a great song and should get into the top five if Europe keeps an open mind.
Russia:  Polina seems to have some momentum.  She could hit the top five if Europe doesn't take Putin's politics out of her.

Who would be our top five?
Serbia, Italy, Australia, Cyprus, Sweden.

Radio Free Järbo Prepares the Studio for Eurovision 2015 and the New York Jury

Laying the tea table for the all important New York Jury
and the Grand Final of Eurovision 2015

 The New York Jury is assembling at the Radio Free Järbo studios high above Manhattan in preparation for their important role in judging the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2015.   The international panel will be releasing their votes right here on the Radio Free Järbo blog prior to the end of the live broadcast today--this evening in Europe, this afternoon in North America. 

"We are pleased to have representatives from both hemispheres this year," explains Radio Free Järbo's DJ Dävid.  "The New York Jury is a spirited group that really cares about music.  Still, we hope not to repeat having to call 911 for an ambulance like last year. "

Eurovision Song Contest 2015: Semifinal 2 Preview

Is he singing in the shower about Måns?  Shouldn't he be nude when
doing that?  I mean in the shower, of course.   And yes,
this caption will help me get hits from Google searches.  Duh!

Back again.  Here we have the Radio Free Järbo Preview of the Second Semifinal for the Eurovision Song Contest, 2015.  More opinions than you can shake a stick at.  And yes, we will tell you how to vote, so pay close attention.   

Azerbaijan
Elnur Huseynov
"Hour of the Wolf"
This is a solid song, and typical of the kind we have come to expect from Azerbaijan.  He has a nice voice and can sing the song well.  The overall effect is very pleasing even if nothing totally special.   I would like to see him back in Eurovision with a better song one day.   It should go to final and probably will.  The ending is kind of abrupt, but that's the curse of the three minute song sometimes. 

Cyprus
John Karayiannis
"One Thing I Should Have Done"
He has a nice voice that fits this simple and pretty song perfectly.  I don't think the environment of Eurovision favors songs like this where the words are important.   So it won't set Europe on fire, which is too bad because the song itself is well written and well constructed.  Did Woody Allen lose his glasses?  We want it to go to the final but we don't think it will quite make it.  Vote for him anyway.

My money's on the Czechs. 

Czech Republic
Marta Jandova and Vaclav Noid Barta
"Hope Never Dies"
 Their voices blend better than you'd think when you first hear them.    The song itself is not your standard Eurovision fare, not horrible but not always memorable either.  I like how it builds but then again, it doesn't lead anywhere.  But, how do you say "DILF" in Czech?

Iceland
Maria Olafs
"Unbroken"
Those that have read our blog before know that we are not fans of the high and squeaky voice, preferring men and women with richer and deeper tones.  Maria doesn't have this.  Iceland has produced so many wonderful songs for Eurovision over the years, however, that it is a surprise to have this one of such inferior quality.  Loud isn't the same as good.  In spite of that, I think she'll do well, as she can make the song work just enough. Maybe she make something of the boxy dress and bare feet (in the video) like Emilie Jävle de Forest did a couple of years ago. 

Ireland
Molly Sterling
"Playing with Numbers"
We are usually a sucker for ballad to the piano and a little Irish lilt to the tune.  The words are one we more or less want to listen to and the tune is catchy in places.  But all in all, this one just doesn't work for us.  It doesn't much matter; no one votes for Ireland anyway.

Israel
Nadav Guedj
"Golden Boy"
Boy? Yes.  Golden?  Hardly.  There is part of me that likes the energy and the tribute to Middle Eastern beats and tones.  But there is also insipid element of it as well.  I like the sassy "Three minutes, bye, bye" in the video, though, this is what happens when you write a four minute song and you've only got three minutes to sing it. 

Latvia
Aminata
"Love Injected"
I think this just might be the worst song in the whole competition.  I hate it so much, I'm not even going waste a good insult on it.  All I'll say, Aminata, is when you've got a good song and a good voice, you don't need electronic noise to accompany you (or you drown out) while screaming through it.  That's all I'm saying.

Lithuania
Monika Linkyte and Vaidas Baumila
"This Time"
The song is cute and works for their voices, although his has more substance than hers.  That means they are a little unmatched in the section where they should be blending together.  This song would work better if she matched his voice a little better.  I don't know if they are a couple but they'd have beautiful children if they were.  Did you see the cute gay kiss in the video?  Way to go Lithuania!




Malta
Amber
"Warrior"
It is an interesting song, but Amber just can't quite carry it off.   Or maybe it's not an interesting song at all, and she can't quite carry it off.   Either way, I don't quite believe she's a warrior.  It sounds like she is saying "worrier" and that may be more believable based on this performance.  Malta should be worrying that she won't make it into the finals. 

Montenegro
Knez
"Adio"
What is it about the Montenegrin singers?  They just know how to write and sing a ballad.   The song is very enchanting, with the slight hint of eastern tonality in the music and the lyrical sounding language.   Add to it the rugged scenery of the mountains in the video and it makes for a nice listening experience.  The Balkans don't do as well in the placement as their songs and talent should, but that's the voting system for you.

Stick to curling,
Norway.

Norway
Morland and Debrah Scarlett
"A Monster Like Me"
Eh.  OK.  Not an embarrassment but not a winner.  I like her voice much better than his, although he does sound better when singing with her.  She is a bit of a Norwegian Adele, with a nice quality to her voice.   But I don't much care for the song.   Interesting video, though.  Remind me never to go to a Norwegian dinner party.

Poland
Monika Kuszynska
"In the Name of Love"
A far cry from last year's kitchy but very entertaining entry, Poland sends this simple but moving ballad.  Monika, an experienced performer,  sings it well because she feels the song in her soul.  The video includes a surprise ending--the singer is a wheelchair.  She is, in fact, partially paralyzed after a car accident.   That is when it all comes together.  This song deserves to go to the final on its own merits; the back story makes it all the more compelling to watch her. 


Portugal
Leonor Andrade
"Ha Um Mar Que Nos Separa"
We like a good rock song as much as the next guy, and it breaks the monotony of disco beat tunes at Eurovision some years.   But this one falls as flat as the singer's voice on many of the notes.  No, thank you, Portugal.  You can keep this one. 

San Marino
Anita Simoncini and Michele Perniola
"Chain of Lights"
There is something enchanting about this simple duet.  Given the young ages of the singers, they perform it well and their voices are well matched.  It may not light any fires in Vienna, but should do San Marino proud enough.  They should be enchanting on stage.

Slovenia
Maraaya
"Here for You"
A raspy voice works with the right song.  I am not sure her raspy voice works for this song, though.  Maybe it is too high to be raspy.  I like the song itself, but the overall effect leaves one wanting something better.  I hope she has another chance at Eurovision with better suited material. 

He's a hero.

Sweden
Måns Zelmerlöv
"Heroes"
Although we've been fans of Måns for a long time, and we've heard he's seen as a favorite in Vienna, and maybe even will win, I wish he had a better song.  He can be an ice water singer or pop singer with equal ease.  The version of this song in the preview video is not as good as his performance in Melodifestivalen, Sweden's selection contest for Eurovision.  He's better than this, but should do well for Sweden.  It will be "lagom."





Switzerland
Mélanie René
"Time to Shine"
Melanie is a beautiful woman with a really nice voice.  But I am not a fan of this boring song.  It seems a little manufactured.  Maybe she should sing Slovenia's song instead of this one.   She won't get a chance to shine at Eurovision 2015 with material this bad.



Did you miss our expert commentary on Semifinal 1?  You can find it here.  

Eurovision Song Contest 2015: Semi Final 1 Preview

I wish I had thought of that!

Here is the long awaited Radio Free Järbo Preview of the First Semi Final for the Eurovision Song Contest.  We know that our fans around the world look forward to our pithy commentary, known to be spot on accurate, and even a little bitchy.   

Here's how we did it.  We first listened to all of the songs without looking at the country name or the video.  Then we watched all the videos and heard the songs again.  Before writing, we listened one more time through for accuracy.  We also glanced at the artist profiles.  

Don't worry, we will have commentary on the second semi-final as well as well as those going direct to the finals.  And be sure to watch this space during the Grand Final of Eurovision because we will have the results of the New York jury LIVE!

Agree.  Disagree?  Leave a comment at the end, but we think you'll find it hard to disagree.  

Albania
Elhaida Dani
"I'm Alive"
This song has a catchy beat, which mixed with the little bit of Balkan sound makes it even more interesting. She has a nice voice, and can use power when the song needs it,  but also sings softly for added effect. Albania has had good songs and singers in the past for Eurovision, but gets shafted in the voting.  C'mon Europe.  Send Albania to the finals this year for once.

Nominee: Best video:  It has beautiful production values and compelling to watch.

Armenia
Geneology
"Face the Shadow"
This song, while nice, feels like a song from a Broadway musical that I haven't seen. The structure of the song is a little messy and that makes it hard to listen to and yet, something about it makes you want to anyway.  They have nice individual voices that do not really work well together, the whole being less than the some of its parts.   (Armenia chose the song then chose the singers.)  They need to do some work on their English enunciation, which they hopefully can do while they get ready for Vienna.  It probably should languish in the semis but will probably go on.  

Belarus
Uzari and Maimuna
"Time"
It is a pretty good dance song, which, while not the most unique,  has a good beat and good underlying structure. I like his voice and the violin in background.  The video is a little cliche with the hour glass and all, and Dr. Spock from Start Trek wants his ears back. 

Any straight men
readers? 

Belgium
 Loïc Nottet
"Rhythm Inside"
I wanted to like it especially with the promising beginning but it didn't deliver in the end. "Rap bap bap"as lyrics does not work for.   I am not sure what the song is supposed to mean.  The video is interesting, but it doesn't make me want to like the song more, even though I am a usually sucker for a guy with big pecs taking a selfie.  It should not go to the finals, but I think the "cute boy" factor (he is a cute boy, after all) will come through and he'll squeak by into the finals.  Pity, as some better song will get bumped.

Denmark
Anti Social Media
"The Way You Are"
I guess the folks at Denmark TV do not want to host Eurovision again.  They've sent two kind of bad songs in a row, not that we liked Emilie Jävla de Forest either.  The song maybe could work if reworked a little.  It falls a little short.  Either way,  it really, really needs a better lead singer.   I like the idea of a catchy tune and sort of 50's quality backed up by the way they dressed on stage in the video.  I don't think it should go to the finals, but that's the way I am.

Estonia
Elin Born and Stig Rästa
"Goodbye to Yesterday"
Wow.  This could be the theme song to a James Bond movie.  I like beat and that it is a little unique.  Plus in the video, you can really hear the words; I hope they can keep this up when singing live. Estonia's got talent.  They are not Ott Lepland but I think they should go forward into the finals. 

Nominee:  Best Video.  I like the sexy video, even though has too many onions and blood.  Gunnar wondered if Mercedes paid for product placement. 

FYR Macedonia
Daniel Kajmakoski
"Autumn Leaves"
I liked the song when I first listened, and then the video sold me on it.  He has a nice voice and you can really hear the words, and get the story.  The song itself is well written even if not special or unique.  It is still very nice.

 Nominee:  Best Video.  Very clever use of animation.

Finland
Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät
"Aina Mun Pitää
I am not a fan of hard rock, and basically hate the song.  But the country of Finland has gone up highly in my esteem for sending this group to Eurovision.  They are really attempting to build bridges.



Georgia
Nina Sublatti
"Warrior"
The nations of the Caucuses usually have excellent entries in Eurovison. This song is an exception. It should be full of power, but has a screamer rather than a singer.  It would be nothing without the electronics in the background.  Anyway, only Linda Carter is Wonder Woman, with or without a crown. And what is it with snakes in videos this year? She is in danger of not going to the final. She absolutely shouldn't.



Greece
Maria Elena Kyriakou
"One Last Breath"
I like the song itself but it sounds like she is singing while out of breath.  She needs to be able to do it better than the preview video if she wants to go far in Vienna.   Hopefully she can give it what it takes on stage in Vienna when it counts. The song deserves better (usually we say the artist deserves better).  Gunnar says the confetti in the video are Greek IOU's.

Hungary
Boggie
"Wars for Nothing"
I like this simple tune, with simple words that you can hear because of her nice voice. She blends nicely with the background voices and they all fit the song.   I worry that it all will be hard to hear in a big arena at the show and that the song's simplicity, a major factor, will get lost when surrounded by the other big productions.  Bravo Hungary.

Moldova
Eduard Romanyuta
"I Want Your Love"
This song has a really nice catch, no infectious,  even if it a little bit of a late 90's dance club throwback (but then again, we had fun then, didn't we?).  Not the most lyrical words but they weren't written by a classical poet, were they?  The video is very sexy, but I did not realize that the Moldovan police wore the US flag on their sleeves.  This may make it into the top 10.  I might have been smitten.

Nominee:  Best Video.   Just a couple of steps away from soft core porn.

Netherlands
Trijntje Oosterhuis
"Walk Along"
She sings this well constructed song very well, and she has the right voice for it but it is not a show stopper.  It could get her into the finals, anyway.  Although I don't know why-eye-eye-eye-eye.  Will the guy in the video be on stage as well? It might help.  I suspect he has the words to the song tattooed on his chest.

 Romania
Voltaj
"De La Capat/All Over Again"
There is something I like about the song.   The tune is nice, almost haunting, and the words fit it.  However, I wish their voices  were just a little bit better.  I am not sure I like bilingual bit in the video and hope they pick one or the other language for Vienna.  It works in either one.    The video makes the point of the song more clear and is poignant, and I hope they find a way to make this point on stage.  

Nominee:  Best Video

That's the Russian flag,  Right?

Russia
Polina Gagarina
"A Million Voices"
I like the upbeat song, although there is irony in a Russian representative singing about diversity.   I will admit she has a good voice for the song.  Still the song is fairly well constructed even if a bit run of the mill.  There is, however, very little to set it apart from other songs on its ilk.  To get votes outside of the "Eastern Block" countries, the song would have to be much better than this.  I don't think she's headed for the finals.  I don't think there are a million voices out there that want to vote for it.

His beauty ain't lying either.

Serbia
 Bojana Stamenov
"Beauty Never Lies"
This is a song that grows on you.  I like the energy, and I like her big but controlled voice.  While the electronics are a bit of a throw back to gay bar songs of the 90's (we had fun then, too) it has a nice beat, is danceable yet meaningful, and fun to lip sync to.  Schlagerbögs around the world rejoice!   I adored the original video; it had me smiling and laughing throughout.   I don't know why they changed it.  I want it for the iPod as soon as I can get it and I want, no demand, that is ends up in the top 10 in the final, maybe even the top 5.  Vote for this song. 

We are working on the preview for the second semi final of the Eurovision Song Contest and will have it posted in a few days.  Come back and see what we have to say about that lot!