FRANCE WINTER 2008 REVIEW

Now the time has come to the French National Final. This one has also some great pieces but I doubt the best song will win in France. First I must say the tele2 has not searched for the best quality for all, some are still only live versions and some are so low in volume you can hardly hear. At least this time all songs are well numbered and named. Thankyou Greg for that.

01 - "Histoire de luv'" K-Maro & Shym
Just as the K-Maro should have gone to Eurovision in 2007 this great piece of modern pop, the mix of melodic rap and pop could in my mind turn out to bring new style to any contest. As a K-Maro fan I support this one 100%. Bonne chance!

02 - "Dessine-moi un mouton" Mylene Farmer
Mylene is Mylene. It is a good song and sung god. But there is a haunting tune that seams to go on and on and on and the crushing guitars don’t help either. But she sings fantastique as always. Bravo Mylene.

03 - "L'accordéoniste" Olivia Ruiz
Seams the quality in French National Final is higher than usually. And also the range of style is huge. Now the real music. Edith Piaf was the best France saw in last century and this Oliva almost Bring her alive again. A 4 minute pleasure but in USC it would not be recognised for what it is. Pure art.

04 - "Comme toi" Najoua Belyzel
Welcome back Najoua, The first winner of USC in 2006. Two years after her triumph she tries to go a 2nd time and again she is magnificent but where is the song? This is very weak compared to Gabriel. The verses are weak but the strong chorus though could get her high results. Watch out for this one.

05 - "Puisque c'est ma rose" Jeff & Romain Cortese
If the German ballad marathon makes you fall asleep at times, this first ballad comes as 5th song and as such you appreciate it more. Lovelly piece of music but not for USC. And is there no rule in USC to prevent the children from enter? In 2006-2007 there sure was not and well the children did not invade. I only remember one entry from Denmark to be sung by ca very young singer..

06 - "Nous ne sommes pas" Laura Presgurvic & Co
Now, N O W, I wake up. This is pure pop and if I am in France at the time of final I will pick up the phone. Are you not here? Oh yes you are here and should be able to go all the way. The only problem is that it finish too early. Bravo Greg!!

07 - "Rosso" Cerena
Spanish passion now from France. Italian passion too. I didn’t know this kind existed in France but I like it a lot. Italian sseams to be all over in preselection this year and I love it. Rosso rocks but wouldn’t go high in USC because no matter how good artist is the song is not soty marerial.

08 - "Mets un peu de musique" Ever & Ever
Was this not already in Eurovision ini 1985? Hm….for Luxembourg? Maybe not but it sounds very very old indeed. But inf this was nf 1986 I would give it high points though. But it is 2007.
(4 if it was 1985)

09 - "Emmenez-moi" Damien Sargue
I can’t hear Greg. Schhhh all this is a hearing problem test. A child with a bad mp3 version. Poor boy. He even got a boring song. Sorry no sympathy here.

10 - "La fidélité" Elodie Frégé
As much as I appreciate different style I don’t like this anti rhythmic thing. Where is melody? It is just same phrase over again…and the “pow” synth pad is so annoying. Next please.

11 - "Pour elle" Julian Cely
Oh a ballad. And good luck since he has that **** before him so it seams better than it is. Ordinary mid tempo ballad from France. But an Ok entry for the 2nd half. Not really no.

12 - "Du courage" La Grande Sophie
Crushing guitars is a huge risk when it comes to me. Has to be used in a very rhythmic way for me to like and here it is simply just noice. And why is she knowing only one word? Du courage…yes indeed she need a lot of currage to entry with this awful song.

13 - "L'envie d'aimer" Daniel Lévi
Oh, the French have christmas fever too. But I already start to miss the German nf now. I do not wanna sleep at this stage in a show. No, this makes me nervous. I need to go get a drink to survive.
(NO STARS)

14 - "SOS" Lorie
Oh how appropriate to make a plee for rescue. But at last some up tempo after 5 bad numbers. Maybe too much rap and scratching for my taste but it is good. I only wonder if it is from 2007 or if it is 1993…Well, no maters, this is what a national final should have more of.

15 - "Belle" Patrick Fiori, Garou & Daniel Lavoie
Ohhhhh…if the other ballads so far bored me this singer can pull off a number magnifique. I am totally sweapt away by this great musical style song sung in perfection. But it could be as well a modern ballad as well. First one I really would love to see the video of so here it is VIDEO. Enjoy. France has found a winner. Congratulations. Only amazing and when they enter one by one you must all realise this is pure art. Originelle, pas du tout criminelle. Bravo Greg, merci encore une fois. And remember this is a LIVE recording you have!

16 - "Les rois du monde" Philippe D'avilla, Grégori Baquet & Damien Sargue
And now classics go pop. I always had a weakness for when you take classic symphonic music and mix with pop and here they do it very well.

17 - "Je t'aime plus que tout" Ronan Keating & Cécilia Cara
Why is this here. Next, I even couldn’t listen. No need to mention the problem with keaton not being French in origine.
(NO STARS)

18 - "Mon cabaret" Sofia Essaïdi
Arghhhh
(NO STARS – NO STARS AT ALL)

19 - "Butterfly" Superbus
No please now they destry the end completely. That “pow” sound is back and same same same….all over in a loop. Butterfly fly fly away and do not return.

20 - "Tourner ma page" Jenifer
This is just too much rap for me.
(NO STARS)

Well, France has brought masterpieces and even winner potentials to USC but will they beat the other? I doubt it. But I suggest you attend the French national final for the highlights and endure the nightmares with it. It is worth it. So please the modern K-Maro or the masterpiece "Belle" or the pure pop with Laura Presgurvic, if she is French.

GERMAN WINTER 2008

So it is time to say what Germany has to bring for USC in 2008. It pleases me that all song are from 2007, that is N E W. But the preselection jury really must be Italians since there is always these overflow of ballads. So after listening carefully I must say that the germans once again has found some great songs but that there is things in their nf that belong elsewhere.



1 Cascada - What Hurts The Most (Candelight Mix)
Lovely voice as always that put me to sleep. And there was an up-beat version? wasn't there? well, since the germans won USC with the candlelight version in the summer of 2006 after so many years waiting for victory after the 1990 scorpions triumph I must say that they will not pull this number of again. It is too weak for a top 5 even.



2 No Angels - Amaze me
Now this one is better. With the 2nd place in Autumn 2006 a ballad must be the choice for German but I doubt this one could make it. Great tune but keep me sleeping. Tell me when I should wake up.


3
Dashboard Confessional feat. Juli - Stolen
A very modern song if it had been USC 1985. Is it the grand daughter of U2 from Ireland or it is simply what they have in Germany these days. "You have stolen my heart" is a line that we heard to many times already. Next please.
(NO STAR)


4
System in Blue - Voodoo Queen
Should I be scared of teh Voodo. Is this Systems in blue without Modern Talking or with them? This haunted voice of djungle disco and german disco beat of synthezisers makes me happy. Not anything to go well with critics of other Magazines. But it is up-tempo and I bet the show on stage will be something that will make the audience take up the phone to vote. Bravo Germany. Not even the ballad lovers are now asleep anymore. Pure light delight. Will this do good in USC? Maybe not but I loove it. 12p to Germany and Liza.


5
Mark Medlock & Dieter Bohlen - Unbelievable
What has happened here? The candlelight virus? Well, its a nice melody and a good singer but it is not christmas contest this one. It is the hit music of Europe to clash. zzzzz but a 3rd star for the feeling the singer bring but is it unbelievable or incredeable? No.


6
Kristina Bach - Frohes neues Jahr, Ihr Lieben
So christmas could not keep out of winter grand pris after all. hehe. But I like. And I like a lot. Another light song but this time with a huge schlager voice. An I love these songs in native german. Go Kristina. Ich liebe dich. Ich mag fruhstuck mit dir. ja, danke. 12p to Germany!!! Trala, la, la. lala...


7
Nevio - Giulia
Is this Italian import? Ws there not supposed to be enheritage rules now? Aha ok, I know, Father Italian, Mother German and born in German. Singing in Italian they sure to get 12p from Italian and maltese jury *(if there was one). But seriously this song take my breath away a bit. As a Italian music fan and with my all time favourite USC song being sung in Italian/French ("Vivo per lei" 1997) I am more than pleased to see this compete in USC. Oh it has not won yet?. OK. I can wait. But in USC this is a top 3 song that has "soty 2008" as a sure thing. Maximum points for this one.



8
Lisa Bund - Learn To Love You
Yes, you will learn to love but only if you do not fall asleep first. Great voice indeed. But please, this is the ballad marathon again.


9
Jojos feat Anna Maria Zimmermann - Der erste kuss
Next please. This is the last place in this final. Who recommended this to german delegation? He can not be German. He can not be an USC player. Well if so the he must be doing bad in USC, very bad indeed.
(NO STAR)


10 Sasha - Hide and seek
Yes, do so. Get lost. Hide and seek and hopefully no one will find you.

So again German final hold a high standard with some great songs. It will be easy to make my phone calls if I am in germany for this one. 5 calls for Giulia and 5 calls for the Voodo Queen. I'd love to see German do some Voodo in USC but I guess they go with the sure thing. The Italian heart breaker Nevio and then again a top result for Germany and with enough ballad lovers and Italians listeners we could be meeting in Frankfurt or Berlin to Spring.

Until next time - Enjoy the music

France preparing for Winter

French final is now open on : http://2008franceusc.blogspot.com/

Vote in ESC style for your top 10

USC enters Extravaganza

USC to compete in Online Music Extravaganza
Online Music Extravaganza is an online contest, where managers send the best three 2007 entries of their contest. USC will compete with these three songs, which were 3 winners during 2007:

Sonja Aldén - För att du finns : Sweden : Spring Edition 2007 : 1st (41 participants with semi) Player: Swedish TEAM, Hampus & Jörgen 158 pts

Tamta - With love : Greece : Summer Edition 2007 : 1st (38 participants with semi) Player : Babis 210 pts

Celine Dion - Á cause : Luxembourg : Autumn Edition 2007 : 1st ( 37 participants with semi) Player : Yannick 140 pts

The semi-finals of Online Music Extravaganza will be probably held in February, while the final takes place in March. Along with the managers, all members from all contests are allowed to vote.

A big name for Spain

The Spanish Delegation has announced a big name for the Winter Edition, due to the last position in the Autumn Final. "We must change a lot of things for not repeating the bottom", said the Spanish chief. "May be, the best way for winning is a big name, a very representative Spanish singer or group that make us dream with a new Top 5". In fact, Spain didn't reach a good position since the 3rd place of Rebeca in USC Summer 2006, long time ago... One of the favourites for representing Spain is D'Nash with his new single, Amanda, but the Spanish Delegation doesn't want to say anything yet about it. We will wait for news in a few weeks. "We promise an important singer and a good song".

MELOSONGFESTIVALEN GRAND PRIX

Hello USC Members!

As you all know we have already enjoyed all the 4 editions of United Song Contest 2007. You have been able to hear 84 Swedish Song along these seasons. In Winter and Summer we had a 10-songs-edition and we had a full-32-songs-edition in Spring and Autumn.

We think it's time to make a review of all of them. To make it easy, we would like to invite all European Juries to vote for the BEST song and singer of the year.

We have created several categories:

• Best Swedish song at USC
• Best Swedish Performer at USC
• Best Swedish Performance at USC
• Best Male Soloist at Melosongfestivalen
• Best Female Soloist at Melosongfestivalen
• Best Duett at Melosongfestivalen
• Best Group at Melosongfestivalen
• Best Male Song at Melosongfestivalen
• Best Female Song at Melosongfestivalen
• Best Edition of Melosongfestivalen
• Best Non-Swedish Artist at Melosongfestivalen
• Best International Song at USC

You have to fill in the FORM by choosing one option from each category and finally lick on SUBMIT after writing your Name, the Country you are playing with at USC and your eail adress.(IF IT'S NOT WRITEN, THE VOTES WILL NOT BE VALID)

You an vote untill DECEMBER 28th. The results will be announced on December 30th on Melosongfestivalen's Official Website.

Thank you very much,
Swedish Team

BY THE WAY: IN FEW DAYS, A NEW SURPRISE WILL BE GIVEN...STAY TUNED!

ORF welcomes the new management - and says thanks to Liza & Jörgen

ORF, on behalf of the whole Austrian public, wants to welcome the new management! Greg, Babis and Alan: we wish you good luck, good nerves and also a lot of fun for your new tasks. ORF wants to say that it is very satisfied with the new managers, and strongly believes that they will continue the success of USC. Austria guarantees participation in all 4 regular editions of 2008.

Furthermore ORF wants to say thanks to the passing management, Liza and Jörgen. You have built an amazing online contest - for me, Mack, the best that I have ever seen. Because it is not just an online contest with songs and results - it is a community, where the players meet and talk with each other, whether in the chatroom or in MSN. I have met so many wonderful persons here and I don't want to miss that. No matter if we had fun, if we argued or if we just talked about our passion. A wonderful community has grown, and you can be proud of that!

I hope that we will see you often in the USC chat, also when you won't be managers anymore. I am honored that I could have been active member at least for 2 editions under your management.

And for now I say: Tack så mycket, Liza och Jörgen!

GREECE IS FAVOURITE IN SOTY

Here are the line up for SOTY 2007 and with only 12 countries competing there are many songs from same country. Greece has got full house with 4 songs, Sweden got 3 songs, Latvia, Norway and Andorra has 2 songs each. Good Luck everyone. SOTY is opened for voting for everyone in USC. Tamta is considered a favourite with here 210p in summer edition.

NEW MANAGEMENT 2008

A new Management will take over USC in 2008. USC News are the first to make the announcement of the new managers.

Computer shutdown in half of UBU Sweden

50% of the Swedish UBU office has suffered from a major computer server crash and many things are not as it should be at Georgies office. For at least 2 weeks, maybe more, there will be no contact with his office nor his soulseek connection. But the French UBU section is fully operating now again (after 5?) weeks of offline situation. And the other 50% of Swedish UBU is still online for now. We hope you can bare with us. Georgie has been granted hotmail access to the Royal Castle "Tre kronor" to install the voting counting system for backup. But as usual there is a 3 independent calculation stations for 100% accuracy in voting. Semifinal votes will be needed at latest this sunday the November 11th at midnight.