BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

10/02/2005

Belarus: detailed report from the Belarusian national selection [in development]

Fotis Konstantopoulos reporting from Athens (Greece)

Belarusian selection began with a well made intro representation of the sub logo upon the map of Greece. The stage appeared and dancers in ancient Greek clothes appeared to dance...The Zorba! The Belarusian selection started in the most Greek way with a song which most of the planet knows by definition! The music became famous during the 60's after the movie "Zorba the Greek" and it seems it has also impressed the ex-Soviet Republic. The stage was coloured in blue, green and red, combining the national flag of the country with the typical colour of Greece: blue. The ballet performed the Zorba act in an excellent way; well done girls. The host appeared and welcomed the auditors and viewers. The host presented to the viewers images of Greece covered with snow (last week). Didn't exactly understood why this was done! An impressive Royal Music aired inside the venue, followed by another club sound. Anyway...

He continued to talk to the public, explaining the basic rules of the selection and the ones of the Eurovision Song Contest. The jury then, was presented by his co-hostess dressed in casual, while the host was in suit. The presentation of the jury was usefull. The jury later on this month will select the one, among three, entrant who will represent the country in the Eurovision edition of Athens. The host then started to present the participants, each one of which came on stage through the stairs while the audience applaud its own favourites. Oh how lovely it was like a pageant contest. The audience showed clearly special preference to many of the participants. It seems the outcome will be difficult through televoting; televoting battle its on the way!

Song number one is on stage: Prima Vera - I Can See The Rising Sun. Impressive post cards accompany each entry and definitely the Belarusian television did a remarkable graphic job. First song begins dynamic. Pop uptempo song with impressive introduction. The female leading vocalist is though average on live performance but the song itself is definitely above average. Nice to hear that Belarusian preselection artists perform in their national language. A happy song, modern style and mainstream sound. Definitely familiar with the western European styles and the language does not distrubed us at all!

Song number two now: Dali - Europe's Heart's Groove. I have to say it again, the post cards are an impressive artwork. The song is performed in English. The outfits are ... Belarusian style. The song is like a Russian roumba (don't ask what is this). It is a very happy and interesting song. Vocally the leader singer has breath problems but the songs runs smoothly. Some might love it, some might hate it. The singer is dancing now on a ... suitcase (how lovely; is he on his way to Athens already?) The song reminds (in a very general way of speaking) the Austrian 2005 entry (in terms of stage appearane and performance). The auditors went crazy with this song...

Song number three on stage: Janet - Mysterious Logic. Janet is objectively a very attactive soloist. I was confused with the song: The introduction reminds me Ireland 2005. God! Angelica Agurbash's sister! Janet is seating in a golden throne. The song is impressive unlike her voice. The song is interpreted in English. The Ruslana impact is strongly depicted on this entry. A stage with flame images in the background and dancers similar to the ones of Ruslana's. This song is nice, no one can deny it but it is too much Ukraine 2005. It also needs a better end.

Fourth song on stage: Helena Grishanova - You Can't Stop This Dance. Helena name must be a trend nowadays in Eurovision (if you know what I mean). A tango introduction and a female soloist with an extremely short skirt! Two singer accompany her. It reminds (in terms of stage appearance) a modern version of 2001 Lithuanian entry by Skamp. The song is nice but they need a different version in order to make it good and attractive. The song has a feeling, and as a modern tango surely addresses the Eurovision voters saying that Belarus can be western country. The song bridge is dance beat and then speeds up (remember Israel 1988? something like that). Nice, very nice concept. If someone didn't know he is watching BTRC he would swear this song is from Israel.

Song number five on stage: Gosia Andrzejewicz (Malgozhata Andrzejewich, Poland) - Dangerous Game. One more dance act with a club dance intro. The female soloist is pretty and she interprets the song smoothly. Definitely a different song somehow. The modern approach and English lyrics, the up and down sound makes it more impressive than it actually is. Been in the fifth song it seems that BTRC made a very good choice of songs this year. Very warm applauce for this song.

The host came on stage and said some things and details to the viewers about the televoting. His co-hostess in the jury panel contunued the explanation and spoke with some of the jurors. Well some of them considered as an appropriate dressing code to dress like the stage theme (in the jury room). Lovely. The show continues now with song number six: Alexandra Gaiduk - An A-Class Face. Alexandra has impressive eyes and a classy - rock style. Smooth and nice rock introduction. Dressed in black she was accompanied by two female backing vocalists, a half naked guitarist, a dressed guitarist and a drumer. Vocally she is ok, the song transforms to strong rock in the refrain and it has some ethnic elements in the couples. She reminded me (in a very general ay of speaking again) the Jalisse (Italy 1997) female performer. The song might not be someone's taste but I am sure it is more than impressive for a Eurovision stage performance.

Seventh song on stage: Lyavony - Come Back. A boyish duo start performing on stage. A very impressive and classical intro for the song with violins. The blond long haired guy performs lovely. The song is like a march and the vocal performance is extremely good. The song has nothing to do with what he heard so far. This song should definitely be among the three finalists. It creates a sentiment of watching a movie, watching opera but in a very unique and modern way. The casual outfits proove this song could easily represent any country in Europe. Excellent performance. I am so impressed...! The auditors went mad at the end of the performance.

Song number eight now on stage: Tyana - You Never Know. Elements of country and rock are included in the song. She is dressed in white and pink. This song is interesting but her performance (in terms of voice) seems a bit week although she manages to perform extremely well the refrain. Two hip hope dancers accompany her. Three backing vocals dressed in black are on the side adding more sentiment to the song.

Source:

http://www.oikotimes.com/site/index.php?id=3789

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