It’s taken me awhile to get to the subject of Eurovision this year. What prompted me today is that I just heard 2009 winner Alexander Rybak and his Eurovision winning song “Fairytale” on the radio.

Since I’ve been living in England, I discovered the Eurovision Song Contest and haven’t missed a year yet. I love watching the contest for the humor (some die hards may not see it), the costumes and the all around entertainment. With a very open mind when watching, there are even some gems of songs and singers amongst the rough.

Watch Alexander Rybak – “Fairytale”:

One of those gems was Alexander Rybak from Norway. When he started singing that night in Moscow, I wasn’t sure at first, but the more the song went on, I knew we might be on to a winner. And sure enough – it was, and for me, the song still is! Even charting in the UK – and listening to it on the radio is a treat.

“Fairytale” is a great song. You can feel the energy and the passion, the instrumentation is superb – and I just found out that Alexander wrote and composed it. Excellent, even better now. A well deserved winner.

So this means the 2010 Eurovision contest will be held in Norway.

That would be an adventure – going to see the show live…

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Alexander Rybak on amazon.co.uk

Alexander Rybak on amazon.com

Alexander Rybak Official Website
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Eurovision Song Contest Official Website

By: Jenny May – BandWeblogs.com

Following the sensational sold-out performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall last September, the multi-million pound live concert tour ABBA The Show will return to the UK on 14th October, 2008 to launch the UK leg of its World Tour 2008.

Read – ABBA The Show Review

Stopping in 8 cities across the UK, the tour starts at the Newcastle Metro Arena on Tuesday 14th October, 2008 followed by Sheffield, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Liverpool, London Wembley Arena and Brighton, closing at the Birmingham NIA, before heading on to Europe, Asia and America.

ABBA The Show centres around 4 singers, collectively known as Waterloo, who look, dance, and sound EXACTLY the same as Bjorn, Benny, Agnetha and Frida. Add to this a truly staggering production which includes a full orchestra, musicians from Abba’s original 1970’s line-up, huge video screens and hundreds of thousands of pounds-worth of lighting, and you have what even the official fan club has described as “Absolutely the best ABBA since ABBA”.

Last year’s London Royal Albert Hall show was attended by a diverse and very vocal audience including retro girls-night-out parties, Eurovision Dancing Queens and guys and girls of all ages with a passion for one of the most enduring pop bands of all time. To get an idea of just how impressive the singing is check out this link:

Watch ABBA The Show video

With the Mamma Mia film launch, which took place in London July 1st, 2008, public and media interest in Abba is at an all-time high. But those looking to get close to the band and their story on the Big Screen will find they can get closer still by attending ABBA The Show on the Big Stage!

Flying Music and CS Entertainment Proudly Present: ABBA The Show – full 2008 UK tour dates as follows:

All tickets £35.00 except Aberdeen £32.00 and London £37.50 (+ booking fees)

(Dates and information subject to change)

Tues 14th October 2008 Newcastle Metro Arena (Box Office – 0844 493 6666)
Weds 15th October 2008 Sheffield Arena (Box Office – 0114 256 5656)
Fri 17th October 2008 Aberdeen Arena (Box Office – 0844 477 9000)
Sat 18th October 2008 Glasgow Clyde Auditorium (x 2) (Box Office – 0870 040 4000)
Sun 19th October 2008 Liverpool Echo Arena (Box Office – 0844 800 0400)
Tues 21st October 2008 Wembley Arena (Box Office – 0844 815 0815)
Weds 22nd October 2008 Brighton Centre (Box Office – 0844 847 1515)
Thurs 23rd October 2008 Birmingham NIA (Box Office – 0871 945 6000)

Tickets – Flying Music

ABBA still sells around 2 million records a year – this show packs all their greatest hits into a 2-hour musical extravaganza.

ABBA The Show follows the ABBA story from their Eurovision beginnings all the way to major chart success. It is performed by Sweden’s Waterloo, a world-renowned group who bring Abba to life, together with The National Symphony Orchestra of London conducted by Matthew Freeman.

ABBA The Show has had phenomenal success around the globe reaching audiences in India, Spain and the USA, climaxing with a sold-out performance at the famous Hollywood Bowl. The show always tours with at least one former original band member of Abba. Since the original production started the following members have guest starred:

Ulf Andersson – Saxophone
Lasse Wellander – Guitarist
Mats Ronander – Guitarist
Finn Sjöberg – Guitarist
Rutger Gunnarsson – Bass
Ola Brunkert – Drums
Roger Palm – Drums

The show kicks off at the tail end of the 60s when Bjorn, Benny, Agnetha and Frida meet to play together for the very first time. Throughout the course of the production, the audience is led on a magical journey through the rise and rise of ABBA.

Featuring classic songs such as Waterloo, SOS, Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, Money Money Money, Knowing Me Knowing You and many more, this promises to be the must-see event of 2008.

“A night to remember” – London Lite

For more information, go to:

ABBA The Show Official Website

Sometimes it can be difficult having an open ear for all genres of music. Especially when it comes to explaining to my hardcore rock, metal or indie friends that I do indeed like Celine Dion. It’s even more difficult for me to keep my feelings to myself about how great an entertainer and singer she is. Luckily there are some people in my life who do appreciate her as well, and considering she’s sold over 180 million albums, I suppose there are some others out there who understand her talent as much as I do if not more.

I was really hoping that one day I would be able see her show in Vegas during her five year stint at Caesars Palace. She’s at her best when performing live and is such a character. Unfortunately I won’t be able to see her in Las Vegas since her last show will be this December, and then she’s off on a world tour which starts February 14th, 2008 in South Africa, to the delight of her fans around the world I’m sure.

‘Taking Chances’ is Celine Dion’s latest album, set for release November 12th, 2007 in the UK. I’ve got my hands on it and have been enjoying it. Let’s just get this out of the way: ‘Taking Chances’ is full of pop with elements of modern country, soul and power ballads and if that’s what you’re after, then this full 16 track Deluxe Edition CD + exclusive sneak peak DVD (with Vegas footage!) is for you.

Recently I reviewed opening track “Taking Chances”, written by Kara DioGuardi and Dave Stewart and I still feel that it could be the best pop ballad I’ve heard all year.

When “Alone” came on it took me by surprise and I was singing so loud along with the track I had to play it again to hear Celine’s singing – which of course her “punchier” version of Heart’s pop ballad hit from ‘87, produced by Ben Moody, sounds great. I especially like the intro – it’s gorgeous the way the bass comes in and then the cello and Celine’s voice.

“Surprise Surprise” also written by Kara DioGuardi, is a stand out track with a contemporary/country/pop feel. I wouldn’t be surprised (no pun intended) if it gets released sometime around Christmas and reached #1, but I’m just not sure if the lyrics would suit for Christmas, though. I am sure that when Celine performs “Surprise Surprise” live during her tour, it will be one of the big crowd pleasers of the night.

There’s a Barbara Streisand “No More Tears” feel to Celine’s vocal performance on the emotionally driven and atmospheric “This Time”, with the determined lyrics about being “another victim of poison love”.

It’s good to hear two Linda Perry (4 Non Blondes) songs included on the ‘Taking Chances’ album. The piano-lead “My Love” and the superb gospel number “New Dawn”. Linda Perry not only wrote the songs, but she also plays electric and acoustic guitars, organ, mellotron and piano on “My Love” and she plays piano, acoustic, sings background vocals on “New Dawn” and engineered and produced on both tracks.

“A World To Believe In” could have been a Faith Hill song, but it’s good to hear Celine Dion singing on such a beautiful and modern-country tinged song. There’s quite a change of pace when the upbeat and big production of “Can’t Fight The Feeling” starts up and I can’t believe that Shaffer Smith aka Ne-Yo co-wrote, co-produced and sings background vocals on the ballad “I Got Nothing Left”, another great vocal performance by Celine. It’s easy to forget that it’s Celine Dion singing to the waltz beat of “Right Next To The Right One”. It sounds quite different from what I’m used to hearing her sing – and I like it.

I’m not so sure about “Just Fade Away”. It has a Kelly Clarkson/Eurovision feel to it, which isn’t the best combination in the world. Then again, Celine Dion did win the Eurovision Song Contest when she represented Switzerland in 1988. There’s obviously a market for “Just Fade Away”, but not for me.

Blues number “That’s Just The Woman In Me” makes up for it, though. It has a Sam Cooke “Bring It On Home To Me”/Aretha Franklin feel with Celine Dion’s soulful vocals – and a Janis Joplin like scream at the end.

Let’s not forget about the additional exclusive sneak peak DVD! It includes the trailer for Celine Dion’s “A New Day Live In Las Vegas” with interview clips. There are also four exclusive songs, including one of my favorite Celine cover songs, “I Drove All Night” originally recorded by Roy Orbison and then Cyndi Lauper.

I highly recommend this Deluxe Edition CD/DVD for Celine Dion fans everywhere!

Celine Dion ‘Taking Chances’ album track listing:

1. Taking Chances
2. Alone
3. Eyes On Me
4. My Love
5. Shadow Of Love
6. Surprise Surprise
7. This Time
8. New Dawn
9. A Song For You
10. A World To Believe In
11. Can’t Fight The Feeling
12. I Got Nothing Left
13. Right Next To The Right One
14. Just Fade Away
15. That’s Just The Woman In Me
16. Skies Of L.A.

DVD track listing:

1. Trailer for the DVD “Live In Las Vegas – A New Day”
2. The Power of Love
3. I Drove All Night
4. I Surrender
5. I Wish

Celine Dion – Taking Chances album on amazon.com

Celine Dion Official Website

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs

Last night, the world premiere for the 2007 production of ABBA The Show took place at the Royal Albert Hall in London. I was there, and for about two hours, I think I was surrounded by the happiest people on the planet. There have been a few people in my life who are big ABBA fans, but I didn’t realize how hardcore their fan base was until last night at the sold out show.

This was the first time that I had been to the Royal Albert Hall. It’s amazing how intimate and yet large the historical venue is. Beautiful as well. I’ve seen many concerts at the Royal Albert Hall on TV, but I don’t remember seeing an audience quite like the one at the ABBA show. Let me just put it this way – if you’re thinking about buying tickets to one of the shows when they go on tour next year, be prepared for a party atmosphere – and to dance. If you don’t, then you will feel out of place!

The show seemed so authentic, and there were times that I felt like I was in a working wax museum. The costumes, the way that the singers and musicians from Sweden’s Waterloo playing Bjorn, Benny, Agnetha and Frida moved, the songs, the audience reaction – it was as if I was transported in time, back to when ABBA was on tour in the 70’s. This seemed even more surreal when original band members including Ulf Andersson (sax) and Lasse Wellander (guitar) came on stage to play.

There was narration by Matthew Freeman, who was also conducting The National Symphony Orchestra of London. In between sets, he would introduce each era of the ABBA phenomenon – through song and music, periods of when they formed, were on tour, divorce and their 1974 Eurovision win with the infamous, “Waterloo”, costumes and all.

Of course all of the popular ABBA songs were there: “Mamma Mia”, “Dancing Queen”, “Money Money Money”, “Knowing Me Knowing You”, “Take A Chance On Me”, “Voulez Vous”, “Chiquitita”, “Fernando”, “SOS” and more.

Camilla Hedren as Agnetha and Katja Nord as Anni-Frid (Frida) looked and sounded great. The band was top notch as were the backup singers. I’m sure it will be their performance that I’ll remember for a long time whenever I hear ABBA’s music.

If you’re an ABBA fan, not to be missed. Highly recommended.

For more information, go to:

Waterloo Official Website
Flying Music
ABBA The Show
ABBA Official Website

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs