London Greek Radio

Eurovision fever gathers pace in Greece

Tony Neophytou LGR - Wednesday 6th of February 2008

Kostas Martakis, Kalomoira and Chrispa will assume the mother-of-all battles for the Eurovision accolade.

The press conference had took place on February 6 at the Athens Hilton Hotel, where each act had introduced their rival choices to the public.

All three contenders are good candidates for a top 10 placing within the Eurovision final to be held in Belgrade in May of this year.

Greece will make their decisive choice on February 27, Wedneday
1. Chrispa - A Chance to Love
2. Kostas Martakis - Always and Forever
3. Kalomoira Saranti - Secret Combination

Kostas Martakis - Always for Forever
It is a good contemporary pop song which has the undisputed flair of Greece's ace song-writer, Dimitris Kontopoulos, whose hit-making prowess has stunned artists such as Sakis Rouvas, Peggy Zina and of course Kostas! The male contender has a very good vocal, in this melodic pop-rock number.

A big plus point, 'Always and Forever' has the strongest melodic line of the contenders. There should be a mention for the lyricist Vicki Gerothodorou, who made their writing debut in English and succeeded on a job well-executed. Her former conquests have been with Giorgos Dalaras and Paschalis Terzis.

The song has the absolute requisite to do exceptionally well, a massive summer hit in the making, even beyond the frontiers of Greece's borders.

"The specific song was not composed for Eurovision. It is a song which was meant to be released as a CD single in Eastern Europe by SONY BMG Russia."(Kostas Martakis)

The modest artist had emphasised, "Greek viewers should not vote for me. They should vote the singer who can best represent the country in the best maximum way. I will accept any result."

The big new hit for Kostas Martakis has the credentials for securing a top 10 position in the Serbian Eurovision.

Are the public to vote for a mainstream pop tune or a Greek motivated rhythm - with the offerings by Chrispa and Kalomoira?

Kalomoira - Secret Combination
K-Moira has claimed to have found a 'secret combination' to a winning Eurovision formulae. It thrives on the sizzling musical elements of the pronounced Eastern sounds, Greek and R'n'B rhythmical beats - with the incessant thumping bass-line.

It's got a catchy hook, a recognisable addictive beat and does a create a good first impression - the instant appeal factor which any good Eurovision number has to possess.

"I want to bring the Eurovision trophy to Greece!" Kalomoira has underlined.

The not so secretive desire of Kalmoira's Euro ambitions could yet be rewarded with the luractive prize, the song itself is definitely within the mould of Greece's ethnic song-wise contributions into the competition, other such initiatives have included 'My Number One', 'Yassou Maria' and 'Shake It'.

While the song is exceptionally infectious the repetitious lyrics won't disguise the slightly underwhelming sense of fulfillment, the extra bit of oomph which is lacking.

"The moment I first heard it, I fell in love with it. I just felt like it was just right."

"With Konstantinos Pantzis we have worked together so many times and I feel so comfortable when we work together! He knows my voice and style so well!
(Kalomoira)

Composer is Konstantinos Pantis and the lyrics are by Poseidonas Giannopoulos.

Chrispa - A Chance to Love
Now this is what a final must have - a good quality tsifteteli which is sung in Greek, with the chorus in English. If the voting public do opt for a plate-breaking anthem, then this could steal the votes off Kalomoira's much stronger alternative.

It's got a good rhythmical beat which is reminiscent of the popular modern Greek music. It could have benefited from other Greek instruments which is superseded with Oriental flavoured elements. After a few listens, it permeates that notion that this is a slightly 'weaker' tune, a chorus with lots of cliches, amiss of some oomph, with a lack of a real bite and aggressiveness. And those qualities are the stock and trade of the fiesty Chrispa - but this song plays the soft option, with scarcely sufficient 'twists and turns' to really stun the listener.

There is an optimisim that this could yet produce a good top 10 in Belgrade.

"I have decided to submit the specific song because it gives me the chance to show to the Greek public a part of me they have not discovered yet. Moreover, this song has all the potentials to become successful in the rest of the European markets as well. It has a rather unique, yet interesting rhythm that attracts attention." (Chrispa)

Semi-Final One (Greece) Tuesday 20 May 20.00 GMT
Greece will be set to compete in the opening salvo to the qualifiers.

LGR has launched a popularity poll - What TUNE do you love?

Check out the vote:

http://www.lgr.co.uk/lgr/vote