London Greek Radio
Your No.1 Greek Hit Music Station
The secret weapon for Eurovision glory
Kalomoira will sing the infectious ethnic, RnB song 'Secret Combination' in this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Serbia, Belgrade.
The big new hit has a catchy hook, a recognisable addictive beat underlying the attention-grabbing act with oriental/Greek plate-smashing vibes!
The artist who was born in New York had claimed a sensational win in the national selection, netting two and half times greater the amount of votes than her closest rival, Kalomoira had polled 167.000, Kostas Martakis 56.000 and Chrispa was third on 35.000.
Her slich choreographed routine saw Kalomoira fitted into a pink J-Lo designer out-fit, deliberately intended to raise the eye-brow.
The synchronised dance moves were enacted with precision, with the opening salvo, a fiesty Kalomoira who was hoisted into mid-air, by the fellow dancers, visually, it was quite effective. Two of the dancers had featured in the winning team of Elena Paparizou in 2005, in a performance which was reminiscent of that mammoth success, yet still coming across fresh and distinctive, for this femme fatale who will lead Greece's charge onto the score-board. Is that a good omen?
Her entry rekindles the fond memories of glorious initiatives with 'My Number One', 'Yassou Maria' and 'Shake It', all of whom have one tangible asset, the fushion of Greek, ethnic and contemporary musical genres.
But for all the contagious beats, the intrumental break in the latter third, proves to be a nice distraction from the rather repetitious lyrics.
"I want to bring the Eurovision trophy to Greece!" Kalomoira has proclaimed.
LGR listeners who responded to the vote on 'What TUNE do you love? had strongly favoured Kalomoira who took 56%, Kostas Martakis 32% and Chrispa in third on 12%. Her girl-like innocence and quite considerable charm, was probably the 'secret' formulae to winning the confidence of the public.
"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.
New York born Kalomoira Saranti, is 22 years old. She was the winner in the popular talent show Fame Story in 2004.
Her debut album, Kalomoira, went gold. Kalomoira is a very familiar face to the Greek audiences as she appeared in Lampsi, one of the longest running local soap operas, before moving on to co-host morning shows. Her next release was Paizeis in 2005, followed by I Kalomoira paei cinema (Kalomoira goes to the movies) where she sang popular all time Greek cinema classics.
Greek viewers had accounted for 60 per cent of the votes, while the jury the other 40% which included Eurovision winner Christos Dantis. The voting figures which were released by the Greek media showed Kalomoira had a landside victory over Kostas Martakis on 167.000, Kostas Martakis 56.000 and Chrispa was third on 35.000.
The heat stages had taken place at the Athinon Music Arena with hosts Maggira Sisters, which boasted 4.500 spectators.
The Eurovision Semi-Final (one) which is planned on May 20, is to see Greece vying for a place in the Final on May 24, in Belgrade, Serbia.
Kostas Martakis - Always for Forever
Melodic pop-rock that really is well produced, with ace song-writer Dimitris Kontopolous, proving his credentials as one of Greece's top composers, who has penned hits for Sakis Rouvas, Peggy Zina and of course Kostas Martakis!
Kostas, vocally, was fine in belting out this pacey, power ballad.
He wore a classy, white Armani suit, the colour for this performance, with his four-member ballet fitted into white, for the slick, polished three minutes.
The lyricist Vicki Gerothodorou, who made their debut in English had succeeded on a job well-executed. Her skills, morever, utilised for traditional artists such as Giorgos Dalaras and Paschalis Terzis.
Kostas had earlier stated that his song was intended to show a contrasting complexion to Greece's contemporary music, "Sakis and Elena had illustrated the ethnic vibe, the bouzouki and the lyra, we've got a real chance to show a completely different side to pop music".
Chrispa - A Chance to Love
A good quality tsifteteli that is sung in Greek - in the verses - the superior bit, and a slightly weaker chorus in English, with orchestration that owed alot to the oriental and Mediterranean elements.
Chrispa had five semi-naked male dancers who were distinguished by their tattoos. Chrispa was gorgeous in a white out-fit for the pop choreographed routine - with a leather armchair as a prop. Vocally, she was excellent.
Chrispa had emphasised the role of the lyricist Antonis Papas, who instigated Greece's third placing with Antique's 'Die for You'."Antonis Papas has the requisite Eurovision experience, I wanted to represent my country with a song in the native language".
Eurovision is big in Greece, revered to near institution status, with families who congregate to watch the television coverage, or listen via LGR on-line! Yet the contest has the respect of Greece's pop industry as a way to headline their biggest acts - riasing the bar of good songs over the last few years
Other Music News
- Nikos Vertis plans London concert - 29/09/08
- The Greek rich list of the massive music stars - 15/09/08
- Thanos Petrelis leads the hit trio in Athens - 01/09/08
- Elena Paparizou thrilled 90,000 concert admirers - 17/08/08
- WHO'S perfoming where? - 03/08/08
- Sakis Rouvas has Eurovision entry for Greece in 2009 - 21/07/08
- Anna Vissi has new album - 12/07/08
- Sarbel rocks the Cyprus Wine Festival in London - 30/06/08
- Sarbel: In conversation - 01/06/08
- 'Secret Combination' is adored by the UK's Greek fan - 28/05/08
- Antonis Remos in London - 17/05/08
- Greece: THIRD in Eurovision! Well done to Kalomoira! - 14/05/08
- Cypriot Eurovision entry is a brave effort - 06/05/08
- Kostas Karafotis: Oi Aggeloi! - 01/05/08
- Cyprus music star Marios Tokas dies at 54 - 28/04/08
- Advertisements