Tag Archives: Thomas G:son

CD REVIEW – SOMMER SO by HENRY VAN DYK

A review of the brand new CD of HENRY VAN DYK
001
01 – MY HART SE WENS (My heart’s wish)
A song Henry composed himself and it is very good, it brings out his voice well and it has a good melody
02 – DIS WAT WARE LIEFDE MAAK (This is what makes true love)
I find the drums/sound too hard, it is taking away from the voice. The song is average
03 – SOMMER SO (Just like that)
Interesting title, but again I find the drums/sound too hard to really hear the lyrics properly
04 – LIED VIR MA (Song for mother)
Another song Henry composed. Good song for mothers, ideal for mother’s day
05 – EK HOU VAN JOU (I like/love you)
Many euro fans will think this is a cover of the 1984 Dutch entry, but it is a new song. It nis very commercial, good lyrics, catchy chorus which you remember instantly. Of the new songs on the CD, probably the best
06 – KOM TERUG (Come back)
This song is in duet with Werner Breytenback who is unknown to me. The original song was done many years ago by Tuto Cutugno, a previous Eurovision winner who also composed it. In the early 90’s Andre Schwartz sung it in Afrikaans. This is a good cover
07 – EK SAL BY JOU STAAN (I will stand by jou)
Another song Henry composed. This is also very commercial, radio friendly
08 – MAAK MY HEEL (Make me whole)
This is the last of the 4 songs Henry composed. It is almost a gospel song
09 – L’ESSENZIALE
Bilingual version – Afrikaans/Italian and the Eurovision entry of Italy of 2013. Really great cover and Henry sounds perfect in Italian – almost better than in Afrikaans or English
10 – THE STORY
Well known song, Henry is covering it and it is quite good
11 – IN A MOMENT LIKE THIS
This song is in duet with Dina Garipova of Russia, the 2013 singer at Eurovision for Russia. the song is the great Thomas Gson composition for Denmark 2010. The song is tri lingual with Henry singing in Afrikaans, Dina in Russian and together they sing in English. Totally different version from the original but very good. This is the kind of song I love so much, male-female duo singing in more than one language. This is how Eurovision entries should be
12 – ANGEL CHILD
My favourite on the CD, but then I love the original song by Tommy Seebach so much. it was the 1993 Danish Eurovision entry. Henry wrote the English lyrics
13 – ONS VADER
This is the gospel song, the prayer from the Bible. It brings out Henry’s voice well but I think many artists have covered it before so it is not that unique

STOCKHOLM EVENTS

STOCKHOLM EVENTS

Some members have suggested that we try and put all events in STOCKHOLM in one place so those going to Eurovision can see it instantly and plan their days in Stockholm according to that.
EUROCLUB
There will be events on a daily basis but as it will probably be just for people with accreditation, and won’t be available to the general members. So far there is also no details of any events although we can presume the after parties (after each semi final and final) will take place there. Although, if any country will have a party, it may happen in Euroclub.
EURO FAN CAFE
Once again there will be daily events and the OGAE party will probably be on the Wednesday evening (between the two semi finals) although no final details are available. There is also no news as yet of any other events in the cafe and what the cost will be to members. The moment details become available, we will share it with our members.
EURO VILLAGE
This is free to all in Stockholm, be it OGAE members or general public and there will be things happening – I think both Copenhagen and Vienna had a fairly big variety with some artists giving performances. Again no details are available.
SPECIFIC R O W EVENTS
OGAE R O W will have events aimed to show the variety of activities our members are involved in and we would like as many members will attend if their schedules permit. As these evants are organised by the club, we will give the details as soon as an event is finalized. But we can summarize some of the things we are planning
01 – OGAE R O W LUNCH
We have a team planning this and it looks at this stage to be on the Tuesday of semi final 1 and probably at HARD ROCK CAFE but it could change.
02 – HARD ROCK CAFE VISIT
If the lunch won’t take place at the Hard rock cafe, there will be an event arranged there to meet Richard Herrey as it is 95% sure we will cover Diggi loo before Stockholm and hand him a copy of it.
03 – OGAE R O W AWARD – SPECIAL MEMBER
The handing of the award to the 2015 special R O W member IAN FOWELL will be handed over in Stockholm. It can be done in private as Ian will probably working with me in the press center but I think this should be open to other R O W members because we will also announce that the award will continue for 2016.
04 – OGAE R O W AWARD – SWEDISH COMPOSER
This award was won by Thomas Gson and again, I can hand it to him anywhere but it seems they want to make it special with Swedish journalists present and also a radio journalist for a short interview. As Thomas will be there as the composer of the 2016 entry for Cyprus, the idea is that MINUS ONE should also attend so your members can meet them more personally.
05 – OGAE R O W TOP SONG FOR 2016
Of course we have no idea as yet which song R O W members will vote as their top song but we will award a medal to the artist and composer – again this can be done in the press center but we would like it to be accessible to our members and so we want to organize a special 10 minute event somewhere be it Euro fan cafe or wherever.
06 – HANDING OF COVER SONGS TO VARIOUS ARTISTS
A big part of the SA members activities are covering euro songs and melodifestival songs and we will negotiate with several artists to meet with them to hand them the covers. The whole idea is that these artists will be there for photo’s to be taken, autographs to be signed and also if the artists have CD’s to promote it and sell it to our members. Possible Swedish artists we hope to have are Jan Johansen. Mans Zelmerlow, Magnus Carlson, Carola, Charlotte etc.
07 – EUROVISION GROUP FROM A FEW YEARS AGO

Andy is busy organising with a Eurovision group of the recent past who will be in Stockholm and will perform our our members (if euro fan cafe will give them a spot)

08 – ABBA MUSEUM VISIT

I will visit the museum to hand them some unique items from South Africa. Now it probably will take plave during the morning of the Wednesday between the two semi finals. Now I am in contact with the museum and it seems possible that I can bring with me R O W members who also want to visit the museum and they will have something special for us. Now we will need how many people would like to attend and then the museum management and me will discuss possible things. If nobody wants to go, then I will go anyway.
09 – VISIT TO THE MAMMA MIA GREEK RESTAURANT OF BJORN
We could also look at taking a group of members to this event although I personally will not attend as I am not into Greek food but Andy is a big fan of MAMMA MIA show and he is quite eager to go.
Of course members can individually go to any event, it is always nice if we can do things as a group and if anybody has any suggestions of events we could also have, please contact us.

Cyprus go for rock in 2016 with Minus One

Minus One {copyright: www.palo.com.cy}
Minus One {copyright: www.palo.com.cy}

The public broadcaster CyBC has announced that the rock band Minus One will represent Cyprus at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden. The band are very popular in Cyprus and actually took part in the Eurovision selection in 2015 with the song Shine.

The song will be composed by Eurovision veteran from Sweden Thomas G:son, who wrote the 2012 winning song by Loreen entitled Euphoria. It is expected Thomas will go back to his roots and compose a rock song for the competition.

Source: www.eurovision.tv

 

THIRD GAME FOR POINTS

You have to pretend to be the head of delegation of Moldova. You have seen the success felloe CIS country GEORGIA had with songs composed by Swedish composer Thomas Gson (Waterfall and Warior) and so your idea is to contact Thomas and ask him to compose a song for Moldova for 2016, seeing that Eurovision is in Stockholm. So you have to tell us what guidelines you are giving Thomas in terms of a song.
My first guideline to him will be, also a song with a one word title, easy to remember (afterall he composed Euphoria). Maybe something called TORPEDO would be quite a dramatic title.