Over the weekend I came across the recorded musical output of my first band: the Territorial Mercenaries. The Mercenaries consisted of me and my friend Simon. I played the keyboard (and Spectrum loading sequence, etc.) and cobbled together the music; …
Sketch for Eurovision linked data
I’ve been looking around to see if Eurovision data exists as linked data, or openly in any format. I can find relatively little, mostly just data about one of the recent contests, or about UK performances. None of it is…
Eurovision 2010: post mortem of the United Kingdom entry
Just before the results started to be announced during Saturday’s Eurovision Song Contest, I made a couple of predictions: I wonder if Greece might be a good compromise candidate. I’ll say Greece. Possibly Germany. Null points could well go the…
Thoughts on Eurovision 2010
A good year, although some good songs, especially the Dutch entry, didn’t make the final. Anyway, my vote goes for Germany. My anti-vote goes to Israel: it was better performed than the semi-final but still makes me want to wince.…
Best songs of the rock and roll era (Belgium ; 1)
Before the GPSOE’s recent expedition to Brussels, Stuart very kindly gave me, Tim, Andy, and himself £10 Amazon vouchers each to buy what we thought were the best songs of the rock and roll era. I shall infringe Stuart’s intellectual…
Some thoughts on Eurovision 2009
Out of the Eurovision semi-finalists, I liked (three from each semi-final): Montengro: Boney M’s Rasputin in Eurovision form, although not as good as that should sound. Iceland: a proper song and a rare naturally attractive singer. Bosnia: interesting song. Hard…
Corruption in Bedfordshire elections?
I don’t think the Bedfordshire on Sunday quite meant what they wrote when they published the following paragraph about the upcoming Central Bedfordshire local elections (my emphasis): The runners and riders for June 4 Central Bedfordshire Council elections have been…
Thoughts on the Eurovision 2008 second semi-final
The second Eurovision 2008 semi-final was somewhat disappointing after the first one. It got off to a reasonable start with Iceland’s stock Eurovision entry and, after the inexplicably popular Swedish entry, seemed to be getting strong with Turkey’s very good…
Thoughts on the Eurovision 2008 first semi-final
Some thoughts on last night’s Eurovision 2008 first semi-final in Belgrade which was, generally, very interesting. The outfits made a fairly strong showing, especially with leather worn in a scantily-clad style, although Slovenia decided to be more chaste with all-over…
Thoughts on the Eurovision 2007 final
See, I said Serbia would win. It was a strongish song and right in the middle of a voting bloc. The entry from the Ukraine- the favourites before the final- was bonkers and entertaining but not good. Novelty will not,…