Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
OK so cathy`s not a pop singer .She can get her gipsy earrings,headscarf and hippy dresses out again and get on with her life.In the words of an old Trad fiddler from Belfast "One ton of rubbish is as good as ten"! Best way to look at this silly competition.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Bring Dana back ! all kinds of everything ... all kinds of shi#e !! Eurovision has got nothing to do with music and anybody who goes into it to make a fast buck deserves to get burned
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I thought they were pretty good. Cathy seemed a bit anxious at first but picked up; the instrumentals were class; and the seemingly obligatory jack-up to another key, and the lyrics, could have been worse.
Face it, the teeming tribes of Europe have gross and preferential tastes!..
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Let's hope they didn't take the whole adventure too seriously, as they shouldn't, and even more to the point, let's hope it doesn't "burn" (as Red Robin puts it - I take it you wished them no ill?) their real careers. I'd hate that to happen. Who knows, it might give them a boost? ....someone tell me, I didn't actually see it as I didn't have the mettle to sit through any of the thing.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I had much better and more sensible things to do with my time this evening (Saturday), like playing in the orchestra for a Gilbert & Sullivan opera, in front of Bristol's Lord Mayor who immediately afterwards went backstage to congratulate the cast, completely ignoring the orchestra and its sole cellist in the process (typical! - it always happens).
And if I hadn't been doing that I would have been playing in a session.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
We will never win again nor will any western european country.
The eastern countries dont judge it on the song.
They vote for their their neighbours.
Its not a "song" comp. anymore its all about dancing and costumes.
So dont bring back Dana.....Bring back the judge voteing.
The Eurovision is truley dead.
A sad day for Ireland.......
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
What dinn2 says makes sense and connects with lazyhound's comment earlier: what you're both implying is that music is just the excuse for an event to happen. Now that's depressing...Lazyhound, you probably WOULD have been better off playing at a session - at least that's done primarily for the sake of the music!
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Now there has always been block voting in Eurovision dinn2. This is nothing new, although it might be more obvious than it once was.
Ireland did not just lose because of the block voting. The song did badly because it is keech! It is not as bad as the British entry but still it was awful. The band are great, the song was not. Personally I think 5 points is a little harsh but it is not worth crying over. Ireland will probably win again one day.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I think the competition is more about european relations and has always been a load of Bollotics. Instead I watched a concert in Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Stuart Macgreggor and Lindsay Ritch, great folk music from Scotland to Newfoundland, it was excellent.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Yup I worry they will take it too seriously as well. Back to Sligo folks for a pint in the pub and some tunes . Thats more like it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Well I enjoyed it and wouldn't miss Wogan's witty and scathing commentary for the world. ITM can have the other 364¼ days but for the other one I just want to have fun. Snobs!
Re: DERVISH CAME LAST IN EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 2007
Aye, it's good to see the standard of the Eurovision is as high as normal... As has been said above, it's all about money - but who is it that actually buys cds of that stuff - does anyone at all? Perhaps it only makes money on hype, and nothing else. My 8 year-old daughter watched the show up to just after Ireland's entry - she wasn't the least bit impressed with any of it. But then, she has excellent taste in music - if we're missing any of our traditional cds, we know that they'll have been borrowed by her and be up in her bedroom.
Hopefully Dervish were on a good earner for Eurocrap - it's hard enough to earn decent money from playing traditional music, so who can blame them for taking part; they should take the money and run, and get back to playing real music.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
As it happens, I've been playing in the orchestra for Gilbert & Sullivan productions for a lot longer than I've been playing Irish music. It's something I look forward to every year, meeting up with old friends in the orchestra and the company. The interaction between the orchestra and the singer-actors on stage, especially in the Gilbert & Sullivan light operas, is not unlike the interaction between the band and the dancers in set dancing, both musically and socially. Sullivan was one of the best tune-smiths around, and the wit, humour and parody in Gilbert's writing has yet to be surpassed, in my opinion.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Ok they were pretty bad! Shame really, totally wrong choice for Ireland to stick a proper trad band in since they just can't compete with what the eurovisions actually about ie. stripping on stage, voting for your neighbours, rubbish songs and running about on stage.
Oh and lovely Terry Wogan's commentary- I love him, he totally makes eurovision for me hehe.
I personally liked France's efforts- men in bright pink, they were the best dressed out of everyone and they had a daft song too although according to Terry I therefore have the worst taste ever. Oh well, I'll get over it lol
And dinn2, no-one from the British Isles is EVER going to win eurovision (except for maybe if they put in a fantastic song which is very unlikely) because most of Europe hates the UK and Ireland don't have enough neighbours. I like predicting which countries are going to get the 12 points from each country- it's good geography/political relations revision hehe.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I read that Norway being given "nul points" back whenever it was, was one of the reasons why the country voted No to joining the EEC. Just a bit of fluff and rubbish I thought I'd pass on...
I wondered if Croatia and Bosnia/Hertz. gave full marks to Serbia out of warm-hearted friendliness, or out of a wish to see Belgrade flattened to make an auditorium the size of a small town and the country beggared by the costs...Is this shindig something that (generally) results in a profit to the host country, or a financial loss? The Irish should know, if anybody does.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
To have come last in a competition which, with very few exceptions down through the years, is notorious for the appallingly low quality of the songs, is perhaps an accolade in itself.
I think it was an error of judgement on the part of Dervish and the whole unfortunate episode should be forgotten as soon as possible.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I don't know if the host country usually makes a loss, but I got the impression that they do. Isn't that why Ireland started submitting the worst songs they could find a few years ago- so they could just stop hosting it all?
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
On Friday, "Dervish" were a traditional band from Sligo who played great Irish music. Today, Sunday, they are still a traditional band from Sligo who play great traditional music. The difference between Friday and Monday is that somewhere around 100 million more people are aware of their very existence. You can't blame any band of professional musicians for jumping at an opportunity like that. My own opinon is that the song was crap, and nobody could have done anything with it. I'll still go to hear them whenever the occasion arises - but I hope they have the sense to drop that song immediately.
Should they call their next album "Thank You, Albania !" ?
Am I the only one who finds it a bit pathetic that the aptly-named person who instigated this discussion finds it something to gloat about ?
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
The song was crap, the "traditionalization" of it (as Cathy put it), was at best amateurish, We could put it down to a lapse in judgement I suppose, apart from all the "talking up" of the bloody thing by RTE and Dervish during the week. Best forgotten? I don't think so. Best remembered, I think as a new low......... a pit of glam-horrors to be avoided at all costs by sensible folk.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
No cause for alarm- there hasnt always been block voting.
Not to long ago there were 5 judges from each country and they decided the best song. The song with the most votes would win.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
True dinn2 - but they were not impartial either.
It has never been as blatant as now but there has always been politics going on between the likes of Turkey and Greece over Cyprus. The UK and Ireland could also be guaranteed of giving each other good scores. Scandinavian countries also tended to vote for each other.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I also agree with Kenny on his last entry, save the shot acrossed twit's bow.
(No need to be abusive when disagreeing-- but of course, that was Kenny's opinon, and this is MY opinion, eh?
Jaded and cynical though the attitude may be, there is a logic to accepting the opportunity of gaining that much notoriety and exposure. Millions of people -- this is bad?
I believe the only question in my mind would be, what kind of exposure, and as what? That is for their fans to decide, and they will spend their money as they wish, right?
Personally, I heard them live years ago doing what seemed to be a fine trad act, was very impressed, and cannnot imagine them doing any else.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Once upon a time I was a huge fan of Dervish, got all their albums, videos etc. At the risk of sounding too much like a critic I feel that they didn't need to add a seventh member. I saw them soon after in the U.K and then a few weeks later in Ireland and they were too far from the sound that first attracted me. In fairness it was partly due to the job done on the desk (albeit by their own guy, who must have ben going deaf), but blasting out the set as if they were still playing at Rock in Rio and the solo impersonations of Rory Gallagher were hardly worth paying for. Of course I understand the arguments put forward regarding exposure to the masses and I don't blame them a bit. You have to try to make a buck while the iron's hot in the arts. I just hope they do their fans a favour by not forgetting that they are supposed to be, as Kenny says, a traditional band from Sligo.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
The problem is that they might not be allowed to be just "a traditional band from Sligo".
Not if they attract the attentions of big promoters, record companies etc who might wish to market them in a certain way.
Even the likes of Altan and a few other outfits have had to "give a nod" to mainstream music over the years on moving to larger record companies. "More songs" (usually standards or fairly MOR) seems to be what's usually wanted.
Of course, the output can still be very enjoyable. However, it is a compromise.
So, in a way, it's a blessing that they didn't do so well in this competition.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
The way I understood it, Ireland accidentally won some while ago by putting in a good song that was well performed. They then won again the next year. Unfortunately the event is so expensive to stage and generates so little return for the host country that had Ireland won again it would have bankrupted the entire country, tiger economy notwithstanding. Anything entered since is to ensure that they never, ever, win again. Much the same line is taken by the U.K., since we are going to be bankrupted by the bl**dy olympics anyway (and who cares whether one over priviledged drug crazed freak can run faster than another anyway . . . )
Actually I last watched the Eurovision Song Contest 21 years ago (I was in hospital, so I remember).Voting on political grounds was obvious then and I doubt anything has changed.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
(Yawn ! ) Can someone please explain what all the fuss is about ? Perhaps we can then leave the exploitive and tasteless world of pop alone and get on with the pursuit of excellence in our chosen field. Good wine needs no bush !
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I think you should all check the blog of one Doris Norris at Myspace (and trace it right through from the very beginning) to discover exactly what Dervish means to her - http://www.myspace.com/dorisnorris. Cracking stuff!
And if you do follow it through and want to comment, please do start a new thread under a 'Doris Norris' heading. I've my own idea who might be behind it (big lad - plays the pipes), but it would be interesting to hear other opinions.
To the person who referred to Ireland as part of the 'British Isles' - shame on you!
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Ireland has been defined as being part of the British Isles since Roman times. It appears to be only in recent years that some have tried to re-define what is simply a geographical area.
It has been pointed out to me before that some Irish people don't like it, and I for one am prepared to accept that. But, it seems to me that this is from a misunderstanding - the words 'Britain' and 'British' come from older words which pre-date the words 'England' and 'English' and *their* antecedents, at least in this part of the world, by a thousand years or more, and originally referred to the whole of the British Isles, not just what is now England, Wales and Scotland.
The words 'Britain' and 'British' come from ancient *celtic* words for the islands. Seems a shame to reject our celtic heritage ...
Anyway, the bit that's news to me is that Ireland was historically known as part of what you say:
"The words 'Britain' and 'British' come from ancient *celtic* words for the islands."
Liguistically the two living branches of Celtic languages are Brythonnic and Goidelic. This linguistic division goes back to pre-Roman times, and coincides with the p-Celtic and q-Celtic split. I thought the ancient Irish word for Briton was something like Cruthean, so they were able to distinguish themselves from the inhabitants of this Island. But as I say, news to me.
My point was that it's ancient practice to refer to the group of Islands as a group, and also to use something including "Britan..." or some such. And it's also celtic to do so ... It's only been controversial in relatively recent times.
I've read the article you refer to before, Danny. It's clear about the issues as some people see them and as they exist in (very) modern times. But go back 2000 years and you'll find the whole lot - including Ireland - described as "Britanniae".
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
The voting, especially in the final, has nothing to do with the quality of the song or the band.
If anything, coming last in the final will give them better publicity than anywhere else, as people will want to hear their stuff to see if they're really that bad.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
What a lot of people forget about the Eurovision is its "suposed" to be about songwriting and the credit should go to the composer of the song . . not the performers.
I know thats all changed now . . and a lot bands have to rellie? on other songwriters hiding in the wings to write their songs for them.
I didn't watch on Saturday . . I was at a music fest in Holmfirth thank God. The UK entry was garbage.
Almost entered the competition my self a few years ago . . but they wanted me to pay them for the privellige, think it was about £80 .
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I agree with Kenny mostly,
Dervish are great band.,
OK they wern't great at the Eurovision and I'm sure they are skundered right now. But one poor performance doesnt mean there not a great band, it just wasn't their thing.
Im sure they know is was wick and hopefully they wont try to go down the pop route which other trad bands have and ended up a poor reflection of what they started from.
The guys on the mandolas etc are completly top notch and there are VERY few people can play like that!
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Dervish were unlucky, to say the least, in what they had to work with but the whole point of the UK's song was that it was a pastiche at best and taking the p*ss at worst and all the voters saw that and so didn't vote for it. No sense of humour some people
Paul Gambaccini also said on the radio this morning that attitudes to Iraq influenced the voting. Hmmmm!
It was amusing seeing all the Balkan states voting for each other but I suppose that's better than the ethnic cleansing.
I just think that's two hours of my life I will never get back :(
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
The thing about this whole contest is that they would have lost even with a *good* song. Their style of playing and the fact that they have talent is the opposite of what Eurovision is all about. It's about slick production and synthesized beats and melodramatic crescendoes. Yuck.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Ah, jaysus lads, will yiz not cop on, the Eurovisions just a bit of craic, its just a big pantomine for fecks sake, i reckon dervish done it for the craic, wouldnt you? I would be completely up there giving it loads of fr.ted! As for the performance, i mean come on!! how did cathy manage to produce all them hi-hat and cymbal sounds from a seamus okane bodhran?? And the whistlig went on for a few notes even though the whistle was being held aloft in the air! Do ye not think they were havin a great laugh? I mean if they were to take any of it seriously or were actually depending on it for "exposure" then im afraid its no longer "sheelagh na gig" but "sheelagh NO more gigs)! (for those that dont know what i mean, go to the sheelagh na gig pub in sligo!
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Anyway for what its worth, me and alan maguire had gas craic watching it in delaneys pub, in fact we are now new fans of the eurovision, its that bad its good!
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
It didn't used to be like that in the olden days flanum . . it was a genuine platform for new songwriters to have their music heard in front of hundreds of millions . . ever heard of Abba?
They performed a John Lennon song on the Late Late Show a while back and were absolutely dreadful. They're a good traditional band but their Eurovision excusion is a stigma that won't go away.
- Tom Morrow is a brilliant fiddler and should release a solo album.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I'm wondering how they're feeling about it themselves. Stung, or will they have shrugged it off? Or maybe a bit apprehensive as to what impact this will make on their career (which I hope is nothing negative.)
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I think it's hilarious that trad musicians are worrying about whether Eurovision will have a detrimental effect on Dervish's career - for heaven's sake, it was unfortunate alright but that wasn't "Dervish" on Saturday night, it's not going to change what they do best and we all know they're a great traditional band, Cathy is a great singer, etc etc... I thought it was a great laugh (apart from their final placing - but that's the Eastern block-voting for you, don't think it actually has anything to do with songs or performers). Thank goodness they didn't win, I say, now that would be worth worrying about! Hup Sligo!!
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I am not worried about THEIR career. I am worried about mine. Will everyone expect Eurovision songs such as "Congratulations" at sessions in the future?
I think Dervish have acted in a manner inimical to the interests of ITM.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
OK - I see what you mean, if you meant they couldn't play their own choice of music when they signed up for the Eurovision. Apology - my misunderstanding. But the point is, they can still be a great traditional band if they want to be, and that's what I hope they'll do.
Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
ha ha ha
# Posted on May 12th 2007 by ecidralla
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
with 5 puny points, even beat by the UKs awful pop act
# Posted on May 12th 2007 by ecidralla
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
thats in the finals of course
# Posted on May 12th 2007 by ecidralla
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
OK so cathy`s not a pop singer .She can get her gipsy earrings,headscarf and hippy dresses out again and get on with her life.In the words of an old Trad fiddler from Belfast "One ton of rubbish is as good as ten"! Best way to look at this silly competition.
# Posted on May 12th 2007 by cos
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I'm surprised they did worse than the UK's abysmal effort. My vote went to Hungary...
# Posted on May 12th 2007 by Mark Harmer
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Bring Dana back ! all kinds of everything ... all kinds of shi#e !! Eurovision has got nothing to do with music and anybody who goes into it to make a fast buck deserves to get burned
# Posted on May 12th 2007 by Red Robin
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I thought they were pretty good. Cathy seemed a bit anxious at first but picked up; the instrumentals were class; and the seemingly obligatory jack-up to another key, and the lyrics, could have been worse.
Face it, the teeming tribes of Europe have gross and preferential tastes!..
# Posted on May 12th 2007 by nicholas
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Let's hope they didn't take the whole adventure too seriously, as they shouldn't, and even more to the point, let's hope it doesn't "burn" (as Red Robin puts it - I take it you wished them no ill?) their real careers. I'd hate that to happen. Who knows, it might give them a boost? ....someone tell me, I didn't actually see it as I didn't have the mettle to sit through any of the thing.
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by Rudall the time
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I had much better and more sensible things to do with my time this evening (Saturday), like playing in the orchestra for a Gilbert & Sullivan opera, in front of Bristol's Lord Mayor who immediately afterwards went backstage to congratulate the cast, completely ignoring the orchestra and its sole cellist in the process (typical! - it always happens).
And if I hadn't been doing that I would have been playing in a session.
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Were Frs Ted and Dougal not in it this year?
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by Finbar Saunders2
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I'm surprised twit even watched it. Get a life!
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by ricthewhistle
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
We will never win again nor will any western european country.
The eastern countries dont judge it on the song.
They vote for their their neighbours.
Its not a "song" comp. anymore its all about dancing and costumes.
So dont bring back Dana.....Bring back the judge voteing.
The Eurovision is truley dead.
A sad day for Ireland.......
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by dinn2
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
What dinn2 says makes sense and connects with lazyhound's comment earlier: what you're both implying is that music is just the excuse for an event to happen. Now that's depressing...Lazyhound, you probably WOULD have been better off playing at a session - at least that's done primarily for the sake of the music!
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by Mark Harmer
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Now there has always been block voting in Eurovision dinn2. This is nothing new, although it might be more obvious than it once was.
Ireland did not just lose because of the block voting. The song did badly because it is keech! It is not as bad as the British entry but still it was awful. The band are great, the song was not. Personally I think 5 points is a little harsh but it is not worth crying over. Ireland will probably win again one day.
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I just heard an awful noise coming from the TV on the 7:00 news. It was the winning song. Obviously a 'pop' contest!
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by SamW
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I think the competition is more about european relations and has always been a load of Bollotics. Instead I watched a concert in Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Stuart Macgreggor and Lindsay Ritch, great folk music from Scotland to Newfoundland, it was excellent.
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by Accordionstu
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Yup I worry they will take it too seriously as well. Back to Sligo folks for a pint in the pub and some tunes . Thats more like it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by bazouki dave
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Well I enjoyed it and wouldn't miss Wogan's witty and scathing commentary for the world. ITM can have the other 364¼ days but for the other one I just want to have fun. Snobs!
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
thay were crap, get back to doing the stuff your brilliant at
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by redness1
Re: DERVISH CAME LAST IN EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 2007
Aye, it's good to see the standard of the Eurovision is as high as normal... As has been said above, it's all about money - but who is it that actually buys cds of that stuff - does anyone at all? Perhaps it only makes money on hype, and nothing else. My 8 year-old daughter watched the show up to just after Ireland's entry - she wasn't the least bit impressed with any of it. But then, she has excellent taste in music - if we're missing any of our traditional cds, we know that they'll have been borrowed by her and be up in her bedroom.
Hopefully Dervish were on a good earner for Eurocrap - it's hard enough to earn decent money from playing traditional music, so who can blame them for taking part; they should take the money and run, and get back to playing real music.
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by On Sabbatical
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
As it happens, I've been playing in the orchestra for Gilbert & Sullivan productions for a lot longer than I've been playing Irish music. It's something I look forward to every year, meeting up with old friends in the orchestra and the company. The interaction between the orchestra and the singer-actors on stage, especially in the Gilbert & Sullivan light operas, is not unlike the interaction between the band and the dancers in set dancing, both musically and socially. Sullivan was one of the best tune-smiths around, and the wit, humour and parody in Gilbert's writing has yet to be surpassed, in my opinion.
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Ok they were pretty bad! Shame really, totally wrong choice for Ireland to stick a proper trad band in since they just can't compete with what the eurovisions actually about ie. stripping on stage, voting for your neighbours, rubbish songs and running about on stage.
although according to Terry I therefore have the worst taste ever. Oh well, I'll get over it lol 
Oh and lovely Terry Wogan's commentary- I love him, he totally makes eurovision for me hehe.
I personally liked France's efforts- men in bright pink, they were the best dressed out of everyone and they had a daft song too
And dinn2, no-one from the British Isles is EVER going to win eurovision (except for maybe if they put in a fantastic song which is very unlikely) because most of Europe hates the UK and Ireland don't have enough neighbours. I like predicting which countries are going to get the 12 points from each country- it's good geography/political relations revision hehe.
I LOVE EUROVISION!!!!!!!!!
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by RoisinB
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I read that Norway being given "nul points" back whenever it was, was one of the reasons why the country voted No to joining the EEC. Just a bit of fluff and rubbish I thought I'd pass on...
I wondered if Croatia and Bosnia/Hertz. gave full marks to Serbia out of warm-hearted friendliness, or out of a wish to see Belgrade flattened to make an auditorium the size of a small town and the country beggared by the costs...Is this shindig something that (generally) results in a profit to the host country, or a financial loss? The Irish should know, if anybody does.
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by nicholas
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
To have come last in a competition which, with very few exceptions down through the years, is notorious for the appallingly low quality of the songs, is perhaps an accolade in itself.
I think it was an error of judgement on the part of Dervish and the whole unfortunate episode should be forgotten as soon as possible.
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by murfbox
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I don't know if the host country usually makes a loss, but I got the impression that they do. Isn't that why Ireland started submitting the worst songs they could find a few years ago- so they could just stop hosting it all?
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by RoisinB
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
On Friday, "Dervish" were a traditional band from Sligo who played great Irish music. Today, Sunday, they are still a traditional band from Sligo who play great traditional music. The difference between Friday and Monday is that somewhere around 100 million more people are aware of their very existence. You can't blame any band of professional musicians for jumping at an opportunity like that. My own opinon is that the song was crap, and nobody could have done anything with it. I'll still go to hear them whenever the occasion arises - but I hope they have the sense to drop that song immediately.
Should they call their next album "Thank You, Albania !" ?
Am I the only one who finds it a bit pathetic that the aptly-named person who instigated this discussion finds it something to gloat about ?
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by Kenny
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
The song was crap, the "traditionalization" of it (as Cathy put it), was at best amateurish, We could put it down to a lapse in judgement I suppose, apart from all the "talking up" of the bloody thing by RTE and Dervish during the week. Best forgotten? I don't think so. Best remembered, I think as a new low......... a pit of glam-horrors to be avoided at all costs by sensible folk.
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by Backer
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
you're not alone kenny
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by Rudall the time
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
No cause for alarm- there hasnt always been block voting.
Not to long ago there were 5 judges from each country and they decided the best song. The song with the most votes would win.
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by dinn2
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I think if we put U2 in we might have a chance.
Eastern europeans lOVE U2 and might take a shine to it.
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by dinn2
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Crickey, I tried to watch it but I fell asleep and missed Dervish all together. The whole shebang was diabolical. Rubbish! Why try to win it?
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by Clear Drops
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
True dinn2 - but they were not impartial either.
It has never been as blatant as now but there has always been politics going on between the likes of Turkey and Greece over Cyprus. The UK and Ireland could also be guaranteed of giving each other good scores. Scandinavian countries also tended to vote for each other.
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I also agree with Kenny on his last entry, save the shot acrossed twit's bow.
(No need to be abusive when disagreeing-- but of course, that was Kenny's opinon, and this is MY opinion, eh?
Jaded and cynical though the attitude may be, there is a logic to accepting the opportunity of gaining that much notoriety and exposure. Millions of people -- this is bad?
I believe the only question in my mind would be, what kind of exposure, and as what? That is for their fans to decide, and they will spend their money as they wish, right?
Personally, I heard them live years ago doing what seemed to be a fine trad act, was very impressed, and cannnot imagine them doing any else.
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by Piece
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Once upon a time I was a huge fan of Dervish, got all their albums, videos etc. At the risk of sounding too much like a critic I feel that they didn't need to add a seventh member. I saw them soon after in the U.K and then a few weeks later in Ireland and they were too far from the sound that first attracted me. In fairness it was partly due to the job done on the desk (albeit by their own guy, who must have ben going deaf), but blasting out the set as if they were still playing at Rock in Rio and the solo impersonations of Rory Gallagher were hardly worth paying for. Of course I understand the arguments put forward regarding exposure to the masses and I don't blame them a bit. You have to try to make a buck while the iron's hot in the arts. I just hope they do their fans a favour by not forgetting that they are supposed to be, as Kenny says, a traditional band from Sligo.
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by greepo
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
The problem is that they might not be allowed to be just "a traditional band from Sligo".
Not if they attract the attentions of big promoters, record companies etc who might wish to market them in a certain way.
Even the likes of Altan and a few other outfits have had to "give a nod" to mainstream music over the years on moving to larger record companies. "More songs" (usually standards or fairly MOR) seems to be what's usually wanted.
Of course, the output can still be very enjoyable. However, it is a compromise.
So, in a way, it's a blessing that they didn't do so well in this competition.
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by John J.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
The way I understood it, Ireland accidentally won some while ago by putting in a good song that was well performed. They then won again the next year. Unfortunately the event is so expensive to stage and generates so little return for the host country that had Ireland won again it would have bankrupted the entire country, tiger economy notwithstanding. Anything entered since is to ensure that they never, ever, win again. Much the same line is taken by the U.K., since we are going to be bankrupted by the bl**dy olympics anyway (and who cares whether one over priviledged drug crazed freak can run faster than another anyway . . . )
Actually I last watched the Eurovision Song Contest 21 years ago (I was in hospital, so I remember).Voting on political grounds was obvious then and I doubt anything has changed.
Let's get back to real music
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by c.g.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
(Yawn ! ) Can someone please explain what all the fuss is about ? Perhaps we can then leave the exploitive and tasteless world of pop alone and get on with the pursuit of excellence in our chosen field. Good wine needs no bush !
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by duffgen
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
You can always just leave the telly off.
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by Steve Shaw
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I've just come across some decidedly nasty comments
http://www.hecklerspray.com/eurovision-betting-odds-droppy-dervish/20077824.php
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by John J.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
In fact, it's a horrible site altogether!!!
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by John J.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Was this a good career move by Dervish?
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
It was the bodhran wot dun it.
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by John J.
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I think you should all check the blog of one Doris Norris at Myspace (and trace it right through from the very beginning) to discover exactly what Dervish means to her - http://www.myspace.com/dorisnorris. Cracking stuff!
And if you do follow it through and want to comment, please do start a new thread under a 'Doris Norris' heading. I've my own idea who might be behind it (big lad - plays the pipes), but it would be interesting to hear other opinions.
To the person who referred to Ireland as part of the 'British Isles' - shame on you!
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by MacCruiskeen
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Ireland has been defined as being part of the British Isles since Roman times. It appears to be only in recent years that some have tried to re-define what is simply a geographical area.
It has been pointed out to me before that some Irish people don't like it, and I for one am prepared to accept that. But, it seems to me that this is from a misunderstanding - the words 'Britain' and 'British' come from older words which pre-date the words 'England' and 'English' and *their* antecedents, at least in this part of the world, by a thousand years or more, and originally referred to the whole of the British Isles, not just what is now England, Wales and Scotland.
The words 'Britain' and 'British' come from ancient *celtic* words for the islands. Seems a shame to reject our celtic heritage ...
# Posted on May 13th 2007 by ethical blend
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Eh?
That's news to me Ben.
Here's what Wiki has to say about this naming controversy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Isles_naming_dispute
Anyway, the bit that's news to me is that Ireland was historically known as part of what you say:
"The words 'Britain' and 'British' come from ancient *celtic* words for the islands."
Liguistically the two living branches of Celtic languages are Brythonnic and Goidelic. This linguistic division goes back to pre-Roman times, and coincides with the p-Celtic and q-Celtic split. I thought the ancient Irish word for Briton was something like Cruthean, so they were able to distinguish themselves from the inhabitants of this Island. But as I say, news to me.
# Posted on May 14th 2007 by Rudall the time
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
"Britanniae" - Roman word, from Celtic root, possibly via Greek - see other Wikipedia article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Isles
Brittaniae means "British Isles"
My point was that it's ancient practice to refer to the group of Islands as a group, and also to use something including "Britan..." or some such. And it's also celtic to do so ... It's only been controversial in relatively recent times.
I've read the article you refer to before, Danny. It's clear about the issues as some people see them and as they exist in (very) modern times. But go back 2000 years and you'll find the whole lot - including Ireland - described as "Britanniae".
# Posted on May 14th 2007 by ethical blend
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Actually, it's the English who have something to complain about, isn't it? Why should they have to put up with a celtic term (Britain) for the place?
# Posted on May 14th 2007 by ethical blend
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
For an academic analysis of Eurovision bloc voting patterns, see this:
http://jasss.soc.surrey.ac.uk/9/2/1.html
He obviously need to get out more.
# Posted on May 14th 2007 by JerryH
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Ah, OK then Ben. I see it says the BI comprises of also the Frisian Islands. Maybe it's time we reclaimed those.....
# Posted on May 14th 2007 by Rudall the time
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
The voting, especially in the final, has nothing to do with the quality of the song or the band.
If anything, coming last in the final will give them better publicity than anywhere else, as people will want to hear their stuff to see if they're really that bad.
# Posted on May 14th 2007 by Martin Milner
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
What a lot of people forget about the Eurovision is its "suposed" to be about songwriting and the credit should go to the composer of the song . . not the performers.
I know thats all changed now . . and a lot bands have to rellie? on other songwriters hiding in the wings to write their songs for them.
I didn't watch on Saturday . . I was at a music fest in Holmfirth thank God. The UK entry was garbage.
Almost entered the competition my self a few years ago . . but they wanted me to pay them for the privellige, think it was about £80 .
# Posted on May 14th 2007 by Justintime
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I agree with Kenny mostly,
Dervish are great band.,
OK they wern't great at the Eurovision and I'm sure they are skundered right now. But one poor performance doesnt mean there not a great band, it just wasn't their thing.
Im sure they know is was wick and hopefully they wont try to go down the pop route which other trad bands have and ended up a poor reflection of what they started from.
The guys on the mandolas etc are completly top notch and there are VERY few people can play like that!
Cathy is still a wee sweet heart in my eyes!
They should stick to what their brillant at.
K
# Posted on May 14th 2007 by Kess
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Dervish were unlucky, to say the least, in what they had to work with but the whole point of the UK's song was that it was a pastiche at best and taking the p*ss at worst and all the voters saw that and so didn't vote for it. No sense of humour some people
Paul Gambaccini also said on the radio this morning that attitudes to Iraq influenced the voting. Hmmmm!
It was amusing seeing all the Balkan states voting for each other but I suppose that's better than the ethnic cleansing.
I just think that's two hours of my life I will never get back :(
# Posted on May 14th 2007 by Geoff Pollitt
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
See? You should have done that marking after all.
# Posted on May 14th 2007 by Dr. Dow
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
The thing about this whole contest is that they would have lost even with a *good* song. Their style of playing and the fact that they have talent is the opposite of what Eurovision is all about. It's about slick production and synthesized beats and melodramatic crescendoes. Yuck.
# Posted on May 14th 2007 by kennedy
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Ah, jaysus lads, will yiz not cop on, the Eurovisions just a bit of craic, its just a big pantomine for fecks sake, i reckon dervish done it for the craic, wouldnt you? I would be completely up there giving it loads of fr.ted! As for the performance, i mean come on!! how did cathy manage to produce all them hi-hat and cymbal sounds from a seamus okane bodhran?? And the whistlig went on for a few notes even though the whistle was being held aloft in the air! Do ye not think they were havin a great laugh? I mean if they were to take any of it seriously or were actually depending on it for "exposure" then im afraid its no longer "sheelagh na gig" but "sheelagh NO more gigs)! (for those that dont know what i mean, go to the sheelagh na gig pub in sligo!
# Posted on May 14th 2007 by flanum
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Anyway for what its worth, me and alan maguire had gas craic watching it in delaneys pub, in fact we are now new fans of the eurovision, its that bad its good!
# Posted on May 14th 2007 by flanum
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
It didn't used to be like that in the olden days flanum . . it was a genuine platform for new songwriters to have their music heard in front of hundreds of millions . . ever heard of Abba?
# Posted on May 14th 2007 by Justintime
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
If they are going to allow so many Eastern types to join in, it is time to rename it as the Asio-Eurovision Politics show.
Quite a number of them voted against Britain (and probably Ireland, for being next door), just because Iraq.
Italy had the best idea - it seems easier to back out of Eurovision than leave the E.C.
# Posted on May 14th 2007 by geoffwright
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I would have voted against Ireland and Britain because of Iraq.
But I digress. Was it a good career move by Dervish, or merely prostitution on their part?
# Posted on May 14th 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Some might argue prostitution IS a good career move.......
# Posted on May 14th 2007 by Rudall the time
Re: Dervish
They performed a John Lennon song on the Late Late Show a while back and were absolutely dreadful. They're a good traditional band but their Eurovision excusion is a stigma that won't go away.
- Tom Morrow is a brilliant fiddler and should release a solo album.
# Posted on May 15th 2007 by BowHand
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I'm sure he will ...
Just not Tod Day
# Posted on May 15th 2007 by ethical blend
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I'm wondering how they're feeling about it themselves. Stung, or will they have shrugged it off? Or maybe a bit apprehensive as to what impact this will make on their career (which I hope is nothing negative.)
# Posted on May 15th 2007 by Rudall the time
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I think it's hilarious that trad musicians are worrying about whether Eurovision will have a detrimental effect on Dervish's career - for heaven's sake, it was unfortunate alright but that wasn't "Dervish" on Saturday night, it's not going to change what they do best and we all know they're a great traditional band, Cathy is a great singer, etc etc... I thought it was a great laugh (apart from their final placing - but that's the Eastern block-voting for you, don't think it actually has anything to do with songs or performers). Thank goodness they didn't win, I say, now that would be worth worrying about! Hup Sligo!!
# Posted on May 15th 2007 by Lizzy
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I am not worried about THEIR career. I am worried about mine. Will everyone expect Eurovision songs such as "Congratulations" at sessions in the future?
I think Dervish have acted in a manner inimical to the interests of ITM.
# Posted on May 15th 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
They've only themselves to blame. Why were they willing to perform any old crap in the first instance?
# Posted on May 16th 2007 by BowHand
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
My point exactly
# Posted on May 17th 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
I doubt they signed up to "any old crap"...
# Posted on May 19th 2007 by Lizzy
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
They did, when they gave up the right to play their own music. The country isn't exactly awash with folk tinted Lennon-McCartneys.
# Posted on May 21st 2007 by BowHand
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
When did they "give up the right to play their own music", and who bestows that right, and presumably takes it away ? You ?
# Posted on May 22nd 2007 by Kenny
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
OK - I see what you mean, if you meant they couldn't play their own choice of music when they signed up for the Eurovision. Apology - my misunderstanding. But the point is, they can still be a great traditional band if they want to be, and that's what I hope they'll do.
# Posted on May 22nd 2007 by Kenny
Re: Dervish came last in Eurovision song contest 2007
Of course they will
It was a 'blip'..!
# Posted on May 27th 2007 by Lizzy