PragueBuzz!

I was deeply disappointed by the result of Eurovision final when Tereza Kerndlova was crowned the winner. So this is how Czech wants to be represented abroad: a country which can’t find anything better than a pretty face who doesn’t know how to sing.

Though Kerndlova’s “Have Some Fun” and her images are Eurovision materials: English song, catchy tunes, cheesy lyrics, and pretty costumes, they won’t save this young singer from the embarrassment of performing live in an important European event, under the scrutiny of a broad international audience. Her voice is utterly horrible, if not the worst from all participants. She was off-key in many occasions and failed to sync with the music. Of course, she “can” sing in her music videos with all the aid from technology, sound filter and so on, but this is a live performance, period.

How pathetic! Has last year’s bottom finish taught these Czechs anything? Unless Tereza attends more singing lessons or conceals her weak, off-key voice, I don’t see how she can go very far in the final competition in Belgrade. Kabat, Czech’ previous representative, is both right and wrong when commenting that the ability to sing doesn’t matter so much as long one knows how to uniquely present oneself. Singing well does not guarantee a satisfying position; however, I have never seen any singer or group with a half-ass voice make it to the top ten.

Gipsy.cz and Cechomor

It is yet another disappointing year for this unique and talented group of young Roma artists. They write their own songs with unmistakable beats, and their performances are funny and original. If they can change one thing, it is their casual jeans and t-shirts.

Cechomor is a well-known Czech semi-folk band which crafts beautiful and soulful songs. Their entry “Józef, mój kochany” is blended with Polish folk; some of the words are spoken in the Silesia region, comprising of Czech and Poland. Unfortunately, Eurovision in the Czech Republic is quite young, thus the audience and those who care to vote are teenagers and young people who don’t identify withCechomor’s music. Additionally, Cechomor’s style is a bit high-class for Eurovision , certainly they will not get to the top five. Their song reminded me of Ireland’s last year performance which ranked near the bottom.

Having watched and listened to Gipsy.cz and Cechomor and some other groups, I can’t not help but “Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Stupid audience.” They have all these great performers, and they had to choose this girl. Normally I vote for the singer/band whose country I have some affiliation with, but this year,Tereza won’t get any SMS from me or from other voters either.

Tereza’s Have some Fun

Gipsy.cz’ Benga Beating


Cechomor’s Józef, mój kochany

Czech representative for the upcoming Eurovision in May in Serbia will be crowned Saturday night on Ceska TV.

The following video introduces all finalists and their song entries.

[Ceska TV]

This man has been around for ages, ask any Czech and Slovak grandma/grandpa, mommy/daddy, uncle/auntie or your teenage friends, he will surely know Karel Gott. Some Eastern German might surprise you as well.

As boring as Karel Gott’s face and voice might be to many Czechs, along with Lucie Bila, he was recently voted best singer of all time on top of having a museum dedicated to him. Not bad!

The song is sung in Czech by Karel and in Slovakian by the little girl.

Cechomor is having a concert on December 22th at midnight at Vinohrady Theater (N�m?st� M�ru 7, Praha 2). Cechomor writes and performs traditional Czech songs arranged in modern style. Started in 1988, Cechomor got famous a few years ago after the release of the album “Promeny/Change.”

This album is available available in many Czech music shops for 200 to 300 CZK.

English version

Czech version

[Via abcprague, Cechomor site]