AZERBAIJAN 2012 - Səbinə Babayeva - When The Music Dies

[Eames]

The video is almost perfect. Especially the ice cubes with frozen flowers! Amazing visuals. And I find Sabina a rather charming girl with strong vocals. (It's heartening how seriously Azerbaijan takes this contest. )

Yet I'm still not crazy about the song. It's not original, I've heard it before. And the incorporation of the Azeri music and mugam singing feels more like an afterthought, kind of gets in a way.

 

[Eames]

Balaban is not the Armenian instrument, it is the Turkish musical instrument and in the result of its spreading it had been used in different countries and one of them is Armenia where its name had been changed to duduk. The word duduk has also the Turkish origin as most of the Armenian words. That is why be fair while talking about such things.
The word balaban is originated from the junction of two Turkish words: BALA (small) and BAN (sound). As a result balaban means sadly sounding mellow timbre. Balaban had been spread to large territories and countries since its origination and it led to changing of the instrument’s appearance. These are different names of the instrument and countries where it is used:
Azerbaijan-Balaban
Dagestan – Balaban
China – Guanzi
Armenia – Duduk
Georgia – Duduki
Turkey – Mey
Korea – Khuanpiri
Iran – Balaban
Uzbekistan – Balaban (Bulamon)
Karakalpakstan – Balaman
Kyrgyzstan – Kamish Sirnay
Japan – Khichiriki

I don't know anything about balaban and how it sounds, but what they are using in the song is definitely the Armenian duduk, because it has a very distinct sound that you recognize right away.

Didn't Jivan Gasparyan play it a couple of years ago during Eva Rivas' performance, who is a world-renowned duduk player?

 

[Narmina]

Sabina congratulate Azerbaijani people with national holiday - Novruz

 

[Katniss]

I really wonder when will Azerbaijan send an average song. At least average? This is perfect! I just loved the video, it's so cool and artistic. She has a strong beautiful voice. I believe that she will be on Top 8.

 

[A-lister]

^
Average? They won with a average song so (it's already been done)...

 

[Katniss]

^
It depends on your musical taste Like all previous years, there were so many average songs last year and Running Scared was one of the shining stars I think. But I agree, it was not the one which deserved to be the winner.

 

[A-lister]

^
Yeah, sure it depends on music taste, but Running Scared was nothing but average imo. But each to their own

 

[Metafeller]

Actually in my opinion, since 2008 Azerbaijan has always awesome songs for contest. But this year, I don't think this is still good.

2008; Even first entry, different and cool.
2009; No need word to say. Awesome.
2010; Not different than 2009.
2011; Azerbaijan won the contest, already (even 2009 and 2010 were better).

But in 2012, I don't know. I didn't enjoy Azerbaijan's song at first time.

 

[A.B.]

Very strong entry from Azerbaijan this year. I like the fact that they kept the songwriters from 'Running Scared'. Wise idea. 'When the music dies' is a song with attitude and traditional flavor and will stand out easily in the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest. I think that it will score a top 10. Well deserved.

 

[EurovisionSmile]

I loved Azeri's songs in 2009 and 2012. And I just didn't like their 2010 entry. This year they will surely repeat their already traditional top10. Not one of my favourites, but I wouldn't be shocked if they won again.

 

[Ado89]

I liked Safura and I like this.... I also think, just like with Safura, that this won't win. Top10 is a sure thing, though... maybe even top5.... 8pts

 

[theCONWEL]

This is my second favourite in the contest this year, good luck Azerbaijan!

 

[une]

You never know, we might get a surprise second year in a row from Azerbaijan......

 

[Narmina]

^ no way

 

[Olli]

One of the better entries from Azerbaijan. Wil not win, but Top 10 is more than sure!

 

[lowyby]

I don't know why but this song keeps me reminding of Norway 2008..

 

[Scooby]

This is probably the best Azerbaijani entry ever. Like it very much.

12 points

 

[cgorac]

I like the Azerbaijan song and she's beautiful also just like your 2010 entrant.

 

[A-lister]

I love how this is described as 'ethnic Azeri' while in fact you can hardly hear the 'ethnic parts'

Anyways, to me this leaves me cold. There's no personality in this. It'll probably end up top. 10 anyways, but I wouldn't put it there myself.

The song itself is maybe not bad, and Sabina is a beautiful and good singer, but there's nothing 'there'.

 

[Isabella]

I've changed my mind. This is growing on me and I think it's probably one of the best ballads this year. But Sabina is amazing singer and she makes this song better than it is