Mercury Music Prize nominations

Subject: Mercury Music Prize nominations
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 22 Jul 08 - 09:27 AM

Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid
Radiohead - In Rainbows
British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - Raising Sand
Burial - Untrue
Estelle - Shine
Adele - 19
Laura Marling - Alas, I Cannot Swim
Rachel Unthank and The Winterset - The Bairns
Neon Neon - Stainless Style
Portico Quartet - Knee Deep In The North Sea
Last Shadow Puppets - The Age Of Understatement

Subject: RE: Mercury Music Prize nominations
From: Folkiedave
Date: 22 Jul 08 - 10:11 AM

I see Adrian's mind whirring ......

Subject: RE: Mercury Music Prize nominations
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jul 08 - 10:50 AM

Great, how predictable. We're music awards ever awarded on merit rather than PR pressure and money?

Madcath@work

Subject: RE: Mercury Music Prize nominations
From: GUEST,mr blobby
Date: 22 Jul 08 - 12:21 PM

an interesting mix of nominations - may the best man win!

Subject: RE: Mercury Music Prize nominations
From: GUEST,Graham Bradshaw
Date: 23 Jul 08 - 04:03 AM

As much as I am pleased to see another folkie in the list, it does seem like they pick a "Token folkie" each year. Previous nominees have been Kate Rusby, Eliza Carthy, Norma Waterson, and I think Jim Moray. In fact, didn't Norma actually win her year, or did I imagine that?

It's worth pointing out that these are not 'nominees' in the true impartial sense of the word. Entrants (usually record companies) have to pay to enter their latest record - the award is for the record, not the artist. Then, from the list of entrants, a panel chooses the short-list of 'nominees', which is then voted on.

The entrance fee is pretty hefty I believe, so you wouldn't bother unless you thought you had a real chance of at least getting on the short list.

For my money, I reckon it goes to either my old mate Planty & the fab Alison, or maybe the obvious Radiohead. Although they DO have a history of picking the most unlikely - what about that Anthony & the Johnsons geezer a couple of years back?!

Rachel has an outside chance as she has a lot of industry heavyweights rooting for her - Phil Jupitus, Mark Radcliffe, Stuart Maconie et al.

Whatever you think, just being on the list raises the profile of folk in the meeja. Bellowhead should have been in there but maybe they didn't fork out the wonga, and their new discette isn't out until September.

G

Subject: RE: Mercury Music Prize nominations
From: Folkiedave
Date: 23 Jul 08 - 04:23 AM

Graham is right about the cost and the process.

Does anyone know how much it actually costs?

Norma was nominated in 1996 - but she didn't win -t was Jarvis Cocker that year.

Properly it is now the Nationwide Mercury Award. (as in building society).

Subject: RE: Mercury Music Prize nominations
From: GUEST,Jonny Sunshine
Date: 23 Jul 08 - 06:21 AM

Graham, true there's always a token folkie in the nomination, though it's nice to see Rachel Unthank and Plant/ Krauss, as well as Laura Marling, who most of the media would tend to think of as folk (but let's not go there). Looks to me like roots and acoustic music are closer to mainstream acceptance than before, which is probably a good thing. The question of course is whether it's really an increase in popularity and awareness, or just a temporary fashion led by a few media folk.

Personally my money's on Radiohead, but what would happen if one of the token folk acts actually WON it?

Subject: RE: Mercury Music Prize nominations
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 23 Jul 08 - 06:55 AM

I'd rather there was a folkie in the list, token or not token, rather than no folkie.
I wonder if the jazz equivalent to mudcat moans about token jazz album ... the classical equivalent moaning about token classical album ... etc.
Okay, Rachel's CD may not be everyone's choice of album, but rejoice that folk music is being recognised and that EMI are prepared to push it.
Norma lost to Jarvis Cocker by one vote apparently.
Derek Schofield

Subject: RE: Mercury Music Prize nominations
From: greg stephens
Date: 23 Jul 08 - 07:01 AM

DErerk S: you asked:

"I wonder if the jazz equivalent to mudcat moans about token jazz album ... the classical equivalent moaning about token classical album ... etc".

The answer is yes, I think! And hardcore jazzers object to Jamie Cullens(is that how you spell him) being described as a jazz musician, and getting all the jazz publicity. Now, where have we heard this kind of thing? Plus ca change.

Subject: RE: Mercury Music Prize nominations
From: the button
Date: 23 Jul 08 - 08:10 AM

Go, Rachel! Come what may, I'm sure they'll have a good laugh at the awards ceremony.

The Mercury can be a bit of a poisoned chalice, in any case. A few years back, a really promising drum & bass act (Roni Size) won, and promptly sank without trace. (Yes, boys and girls, I don't just listen to folk ;-) ).

Subject: RE: Mercury Music Prize nominations
From: CannieShieldsLaddie
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 11:25 AM

Not long now. Good luck Rachel.

Subject: RE: Mercury Music Prize nominations
From: GUEST,Golightly
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 11:45 AM

I'm not sure I'd agree with Derek that a token folkie is better than none, though. I'd rather see no folkie than an inferior one. When folk music gets a little public attention, I'd like the spotlight on something genuinely excellent. I thought this year's Proms managed that and this year's Mercury nominations didn't.