Mercury Music Prize

[citizenED]

Congrats to PJ Harvey for winning. I haven't got a copy of her latest album so I am listening to "White Chalk" in her honour.

[mockney piers]

Tis a fine album and a worthy winner.

Pj Harvey = national treasure

[Otta]

Not heard the latest, but Jah Lush introduced me to White Chalk a while back, and it's beautiful.

Not a fan of the Mercury Prize though.

[mockney piers]

I prefer it to White Chalk. It is beautiful but hard to listen to sometimes.

I know what you mean about the Mercury, but it's better than the Brits!!!

[mockney piers]

Talking of the difference between real music and manufactured music, I rather enjoyed this from Grace Dent's review of the latest X-Factor

Another very talented girl, Janet, with a rather mesmerising Laura Marling-type voice sang Your Song, causing the audience to erupt and the judges to announce she had star quality. Obviously, the best thing Janet could do now is work with someone who'd give her young self time to develop gradually as a modern folk act, playing to her strengths, instead of being on ITV1 until Christmas and forced to sing Waterloo by Abba on 70s week or appear in hotpants with a cartwheeling dance troupe, honking through Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne, then being nagged for not dancing enough, then dispatched on the X Factor tour, fifth on the bill under Mr "I had sex in Faliraki" Tattoo Arse. It's not too late Janet. Run

[*Bob*]

Even I can't stoop to another series of X Factor..

[mockney piers]

Sadly, despite my ranting and raving about moral bankruptcy, it looks like it will be an autumn fixture in the mockney household.

At least there's [the final series of] spooks to look forward to!

[Otta]

I've yet to see any x-factor this year, but suspect I'll fall in to it once the live shows start.

That was a very good quote about it, and very true. I get annoyed when people dismiss all the contestants as talentless, because there have been some very good singers over the years. Unfortunately though, the x-factor will take that talent, and destroy it.

[Jeremy]

I'm sure there have been some good singers on there, but I'm generally more interested in the music than the singer - which is why I hate X Factor so much. It has absolutely nothing to do with creativity. What the hell is "star quality", anyway?

[*Bob*]

It's like a pact with the devil.. you get the good times, but sooner or later you have to pay the ferryman.

And when Jedward fall, they're going to fall hard. And I can't wait to see it.

[Jeremy]

What do you mean by "when Jedward fall"? They're already on Big Brother.

[Ted Max]

Her earlier work in that classic double act with Duncan is right up there.

[Jeremy]

Ted Max Wrote:

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> Her earlier work in that classic double act with Duncan is right up there.

I'd say she made a mistake going solo. Just ask Gary Barlow or Ronan Keating.

[*Bob*]

Jeremy Wrote:

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> What do you mean by "when Jedward fall"? They're

> already on Big Brother.

You've got to wonder what can be in store for them when the gravy train hits the buffers.

I see hard drugs, sexual perversion and an early grave.

[mockney piers]

I'm thinking the presidency

[*Bob*]

Of Ireland?

Yes.. Perhaps they could succeed where Dana failed.

[david_carnell]

Pah - King Creosote & Jon Hopkins should have won. A beautiful album.

No one should be allowed the Mercury twice. It's meant to bring critical aclaim to under-the-radar artists. Otherwise you might as well have given it to bloody Adele.

[mockney piers]

I'm quite partial to Metronomy's album as it goes, but I think she's a worthy winner. It's not like there are more than about 25 people in the country who've heard of her.

[Jeremy]

david_carnell Wrote:

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> It's meant to bring critical aclaim to under-the-radar artists.

Quite a few established acts have won it before. I'm not sure that they have some sort of manifesto to support underground music, it's just the way it's sometimes worked out with the chosen panels.

[Otta]

Jeremy Wrote:

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> I'm sure there have been some good singers on

> there, but I'm generally more interested in the

> music than the singer - which is why I hate X

> Factor so much. It has absolutely nothing to do

> with creativity. What the hell is "star quality",

> anyway?

I think there have been people on it (the bloke with the afro a couple of years back) who probably do have musical talent, but see this as their last chance to get a break. They probably believe that once their face has been on tv, they'll be able to do their own thing, and be successful.

Alas not.

[Jeremy]

Singing talent, maybe (I don't watch the show). Songwriting talent? Who knows, but even if he did then the X Factor certainly won't showcase that.

[red devil]

Otta Wrote:

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> I think there have been people on it (the bloke

> with the afro a couple of years back) who probably

> do have musical talent...

You'll be pleased to know Jamie 'Afro' Archer has hit the big time, along with Thai dancers and a Rat Pack tribute, he was the half-time entertainment at Leicester City recently...

[camberwell70]

Maybe one day X Factor will die...and then be brought back to life by Channel 5.

[*Bob*]

A 'waning star' for the other Big Four = 'potential hit show' for Five.

Smart cookies over at Five.

[northlondoner]

david_carnell Wrote:

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> Pah - King Creosote & Jon Hopkins should have won.

> A beautiful album.

>

> No one should be allowed the Mercury twice. It's

> meant to bring critical aclaim to under-the-radar

> artists. Otherwise you might as well have given it

> to bloody Adele.

e

I think the work of Jon Hopkins is extraordinary - an electric and eclectic creativity that leaves one (metaphorcally) gasping, at times. But DC - sorry to appear unsophisticated here- but what;s wrong with Adele. I;ve noticed quite a few people being snooty about her of late. I think she's incredibly gifted....but does this just mean I;m old and out of touch? *man tunes radio to Magic and weeps silently*