Mercury Music Prize awarded
Last night in London from the Roundhouse in Camden, the prestigious Mercury music prize was awarded. The gong was received by twenty-five year old music maestro James Blake.
It was evident to the obscure minds with a sound, distinct skill and apt aura that south Londoner Blake was a dead cert. We should have placed a bet. We forgot. We aren’t quids in. 😦 Never doubted it for a second.
Blake fought off competition from eleven other nominees including David Bowie, Arctic Monkeys and Laura Marling. All albums and artists are listed below. All twelve have an incredible yet distinctive sound. However, Blake tipped the scales with his resonance, eclectic and piercingly engaging sound.
The former Goldsmith’s University student nabbed the £20,000 reward that comes with the prize for his album, Overgrown.
Blake said of his prize “I will not piss it up the wall.” Blake intends to spend some time perfecting his craft further with a little downtime to produce more music on from his exceptional sound. An artist does not rush their craft, so abruptly.
Blake perfected this second album himself after having a musical background as the son of a member in the band Colosseum.
The judges comprising the Mercury Prize panel said of Blake’s work it was “Late night music for the digital age. An inventive, poignant and poetic record of great beauty.”
Worthy Blake’s victory secures a notion where celebration for young, skilled and recognisable musical talent was acknowledged.
This can only lead for more genuine, young music to be provided and capture the imaginations of the consumers and thrill seekers, whilst still never counting out the oldies, either.
Host Lauren Laverne, whose evening gaff dubbing Blake “James Blunt” was an interesting moment for the ceremony.
The event, shelved from mainstream television broadcasting, as well as shutting out numerous cultured journalists in favour of ‘big name’ and magazine editors cast the ceremony as calamitous. The sexed up show with live coverage was met with indecision from fans.
SHORTLISTED ALBUMS
Arctic Monkeys, AM
Davie Bowie, The Next Day
Disclosure, Settle
Foals, Holy Fire
Jake Bugg, Jake Bugg
James Blake, Overgrown
Jon Hopkins, Immunity
Laura Marling, Once I was an Eagle
Laura Mvula, Sing to the Moon
Rudimental, Home
Savages, Silence Yourself
Villagers, Awayland
IMAGES
Reuters
Billboard100
