Widely-acclaimed by the critics but little known in the mainstream music world, Hegarty has been described as the "gayest thing ever recorded".

The 20,000 pounds prize is awarded each year by an independent judging panel to the best album by a British or Irish band.

Antony and the Johnsons only qualified for nomination because Hegarty was born in Sussex, southern England, before moving to the United States.

"I am completely overwhelmed," Hegarty, 34, said after accepting the award at a central London ceremony. "I think they must have made a mistake. I think that is insane."

Losing nominees included Coldplay for their bestselling album "X&Y", guitar band Kaiser Chiefs for "Employment" and London newcomers The Magic Numbers.

Hegarty said trying to pick between such different nominees was like choosing between an "orange and a spaceship and a potted plant".

At well over 6 feet tall (183 cm) and with a ghost-white face and straggly hair covering his face, Hegarty's looks are as unusual as is his voice.

Rolling Stone magazine described his voice as "an instrument of delicacy and rapture in which Nina Simone, Morrissey and Joni Mitchell seem to inhabit the same breath".

The Mercury judges often award the prize to rising stars rather than established names.

Past winners include Scottish rock band Franz Ferdinand, rapper Dizzee Rascal, indie band Pulp and singer-songwriter PJ Harvey.

Anthony and the Johnsons are indeed worthy winners - have a listen to "Hope there's someone" - If it fails to move you you are probably dead already.
Also well worth a listen is Seth Lakeman, folk artiste from Dartmoor - heard extracts from Kitty Jay his new LP on R4 yesterday and was mightily impressed.
Surely the likes of Coldplay and the Kaisers don't need the exposure or the kudos,having both aplenty anyway?
Halibut.

Sorry but the Mercury music awards are a joke, every year they seek out to show themselves as "uber-cool" by picking a little known group (admittedly for the group it is a major sales boost) as if to say "oh the mainstream dont know anything about music but we do and this is the best album of the year"

Before anyone flames me saying have i heard the Antony and the Jonsons album no i havent and that is not my point, im not saying they arent worthy winners, they may well be but why do they, year after year, pick the most obscure album on the list to win it (case in point Dizzee rascal)

I think in the mid 90's Whats the story morning glory was nailed on to win and they picked one of the rank outsiders.

I know its not based on record sales but how many of the general public actually have this album? How well known are this group? No doubt the album will sell like hotcakes now but i feel IMHO that the people on the Mercury Music board just look to be smug and "look at us we are smart you millions of people who bought albums by the other artists dont know anything"

I've had this album for a few months. He's not unknown. Has been on Jools Holland and well played on some of the late night Radio 1 shows - hardly completely mainstream but not unknown

The problem with the award is that it is a load of albums from the complete musical spectrum of UK music. Imagine being in the room and having to get it down to one winner. Apparantly there is a lot of arguing.

I would argue it isn't the most obscure either - it just depends what types of music you are exposed to in your daily life.

so so wrong- kaiser chiefs should have won that hands down- emploment is an amazing album!

I never said unknown - i said little known.

Looking at the acts i would say that to the mainstream audience they are little known and out of the group of nominees they and Seth Lakeman would be the ones with least recognition.

I never said they didnt deserve to win, having not heard the album i cant possibly pass comment on the music itself but i am making a view about the board and their views they seem to pass on year after year after year.

Anyway tip for next year - Artic Monkeys to win!

Its gotta be the artic monkeys or theres something very wrong with that competition, how come they wernt in the runnings this year? By far the best and most original new talent out at the moment. :clap:

Ha we both spelt it wrong. Losers

Anthony and the Johnsons are indeed worthy winners - have a listen to "Hope there's someone" - If it fails to move you you are probably dead already.


I know I'm not dead :thumbsup: I love this song and I love his ridiculous vibrato.

Have a listen (http://www.contactmusic.com/new/home.nsf/webpages/antonyandtheJohnsonsx10x05x05)

Crikey blimey! Good posting Titian; have just got in from a few beers at a friends house and the first thing on the Forum that catches my eye is Anthony and the Johnsons. Top tune. What a voice. Lyrically damn good too.
Cheers!

I was just discussing him with a friend and had a listen again, then found this thread. Top song, goes on my classics list.

Its gotta be the artic monkeys or theres something very wrong with that competition, how come they wernt in the runnings this year? By far the best and most original new talent out at the moment. :clap:

they were in the running this year. They just didnt win.

they were in the running this year. They just didnt win.

Um, I think you'll find they did win.... :hihi: :thumbsup:

StarSparkle

Um, I think you'll find they did win.... :hihi: :thumbsup:

StarSparkle

oh yeah. The thread was started in 2005 so anthony and the johnsosn didnt win this year then.

oh yeah. The thread was started in 2005 so anthony and the johnsosn didnt win this year then.

oh yeah....

You and I both posted in 2006, so that was the year I was referring to - I don't know about you..... although you DID refer to "this year" in your post, which unless you're a bit behind the rest of us, relates to 2006?

Don't try to get clever with me :suspect:

StarSparkle