Mercury Music Prize: King Creosote joins stars like Adele in album shortlist

Published on Tuesday 19 July 2011 14:10

FIFE singer-songwriter King Creosote has been named among the 12 nominees for this year's Barclaycard Mercury Music Prize.

King Creosote, real name Kenny Anderson (pictured), made the shortlist of the prestigious album awards for his collaboration with Jon Hopkins, titled Diamond Mine.

Anderson is a respected figure in the Scottish folk scene and is one of the founders of the Fence record label, although he releases his own work through Domino Records.

Among the favourites to win this year's Mercury Prize are chart star Adele and previous winners PJ Harvey and Elbow.

They are among a shortlist of 12 acts which also includes double Brit winner Tinie Tempah.

Half the nominees are nominated for debut releases and the list features four female singer-songwriters.

Adele is nominated for her second album 21, which is the biggest selling album of the year and set a new record for an unbroken 11-week stint at the top of the charts.

PJ Harvey was previously awarded the prize in 2001 for Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea on the night of 9/11. She is in the running this year for her acclaimed eighth album Let England Shake, which was inspired by recent international conflicts.

Adele and PJ Harvey were installed as the early joint favourites at 4-1 by bookmaker William Hill.

The Mercury Prize - won last year by The XX - is held in high esteem within the industry, but more importantly it frequently helps to boost sales of nominees and winners.

It revitalised the career of Elbow when they won three years ago.

Among the acts to miss out on a nomination are Radiohead, who had their previous three albums shortlisted but not 2010's The King of Limbs, and the critically acclaimed collaboration between former Arab Strap frontman Aidan Moffat and Bill Wells.

Previous winners Arctic Monkeys have also been ignored this year by judges for their fourth album, Suck It And See.

The prize usually includes a nod to jazz and this year is no exception, with the inclusion of pianist Gwilym Simcock.

The overall winner of the 2011 prize will be revealed on Tuesday September 6 and broadcast live on BBC Two.

The full list of nominees:

• Anna Calvi - Anna Calvi

• Adele - 21

• Katy B - On A Mission

• Metronomy - The English Riviera

• Everything Everything - Man Alive

• King Creosote & Jon Hopkins - Diamond Mine

• Tinie Tempah - Disc-Overy

• James Blake - James Blake

• PJ Harvey - Let England Shake

• Ghostpoet - Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam

• Elbow - Build A Rocket Boys!

• Gwilym Simcock - Good Days at Schloss Elmau