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Plant goes Shadow boxing for Mercury prize
David Smyth, Pop Critic22.07.08
Rock veteran Robert Plant, 59, faces Alex Turner, 22, and his Last Shadow Puppets in the battle for this year's £20,000 Nationwide Mercury Prize for album of the year.
Turner, who won the prize two years ago with the Arctic Monkeys, appears in the 12-strong shortlist announced today for his side project with Miles Kane. Other young stars on the list include Estelle, Adele and Laura Marling. Wild cards in a traditionally eclectic selection include Portico Quartet, a modern jazz group from London who used to busk outside the National Theatre, dubstep musician Burial and folk act Rachel Unthank And The Winterset, featuring Geordie sisters Rachel, 29, and Becky, 22.
Radiohead receive their fourth nomination while Elbow get their second along with Gruff Rhys, the Super Furry Animals' lead singer who is included for Neon Neon, his collaboration with American DJ Boom Bip. Indie rockers British Sea Power complete the list. Plant is shortlisted for his collaboration with Alison Krauss. The winner will be announced on 9 September.
