01.03.2007: Choice Music Prize throws up another surprise winner:Ron, IU

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The Choice Music Prize winner, announced at Vicar Street and live on TodayFM's Pet Sounds show with Tom Dunne was: The Divine Comedy for the album "Victory for the Comic Muse".

One of the complete outsiders for the Prize, Neil Hannon was suitably stunned. His acceptance speech was a nice moment that illustrated that even with his years in the Industry, nine albums behind him, serious amount of critical acclaim and probably a good few quid from it all, some people are not as blase about their talent and recognition of it as you might expect.

Hannon's performance on the night was a reminder that the 'storyteller' songwriter genre is still alive and well and living in Dublin. His observational lyrics, constructed in an unconventional sentence-style meant that you can either just let the rhythm get the feet tapping or else you can immerse yourself in the story and it will actually work your brain and your imagination

The bookies favourite, and - it has to be said - the punter's favourite on the night, was Duke Special. Wonderfully catchy, foot tapping, definitely worth another listen. He's playing Dublin soon, and I'm going to get along to hear a full set.

Another Act to put in a magical performance was Messiah J and the Expert. While Hip-Hop might not be everyone's cup of bovril, it has to be said that these guys will have given the listening public something to think about. There is no reason why fans of Rap and Hip-Hop from accross the big pond have to content themselves with imported Acts: if Ireland's hip-hop culture has Acts of the quality of Messiah J and the Expert, let's hear some more of it on our radio stations.

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