Mercury prize at 20: 1992, shortlist for music award described as being slightly eccentric

Originally published in the Guardian on 17 July 1992: One jazz, one classical, and one world music album have made it, along with U2, Simply Red, and the Jesus and Mary ChainAn award designed to be the music industry's equivalent of the Booker Prize was launched yesterday with a good Booker-type row about the judging panel and the shortlist.Simon Frith, chair of the judges, said yesterday that the winner of the pounds 20,000 Mercury Music prize would not be announced until the award dinner on Se...

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