Sound Rug

Cat Power (whose real name is Chan Marshall), has become the first woman to be awarded the Shortlist Music Prize. The singer/songwriter won with her newest release and best work (in my opinion) “The Greatest”. The album beat out veteran Tom Waits and eight other finalist’s releases such as Band of Horses, Beirut, Bonnie Prince Billy, Cat Power, Girl Talk, Hot Chip, Joanna Newsom, Regina Spektor, and Spank Rock.

The album, “The Greatest” opened last year at No. 34 on The Billboard 200, which was recorded in Memphis with veteran session musicians Teenie and Leroy Hodges, and Steve Potts. The album was released in January 2006 on Matador Records, the label she’s been with since 1996.

The Shortlist Prize honors acts that have made sterling albums released in the US, but have not yet hit the mainstream. The prize is determined by votes amongst peers. This years judges were Gary Lightbody (from Snow Patrol), Ronnie Vannucci (The Killers), Wayne Coyne (The Flaming Lips), KT Tunstall, Franz Ferdinand, and Panic! At The Disco.

In Los Angeles, where the awards are held, Sigur Ros was the first to be awarded the prize in 2001. Other winners include N*E*R*D, Damien Rice and TV On The Radio.

Chan pronounced (shawn), says the album marks a new chapter of sobriety in her life. Noticed by her much stronger stage performance, which was sometimes impaired by her abuse of drugs and alcohol.

here’s a link to her website where you can hear her album “The Greatest” streaming:

http://www.catpowerthegreatest.com/