LIVING COLOUR

I only discovered Living Colour recently -- some 22 years after they toured as the Stones support band. I liked them, and not just for the tight Spandex cycling shorts.

Brian Ferry: Jealous Guy

Brian Ferry has done so many great cover versions, it was hard to pick one. But, pace John, I think his version of "Jealous Guy" has to be the most stylish.

Sacha Distel: La Belle Vie

With French O-level, I discovered France and ... Sacha Distel. Phwoarrrrr. I was smitten. I read up all the French fan mags, and knew everything there was to know about the gorgeous one, so that I won a competition in the Daily Mirror. The prize was two tickets to his show at the London Palladium, two signed albums and a photograph with him backstage during the interval. I don't think I've ever been so excited since. What they didn't tell us was, we'd have to share him with 18 other lucky winners. I'm two heads to the right of Slasher, Aunty Lily got a better spot in the bottom right hand corner in a gold lamé dress.

Osibisa: Music for Gong Gong

In 1970 Osibisa released their eponymous album with the famous Roger Dean flying elephant, and my feet just went dancing off on their own to their "criss cross rhythms that explode with happiness". I have been hooked on African music ever since.

The Beatles: Love me do

And so to the Beatles. I was 7 when "Love me do" was released. I grew up with the Beatles. I still think the songs they released between 1961 and 1965 were among their best. I liked Ringo the best. Because I was only 7.

James Taylor: You've got a friend

When I was 16 I was sooooooo in love with James Taylor ..... I even went out with a boy just because he looked a bit like him. I played his album into the ground. This song was written by the immensely talented Carole King, who would go on to make the best selling album of all time (until Thriller came along), "Tapestry". She's playing piano here for her buddy James. Their friendship has stood the test of time: last year they toured together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Troubadour club.

The Byrds: Mr Tambourine Man

Bob Dylan was a great songwriter but with his adenoidal whine he was not the greatest deliverer of his own songs - The Byrds' much more melodic version is the definitive arrangement. Sorry, Bob.