When was the last time music made you cry? There is one piece of music that puts me in a place that no other music does. It’s called Four Last Songs, written by Richard Strauss.

I also saw Lou Reed at Town Hall. I thought that was magnificent. There was something so fundamental about what he was doing, and it gave him so much room to weave anecdotes and witticisms — things Lou is very good at.

What was the last great performance that you saw? This year, I saw Radiohead at the Beacon Theatre [in New York]. I had a shrewd suspicion that they were the best band around, and that convinced me.

I’m trying to think if there’s anyone who truly has honed his craft to a point that you are really, really glad that he stayed with one thing all the way through his life. Of course there is. How stupid of me! Bob Dylan.

This will either drive you up the wall or you will produce some amazing drawings while listening to it. You could probably cook a fish to this as well.

Let's dance. Saw this on Africa Channel or maybe Link last year and play it at least once a week. What time is it in Paradise indeed?

Quite strange but atmospheric. The late Arthur Russell was supplying all the background effects on his electric cello.

The great Kwesi Johnson at his saddest. This forceful slice of narrative is part of the continuing evolvement from griot through the Last Poets to Mos Def.

GYBE are among my, erm, two favourite Montreal bands, Arcade Fire being the other. All Montreal bands have around nine members, I believe.

I'm not a big Baker fan but there's something about this performance that touches me. I think it's the break in her voice among all this gaiety and optimism.

One of the late 20th century's most affecting works. I love the use of speech as a source for melody. But it's so much more than a concept, it's also impossibly moving.

There aren't that many son/father songs but this is the best of them as far as I know. Rufus is just simply one of the great writers.

Who could dislike this glistening 1984 beauty? The upside of the 80s.

Hugely huge in China. Peng holds the rank of major general in the People's Liberation Army. I have a thing about Chinese folk music, OK?

Adams's minimalism disguises the rich romanticism of his melodies. Ever ascending, rising through the clouds.

Simple, beautiful New Orleans piano. This 1941 song was the blueprint for Fats Domino's 1949 hit "The Fat Man" and probably played a part in the making of Professor Longhair's "Tipitina".

Just over a minute long and propulsive like a storm. I want to crush furniture. The emotional in search of the divine.

Ellison only got to record this goose bump-making classic because of a Sinatra cancellation at the studio. The vocal build and release on this track is galvanising. Writer Jerry Ragovoy also wrote "Time Is On My Side".