[on Amanda Palmer] This unmissable one-woman hurricane is an elemental force of nature.

[on Marillion] A band who I think are much maligned. Their big mistake, possibly, was in the '80s not changing their name after their first lead singer left and they formed a new lineup and had a change of direction.

[on Gerry Rafferty] His early work with Stealers Wheel was an inspiration to a whole generation of songwriters in the 70s including me, and many of us had hoped his recent album Life Goes On in 2009 would lead to a full-time return to writing and performing for a lyrical and highly gifted artist. He will be greatly missed.