MADONNA: True Blue (Warner)
The first album I had, when I was six. It was on cassette and my sister and I played it so much it kept coming loose.
We knew every single word and I still remember it. It’s sad my six-year-old will never be able to look back and remember actual albums.
DAMIEN RICE: O (14th Floor)
Very acoustic with pure passion in his voice. My favourite song is The Blower’s Daughter, a duet with Lisa Hannigan.
I sang it at my husband’s brother’s wedding. When I dropped out of nursing, I gave myself five years to give music a go. Listening to him was a huge inspiration.
SHERYL CROW: Sheryl Crow (Polydor)
My ultimate singer-songwriter idol. When I was 12 and started playing guitar, she had the song All I Wanna Do.
I loved her voice and her style inspired me. She was cool, wrote her own stuff and the songs were catchy.
ALANIS MORISSETTE: Jagged Little Pill (Rhino)
Another powerful icon I admired. Nobody was ashamed to say they liked her because she was so badass.
Rebellious, angry songs that you’d sing along to.
EVA CASSIDY: Songbird (Blix Street)
She only really got discovered after she died. I picked up her finger-picking style listening to her.
I love her cover versions, such as Fields Of Gold and Over The Rainbow. Relaxing, easy listening.
NORAH JONES: Come Away With Me (EMI)
I love the jazzy, laid-back acoustic style. I could listen on repeat all day.
I was studying nursing at the time and didn’t want to stay at it so I’d put this on to relax.