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The Beatles - Abbey Road (1969)

"As I grew up, this album became more and more important to me. The songwriting is so good, and my favorite song ever is on it: "Golden Slumbers." It's less than two minutes long, and it's just brilliant--so beautiful. Paul McCartney was at his best at songwriting and singing."

Frank Sinatra - Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim (1967)

"It's not a typical Sinatra album. It's very special. It shows a different Sinatra, an older Sinatra. I like albums from bands and artists later in their career, when they already have a certain amount of maturity."

Johnny Hartman - The Voice That Is! (1964)

"This album works very well when you have a lady at home. It works very, very well. It not only works very well--it cannot fail. It's a sure shot."

Horacio Molina - Tango Cancion (1974)

"I was in Buenos Aires in a record store and an American tourist was trying to buy some tango stuff. The guy selling the records said that if he wanted something traditional, don't choose Molina because he is not traditional--he's more melodic. That's what I was looking for."

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - The Boatman's Call (1997)

"I like the simplicity of this record; it's mostly just piano and vocals. It doesn't have the brutal side of Nick Cave--it's more melancholic, really, and I like that a lot. It's the type of vibe I like a lot with my own songs too."