I was listening to Linda Lewis's version of Family's "My Friend The Sun" when who should pop up on backing vocals but Family's vocalist Roger Chapman.

Clair Martin does a version of John Martyn's "Man In A Station" on her "Take My Heart" album, on which the man himself also provides vocal accompaniment.

There can't be that many cover versions which include contributions from the original artists can there?

Just listened to the latest podcast and thought I'd kick off the list of hidden tracks, as discussed. For those yet to hear it David, Andrew and Fraser touch on those hidden CD tracks that can only be accessed by hitting the Previous Track button whilst Track One is lined up.

The only examples I know of are on Discs 2 and 3 of XTC's Coat Of Many Cupboards box set. They are:- (Disc 2) Wanking Man & (Disc 3) Shaving Brush Boogie. Having confirmed their existence I've never felt the need to hear either of them again. Hidden for a good reason methinks.

I'm fairly certain that I do own another example but I'm going to rely on y'all to remind me.

Unkanny resemblens between gitarrist Robert Fripp (wiv sister Patricia) and brave noble fearless ect curse of St. Custards Nigel Molesworth

Ipod just shuffled Stevie Wonder's "Do I Do" into focus. Great stuff featuring none other than Dizzy Gillespie. This got me ruminating on other jazzers guesting outside their chosen field e.g.
Humphrey Lyttleton with Radiohead
Don Cherry on Steve Hillage's L album
Archie Shepp on one of Frank Zappa's YCDTOSA series
Chet Baker on Elvis's version of "Shipbuilding"

Any other examples of mainstream jazzers (i.e not fusioneers) slumming it?

I know he's been partial to a drop of fusion in the past and has cropped up with Joni Mitchell occasionally but I always thought that Herbie Hancock and Simple Minds was an unusual combination. ("King Is White And In The Crowd" on New Gold Dream, for the curious)

Just been listening to David's interview with Mark "y'know" Cooper and a couple of things struck me... Am I right in thinking that in the earlier days of Later... bigger name artists would usually perform at least one of their better known songs (or hits if you will}? Despite Mark Cooper's hate of "getting corporate" nowadays this NEVER happens, All three (four if it's a slow week) of their songs are from the latest product. Do some old!

My other problem with Later.. is Jools' lamentable "routine questioning". Reflecting back to David and Mark Ellen's days with OGWT isn't there a place (maybe under the Later brand) for a serious music talk show aimed at the likes of us, conducted by journalists with some idea of what they're talking about. Contrary to earlier decades, artists both young and old these days seem much more voluble. Whether it's Jonathan Ross chatting to the newer artists on his radio show or the backstage interviews at Glastonbury etc. it's evident that most musicians are very aware that mumbled one-word replies just won't do and they are more likely to have something intelligible to say, and I'd like to hear it.

Or is it just me?