My Fantasy Band: Ed Harcourt

'Prince would look after the more dirty riffs...'

Ed Harcourt's new album, 'Back Into the Woods', is out now (Getty Images)

Drums: Charlie Watts

Mainly because he looks effortlessly cool in his debonair suit. He's got that laid-back, loose feel, but he's also a tick-tocking backbone.

Bass: Carol Kaye

She played on “Wichita Lineman”, one of my favourite songs, which has the best bass intro ever.

Guitar: Django Reinhardt and Prince

Django would play the softer numbers, Prince would be on lead; he'd be in charge of the more dirty riffs.

Keys: myself

I'd obviously have myself; I can't pass up the opportunity to play with this line-up.

Tambourine: Gene Clark

He was in the Byrds as well as being a singer in his own right. He was a mean tambourine player and he had a wonderful voice, so he could throw in some counter-melodies.

Backing vocals: The Raelettes

I'd like the Raelettes, Ray Charles's backing singers. I think they'd be quite sympathetic to Gene's bittersweet harmonies.

Vocals: Patti Smith and Tom Waits

The two of them combined would bring a sense of danger and theatrics to the stage. They've got the vital ingredients that all lead singers should have: blood and sweat, menace and tenderness.

Ed Harcourt's new album, 'Back Into the Woods', is out now. He tours the UK in May and June. www.edharcourt.com