One of the defining essentials of being a professional, less so being an artist, is that you have to do it whether you feel like it or not. From professor to producer to prostitute the same applies. Learning this trick has been really useful to me creatively. It demands snap judgement be put aside. Music being what it is, an interesting thing happens: once you work with the material you invariably develop an affinity at some point. A light comes on and the thing you felt nothing for, or even felt repulsed by, you get it.

Another interesting thing is that sometimes the affinity is all the stronger having overcome the initial dislike. This was the case with 'Tis Autumn. When Debbie suggested we record it I didn't get it. But when I started to play it my fingers easily fell over the keys into the appropriate harmonic shapes. Then I got it. When Deb sang the song, it was perfectly suited to her voice. In a single take it was in the can. One of the best things she has done so far.

The lesson: learn how to suspend judgement.