Back when I was a frequently poster on the Hum listserv, we'd sometimes play a game that went something like this: if you could put together a band of any genre, who would be in it? And suspend your disbelief for a while regarding what musicians would mesh with others. Would you build an a capella quintet with Bjork, Sandi Patty, Etta James, Tom Waits and Thom Jurek? Or a mambo band with Dr. John and Jack White on guitar?

Go nuts!

I've always wanted to hear a garage-rock combo featuring Jack and Meg White on guitar and drums, respectively, and Bob Dylan on lead vocals and keys. Joe Henry could produce.

I've kind of hankered in the past for a harp-focused band; maybe Junior Wells on mouth harp, Mother Maybelle Carter on autoharp, and Joanna Newsom on orchestral harp. It would be a sort of Appalachian Elf Blues thing. Possible title: You're Damn Right I Miss Lothlorien, Ellie Mae.

I reckon I would go with Brian Blade on drums, Tony Williams on drums, Kieran Hebdon and DJ Shadow sampling the drums, with Herbie Hancock playing Jonny Greenwood's weird keyboard thing, and then I would find a way of allowing Bjork to get inside Terry Callier's brain and control his vocal chords, perhaps something like the set up in Being John Malkovich, and all this in a large underground bunker, with Tricky in charge of lighting, whispering in the background.

Oh, and Thom Yorke would be dancing in the middle of it all, obviously.

On a more serious note, I've always wondered what Destiny's Child would sound like if backed by Dirty Three.

My ultimate organ trio: Charles Mingus forced to play electric bass, Billy Preston on B3, Stewart Copeland drums.
Songs: Strictly Allman Bros covers

I'm not really sure about the rest of the players, but I know I want Kevin Shields and The Edge manning the six-strings.

I like it....... I would love to hear Marvin Gaye's What's Going On as interpreted by Henry Threadgills Very Very Circus with Jaki Lebezeit as one of the two drummers.
I would Like RZA to contribute re/arrangements.
I really want to hear Sharon Jones and Lenine singing.

as long as I am dreaming

I want to hear a Merle Haggard record produced by Jack White.

As my esoteric choice seems to have killed the thread.......

Matthew Sweet and Jay Bennet and because I'm not sure that if they were left to their own devices it would work, I want a really scary rhythm section, one that might possibly eat them if they don't bring their A game. Dave Grohl and Lemmy.

That's just jaw-droppingly awesome.

Sade, Brian Eno, Darren Jessee (drummer from Ben Folds Five), whoever plays the twinkly guitar in Appleseed Cast, and Evan Cranley (bass player Stars/Broken Social Scene). If they wanted to switch instruments or whatever that would be OK. On second thought, I'd be the drummer. It's my dream, after all.