A trading statement yesterday revealed that revenues were down 3 per cent on a constant currency basis after a weak first half in recorded music.

Perhaps, too, this explains why my most vivid memories are triggered by and connected to a soundtrack of recorded music.

The lack of a fair-priced alternative to illegal downloading has been a common complaint since downloading began to annihilate the recorded music market.

But the heavy technical overlay and the odd mixture of live and recorded music works to dehumanise rather than universalise the experiences.

But she says the economics of recorded music means she has no choice.