Well since you asked (are you sitting comfortably!) ....
It's hard for me to pick out just a few things as I like such a vast range of music. I'd not previously posted in this thread, not because I had nothing to add, but quite the opposite (as you'll see, hehe). Anyway I've had a fun evening trawling through Youtube to find these, so I hope at least some of them are of interest. Here's just a few of my musical influences and favourites. Note that most of these are live versions (as is the way with Youtube) and vary a fair bit in quality.
John Martyn - Solid AirJohn Martyn - Small HoursA huge musical influence and two of my favourite JM songs. The reworking of his 70s classic Solid Air is just dripping with soul, beautiful. And Danny Thompson has to be one of the best bassists there is. On Small Hours the guitar sound he uses was ahead of its time and done with an analog tape echo unit.
Neil Young - Hey Hey My My (Into The Blue) Includes Jawas!
Neil Young & Pearl Jam - Keep On Rockin' In The Free WorldI discovered Neil Young when I was about 14 with the album Rust Never Sleeps. It had a beautiful acoustic side and a dirty grungy electric side. Both blew me away and he's been a huge musical influence of mine ever since. The MTV performance with Pearl jam was jaw dropping at the time, no-one expected it to turn out like it did.
Jackson Browne - Your Bright Baby Blues. Jackson Browne - Running On EmptyOne from 1977 and one from Glasto 2010, good to see he's still in fine voice. David Lindley's lap steel solos always send shivers down my spine, I'd love to be able to play that instrument.
Sandy Denny & Fairport Convention - Who Knows Where The Time GoesSandy Denny - Late NovemberOne of the most beautiful and haunting voices to ever grace the airwaves. Her voice still stops me in my tracks. Timeless.
Richard Thompson - Vincent Black Lightning 1952The master. Budding guitarists might want to look away now.
Chris Knight - North DaktoaI'm a big fan of Americana and and storytelling via song. This is the closest to the sort of acoustic music I like to play myself on the guitar (I do a rather substandard cover of this song)
Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings - Time (The Revelator)More Americana. Went to see them live a few months ago, one of the best gigs I've ever seen. The musical chemistry between them is mesmerising and Dave Rawlings guitar playing is from another planet - who says the shredders get all the best licks!
Rory Gallagher - Do You Read MeRory Gallagher - Walk On Hot CoalsThe guitarist who I've always most wanted to play like, but all I've achieved so far is a guitar that looks as beaten up as his. Check out the second guitar solo on Walk on Hot Coals and all the clipped notes. And the guitar solo at the end of Do You Read Me still makes me grin from ear to ear every time I see/hear it. And great to see a snippet of Stanley Unwin (anyone else ancient enough to remember him?)
The Waterboys - The Pan WithinThe Waterboys - Glastonbury SongStill going strong and still awesome. One of the best live acts I've seen.
The Cure - A Forest (acoustic)My favourite Cure song and my favourite version of it.
Bon Iver - BlindsidedHauntingly beautiful voice and a wonderfully atmospheric live arrangement of this song.
Christy Moore - Ride OnChristy Moore - Viva la Quinta BrigadaIf you ever get a chance to see CM live, take it while he's still around. Magical performer. The second of these vids gives you a taste of the amazing atmosphere at his gigs.
Jethro Tull - Songs From The WoodA deeply unfashionable band, but I still love 'em and such a great live act. Ian Anderson always makes me chuckle.
Tom Waits - Rain DogsWell you won't see this covered on the X-Factor!
Some classic Bjork and some more recent barking mad Bjork. Love 'em both.
Bjork - HyperballadBjork - CrystalineGrateful Dead - BirdsongYep I'm a Deadhead, and I'm not ashamed to say it! Totally unique band, never has been or ever will be anything like them.
Matt The Electrcian - Happy EndingMatt The Electrician - Keep It ThereSomeone I actually found out about via Youtube. His songs are a quirky mix of the bittersweet and dry humour.
Frazey Ford - Gospel SongI just love music stripped down to its rawest soul.
Little Feat - Rock n Roll DoctorOne of the funkiest bands ever. Another tragic premature loss in Lowell George though.
Neko Case - Magpie To the MorningThe vid has nothing to do with Neko Case, but it's a wonderfully surreal accompaniment.
Daniel Lanois - The MessengerLove the stripped down version of this song. For anyone into their guitar playing, check out his guitar tone during the solo. Classic Les Paul sound.