Norah Jones has paid tribute to her musical inspiration- country and western queen Dolly Parton.

The 29-year-old singer thinks Dolly is as good as Johnny Cash.

Writing in Q Magazine, Norah, who won album of the year at the 2002 Grammy Awards for her country inspired hit Come Away With Me, said: "She has lots of different sides to her personality. People talk about the blonde hair, the boobs and the outfits, but she's also very smart and a great musician, too.

"Her own songs were as good as the ones written by Johnny Cash."

Norah chose the platinum haired Nine To Five singer as her female inspiration for the magazine's Women in Music special.

Norah revealed that Dolly, who has had a record breaking 25 No 1 singles, was the musician who most influenced her when she was growing up.

"When I was little I used to listen to Jolene and Coat of Many Colours and all those classic country songs that Dolly Parton sang," she explained.

"I was too young to know much about her at all, but I just loved her music. Her harmony singing is amazing. Her voice sounds like no one else."

The pair performed together at the 2004 CMA Awards, which led to further duets on Norah's second album.

"We got to hang out," she said. "After that we worked together on my second record, Feels Like Home. She sang on Creepin' In which was a real thrill for me."