This is an album of songs that I've always loved, tunes that I heard. For the first time in 53 years of recording, I really had control over an entire album, start to finish.

I've gone through so much in my life. I should have been dead a long time ago, but I am still here, and I'm the happiest I've ever been.

To me, country music is like the blues, but it's something very hip and - I don't want to say commercial - but it's very worldly and good listening.

It's the same thing now. When I go onstage the young people scream and holler as much as the older generation.

My mother used to play nothing but Billie Holiday.

I am so happy that I am alive and can walk.

I'm not a bourgeois person, never will be.