Throughout my life I have cared as deeply about the songs of all peoples as I have about the rights of all peoples.

I am first, and foremost, an actor. That's what I am. To me, a song is a mini-drama. My musical ability informs the actor as well because it gives me a sense of timing that non-musicians don't have. So, one hand washes the other.

I always sang, I always acted, I always played.

After the advent of the written word, the masses who could not - or were not permitted to - read, were given sermons by the few who could.

We live in a world of guns, bombs and terror. To conquer hate seems a nigh-impossible task.

I am a universalist, passionately devoted to the cause of equality within the human family.

By showing hunger, deprivation, starvation and brutality, as well as endurance and nobility, documentaries inform, prod our memories, even stir us to action. Such films do battle for our very soul.