The theory is that you don't play a song the same way twice because it's jazz. That's where I'm coming from.

In deep confusion, in great despair, when I reach out for him, he is there. When I am lonely as I can be, then I know God shines his light on me.

Performing was the natural thing originally and the rest of it [records and so on] is just like offshoots of that. That's how I see it anyway.

I just wanted to stop and try to get some perspective. [ A Period of Transition] it was just a matter of wanting to review the whole thing...to try and get some relationship to what I was doing.

Being famous was extremely disappointing for me. When I became famous it was a complete drag and it is still a complete drag.

I don't like to condemn people because what that means is that you're only condemning yourself about a part of you that you can't stand.

I haven't really heard much that's impressed me the way it was when I first heard Ray Charles or somebody like that. That was really an impression.