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.

To be successful in life, you must get in the habit of turning negatives into positives.

Many people fail not so much because of their mistakes; they fail because they are afraid to try.

Bobby Womack is always very real, both with his music and as a person.

Now I can stand up on the stage again like I used to after five years of sitting down while I sang.

Country music has the great stories.

And as I started reaching deeper I realized that most of the blues of that day was done by men. Women just didn't have the nerve.

It's not about battling the original artists when I record these songs, it's about paying tribute to them.

When Malcolm X was assassinated I was working at the Apollo. They brought his body to the Unity Funeral Home, which was around the corner.

I figured I could do "It's A Man's, Man's, Man's World" because I believe it's the truth.

Long as I was riding in a big Cadillac and dressed nice and had plenty of food, that's all I cared about.

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

I talked to the record company about what I had in mind. They said they wanted something lush. I figured the best thing to do was let them hear what I had in mind.

Most of the songs I sing have that blues feeling in it. They have that sorry feeling. And I don't know what I'm sorry about. I don't.

All the things I used to like - cookies, ice cream, gumbo - I don't like anymore.

I was a sloppy kid, wanted to be just wild.

I'm not starry eyed, and I'm not money crazy.

My mother was a jazz fanatic and she wanted me to play the piano so I could play jazz tunes. I wish I had learned but I was too busy getting into trouble!

Even as a little child, I've always had that comedian kind of attitude.