Very often I don't make it through moments of recording because it is genuinely funny and absolutely ridiculous that a 60-year-old grown man is making these noises.

I recorded my hair this morning tonight I'm watching the highlights.

I don't have anything to prove anymore. I don't have a record deal no one has any expectations I'm in a position of freedom. I don't need anyone's approval.

Maybe a part of me recognized how right the improvising spirit of jazz is. Not the sounds but the freedom to work with musicians who work that way. It felt very natural to me but I think there's a way to do it without it being a jazz record.

I have just enough people paying attention that I have the freedom to be in charge. And I have a great record company - Nonesuch understands what I'm about.

I love to deer hunt and fish and drive down the back roads in my truck. All those things basically equal freedom to me - and not having to return that message or call from my record company or management. At some point I need to recharge.

Is it a coincidence that in 1998 Barack Obama talks about a majority coalition of welfare recipients and in 2012 we got a record number of Americans on food stamps while he's president? I don't think it's a coincidence.

I got IRS records to finance what I wanted to do.

I'd gone from being this art student messing about with music to this girl with a record deal magazine front covers and all this hype. In many ways it was everything I ever wanted but when it happened all I felt was total paralysing fear.

The record company's worst fear is that you'll fall in love or get rich.

The way to develop self-confidence is to do the thing you fear and get a record of successful experiences behind you.

The big thing that everyone forgets you're famous and on TV and everything but I think there's something very rewarding to be able to write a song record it and have it turn out as you heard it in your head or even better.

Becoming famous and selling a lot of records doesn't change a thing.

It wasn't not being famous any more or even not being a recording artist. It was having nobody who needed me no phones ringing nothing to do. Because I'm still too young to do nothing. I was only 24 when all that happened. Now at 40 I feel I've got more to give than I ever have.

I guess we decided to make a new record 3 years ago when Nancy was done scoring for Almost Famous.

In fact I'd just like to own something. Everyone thinks I'm glamorous rich and famous but all I've got is some recording equipment and a battered old BMW.

When I got into the music industry I wasn't focused on being the most famous artist or even getting a major record deal. It was just to make music on my own terms or create my own image do my own hair do my own makeup.