Sponsored by:

Music on the Road

Back to basics with David Bowie

By Jodi Ross
CNN Entertainment Correspondent

(CNN) -- His Ziggy Stardust persona made him an international superstar in 1972. Now, 30 years later, Bowie is hitting the road to support his latest album, "Heathen."

In addition to playing the saxophone, guitar, keyboard, synthesizers and tuba on the new album, Bowie goes back to basics, re-teaming with his producer from 20 years ago, Tony Visconti.

Bowie spoke with CNN about fatherhood, his dislike of touring and about the possibility of retiring during a recent stop in New York.

CNN: Were you at all concerned that re-teaming with your former producer, Tony Visconti, would produce some of the same sounds from the past?

	CNN NewsPass Video
Watch David Bowie perform 'Slow Burn' from his new album, 'Heathen' (July 11) Play video

David Bowie: Very, that was a big concern of ours. What we really wanted to do was create a certain body of initial ideas, musical structures and lyrics that I felt would give us the chance to produce a piece that really had little or nothing that it owed to the past other than our own signature strengths.

CNN: You turned 55 this year. Do you think that milestone had any impact on this album?

Bowie: No. More about having a daughter at this age had a impact because all my priorities changed virtually overnight. The actuality of the event, cutting the cord, which I did. Everything changed immediately.

CNN: Did you know right away?

Bowie: It was like that's it, my life is never going to be the same again, and there's such a huge sense of expectation and joy. It is a euphoric moment and then you walk into this blessed century and it turns out to be such a disappointment. In fact a bit of a tragedy just to kick off with. You think, I really don't want this world to be like this for my daughter. What have I brought her into? How worse can this get? So all those things can go into your work.

CNN: September 11 happens, your daughter is born, how do you change after all this? How does your music change -- or does it?

Bowie: I don't know. I have not written or recorded since that time. What you are hearing from me on the "Heathen" album is last year's work. I don't know how it's gonna affect me but I am sure it is going to have a real seismic effect. I don't know how that type of experience translates and I guess won't really find out until I finish touring because I will start writing immediately after. ... And who knows how world events will have moved along by that time, anyway?

CNN: How many instruments do you actually play on this album?

Bowie: I play saxophones, some guitar, a little keyboard, synthesizers, tuba, I think that's about it. I would have played the violin but we have really good violinists but I will try anything. I will try to play anything

CNN: You're performing in a handful of tours this summer. How many tours can you do at the same time?

Bowie: Yeah, they kinda neatly slide into each other, but it's not really as extensive as you would think, you know? My priority is not to be away from home very long.

CNN: Is there a cutoff?

Bowie: September, that's it. Forget it, I'm home, because you know my baby is 21 months old, and that's not old enough to stay away from. I can't do that, not anymore. Sell record or no record, I've got to be home at a certain time and I'm just not going to have that side in my life, you know, changed.

CNN: Do you still enjoy touring, then?

Bowie: No, but I never did. I never enjoyed touring. I am not an actor or performer. I don't like it very much. I can do it, but it's not something I enjoy. ... I would rather be reading a good book most of the time.

I like devising shows, I like putting them together and I like, say, the first three or four nights, and then I get bored beyond belief of having to do the same damn thing every night.

CNN: How has being a father changed your life?

Bowie: She's just learned how to open handles of doors and come and close them again. It brought tears to my eyes because I use to have to get up and open the door, and then I saw the handle move and she pushed it open and a little face appeared at the door.

CNN: Do you sing her lullabies?

Bowie: Of course. "Baa Baa Black Sheep" ... "Hickory Dickory Dock" is big in our house also.

CNN: Do you even think or retiring?

Bowie: Into what? I retired at 21 or whenever I decided to become a musician. What do I retire into? Accounting. I will retire into accounting, maybe

CNN: Do you want to go golf or something?

Bowie: You've got to be kidding me. Have you seen the trousers? I won't be golfing this year