With her 80th birthday coming up this year, "Time Was When" marks the latest milestone in a legendary career. In addition to her music, Brooks has appeared in numerous films, including onscreen performances alongside Humphrey Bogart (1950's "In A Lonely Place") and Jack Nicholson (last year's "The Crossing Guard" by director Sean Penn); in the early 1950s she became the first African-American woman to host her own television show; and in 1993 she was awarded the prestigious Pioneer Award by the Smithsonian-based Rhythm and Blues Foundation, acknowledging her groundbreaking work in recording, radio, film, and television.

But Brooks is in no mood to rest on her laurels. Judging by the seasoned confidence of her recent live shows and new album, a new generation of fans will be drawn to Brooks' music in the coming months. "It's very exciting to be recording again -- after all, it's been a few years," she laughs.

Over the years Brooks has tweaked and entertained audiences in lavish theaters, clubs, ballrooms, and amphitheaters throughout the world (on one occasion, she played for a massive audience in London's Wimbledon stadium accompanied only by an accordionist). She particularly enjoys playing stages in Europe and Australia: "They're very intent," she laughs. "I'll be playing in front of 800 people and it's so quiet you can hear a rat walk on cotton. I love it. It's not like I'm putting on a nun's habit and asking people to genuflect -- but it's difficult to reach out to the audience when they're fidgeting and shouting out requests."