Review: Merry Clayton's new gospel album caps a comeback
Merry Clayton's new album, titled “Beautiful Scars,” is a celebration of fortitude, and caps a comeback after she lost her legs in a 2014 car accident
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference."Beautiful Scars,” Merry Clayton (Motown)
It's appropriate Merry Clayton's singing volume on her new gospel album repeatedly reaches forte, which in French means strength. “Beautiful Scars" is a celebration of fortitude, and caps a comeback after Clayton lost her legs in a 2014 car accident.
This is Clayton's first solo album in more than 25 years, but her name and enthralling alto will sound familiar to longtime pop fans. She was a Raelette for Ray Charles at 16 and sang on the Rolling Stones' “Gimme Shelter," Joe Cocker s “Feelin’ Alright” and Lynyrd Skynyrd's “Sweet Home Alabama."
The daughter of a New Orleans preacher, Clayton draws heavily on her roots on “Beautiful Scars,” singing testimonials to love, gratitude, trust, faith and, most of all, healing. She forms a holy alliance with an outstanding choir led by Terry Young, who co-produced with Lou Adler. The tight choral arrangements make her vocal flights of fancy even more powerful, and the result is a lot of roof-raising.
The material includes “Love Is a Mighty River,” a new composition co-written by Coldplay's Chris Martin, and fine covers of tunes by Leon Russell and Sam Cooke. There’s sax solo recorded 50 years ago by Clayton's late husband, Curtis Amy, who died in 2002, and a vocal solo by her granddaughter, Kyliyah Amy. But Clayton is the star, still shining brightly.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.