Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Vocalist Merry Clayton's musical story was articulated in the Oscar-winning 20 Feet from Stardom, a documentary about backing vocalists on countless classic rock, pop, soul, and gospel hit records. Clayton's duet with Mick Jagger on the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" in 1969 is a prime example. Before that appearance, she'd been a professional for nearly a decade. In 1962, at the age of 16, she duetted with Bobby Darin, then joined Ray Charles' Raelettes. Since then her voice has graced literally hundreds of charting and legendary recordings. Between 1970 and 1975 she issued three albums for producer Lou Adler's Ode label, and a pair of excellent gospel outings, 1980's Emotion and 1994's Miracles. In 2014 Clayton was in a car accident and suffered the amputation of both legs below the knee. She spent five months in the hospital, but responded to the news of her loss with gratitude when told she could still sing. The following year she appeared on Coldplay's "A Head Full of Dreams."
Beautiful Scars was co-produced by Adler and Grammy-winning gospel songwriter, vocalist, and instrumentalist Terry Young, who contributed five songs to the set. It opens with a new read of Leon Russell's "A Song for You." Clayton initially covered it on her 1970 debut album, and she and her late husband, the great saxophonist Curtis Amy, chose it as their song. Adler honored that by dubbing in Amy's original 1970 saxophone solo. Clayton's performance affirms that her voice has lost none of its suppleness, elasticity, or passion. She follows with a rousing version of Sam Cooke's "Touch the Hem of His Garment," fronting a gospel choir a cappella, showcasing her power and authority. "Love Is a Mighty River" was penned for her by Coldplay's Chris Martin. A piano, Hammond B-3, and South Africa's Soweto Gospel Choir underscore her conviction and positivity. Likewise, Diane Warren penned the powerful title track for her. Clayton's delivery is initially soft and subtle, but she gradually ratchets the song into a soaring, anthemic testament of hope and faith. She's surrounded by tasteful strings, electric guitars, processional drums, and cascading keyboards. She rocks the house with Young's stomping "He Made a Way." Its riveting tempo, combined with Clayton's muscular delivery, revels in the influences of Dorothy Love Coates and Mahalia Jackson. The soul-gospel of "Oh What a Friend" frames that voice in swinging horns, funky wah-wah guitars, and shimmering percussion. Clayton croons above it, offering a stirring expression of spiritual gratitude. Beautiful Scars closes with a glorious medley of Stuart Hamblen's "It's No Secret What God Can Do," the Five Stairsteps' "Ooh Child," and Jackie DeShannon's "Put a Little Love in Your Heart," sung in duet with her teenaged granddaughter Kyliyah backed by a strident gospel choir. Beautiful Scars is glorious. It's not a comeback album but an astonishing new chapter in the book of Clayton's epic life.
© Thom Jurek /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From kr133,33/month
Lou Adler, Producer - Nathan East, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Merry Clayton, MainArtist - Alex Brown, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Grundman, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Leon Russell, ComposerLyricist - Charles Fearing, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Gilstrap, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paulinho Da Costa, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - ALVIN CHEA, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Oren Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Maxine Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Carmen Twillie, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Josef Powell, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Alfie Silas, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Terry Young, Producer, Organ, Piano, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Yvonne Williams, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Julia Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mary Russell, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Charlene, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Curtis Amy, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Luther Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ted Perlman, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Jill Tengan, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Sandy Simmons, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kenny Elliott, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Bobette Jamerson, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kyliyah M. Amy, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 Ode Sounds & Visuals
Lou Adler, Producer - Merry Clayton, MainArtist - Alex Brown, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Grundman, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Charles Fearing, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Cooke, ComposerLyricist - Gerald Albright, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Gilstrap, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paulinho Da Costa, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - ALVIN CHEA, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Oren Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Maxine Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Carmen Twillie, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Josef Powell, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Alfie Silas, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Terry Young, Producer, Organ, Piano, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Yvonne Williams, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Julia Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mary Russell, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Charlene, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Luther Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ted Perlman, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Jill Tengan, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Sandy Simmons, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bobette Jamerson, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kyliyah M. Amy, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 Ode Sounds & Visuals
Harvey Mason, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Lou Adler, Producer - Nathan East, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Merry Clayton, MainArtist - Alex Brown, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Diane Warren, ComposerLyricist - Bernie Grundman, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Charles Fearing, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Gilstrap, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paulinho Da Costa, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - ALVIN CHEA, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Oren Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Maxine Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Carmen Twillie, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Josef Powell, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Alfie Silas, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Terry Young, Producer, Organ, Piano, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Yvonne Williams, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Julia Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mary Russell, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Charlene, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Luther Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ted Perlman, Guitar, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Jill Tengan, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Sandy Simmons, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bobette Jamerson, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kyliyah M. Amy, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 Ode Sounds & Visuals
Lou Adler, Producer - Merry Clayton, MainArtist - Alex Brown, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Grundman, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Charles Fearing, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Gilstrap, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paulinho Da Costa, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Martin, ComposerLyricist - ALVIN CHEA, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Oren Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Maxine Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Carmen Twillie, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Josef Powell, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Alfie Silas, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Terry Young, Producer, Organ, Piano, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Yvonne Williams, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Julia Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mary Russell, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Charlene, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Luther Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ted Perlman, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Johannes Raassina, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Sandy Simmons, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bobette Jamerson, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kyliyah M. Amy, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 Ode Sounds & Visuals
Harvey Mason, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Lou Adler, Producer - Nathan East, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Merry Clayton, MainArtist - Alex Brown, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Grundman, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Charles Fearing, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Gilstrap, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paulinho Da Costa, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - ALVIN CHEA, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Oren Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Maxine Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Carmen Twillie, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Josef Powell, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Alfie Silas, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Terry Young, Producer, Organ, Piano, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Yvonne Williams, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Julia Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mary Russell, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Charlene, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Luther Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ted Perlman, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Jill Tengan, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Sandy Simmons, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bobette Jamerson, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kyliyah M. Amy, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 Ode Sounds & Visuals
Lou Adler, Producer - Merry Clayton, MainArtist - Alex Brown, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Gouché, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Grundman, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Charles Fearing, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Gilstrap, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paulinho Da Costa, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - ALVIN CHEA, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Oren Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Maxine Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Carmen Twillie, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Josef Powell, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Alfie Silas, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Terry Young, Producer, Organ, Piano, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Yvonne Williams, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Julia Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mary Russell, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Charlene, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Luther Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ted Perlman, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Jill Tengan, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Sandy Simmons, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kenny Elliott, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Bobette Jamerson, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kyliyah M. Amy, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 Ode Sounds & Visuals
Lou Adler, Producer - Merry Clayton, MainArtist - Alex Brown, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Gouché, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Grundman, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Charles Fearing, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Gilstrap, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paulinho Da Costa, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - ALVIN CHEA, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Oren Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Maxine Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Carmen Twillie, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Josef Powell, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Alfie Silas, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Terry Young, Producer, Organ, Piano, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Yvonne Williams, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Julia Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mary Russell, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Charlene, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Luther Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ted Perlman, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Jill Tengan, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Sandy Simmons, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kenny Elliott, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Bobette Jamerson, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kyliyah M. Amy, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 Ode Sounds & Visuals
Lou Adler, Producer - Johnny Britt, Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Merry Clayton, MainArtist - Alex Brown, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Gouché, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Grundman, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Charles Fearing, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Gilstrap, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paulinho Da Costa, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - ALVIN CHEA, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Oren Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Maxine Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Carmen Twillie, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Josef Powell, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Alfie Silas, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Terry Young, Producer, Piano, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Yvonne Williams, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Julia Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mary Russell, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Charlene, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Luther Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ted Perlman, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Jill Tengan, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Sandy Simmons, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kenny Elliott, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Bobette Jamerson, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kyliyah M. Amy, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 Ode Sounds & Visuals
Harvey Mason, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Lou Adler, Producer - Johnny Britt, Horn, AssociatedPerformer - Nathan East, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Merry Clayton, MainArtist - Alex Brown, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Grundman, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Charles Fearing, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Gerald Albright, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Gilstrap, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paulinho Da Costa, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Herb Alpert, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - ALVIN CHEA, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Oren Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Maxine Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Carmen Twillie, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Josef Powell, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Alfie Silas, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Terry Young, Producer, Organ, Piano, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Yvonne Williams, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Julia Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mary Russell, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Charlene, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Luther Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ted Perlman, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Jill Tengan, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Sandy Simmons, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bobette Jamerson, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kyliyah M. Amy, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 Ode Sounds & Visuals
Harvey Mason, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Lou Adler, Producer - Jimmy Holiday, ComposerLyricist - Nathan East, Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Stan Vincent, ComposerLyricist - Merry Clayton, MainArtist - Alex Brown, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bernie Grundman, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Charles Fearing, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jim Gilstrap, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Paulinho Da Costa, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Jackie DeShannon, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Stuart Hamblen, ComposerLyricist - ALVIN CHEA, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Oren Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Maxine Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Carmen Twillie, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Josef Powell, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Alfie Silas, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Terry Young, Producer, Organ, Piano, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Yvonne Williams, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Julia Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Mary Russell, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Randy James Myers, ComposerLyricist - Charlene, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Luther Waters, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Ted Perlman, Synthesizer Programming, AssociatedPerformer - Jill Tengan, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Sandy Simmons, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Bobette Jamerson, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Kyliyah M. Amy, Additional Vocals, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2021 Ode Sounds & Visuals
Album review
Vocalist Merry Clayton's musical story was articulated in the Oscar-winning 20 Feet from Stardom, a documentary about backing vocalists on countless classic rock, pop, soul, and gospel hit records. Clayton's duet with Mick Jagger on the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" in 1969 is a prime example. Before that appearance, she'd been a professional for nearly a decade. In 1962, at the age of 16, she duetted with Bobby Darin, then joined Ray Charles' Raelettes. Since then her voice has graced literally hundreds of charting and legendary recordings. Between 1970 and 1975 she issued three albums for producer Lou Adler's Ode label, and a pair of excellent gospel outings, 1980's Emotion and 1994's Miracles. In 2014 Clayton was in a car accident and suffered the amputation of both legs below the knee. She spent five months in the hospital, but responded to the news of her loss with gratitude when told she could still sing. The following year she appeared on Coldplay's "A Head Full of Dreams."
Beautiful Scars was co-produced by Adler and Grammy-winning gospel songwriter, vocalist, and instrumentalist Terry Young, who contributed five songs to the set. It opens with a new read of Leon Russell's "A Song for You." Clayton initially covered it on her 1970 debut album, and she and her late husband, the great saxophonist Curtis Amy, chose it as their song. Adler honored that by dubbing in Amy's original 1970 saxophone solo. Clayton's performance affirms that her voice has lost none of its suppleness, elasticity, or passion. She follows with a rousing version of Sam Cooke's "Touch the Hem of His Garment," fronting a gospel choir a cappella, showcasing her power and authority. "Love Is a Mighty River" was penned for her by Coldplay's Chris Martin. A piano, Hammond B-3, and South Africa's Soweto Gospel Choir underscore her conviction and positivity. Likewise, Diane Warren penned the powerful title track for her. Clayton's delivery is initially soft and subtle, but she gradually ratchets the song into a soaring, anthemic testament of hope and faith. She's surrounded by tasteful strings, electric guitars, processional drums, and cascading keyboards. She rocks the house with Young's stomping "He Made a Way." Its riveting tempo, combined with Clayton's muscular delivery, revels in the influences of Dorothy Love Coates and Mahalia Jackson. The soul-gospel of "Oh What a Friend" frames that voice in swinging horns, funky wah-wah guitars, and shimmering percussion. Clayton croons above it, offering a stirring expression of spiritual gratitude. Beautiful Scars closes with a glorious medley of Stuart Hamblen's "It's No Secret What God Can Do," the Five Stairsteps' "Ooh Child," and Jackie DeShannon's "Put a Little Love in Your Heart," sung in duet with her teenaged granddaughter Kyliyah backed by a strident gospel choir. Beautiful Scars is glorious. It's not a comeback album but an astonishing new chapter in the book of Clayton's epic life.
© Thom Jurek /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 10 track(s)
- Total length: 00:39:51
- Main artists: Merry Clayton
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Motown Gospel (EGS)
- Genre: Jazz Gospel
© 2021 Ode Sounds & Visuals ℗ 2021 Ode Sounds & Visuals
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.