Merry Clayton Releases Beautiful Scars

<p>Today, Merry Clayton — the legendary singer who has made indelible contributions to music by Ray Charles, The Rolling Stones, Carole King and so many more — shares “Touch The Hem Of His Garment,” a stirring version of the timeless Sam Cooke-penned song from her forthcoming album Beautiful Scars out April 9th on Motown Gospel.&nbsp;</p> <p><br></p> <p>With vocal arrangements by Terry Young, percussion by Paulinho da Costa and saxophone by Gerald Albright, “Touch The Hem Of His Garment” is a joyous track emblematic of Beautiful Scars’ mission: To celebrate God’s grace and find love and joy in the face of hardship and tragedy. “If I can just touch the hem of your garment,” Merry sings, ever faithful in God’s redemptive power, “I know I will be made whole right now.”</p> <p><br></p> <p>The lessons of perseverance and resilience found on Beautiful Scars are hard-fought. In 2014, mere months after the documentary 20 Feet From Stardom in which Merry stars won an Oscar - a tragic car accident hospitalized her for five months. The accident claimed both of her legs and required years of diligent rehabilitation. But Merry found strength in her own voice — which remained as powerful as ever — and, recalling her upbringing in her father’s New Orleans parish, the healing themes of Gospel music.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Co-produced by lifelong friend, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, and Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Famer Lou Adler, and legendary Gospel vocalist, instrumentalist and songwriter Terry Young, Beautiful Scars finds Merry emboldened by His Word, mercy and eternal love — it’s the most heartening and human record she has ever made.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Recorded at Henson Studios (formerly the famed A&amp;M Studios where many of Merry’s most historic sessions took place) in Hollywood, Beautiful Scars features original songs by Terry Young, Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Diane Warren as well as classic covers. Alongside “Touch The Hem Of His Garment,” those include Leon Russell’s “A Song For You,” a reprisal of a track M