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Vocal dynamo Merry Clayton was just 16 when she became the lead female singer in the Ray Charles Orchestra and 20 when she famously duetted with Mick Jagger on the Rolling Stones’ classic “Gimme Shelter.” She was 21 when she sang on Neil Young’s equally classic “Southern Man” and on much of Carole King’s landmark album, “Tapestry.”
Now, at the age of 73, Clayton who co-starred in the 2014 Oscar-winning music documentary “20 Feet From Stardom” is back with “Beautiful Scars,” her first solo album since 1994. Born out of tragedy, it marks the start of an inspirational new chapter for the versatile singer, who has collaborated with everyone from Bob Dylan, Michael Jackson and Coldplay to Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Lynyrd Skynyrd (that’s her singing on the choruses of “Sweet Home Alabama”).
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“I felt a sense of joy… I always felt the sentence was excessive.” - Rev. Kenneth Flowers, Greater New Mt. Moriah Baptist Church
Last week, on his way out of the White House, President Trump commuted the 28-year sentence of the former Detroit mayor. In the days following the announcement, which came down last Wednesday, there has been a big debate around Kilpatrick’s legacy and whether or not he deserves the commutation.
Listen: Stephen Henderson and guests discuss Kwame Kilpatrick’s release and legacy
Guests
Karen Dumas is a communications consultant who served as director of community relations for Kwame Kilpatrick during his time as mayor. She wrote an op-ed in the Detroit News titled “What Kwame Kilpatrick’s commutation means for Detroiters.” She says the commutation was “fair.”
In 2008, the Rev. Kenneth Flowers was one of the first Detroit pastors to call for the resignation of Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, saying it was needed for the city to move forward.
But like many others, he felt the 28-year sentence for corruption handed down by federal prosecutors in 2013 was overkill and illustrated a racial bias. So when Flowers heard early Wednesday morning that President Donald Trump had commuted Kilpatrick s sentence, he was pleased. I do not condone his actions, Flowers, pastor of Greater New Moriah Baptist Church in Detroit, said of Kilpatrick. However, I do believe that the sentence was excessive, particularly in light of other individuals, particularly white individuals, who may have been guilty of the same type of crimes but received far lesser sentences than he did. My concern was that the sentence was excessive and that they ve gone too far.