VIDEO: Merry Clayton's Southern Soul Cover of Neil Young's "Southern Man"

Merry Clayton

 

Over Thanksgiving holiday, we re-watched the film "20 Feet From Stardom" and were reminded of Merry Clayton.



And you say who is Merry Clayton???

Clayton sang back up vocals on Neil Young's "Old Laughing Lady". Above, watch Merry Clayton covering Neil Young's "Southern Man" around 1972/3 (@~14:30).

Also, Clayton was the intensely female backup vocal on the Rolling Stones original version of "Gimme Shelter". And, she was one of the original Rayettes (Ray Charles female backup singers).

Merry Clayton's was brilliant on The Who's "Tommy" soundtrack on "The Acid Queen" with symphony orchestra backing.

And, she sang backup on Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama", that song that some think"put Ol' Neil down".

Southern soul for a southern man from a southern woman.

1969 - Merry Clayton recorded The Old Laughing Lady and I Loved Her So Long with Neil Young

1971 - Merry Clayton recorded Southern Man as a solo artist

1974 - Merry Clayton recorded Sweet Home Alabama with Lynyrd Skynyrd

And, so why exactly might a southern black woman cover a white Canadian man's ode to racism in the Confederate south again, now anyhow

From the film "20 Feet From Stardom", Merry Clayton discusses her backup vocal on The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter". Note Mick Jagger's reaction when Clayton's voice breaks on lyrics "Rape, Murder".



Also, see Northern Man, Southern Man and The Un-Civil Wars of Donald Trump & Neil Young and Southern Man and Northern Man: Ronnie and Neil, The Un-Civil Wars & Rebels with Causes.

We hope you remember that a Southern Man needs Neil Young around anyhow. Now, more than ever.

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