The Clark Sisters, “Pure Gold” | Sunday Refresh

On the 4^th edition of Sunday Refresh (2022), we’re uplifted by The Clark Sisters performing, “Pure Gold.”

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elcome to Sunday Refresh , a column that seeks to highlight inspirational songs to uplift the spirit.  These tracks that appear on Sunday Refresh may or may not be faith-based or religious; the goal is for them to make you feel better – refreshed.  So, for the 4^th edition of Sunday Refresh (2022), we highlight “Pure Gold” as performed by The Clark Sisters.

“The rock of salvation / A sure foundation / steadfast unmovable / Strong as Mt. Zion / fit for the Master’s plan / We know all things work together.” Amen, hallelujah ! So, were you aware that Grammy-nominated rapper Snoop Dogg released a compilation of religious songs? If not, this occurred in the year of our Lord, 2018, when Snoop Dogg Presents Bible of Love arrived.  Notably, Bible of Love features a classic by iconic gospel collective The Clark Sisters, “Pure Gold.” For some context, The Clark Sisters were known for their high-flying vocal harmonies and anointed pipes.  The Clark Sisters was founded by their mother, the legendary Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, an innovator in harmony in gospel choirs.

“Though we’re tried in the fire, we come / Out as pure gold / Lord make us whole.” “Pure Gold” may appear on Snoop’s gospel compendium, but it originally appeared on The Clark Sisters’ 1985 album, Is My Living in Vain? “Pure Gold” certainly represents the innovative spirit the iconic group and Dr. Clark brought to contemporary gospel music (gotta love the songwriting, harmonic scheme, and form).  That said, what most stands out is how the record affects you while listening – how it touches the spirit! The sisters, led by Karen Clark Sheard, speak of being molded into pure gold.  The Christian walk is one that isn’t rosy but has its fair share of hills and bumps in the road.  After going through ‘the ringer’ in some cases, if we are faithful believe, and stay the course, we’ll come out better, stronger, and like pure gold thanks to God.

“We’re casted then melted

Like brass, tin, and iron

We become like a stone

We’re carved, scraped, and shaven

Like rock, wood, and metal

We become like a stone.”

This 80s gospel classic still hits hard in 2022.  The spiritual refresh is real!

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Snoop Dogg • Snoop Dogg Presents Bible of Love • RCA • 2018
The Clark Sisters, “Pure Gold”: Sunday Refresh No. 4 (2022) [: Brent Faulkner, The Musical Hype, RCA, Zac Durant on Unsplash]

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