Clarence Carter is gone. A lot can and has been written about his accomplishments and his impact. But I want to say something about the spirit of the man. And mostly, I’m going to just let him say it.

Justice Clarence Thomas lamented the heightened security that has become necessary for members of the Supreme Court in recent years, telling an audience in Florida on Thursday that it is now far more difficult for him to take part in activities outside the courthouse.

Clarence Carter – the blind Southern soul singer whose raw vocals powered classics including Patches, Slip Away and the cult favourite Strokin’ – has died aged 90 following a battle with Stage 4 prostate cancer,