GEORGE HAMILTON IV
Music And Memories Of Joseph Scriven:
Review by Maverick Magazine

A few years ago George Hamilton IV was touring Northern Ireland with his fellow 'musicianary', Samuel Purdy. They happened to find themselves in the town of Banbridge, County Down. Purdy told George that this was the birthplace of a certain Joseph Scriven, the man best known for having written the hymn What A Friend We Have In Jesus, reportedly the second most popular hymn in the world after Amazing Grace. As the story of Scriven's early life unfolded George became increasingly interested and after the tour was over he began to carry out his own research on this man. Following a tragic love affair, Scriven emigrated from his homeland and eventually settled in Port Hope, Ontario, Canada. He spent the rest of his life in that area, teaching, preaching and living a Spartan life of poverty, brought about largely by his unshakable conviction that his Earthly mission was to reach out to those in greater need than himself. George put together a biography of this incredibly good man, punctuated his narrative with amazingly appropriate songs and ended up with a riveting celebration of the life and times of Joseph Scriven.
In October 2005 George was touring Canada and he found himself in Port Hope where he performed 'A Tribute To Joseph Scriven'. The tribute he paid to this largely unsung hero was so well received that George decided to make a much wider audience aware of the great work which Joseph had carried out during his lifetime. It was almost inevitable that on 18th May 2006 George found himself bringing his story back to the birthplace of Joseph Scriven. Accompanied by Samuel Purdy on piano, keyboard and banjo, Colin Elliott on bass and harmony vocals, Roy Dreaning on rhythm guitar, harmonica and backing vocals and Sam Armstrong on drums, percussion and vocals, George and this small band of musicians celebrated Joseph's life in narrative and song in the Holy Trinity Church of Ireland, Seapatrick Parish. Banbridge, the very church where Joseph had worshipped as a boy. The performance was recorded live and masterfully produced by Colin Elliott and Samuel Purdy. The warmth and sincerity George infuses into his narration is unsurpassable and the carefully selected songs, both secular and religious which punctuate the narrative are truly inspired. During the hour long programme one will hear Johnny Cash's Forty Shades of Green, followed by Someday My Ship Will Sail, written by Allen Reynolds, the man who produced Garth Brooks' great hits. Then, rather surprisingly, one will hear Abilene and Canadian Pacific, but there are perfectly valid reasons for their inclusion, just as there are for Gail Davies' Someone Is Looking For Someone like You and Glen Campbell's Less Of Me. Even the selected hymns and gospel numbers, Farther Along, The Old Country Church, Let Your Love Flow Through Me, Amazing Grace and, inevitably, What A Friend We Have In Jesus all add to the narrative and their selection could not be bettered.
The musicianship and vocal harmonies are excellent. George, now in the seventieth year of life, has rarely sounded better. The entire performance is not merely absorbing; it is captivating, riveting and delivered with a measure of conviction which is rather rare these days. Dare I suggest that this must rank as one of George Hamilton's best recordings of his career? Yes, I do, and I honestly believe that many of his most loyal fans would hesitate to disagree.
Copies of the album are available through George's Appreciation Society, Sue Marshall, 3 Hamilton Drive, Edinburgh EH15 1NP or by contacting Samuel Purdy at www.hillcrestrecordings.ik.com

L.K.