
Reviewed by George Hamilton IV
I first came to Northern Ireland in 1974 for a concert in the Grosvenor Hall in Belfast. This was followed by many other visits in the late 70’s and eventually led to a TV series for BBC Northern Ireland, which ran for several years. In more recent times, it seems I’ve become a regular visitor to Northern Ireland - it’s almost like a 2nd home to me now.
One of the great blessings of all the frequent visits to Ulster has been the joy and privilege of making some dear friends along the way – like for instance, my good friend Samuel Purdy of Lisburn.
Samuel organises most of my church based tours in Northern Ireland, so I’ve often shared the stage with him and learned to admire his talents and love and respect him as a brother in the Lord.
It was through my friendship with Samuel that I met a new friend, Colin Elliott. Colin, Samuel and I have recently performed several concerts together with their band LIVE ISSUE and now I’m not only a ‘friend’ but also a ‘fan!’
I think you will be too, once you’ve listened to this wonderful CD – “We Will Meet Again.” There are lots of familiar standards here as well as some interesting newer songs too. LIVE ISSUE performs soulful versions of favourites like, “I Believe”, “Less of Me” and “I Saw The Light.” They even take a turn at Alastair McDonald’s arrangement of the 23rd Psalm. (I must admit I’m a bit partial to the title track, as it was written by George V, would you believe!)
So sit back, relax and listen to some excellent Country / Gospel with Soul, by my good friends LIVE ISSUE!
Warmest Regards in His Name!
George Hamilton IV
(The Franklin, Tennessee representative of the LIVE ISSUE Fan Club!)
CD REVIEW BY PAUL DAVIS
GEORGE HAMILTON IV & LIVE ISSUE
MUSIC & MEMORIES OF JOSEPH SCRIVEN
Absolutely fab! The best live album yet by George IV!! Absorbingly very well presented in audio, artwork & artistry. Colin Elliott and Samuel Purdy should take a well deserved bow along with George IV. Recorded live in Holy Trinity Church of Ireland, Seapatrick, Banbridge , Northern Ireland . Entertaining and enlightening, George shows class backed by Live Issue’s gentle-on-the-ear male harmony and country instrumentation. The outfit has a distinctive style. The album is inspired and inspiring, exhibiting a handsome set of well worked inspirational ballads, hymns and narrations. The repertoire justly secures attention for its warm-hearted passion delivered in a simple, comfortable country-setting.
PAUL DAVIS
www.pauldavisauthor.com www.newchristianmusic.co.uk

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.
GEORGE HAMILTON IV & LIVE ISSUE
EASTER IN THE COUNTRY LIVE
Unashamedly, I’ve never stopped playing this in the car ever since I received it. Yes, sure it is sentimental but these are quality ballads by quality talents, an absolute gem. 11 out of 10! Enjoyable, edifying and engaging, the legendary GHIV’s gentle-on-the-ear distinctive style with the outstanding Ulster-Gospel group Live Issue never sounded better: and that is praise indeed! His Easter repertoire has a down-to-earth touch which is fully alive ... happy, sad, challenging… according to the repertoire change. Clearly an enthusiast, GHIV’s Gospel music plus dramatic narration is hugely entertaining as well as being a profound statement for common folk to ponder. Hats off to Live Issue & George! The audio-trail by Live Issue has been laudably fashioned. Therefore, this CD will be sought out by the devotee of GHIV vintage and many others. This strain of album is in this day-and-age is somewhat out of the usual run-of-things on the mainstream UK conveyer belt of releases. The 'easy listening' tag is unfair as these simple stylings of well known ditties are paraded with unhyped consummate artistry. I loved it! Each song is presented in a typical GHIV country fashion with piano and country instruments out front.
PAUL DAVIS www.pauldavisauthor.com www.newchristianmusic.co.uk www.ncmradioshow.com www.ukcma.org

OLD FASHIONED HYMNS AND GOSPEL SONGS FOR THOSE WHO MISS THEM!
LAMON RECORDS AND HILLCREST RECORDINGS
If the title applies, get going quickly and buy this double-CD gem of 28 historic duets that include Charley Pride, Whites, Connie Smith, Pat Boone, the 101 year-old Bev Shea, Marty Stuart, Charlie Louvin, Bill Anderson, Ricky Skaggs, Bill Clifton, Dave Moody, Terry Warren, Buddy Greene, Cliff Barrows, Arthur Smith, Billy Grammer, Jack Greene, Jan Howard, Del McCoury and many, many more! Produced by Northern Ireland's Colin Elliott (of Live Issue), these moving, classic songs have had a profound impact on the life of many churched and unchurched people down the years so will stir memories and emotions. The GHIV name is synonymous with folk-styled gospel music with evangelistic appeal and he is joined by a virtual 'whos-who' that is unique and awe-inspiring. The all-star duets, full of experience, pathos and character, abound with a classy backup of vocalists and instrumentalists such as Ricky Skaggs, Buddy Greene and others. Highly popular, this UK and USA repertoire of hymns-and-spirituals is full of passion, hope and faith. Never have I been so taken back by a country-gospel album; nostalgic and great faith-building too! Why has George IV not yet been honored by induction into Nashville's 'Country Music Association Hall of Fame'?
PAUL DAVIS www.pauldavisauthor.com www.newchristianmusic.co.uk www.ncmradioshow.com www.ukcma.org
Cross Rhythms Magazine | |
Live Issue - On The Line | |
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STYLE: Country
RATING 9/10 OUR PRODUCT CODE: 131273-20289 LABEL: Independent FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1 This product is currently not available from Cross Rhythms Direct
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Reviewed by Dave Brassington Live Issue are a fine four piece band from Ireland, playing a brand of high quality modern country music. Their music is certainly on a par with similar offerings from the States, all the more incredible when they are still only part time, but justly considered of such a high standard as to be included on the bill of last year's International Festival of Country Music when it came to Ireland. The band comprises of Colin Elliott, Roy Dreaning, Carl Sands and Sam Armstrong, who between them play guitars, mandolin, banjo, harmonica, piano and drums/percussion. A very catchy track opens the album, "Can't Help Myself", which had me scratching my head with frustration until I realised it was set to the tune of "Wanted Man" a track from the smash Johnny Cash album of the late '60s, the seminal 'San Quentin' album! A bevy of fine songs follow with "I'm Listening For The Call", "Crying On Your Shoulder" and the very thought provoking "Somebody Bigger Than You And I", before we are treated to a version of the Hollies classic "He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother" which the group say goes down well at their live shows. I particularly liked the very snappy "Jesus Is The Only One For Me". "The Other Thief" is a really thought provoking song but then the album closes with a track I initially didn't like, a re-working of the old Everly Brothers classic "Let It Be Me", re-worked as "You First Loved Me". As a real fan of Don & Phil I was initially less than enthusiastic about this, but the more I played it, the more it began to grow on me. Thoroughly recommended. |
