Reviewed by Tony Cummings

I tried, without success, to get this book when it was first published in the USA in 2002 so I am delighted that this truly fascinating work has finally been taken up by a British publisher. Inspired by a conversation with Bono, poet, children's writer, rock music journalist and all round renaissance man Turner investigates the epic tale of the world's most recorded song ("Amazing Grace" is currently featured on more than 1,100 different albums!). The book is broken into two sections, the first dealing with the life of the song's lyricist John Newton. Most churchgoers know that Newton was a slave trader yet far fewer realise that he didn't become an actual slave ship captain until AFTER his conversion (although Newton was very much involved in slave trading before that dramatic storm brought Newton to his knees). Turner's research is impeccable, painstakingly tracing the early tunes used with Newton's words before the plaintive one we know today - which could possibly be of Scottish origin - was settled on to go with Newton's classic words and began turning up in "shape note" songbooks. The second section of the book deals with the dissemination of "Amazing Grace" and takes in the proliferation of songbooks, the Great Awakenings, the growth of African American gospel music and, most unexpectedly of all, the acceptance of the song into the folk music repertoire where it flourished ever prior to Judy Collins' million selling recording of the song. It's all here - from Ira Sankey to the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. A fascinating tale, comprehensively told.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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