Description
The self-titled solo debut album by the American singer and songwriter Chuck Girard (August 27, 1943 – August 11, 2025) of Love Song fame was released on Good News Records in 1975, distributed by Myrrh Records, a division of Word. The album was recorded by Billy Taylor and Chuck Johnson at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio in North Hollywood, California; with Chuck Girard producing.
Chuck Girard is backed by well known Los Angeles session musicians like Dean Parks and Bill Maxwell (later of Koinonia), David Paich (of Toto fame), Joe Osborne, and Jim Keltner, as well as the four members of Ambrosia who was recording their debut album at Mama Jo’s the same year, with Freddie Piro producing. (It was Piro who did form Good News Records, the independent label both Love Song and Chuck Girard were signed to, and Piro was actually the owner of Mama Jo’s Recording Studio as well.) Includes the praise-and-worship classic “Sometimes Alleluia” (featuring background vocals by 2nd Chapter of Acts).
This cherished pop-rock classic will need little introduction to most. Seems like so many people over the years have pointed to this one as a major source of personal inspiration. Chuck was of course a member of the pivotal Jesus music group Love Song, with stints in the ‘60s outfits The Hondells and The Castells long before that. On his first solo outing he continues in the lush dreamy style of Love Song while toning down some of the rock and country influences in favor of a mellower pop edge. Includes the popular ballads «Lay Your Burden Down» and «Sometimes Alleluia», along with upbeat numbers like «Rock ‘N’ Roll Preacher» and «You Ask Me Why». Beautiful floating vocal harmonies, especially on the graceful acoustic «Quiet Hour» and the ethereal «Everybody Knows For Sure». Other songs like «Tinagera» have vocal arrangements that suggest The Beach Boys. Assistance is provided by the group Ambrosia, including guitarist David Pack. Obviously something very special at work here. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
In 1975 Christian music pioneer Chuck Girard launched a solo career after the pioneering band that he’d helped form came to an end. In Love song, he’d established himself as a strong songwriter and one of the main voices in the band. This solo album kicks off with the autobiographical «Rock’n’Roll Preacher» complete with sweeping vocals and blasting horns and pounding rhythms. What happens next is an album packed full of seventies pop, inspiring lyrics and perfect vocal performances. This is seventies CCM at its finest. From the soulful pop groove of «Galilee» to the inspirational laid back sounds of «Quiet Hour», this is fabulous Jesus Music capturing Chuck Girard at his most assured. The final three tracks make for a magnificent fifteen minute sweep of songs that are worshipful and inspiring. The prayerful «Lay Your Burden Down» sets the scene perfectly whilst «Slow Down» reaches into the heart to minister. Finally, the worshipful «Sometimes Alleluia» completes the album in an uplifting fashion. The end result is an album that exemplifies everything that was good about seventies Christian music. So there’s great musicianship, strong arrangements and production and lyrics that are immediate and directly spiritual. Nothing is watered down her. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, January 2007]
This album was originally titled ‘Rock and Roll Preacher’ after one of the songs. When I submitted the title to Word Records, who distributed the albums, they told me that if the album appeared with the words “Rock and Roll” in the title, none of the book-stores would carry it, and if they did, no one would buy it, therefore the album would be a flop. This was 1975, and the church had not yet fully accepted that rock music could be used for God. It was not my usual style to bow to conventional wisdom and industry advice, but I saw the common sense in this counsel, and let the album go out as ‘Chuck Girard’. This was my first solo album after the group Love Song disbanded. Historically, one of the most difficult things for anyone to do is to successfully break out of a group identity and establish a viable solo identity. I was aware of this, and wanted to make an album that would ruffle as few feathers as possible.
Although I had some songs that were more confrontational, I decided it was wisdom, not compromise, to select songs for this album that had positive and uplifting themes. My philosophy at the time was that I needed to earn my space, and later I could be more confrontational. This idea worked as this album sold very well and single-handedly established me as a solo artist, largely due to the song that was to become a minor classic, «Sometimes Alleluia». I never really broadened my audience base too much over the next years because my albums never really followed formula, but I think that I offered people what they needed, if not always just what they wanted. [ Chuck Girard ]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/chuck-girard/362432113)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Rock ‘N’ Roll Preacher” – 2:44
A2. “You Ask Me Why” – 3:14
A3. “Evermore” – 3:26
A4. “Quiet Hour” – 3:27
A5. “Everybody Knows For Sure” – 4:30
Side Two
B1. “Galilee” – 3:19
B2. “Tinagera” – 3:47
B3. “Lay Your Burden Down” – 5:18
B4. “Slow Down” – 4:08
B5. “Sometimes Alleluia” – 5:28
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Good News Records. Re-issued on cassette and CD by Ocean Records, manufactured and distributed by Word. (It is the only Girard album from the 70s officially released on CD, made from original master tapes.)
Chuck Girard Band performing the songs “Galilee”, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Preacher”, and “Sometimes Alleluia” Live at Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California, circa 1979. Personnel: Chuck Girard (Lead Vocals, Piano), Terry Clark (Keyboards, BGV), Jon Linn (Lead Guitar), Larry Myers (Rhythm Guitar, BGV), Jay Truax (Bass, BGV), Mark Walker (Drums).
Chuck Girard Tribute, 2025
“Sometimes Alleluia”, Old CCM Dudes remembering Chuck Girard, August 20, 2025.
TrueTunes, August 19, 2025. Memento Mori: Remembering Chuck Girard (with Alex MacDougall, Bruce Brown, and Terry S. Taylor)
CREDITS. Produced by Chuck Girard. Recorded at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio, North Hollywood, California. All songs written by Chuck Girard except track A5 co-written with Denny Correll.
Musicians: Chuck Girard (Lead Vocals), Christopher North (Piano), David Paich (Piano), Tommy Morgan (Harmonica), David Pack (Guitar), Dean Parks (Guitar), Joe Osborne (Bass), Joe Puerta (Bass), Burleigh Drummond (Drums), Jim Keltner (Drums), Bill Maxwell (Drums).
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.