Description
Take It Easy is the fourth solo album by the American singer and songwriter Chuck Girard of Love Song fame, released on Good News Records in 1979, distributed by Myrrh Records. The album was recorded by Joe Bellamy with Chuck Girard producing.
TAKE IT EASY – CHUCK GIRARD – Good News GNR 8108 (Word)
The title of Girard’s fourth solo LP indentifies the style Girard has matured and perfected since his gospel music origin. As a writer and producer of contemporary gospel sounds, he has paved the way as this package proves with «Take A Hand», «Our Lives Are In Your Hand», «Full Immersion Ocean Water Baptism By The Sea» and «Without Your Love». [Record World, July 21, 1979 (Gospel Section/Gospel Album Picks)]
Back in the rock, pop and ballads mode like his debut and Glow In The Dark, though a tad more polished and commercially oriented (especially the mellow songs that dominate side two). The opening rocker «Take A Hand» sets the stage with its joyful striding infectious mood. Some of the usual Brian Wilson pop influences surface on tracks like «Love Is Alive». How about a «Full Immersion Ocean Water Baptism By The Sea»? «Song For A Christian Wedding» is just what it says. One of the very few Jesus music LPs to also be released as a picture disk. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]
Take It Easy was put together from a pool of existing songs and was not intended to be a concept album. The title was a response to what I perceived to be the overly serious, almost ‘task oriented’ Christianity I saw emerging around me. Seems like I got my wish as today’s American Christians are largely “taking it easy” from the business of evangelism, soul-winning and other such endeavors, and are largely preoccupied with what they can receive from their Christianity, rather than what they can accomplish for the purposes of the Kingdom of God. I would never title an album Take It Easy in today’s Christian climate.
After the very slow launching of the “Written On The Wind” album, I was quite surprised to see this album emerge very quickly, debuting at #4 on the Christian charts. (We had charts by then) It seemed to prove my theory that it was wisdom for me to play it a bit safe by putting out a fairly non-confrontational album every so often. [ Chuck Girard ]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/take-it-easy/362432937)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Take A Hand” – 3:18
A2. “Love Is Alive” – 3:08
A3. “Little People” – 3:22
A4. “Full Immersion Ocean Water Baptism By The Sea” – 3:51
A5. “Without Your Love” – 4:09
Side Two
B1. “Our Lives Are In Your Hands” – 3:40
B2. “His Word Is Still His Promise” – 2:58
B3. “Song For A Christian Wedding” – 3:20
B4. “Wings Of Mercy” – 4:28
B5. “All I Want” – 3:34
Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Good News Records.
A full-page advertisement for Chuck Girard’s Take It Easy was featured in July 28, 1979 issue of Billboard Magazine.
The July 1979 issue of CCM Magazine featured a cover story on Chuck Girard.
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