Glow in the Dark

Description

Glow in the Dark is the sophomore solo album by the American singer and songwriter Chuck Girard of Love Song fame, released on Good News Records in 1976, distributed by Myrrh Records. The album was recorded and mixed by Tom Trefethen at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio in North Hollywood, California; with Chuck Girard producing. Strings and horns arranged by Barry Fasman.

Pleasant follow-up to his respected debut kicks off with Chuck’s trademark layered Brian Wilson harmonies, this time an acappella number simply entitled «Anthem». The hard-driving «I Remember» is probably the heaviest thing Chuck has attempted, while «Somethin’ Supernatural» provides a slow harmonica blues rock excursion – both tracks feature fine electric guitar work from Jon Linn. «Return» takes a successful stab at country rock, with steel guitar courtesy of Al Perkins. In between are the usual reliable assortments of soft rock («Callin’ You», the delicate «I Know A Lady») and ballads («When I Was Ready To Listen», «Old Dan Cotton»). String orchestration on a couple songs. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

After being part of the band Love Song, this is the second solo project from Girard and it saw him letting loose with the stacked vocal arrangements that were part of his ’60s surf influences. From the twin guitar intro of «Callin’ You» to the acoustic love song «I Know A Lady» and the gentle ministry of «No, No, You’re Not Afraid», this is very much a ’70s album sound wise but it has weathered well. The harmonica blues of «Something Supernatural» is another absolute highlight. I have to confess that this 1976 release made a major impact on my life! In fact it was the very first Christian music album I ever heard! The people who led me to Jesus played me this stuff and the song «When I Was Ready To Listen» with its dramatic strings and testimony of an empty life really hit home before the coda where the song turns around as the singer gets saved. A few days after hearing it, I did the same! The song is followed by the well placed «So Thankful», a simple piano ballad of grateful praise. The album closes with a story song «Old Dan Cotton» which acted as a pointer to his next release ‘Written On The Wind‘ which saw Girard going in a different direction with his song writing. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, January 2007]

“Glow in the Dark” was my second solo album. As I was preparing to record this album, I noticed during the selection of the songs that a pattern was emerging. My first solo album, “Chuck Girard“, had purposefully been rather safe, consisting of songs that were non-controversial in nature. Just positive songs. Actually, this was intentional since I was making the transition from being a group member to a solo artist, which is a very difficult thing to do. I had purposely planned to make a non-confrontational album, choosing not to rock the boat so that I could establish a successful solo identity.

This second album contains several songs that could be considered confrontational, and the pattern which emerged, consciously or unconsciously, was that during my career/ministry it turned out that I made what I called a “safe” album followed by an album containing more controversial songs. Songs such as «Return», «I Remember» and «Something Supernatural» were songs which dealt with issues that all Christians face, and songs are seldom written about these kind of themes. “Glow In The Dark” was a comparatively uneven album in some ways, and yet it held together. [ Chuck Girard ]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/glow-in-the-dark/362433431)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Anthem” – 1:00
A2. “Callin’ You” – 3:05
A3. “I Remember” – 4:24
A4. “Return” – 3:22
A5. “I Know A Lady” – 3:12
A6. “No, No You’re Not Afraid” – 2:55

Side Two
B1. “Somethin’ Supernatural” – 3:52
B2. “When I Was Ready” – 5:34
B3. “So Thankful (Song For Easter Morning)” – 3:02
B4. “Old Dan Cotton” – 5:34

Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Good News Records.

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