Take It Easy (1979)

Joel Caballero
3 days ago
2 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Take It Easy is the fourth solo album by Christian singer - songwriter Chuck Girard, originally released on June 10, 1979 by Good News/Word Records. Girard wrote and produced the album himself.

According to Girard, 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 he perceived to be the overly serious, almost 'task oriented' Christianity he saw emerging around him. Girard says that 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.

The album opens with "Take a Hand," which is probably the best rocking number since "Rock and Roll Preacher," taken from his 1975 debut release. It was also his only track to be released as a single to Christian radio making the Top 20. The track "Full Immersion Ocean Water Baptism By the Sea" is, in some ways, a sequel to the Love Song track "Little County Church," and is about the early Jesus music days when hundreds of young adults would be baptized by Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel in the ocean at Corona del Mar Beach. It has a "beach-y" feel and kind of reminiscent of Linda Ronstadt's version of "Blue Bayou." "Song For a Christian Wedding" is a song Girard wrote on his wedding day as a gift to his bride Karen when they were married on November 27, 1971. Girard only sang this song to her on their wedding day and, at the time, didn't think that is song would not be on an album, much less Take It Easy.

In 2010, Take It Easy was reissued digitally on Girard's own label Seven Thunders Records.

Track listing

All songs are written by Chuck Girard.

1. Take a Hand -3:23

2. Love Is Alive -3:09

3. Little People -3:24

4. Full Immersion Ocean Water Baptism By the Sea -3:54

5. Without Your Love -4:11

6. Our Lives Are In Your Hands -3:41

7. His Word Is Still His Promise -2:58

8. Song For a Christian Wedding -3:19

9. Wings of Mercy -4:30