Back in February 2023, the movie “Jesus Revolution” documented through dramatic representation the birth of the Southern California Jesus movement, led by the late Chuck Smith, pastor of Calvary Chapel Santa Ana. The era’s soundtrack was provided by a bunch of saved hippies playing music previously thought utterly incompatible with church, namely various flavors of rock’n’roll. Spearheading this new creation in Southern California was the band Love Song, led by Chuck Girard. Girard had music industry credibility, having first reached the Top 20 in the early ‘60s with The Castells and, in 1964, achieving a hit in the surf music genre as a member of The Hondells and providing the lead vocal for their biggest hit, “Little Honda.”
After the salvation, due in no small part to Smith’s ministry, of all the members of Girard and company’s late ‘60s band Love Song, the ensemble became something of a house band, routinely playing at the church whenever not on the road playing anywhere and everywhere possible, preaching the Gospel and sharing the music. After the band’s course had run, Girard went on to a lengthy, successful solo career. He has been relatively quiet for some time, having not released an album of new material since 2001. Girard is back with “Moonrise Serenade.” It is well worth the wait.
Musically, “Moonrise Serenade” is replete with Girard’s stock in trade. His sound is rooted in a mixture of ethereal sound washes and roots rock’n’roll delivered SoCal style. The guitars feature shimmer over traditional surf guitar twang, and the vocal harmonies present on most every track are lush without being overpowering. The album manages the neat trick of sounding simultaneously full and airy, its layers of sound and multiple textures never overpowering the pure, sweet melodies.
When it comes to lyrics, Girard speaks with the wisdom gained solely through firmly grasping the Gospel’s fundamental truths lived through decades of triumph and tragedy. Such is the case with one of the album’s several standout tracks, “Don’t Be Afraid Anymore.”
You go through the trials and temptations
And it’s hard sometimes to count it all joy
No support from your friends and relations
No crutches, no crutches to employ.
Yeah, and just when you think that you’re all alone
And just when you think you will fall
You remember the words of the promise
The promise is
Don’t be afraid anymore
Another classic track is “Grandma,” which, as one can imagine from the title, could easily descend into mawkish sentimentality. Instead, Girard turns it into a song of triumph.
Once again she is a sweet blushing bride
Now that she’s passed to the other side
She’s entered the gates, she stands by His side
She’s seen His faceThey came in great numbers, they all gathered round
Many whose lives will be jewels in her crown
They stand by the casket and slowly look down
They know she’s finally home
Girard, like all of us who were in some fashion a part of the Jesus Movement revival of the late 60s and early 70s, is in the late autumn of his time on this planet. Yet he does not fear the end of his earthly tenure.
The door opens up to a glorious light,
Its brilliance is piercing but sheer
It’s heavy and soft and caresses my heart,
With an absolute absence of fearI see His face in the light,
There’s no darkness no night
And I know that I now understand
All of my doubts become dust in the wind,
As I feel the soft touch of His handHis face His face, His face, His face alone
The answers to all of my questions are shown
His face, His face alone
Even death will become His minister,
When He finally calls me home
Picking a highlight among the album’s riches is a tough one, but “Baby You Don’t Have to Cry” comes to mind with its musical tapestry evoking images of a sun-kissed beach and, as a Girard song from back in the day states, the full immersion ocean water baptism by the sea.
“Moonrise Serenade” is a pastoral tone poem for those who see the sunset not as an impetus to rage, rage against the dying of the light, but instead a cause for celebration at what has been, is now, and what will be in the presence of the great and glorious coming Sonrise.
