Love Song - Love Song

Published Wednesday 31st January 2007
Love Song - Love Song
Love Song - Love Song

STYLE: Jesus Music
RATING 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 22490-VTI1760
LABEL: Good News MYR1012
FORMAT: 12 inch vinyl Album

Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

The American Encyclopaedia Of Christian Music (a volume I've come to deeply distrust) cites this as the greatest Christian album of all time. I have to disagree with the hyperbole but observe that it is a milestone recording. In the late '60s, a bunch of hippie musicians became Christians in the middle of the Jesus Freak revolution on the West Coast. They carried on making music but this time it reflected their new found faith. In 1972 they recorded this debut album and at the time, there wasn't anything on the market that sounded as contemporary as this and Love Song became Christian music pioneers. The four piece band featured Chuck Girard on keyboards, Tom Coomes and Bob Wall on guitar and Jay Truax on bass. It's fair to say that Girard gets the lion's share of the songwriting here and although all the group sing, his voice stands out. Standout songs include the opening "A Love Song" which sets the scene both lyrically and vocally. "Little Country Church" is another classic which observes the changes happening in the church community with the invasion of the newly converted long hairs! It could almost have been written about Calvary Chapel which came into existence at that time. "Front Seat, Back Seat" is a bit of country whilst "Let Us Be One" has a superb acoustic groove. While this isn't the best CCM album ever, it would definitely be in the top 20 and it's an absolute classic if only because it had such a wide influence.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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Reader Comments

Posted by Don in state of Delaware @ 17:04 on Oct 14 2010

I have this wonderful classic album of early pop gospel. I have to agree with above writer, that this is not the greatest christian album of all time! But, I would have to say this is definitely a noteworthy lp; to start that ccm tradition. The starter song for side 1 of the group's debut is "A Love Song"; has a nice , soft sound; definitely worth complimenting, despite the less than 2 minutes recording of it! This song is also part of the album cover artwork;what an original concept. "Little Country Church" has that touch of early ccm style. Member Chuck Girard has either written, or co-written most of the songs for the lp.
I had heard a trio do a cover version of "Front Seat, Back Seat"; this is another lp favorite; great lyrics!! "Let us be One" has that nice classic 70's sound;the intro to the song reminds me of the pop group Doobie Brothers sound. Per the album, it was recorded in 1971 and not 1972; believe it was released for sale in 1972. In 1975 Chuck Girard would record a solo album with the highly acclaimed song, "Sometimes Alleluia" featuring 2nd Chapter of Acts. Yes, this group is surely one of the early ccm pioneers!! GOD Bless! -Don



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