Mark Lowry’s “Unforgettable Classics” Album Review

God does not command us to do great things, but He wants us to attempt the little things invested with faithfulness.  In 1984 Lowry was asked to write the script for a Christmas Church play.  It was by no means a world moving event, but Lowry worked on it with faithfulness.  He ended up writing a series of questions that he would ask Mary, the mother of Jesus.  It was only twelve full years later, Buddy Greene set to music Lowry's words that later become a little Christmas tune called "Mary, Did You Know."  Today, "Mary, Did You Know" has that hallowed status as "Silent Night" and "Breath of Heaven;" it is today one of our Yuletide classics.  To date, over 400 artists have recorded this Lowry/Green tune including Reba McEntire, Kenny Rogers, Clay Aiken, Michael English, Natalie Cole and many others.  God simply has a different currency system as us: he often surprises us by transforming the faithful into his mighty tour de force for His kingdom's sake. Lowry's latest effort, "Unforgettable Classics," is not just an album of his re-recordings of the American songbook. Rather, from Lowry's thoughtful vocal nuances and the impeccably lush orchestration it is clear that this is a labor of love crafted with faithfulness, precision and industry.

The presence of the guests brought I to sing with Lowry such as Charlotte Ritchie, Booth Brothers, Bill Gaither, the Martins, Joyce Martin Sanders and Michael English is indicative of Lowry's esteemed position in Southern Gospel music.  Ever since 1988 Lowry was invited by Bill Gaither to sing with the Gaither Vocal Band as the baritone.  And as a result of Lowry's stellar on-stage antics, he became a co-host to many of the Gaither concerts.  This later led Lowry to cut various Christian comedy albums. Now, Lowry has expanded his portfolio to sing traditional pop with songs coming from America's icons such as Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin and Ella Fitzgerald.  Frank Sinatra's "The Very Thought of You" overtures the record showcasing Lowry's honeyed tenor backed by some angelic brushing of the harp.  Sounding relax with a wind in his sails is Lowry's jazzy take of "It Had to Be You," one of America's most treasured love songs that is spot-on romantic.

Southern Gospel singer Charlotte Ritchie whose own album is way long overdue stands in Natalie Cole's shoes in her Grammy winning duet with her dad, "Unforgettable."  However, Ritchie's reading is by no means stilted; rather, her ad lib and her emotional nuances bear her own signature.  Relatively more pitchy though is Joyce Martin Sanders (she does bear a striking sonic resemblance to Kristen Chenoweth), Sanders and Lowry come together for a guitar-stripped down version of "Our Love is Here to Stay."  Lowry is wise enough to use his tenure with the Gaithers to his advantage.  Creatively combing those rich Southern gospel harmonies (courtesy of the Booth Brothers and Bill Gaither), an effervescent Spanish guitar, and an island-breezy backing, this Sinatra staple is given a fresh makeover.   While the Martins and Lowry's "Glow Worm" evinces a lush and romantic bossa nova of noir.

Though Lowry's take of "Stardust" and "Fly Me to the Moon" are framed with straight ahead cocktail bar arrangements, they are still the perfect soundtrack for a late romantic evening.  Yet, the most heartbreaking entry here is Charlie Chaplin's "Smile."  "Smile," in many ways, is descriptive of a life without Christ: the abject pain of having to keep up appearance when there is no one to turn to in one's loneliness is just devastating.  Maybe this is a shocking wakeup call for all who hear this song to turn to Christ.  Nevertheless, "Unforgettable Classics" is quite a flawless stroll down memory lane.  And with Lowry's top notched interpretation and the beautiful render backings, this is also a classy stroll of an album.

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