Dave's Review

I got this nice note from Lowry after he read my review . . . not only that, he makes an announcement that should excite Michael English and Reggie Smith fans.

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David,

Thanks for your review! I had a blast recording this project. Michael English, Reggie Smith and I are going into the studio in December to do an entire project together. Just for the fun of it!

-Mark Lowry
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Label: Gaither Music Group
Website: www.marklowry.com
Producers: Michael Sykes and Michael English
Song Titles: "All That Matters To The Lord," "Some Things Never Change," "I Call Him Lord," "Jesus Laughing," "God Doesn't Know," "I Wanna Go To Heaven," "Too Big To Miss," "I'll Trade The Old Cross For A Crown," "He's There," "Isn't It Amazing," and "Make It Real"

Mark Lowry is well known for his comedy videos and the 13 year stint he pulled as baritone for the Gaither Vocal Band. Lowry shows more of his serious side than typical comedians, though, and over the years he's proven himself to be gifted in the realm of more subtle communication through song. Consider "Mary, Did You Know?" It was written and recorded by Lowry with the Vocal Band, and aside from Michael English's original version, I find Lowry's to be the most compelling rendition I've heard of that song . . . that's not a mild compliment, considering that since English's version came out that song has been recorded by just about everyone and their brother.

Some Things Never Change gives us a chance to see more of this side of Lowry. It's essentially a follow up to his 1998 vocal solo release But Seriously. 11 tunes are included, and most are new tunes. Lowry reaches back for a few re-makes. One is Dottie Rambo's "I Call Him Lord," first published in 1975. Another is "Make It Real," written by Suzanne Jennings and originally recorded by Lowry with the Gaither Vocal Band on their I Do Believe release. Speaking of the Vocal Band, a third re-make features an almost reunion of their early 1990s line-up. Michael English and Bill Gaither join Lowry for a modern quartet version of "I'll Trade The Old Cross For A Crown." I call it an "almost" reunion because Reggie Smith provides the tenor part in lieu of Jim Murray or Terry Franklin. English and Smith get some exposed solo lines, too. It's not just backup singing for Lowry.

One of the more introspective numbers on Some Things Never Change is "God Doesn't Know," which Lowry co-wrote with Bruce Carroll. The message is summed up in the line "God doesn't know a sinner He can't love." "Isn't It Amazing" is in a similar serious vein . . . written by Geron Davis. This is an inspirational number about the incredible sacrifice God made for us. Lowry is backed by a choir of background vocals.

Comedy isn't missing from this recording, though. Two novelty tunes are smack dab in the center of this CD. The first is a multi-dimensionally interesting tune called "I Wanna Go To Heaven." It's interesting on a production/performance level, because Lowry sings all four parts of a quartet arrangement. On a lighter level, lines like "if the golden streets were stainless steel, if the gates of pearl had a plastic feel, if the marriage supper was a happy meal" etc., will have you chuckling. The other novelty number is a Ray Stevens style "talk your way through" tune called "Too Big To Miss." The Old Testament story of David and Goliath is viewed with Lowry's unique perspective. He originally wrote the lyrics in 1984, and comments in the CD liner notes that with this song "rap was born . . .sorta."

Liner notes aren't mentioned often in CD reviews, but Lowry includes a thought provoking paragraph about the guy who took out the trash at the recording studio while he was doing these sessions . . . well worth reading if it makes you think twice about how you treat people you meet in life. Also, while we're on the topic of liner notes, Lowry writes a sentence or two describing some background element or motivation for each song on the CD . . . interesting reading if you're curious about that type of thing.

Excellent production and a broad palette of musical styles makes Some Things Never Change a great product. It's a step up for Lowry in craft compared to But Seriously. Despite being a new recording, "Make It Real" may be viewed as redundant from the previous version. That's a minor issue considering that you get 10 other tunes that haven't seen the same degree of exposure, though. This CD earns 4 1/2 stars easily.