Mark Alan Lowry was born on June 24, 1958 in Houston, Texas. According to Wikipedia.org he was "a member of the Gaither Vocal Band from 1988 to 2001, and 2009 to 2013". He is also one of the best Christian comedians around. Here, I will be reviewing HOW WE LOVE (2015, Spring Hill). It was produced by Kevin Williams and executive produced by Lowry. In the liner notes Williams writes: "I just really love to hear the guy sing. He doesn't even know how good he is". Lowry writes: "I wish I could pay you what you're worth, but only God and Bill Gaither have that much money. I love you buddy".
Starting things off is 'Mary Was the First One to Carry the Gospel', a Mark Lowry/Bill Gaither composition. It's a splendid, upbeat Southern Gospel song centered around Christmas: "Hosanna to the highest and Christ His only Son!/God's story wrapped in swaddling clothes/The meek and lowly One!/This baby boy will change the hearts of all who can believe/Cause what the prophets told has come to pass/A virgin has conceived". Loretta Lynn wrote 'Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven'. It appeared on her 1965 record HYMNS. Here, Lowry wonderfully performs the classic with bluegrass group Dailey &Vincent. It has very relatable lyrics: "Everybody wants to go to heaven/But nobody wants to die/Lord, I wanna go to heaven/But I don't wanna die/So, I long for the day when I'll have new birth/But I love livin' here on earth". 'Worry' was penned by Cindy Morgan and Jeremy Bose. It's a cool, rootsy ballad. I love these words from the chorus: "Worry, why do I worry?/Why do I doubt Thee?/What do I do it for?/I'm going to trust You/This time I mean it/I'm going to leave it at Your door".
'I Thirst' was written by Mark's mom, Beverly. Here, it's an inspirational, beautiful ballad featuring Sisters. These words will make you think: "He said 'I thirst', yet He made the river/He said 'I thirst', yet He made the sea/'I thirst', said the King of the ages/In His great thirst He brought water to me". 'Live Loud' is an upbeat pop song of testimony: "I'm gonna live loud/Tell everybody how the grace that He gave me never ceases to amaze me/I wanna live out mercy I found/Cause now that love has turned my life around/I'm gonna live loud".
The title track is the lovely easy listening ballad 'How We Love', featuring The Martins. It was penned by Beth Nielsen Chapman and appeared on her 2010 album BACK TO LOVE. Here are some of the lyrics: "How we love, how we love/From the smallest act of kindness/In a word, a smile, or touch/In spite of our mistakes, chances come again/And if we lose or if we win/All that matters in the end is how we love". Jimmy and Sonya Isaacs Yeary wrote 'Old People', a sentimental country ballad: "Their babies are their babies, no matter how old they get/A stranger ain't a stranger, just a friend they ain't met yet/There's kindness, there's wisdom and the heart of a child behind those wrinkles/Man, I love old people".
What follows is Lowry's version of Pharrell Williams' super popular 'Happy' from the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack. It was Billboard's #1 single for 2014! Lowry's version is great pop/R&B and is carefree: "Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof/Because I'm happy/Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth/Because I'm happy/Clap along if you know what happiness is to you/Because I'm happy/Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do". Ashley Cleveland Greenberg wrote 'Rock in A Weary Land'. Here, it's a gospel/swing number. Here are some of the words: "My Lord is a rock in a weary land/A weary land, a weary land/My Lord is a rock in a weary land/A shelter in the time of storm".
Next up is the classic hymn 'When I Survey the Wondrous Cross', featuring The Martins. This version is a terrific acapella one, beginning with these familiar lyrics: "When I survey the wondrous cross/On which the Prince of glory died/My richest gain I count but loss/And pour contempt on all my pride". Closing things out is 'Come As You Are', a beautiful song of spiritual invitation: "We've all been the prodigal and made our bed in hell/Until we felt the arms of grace that saved us from ourselves/Forgiven much, now loving much/When we say 'Come as you are'/We mean it".
I love HOW WE LOVE! There are various musical genres here including Southern Gospel, country/roots, pop, and easy listening. Seven of the songs are slow, while four are faster paced. Mark's vocals are pleasant to listen to. There is quite a wide variety of topics covered here. Jesus' birth brought us good news. Mark testifies of God's love, grace, and mercy, and points to Him as a sure shelter. Jesus' death and resurrection brings us salvation and the hope of heaven. We are to invite the unsaved to come into relationship with Jesus, who brings true happiness. I'm rating HOW WE LOVE 98%. For more info visit www.marklowry.com and/or connect with him on social media.