Mark Lowry - Mark Lowry Goes To Hollywood (DVD), ReviewsCD Review

Oct

2005

Mark Lowry - Mark Lowry Goes To Hollywood (DVD)

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Mark Lowry Goes To Hollywood relies on an array of guests to fill up 100 minutes. It's puzzling why they went to the expense of making this in Hollywood, though. Lowry's On Broadway video made a big deal out of the fact that they were in New York City with routines, songs, and on-location footage, but this new Hollywood project relies on the packaging and one referential song ("Ha Ha Hollywood"). Other than that, the locale for the event may as well have been Fargo, North Dakota.

After the opening song and a standard "How many <insert denomination here> do we have?" comedy segment, the Isaacs , Stan Whitmire , and LordSong are featured performing "Friend 'Til The End," "Celebrate Jesus," and "Lord Of The Dance" respectively. Lowry then joins LordSong for "Some Things Never Change."

The bulk of the comedy content comes over the next 20 minutes, with a few non-humorous songs thrown in. First Lowry talks about watching himself age on the Gaither videos and shares a few more age related jokes. Then it's back to Whitmire for some stunning stride piano work on "I've Got That Old Time Religion." Lowry sings a novelty song about David and Goliath called "Too Big To Miss" next, and then LordSong joins him for "The Star Spangled Banner" after Lowry starts off singing the baritone part alone. After that, Lowry tells a funny story about surviving a tornado while in his house boat. ("I heard a freight train coming up the lake.")

"Home Where I Belong" sets a more serious tone for the remaining hour of footage. Bill Gaither, Michael Lord , and Whitmire sing "I Want To Go To Heaven" with Lowry, then Michael English and Reggie Smith join Lowry and Gaither for "I'll Trade The Old Cross For A Crown." The songs that come next on the video feature various configurations of the guest singers plus a "reMarkable Choir" that joins them for a few songs. Those song titles include "I Bowed On My Knees," "I Call Him Lord," "Peace Like A River," "Make It Real," "Jesus Loves Me," "Shout To The Lord," and "Wandering Heart." There's also a concluding message from Lowry that is sprinkled with comedy, focusing on God's grace at the end. The song "Isn't It Amazing" concludes the video as all of Lowry's guest singers take the stage with him and the choir, extending the same message of God's grace through the lyrics of the song.

If you're expecting another thematic/comedic tour de force like On Broadway , you will probably react to Mark Lowry Goes To Hollywood like my sister did. She said she was disappointed not to find more fresh comedy material, and she would have preferred fewer guest singers. On the other hand, if you're already a big fan of these guests, you should be well pleased. Lowry is extremely generous with his alloted stage time on this project and the production quality is top notch. Also, I should mention that if you choose to buy the DVD, you'll get several bonus features. There's a clip of Michael English singing like Vestal Goodman , an extra song featuring the full cast including the "reMarkable Choir" (with a solo by Karen Harding ), and footage from the rehearsal where a number of people share their thoughts about the size of Lowry's head.

Reader Comments

I actually think this is Mark's best yet.
Do we really want or need to see the "real" Hollywood? The Center alone was magnificent.
You are right, it could have been filmed anywhere
Mark's guests reflect the people who have been
touring with him, and this video is an extension
of his "God Is Crazy About You" tour. I enjoyed
all his guests, most are personal favorites of mine, and it was great to hear and see Michael English again.

For me, Mark has just the right balance of comedy, music and serious talk. I know it lifted
me up at a very down time in my life. I've played it again and again and will continue to do so. I highly recommend this DVD and would give it 5 stars if I could.

But you are also correct in suggesting that if you choose to buy this it's got to be the DVD. The extras are priceless.

I do of course realize this is all a matter of personal taste........I did not care for "Broadway". So, go figure!

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 11/02/2005

I found it wonderful, but dearly wish there could have been more of Karen Harding - she is just so annoited and special!

Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 11/11/2005

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