Every once in a while, an artist will endeavor to make a cover album. For many, however, they tend to fall short of the intended mark. Thankfully, some that simply want to reinterpret the original, and not try to reinvent it, succeed tremendously. In the case of southern gospel legend and funny man Mark Lowry, his covers are truly Unforgettable.

The album contains a collection of jazz hits made famous by such artists as Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, and others. Honestly, nearly every listener will be able to sing along with these songs from the beginning. Lowry very gracefully takes these original melodies and just adds a thin layer of his signature sound over it. The truth is, each song's character is kept intact without much change at all. Some listeners may not be pleased with this, but in the case of Unforgettable Classics, it's appropriate and honorable. Instead of reinventing the wheel, he simply admires the art.

For listeners wanting a bit more of the southern gospel sound, "Nevertheless" fits the bill entirely. Softer tracks like "The Very Thought of You," "Smile" and "Unforgettable" are breathtaking with the simplicity of the music making these tracks very special. Within this compendium of songs, it seems to give an honest look at what beautiful sounds inspire Mark Lowry. This not only gives listeners an album of great music, but also a window into the mind and heart of the beloved artist.

As the summer is beginning its descent into the coolness of autumn, the party songs and high-energy anthems are fading away as well. In this reviewer's opinion, smooth jazz seems to make more and more sense with the cooler weather and, without a doubt, Mark Lowry's latest release is wonderful. If you haven't purchased it yet, you need to. Bravo Mr. Lowry, I hope we see this kind of release again.

- Review date: 8/5/13, written by Ryan Barbee of Jesusfreakhideout.com