Customer Reviews

I Need You Now

5 star:		(57)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Smokie Norful has been generating a good amount of buzz lately. Recently, he was featured on WOW Gospel 2002 and as a vocalist on some of Kurt Carr Singers' concert dates. "I Need You Now," his premiere recording, is a smooth contemporary gospel production featuring traditional gospel, urban and jazz. Norful absolutely tackles several tempos and styles through the CD. "It's All About You," the first single, is a bouncy urban testimony of commitment. The tender title track prayerfully asks God to "please make a way."The album's title song, written as are a majority of the selections by Smokie, is a gorgeous, jazz-tinged ballad that means exactly what it says. With a stunning debut, Norful may find himself in good company with the likes of Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Tonex and Darwin Hobbs. "It's All About You" displays Smokie's comfort with a funky groove, and "The Least I Can Do" is a worship melody that showcases his soaring vocal prowess. "Psalm 64" lets the Word, Smokie's vocals and a grand piano deliver the message, while "Praise Him" is a rocking, hand-clapping traditional gospel arrangement that defies anyone to sit still.

"Still Say Thank You" beautifully weds Smokie's soaring tenor voice with a soulful, silken vocal ensemble. "Whether we're up or down, we have to tell the Lord thank you," Smokie says, "and if we do, we find that in that faith, bigger trials will bring bigger blessings."

"Same Sad Song" is offered in two mixes, the first carrying Smokie's message of fatigue with an overload of songs of troubles and woe atop a crystalline acoustic guitar and harmonica, and the second "Urban remix" adding some kick with electric guitar and a punchy bottom end."Same Old Sad Song" focuses on current issues like violence and hopelessness but offers the Hope of glory.

I was blessed to see Smokie Norful at the Potter's House in Dallas, TX during a Super Sunday Service in April 2002. I had heard 'It's All About You' on WOW Gospel 2002 and wondered who this gifted singer was. When he sang 'I Need You Now', the Potter's House was stunned into silence. When he was done, I was so struck by the message in the song because I feel like I need God now to handle my every day trials and tribulations and to empower me to let my light shine to glorify his name. For me, this CD is good to the last drop. The messages are feeding my soul and he has articulated the testimony of my heart while the musical arrangements are beautiful. I listen to it in the car, the house, and the office. When my spirit needs lifting, I listen to this CD and my soul soars. He gives me a praise song (5), a way to say thank you (4), and reminds me life is not promised (3). His voice is very special. I've listened to Daryl Coley, Alvin Slaughter, Donnie McClurkin, and Marvin Sapp and been taken to a new place by their gifted voices. Smokie Norful has combined his marvelous voice with such great lyrics that you can only be edified when you listen to this wonderful CD. I never tire of it. It's good for getting your spirit up or relaxing at the end of a stressful day. Praise God for giving the Gospel world this gifted artist. It would make a marvelous gift as well. I've shared it with close friends. May God Bless and keep Smokie Norful. I cannot wait for his next CD.

I am impressed by this album and the artist. This is a wonderful collection of songs ranging from traditional to urban contemporary. Smokie is an extremely talented brother. He writes, sings, and produces. That's always a nice combination. "I Need You Now" is by far my favorite. The rests of the songs are great also. This album appeals to the traditional listener as well as the contemporary listener. If you need something to groove to in your truck, it's on the CD. If you need worship, it's on there. If you need good ol-fashioned chuch, it's on there too. This album is definitely a nice addition to my collection. Be Blessed

As I was watching a Dove Awards telecast from about a year ago, the name "Smokie Norful" was announced as one of the nominees. Not knowing who he was, I made a comment about how young "the kid" looked. Both my sister and her daughter told me that he was the hottest newcomer to debut on the contemporary gospel scene since Kirk Franklin.

A choir member loaned me her copy of "I Need You Now" and, upon listening to the entire project, I see why others are singing his praises. The singer has the ability to appeal to a wide audience, mixing the sounds of traditional gospel with the "beats" of urban and hip-hop.

Unlike Franklin, Norful can sing and he most effective on the title cut, an elegant and emotional musical "prayer" that brings goose bumps to the listener. He also scores on "Still Say, Thank You" and the inspiring "The Least I Can Do".

Very few artists can so skillfully mesh the secular sound with a genuine commitment to the sacred.

Young Norful will, most assuredly, take his place among gospel's greats and will be a talent by which others are measured.

During the "Hopeville" tour of 2002-2003, this new face in the gospel music performed with the three legends: Kirk Franklin, Pastor Donnie McClurkin, and Yolanda Adams. There may have been many people who were not expecting much from him before going to the show, but those people were probably proven wrong. With just one performance of "I need you now", he made a big impact in a circumstance such that he could be easily ignored or forgotten.
Besides the powerful hit song "I need You now," his debut album features songs in traditional style such as "Still say, thank You" and "Praise Him." Also, some influence by Stevie Wonder can be found in "It's all abou You" and "Same sad song."

I would recommend this CD to any living and breathing thing. It is fantabolous!!!! This CD should be in your home, car, walk man, everywhere. It is truly spirit-filled. It is wonderful to see someone make it from my home town. JOB WELL DONE! If you do not own a copy, rush to get it; you will be truly blessed by it!!!!!!

With Gospel music of which I am a big fan and a developing choir director, I prefer music with choirs. I mean you can hear solo singers in regular secular music so I prefer in Gospel, the choral approach. Albeit this is so, Norful caught my attention when my choir of which I perform in listened to the hit I NEED YOU NOW in an inspirational setting. This song just blew me away the first time I heard- just the fact that we need God every step of the way, all night all day just took me to another level. I knew that I had to check this brotha out. Couple that with the fact that he has a very impressive, anointed, operatic voice, I was sold on getting the CD.

This is truly one of the best overall Gospel CDs that I own. It has a touch of everything: a little of the modern music, some old down South pieces and just regular hymns that he has created. This CD can truly be a blessing to whomever obtains it and I thoroughly enjoy it.

IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU- This urban, kind of Hip-Hop jam tells it like it is- it's all about God. This praise song powered by Smokie's elastic vocals can definitely get some praise on.

I NEED YOU KNOW- The hit that has garnered much attention from this disc. This song is truly phenomenal and God certainly was with Smokie in crafting it. It is a plea with someone at their wit's ends just calling out for God to dwell with, to help and to come down to the person. Many people who have been through problems big and small that they could not take care of themselves could understand what this song is all about.

LIFE'S NOT PROMISED- Here is another hip-hop like song in the fashion of the first. The message here is that Life is not promised so take nothing for granted and turn to God. It creates a nice and pleasing atmosphere and a changing frame of mind if the words are thought about.

STILL SAY, THANK YOU- This, Psalms and I NEED YOU KNOW are my favorite songs on the disc. This rousing powerhouse with electrifying vocals and spirit-stirring message resounds with the simple thank you that needs to be uttered to God constantly for all His unendless blessings and in my opinion, for just being God. This is worth the CD alone.

PRAISE HIM- This old-time, Southern call and response uptempo is worked well and it just says to praise God which this can definitely get one to. I really enjoy this song thoroughly.

THE LEAST I CAN DO- This ballad just says something that all know. The very least and truly best we can do for the omnipotent, all powerful God is to praise Him and let HIM us accordingly. This song is phenomenal and beautiful as well. Vocals are great here too.

SOMETHIN', SOMETHIN'- This neo-soul song is talking about something about the name of Jesus. I like the message and all but this is probably one of the weaker songs in its arrangements and instrumentation. Nonetheless, it is very pleasing.

SAME SAD SONG- Here Smokie is talking about people the world over singing the same sad song of suffering and being down but he will sing a new song for the world to see. This is something that all should be doing spreading the Good News and the love of God around. It has that older quality to it making it vintage and the vocals are awesome.

JUST CAN'T STOP- This song that sounds alot like what many choirs sing. This song is very good and has a killer climax. It just says that "I can't stop praising HIS name".

PSALM 64- This very laidback but powerful song is directly from Psalm 64. It deeply touched me the first time I heard it because it is asking for protection directly from God from all the evils in the world (the powers and principalities). It is kind of in the vein of Donald Lawrence's BLESS ME (INDEED) message-wise. It is a very beautiful song.

SAME SAD SONG (REMIX)- This is a remix of the very slow and kind of dry first song. Now that is good but this adds some spark to the song and the message. I like this urbanfied message.

This CD overall is a must have for literally everyone. If I could present every person with a copy of it, I would. I have never felt this way about any CD but for this I do. The message of the songs is so genuine and meaningful and in-depth. Make sure you buy this diverse but cohesive CD.

THIS SONG IS SOOOO BEAUTIFUL! I REMEMBER HEARING IT FOR THE FIRST TIME DRIVING IN MY CAR. I WANTED TO PULL OVER AND TAKE IT ALL IN. I COULD HER THIS SONG OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND NEVER GET TIRED OF IT. I LOVE THIS SONG!!!! EVERYTIME I HEAR IT, I JUST WANT TO CRY. I'VE NEVER FELT THAT WAY ABOUT ANY SONG IN MY LIFE, AND I AM VERY BIG ON MUSIC - ESPECIALLY GOSPEL MUSIC - THE BEST MUSIC THERE IS.

First, of all I would like to say that this man is no joke! He has it going on. He is very open-minded anout hie ministry. He will let noone bring him down. This cd touches me whenever I hear the song: I Need You Now. Because, I know that I need somethin'in a time like this. This song touches my heart and mind. And, I know for a fact that its touching other people in the world now. He has the voice and the strength to carry on God's word.

This is a work of art. Being deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, this CD has brought me through some tough times. Whenever I was feeling the elements of my environment enclosing around me, I would put the CD in and everything would be just a faded memory. My favorite song is The least that I can do. The brother can sang. If you don't have this CD, you need to run out and get it immediately. You will be blessed and you won't be disappointed. Take care and God bless!