Smokie Norful can always be counted on for a solid contribution. "Life Changing" is more of the soulful expressive excellence we've come to expect from this worshipper.
The fact that he deeply believes the message of his music has much to do with Norful’s great success. His urban/inspirational sound pops with sincerity, and is delivered with passion and a joy that just rings true. “Life Changing” contains a number of affirming high-octane tracks, their pulsating beats driving both body and soul upward (the joyous opener “Celebrate,” a Scripturally rich “praise party” and the infectious “Put Your Hands Together”). At every turn, Norful’s sound is accessible to the churched, the unchurched, the young, the old, the mainstream and the unfamiliar audience. This is one of his greatest strengths as an entertainer and a worship leader, and not one to be overlooked. Smokie Norful will reach many with his polished impeccable sound.
But it might be in his balladry that we find his true gifting. Norful can wring the beauty and truth out of a song like nobody’s business. He moves into this power slowly on “Life Changing,” easing into it with the smooth “Um Good,” and the slightly samba feel of “Great & Mighty,” thick with tasty guitar tidbits and Biblical praise. The free-flowing vocals of piano ballad “Run Til I Finish” highlight his rich singing prowess. But it’s on the soul-stirrer “More Than Anything” that Norful really stretches out vocally, his sweet tenor dripping with passion.
Two more standouts are the Ron Kenoly-like “Right Now,” a energetic song perfect for Sunday morning, and Norful’s gorgeous cover of the melodic Whitney Houston song, “Run to You.” Norful tears up this powerful ballad, giving it a vertical twist that works surprisingly well. “Life Changing” is solid Smokie, and should only expand the audience of this talented accessible artist. Visit his website for tour information.
If you enjoy Smokie’s smooth sound, you might also like the smooth sound of Wayburn Dean or the very talented June Rochelle.
