Search - Smokie Norful :: Nothing Without You

Caroline F. from NEW YORK, NY
Reviewed on 11/23/2010...

Wonderful soulful sound from SmokieNorful, R&B Gospel Music Lovers dream CD!!! God Bless

Terrific

Peace Brotha | Ohio, United States | 02/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I heard Smokie's debut album, I knew that we had been blessed with a major talent. That set let us know that Smokie can handle a variety of styles with no problem, and has tremendous vocal skills. But because of that variety of styles, it seemed to lack musical focus.



Now we have "Nothing Without You," a tightly focused project with a more traditional slant than Smokie's debut. Old-sounding? Hardly, at least to my ears, although there are a few cuts that would fit right in at morning worship service of an older congregation. But overall, a "churchy" flair is present without sounding like Grandma's gospel all the way through (although Grandma's gospel is all good, too!). The brotha's songwriting skills are top notch -- they minister in several ways and yes, there are some "I Need You Now" moments that fans will recognize and appreciate.



Smokie's vocals are even better on this outing, and he has a unique and intelligent way of phrasing that sets him apart from many gospel artists. He knows when to sing a song straight, and knows when to ad-lib and do some vocal acrobatics. And when he chooses to do the acrobatics they are always impressive, yet in good taste.



And a guest appearance from Miss Vanessa Bell Armstrong? What a bonus!



This is an A+ project from an A+ musician/singer/songwriter, the abundantly gifted Minister Smokie Norful. Yes, the urban/neo-soul vibe that was present on a few songs from the last project is indeed missing. But this time around, what is present is a solid and anointed churchy sound that will stand the test of time and sound just as fresh 10 years from now as it does today.



"Nothing Without You" comes highly recommended!"

Truly Ministers to you: Probably One of the Best CDs ever-

M. J. Moore | Chicago, Illinois United States | 05/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Smokie Norful, one of the premiere and promising Gospel vocalists, is truly anointed as is evidenced by his two current releases. Smokie is truly anointed by God. Anyone who hears I NEED YOU KNOW can testify to that fact. Though that CD was a modern Gospel masterpiece and helped to establish Smokie putting him on the map to a lifetime worth of musical success (I'm sure he is going to be a Gospel legend, that CD does not come close to this one. While I NEED YOU KNOW was about different aspects of worshipping and finding God with various musical elements, this CD is more straightforward Gospel, Praise and Worship. I was blown away by the power and meaning behind some of these songs. God definately had a hand in this project.



POWER- A nice introduction to the CD that has Smokie testifying about the POWER of God. It has a beat reminiscent to something that would appear on his debut effort. The choir is on-point, the message is great and the song is very listenable. It could be hit on the radio as well.



WORTHY- This uptempo has sounds of traditional Gospel. It basically is a traditional Gospel song set in modern times which shows that Smokie does not stray too far from his roots or Gospel itself. A good song to just uplift and exhort God because it is known that Jesus is worthy without a doubt.



GOD IS ABLE- The first two songs are good, but this is where the CD really starts to take off. This song is so touching as Smokie skillfully sings over a simple piano melody about God not only being able but unparalleled and incomparable in His love and blessings and just in being God. When I first heard this song and even now, I was and still am taken back because it just testifies to the very power of God. There is no choirs, no drums or other instruments (which are fine), but it is a simple song about God being able. Smokie does a run on this song that is so similar to one he does on a song on I NEED YOU KNOW. The ending is just breathtaking as Smokie says "He'll never leave you." That part just gets me all the time.



I UNDERSTAND- Current single which has been doing well on Gospel stations and even some Urban Adult Contemporary stations, is a song made for the masses as it shares one important truth that even the most spiritual, steadfast and faithful person sometimes may forget that God understands all that we are going through. The song starts off simple with low vocals but builds up to a rousing finish, but the message still remains in place that God understands our struggles. Nothing goes unnoticed.



I KNOW THE LORD WILL MAKE A WAY- The famous Gospel traditional, there's not too much to say about this one except that it's a testament that God can do wonders and Smokie delivers here.



IN THE MIDDLE- One of my favorite songs not only on this CD but of all time. I have to admit that hearing this I have shed some tears because the lyrics (not even reading them can convey the feeling. You have to hear them along with the music) so masterfully interpreted by Smokie combined with the arrangement of the song is just breathtaking. It is like God is talking directly to the listener letting them know that He's always in the middle and for us to never give up. I know it might sound similar to I UNDERSTAND but this song does so much more because it certifies the fact that God never leaves us...not only is He able, not only does He have the power or can make a way, but He is there in the middle working it out.



CAN'T NOBODY- First single which I don't listen to much because the slow songs are so amazing and minister to me. This song is great. It is a relatively short R&B midtempo that speaks to the fact that God is the only one who can do many things for us.



NOTHING WITHOUT YOU- The title of the CD and the song that Smokie sang part of to his wife on their wedding day, this song is ridiculous in its depth, in its meaning, in it message. I was so blown away by it because you look at your life no matter how good or bad it may be and you have to be reminded that even when we think we have everything or think that things are alright or even when we have certain gifts and blessings even from God that we are nothing without Him. "I have no stars, no moons...no mountains to climb." The song just moves me in a way that very few can because it is a testament to God's greatness and His sovereign nature.



CONTINOUS GRACE- Another showstopper, this song actually makes me want to just loose myself in wild, exuberant praise as it is a true Praise and worship song. I am mad that it is so short but Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Smokie and the choir truly deliver on this cut as it talks about thanking God for His continous grace that we don't deserve but that he doles out to us anyway. I can't say anymore just get the CD.



I KNOW TOO MUCH ABOUT HIM- This is probably the hallmark of the CD and for me, it is a hallmark of my life. I know that anybody who even has the remotest faith in God can relate to the message of how certain circumstances, fainting faith and the weak world can cause our FAITH to falter but in the hearts of those who have been thru so much with God and who know His true power can identify that they know too much about God to give up on trusting in Him, and believing in Him. GET THE CD EVEN IF ONLY FOR THIS SONG. You look everywhere and it's like people are trying to disprove God or take Him out of society. In this postmodern world where everything is abstract, gray and there is supposed to be no certainty, no black and white, no Absolute Truth this song reminds the believers to just hold on to God in this wavering world because we know too much about Him and His power to give up on Him.



HEALING IN HIS TEARS- A simple and beautiful song that is about the healing in God's tears, in His concern.



This CD truly ministers to the listener. It is not about being modern or traditional, good singing or bad singing. It is not all about the technicalities of music or Gospel music or any technicalities of anykind. The message is simple that Smokie is reminding listeners, new and old believers and even non-believers in a way that only God can do about God's power, God's committment to us and our holding our faith onto Him. This is probably the best overall Gospel CD because I can listen to each song without skipping over any. In fact, I only listen to this song at certain times because they are so precious that I don't want the message to become routine to me and the song's effect is thus lost on me. JUST GET THE CD Please."