Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

Continuing in the same vein as his 2009 album 'Live', Chicago gospel superstar Smokie Norful's latest release is another serving of high octane and spirited live church - this time recorded in Tulsa to celebrate the musical legacy of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Backed by the solid 12th District AME Church Choir and a delightfully tight band, Norful stirs up the already excited crowd from the get go with a string of songs dubbed the "Sunday Morning Medley" - including black gospel favourites such as "I'm A Soldier In The Army Of The Lord" and "There's A Storm Out On The Ocean" - to press home the fact that the purpose of the night is for everyone to praise God with no holds barred. Norful employs the services of guest artists such as gospel stalwarts Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Melvin Williams on "Trouble In My Way" and "Solid Rock" respectively to add some variety to proceedings and to allow Norful to pay homage to his musical influences. Norful's father, Pastor WR Norful Sr, steps in to lend his deep tones to a powerful set of hymns built around a moving version of "Amazing Grace" before his boy whips up the crowd some more with a time of good old black gospel style ministry involving a healthy amount of hollering and declaring. Mighty Clouds Of Joy vocalist Joe Ligon weighs in with a stunning rendition of "I Know It Was The Blood" which ends this accomplished celebration of black gospel music on a high note.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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How I Got Over - Songs That Carried Us is pure Sunday morning church songs performed by some of today’s most talented and sought after vocalists.

An inspiration from Gold-selling, Grammy-award-winning Smokie Norful, How I Got Over is a tribute to songs, songs that have carried the church, & more importantly, people in the church down through the years, through life’s experiences. To get the true Sunday morning worship feel How I Got Over was recorded live in Tulsa, OK, at the A.M.E.’s 12th Episcopal District Conference and each instantly recognizable song is backed by the 12th Episcopal District Mass Choir.