(July 12, 2023) It’s tough to believe that is was two decades ago that a 26 year old Gospel singer took over the R&B charts with a tender song about dependence on the Lord. But yes, it was in 2002 that most of us first heard Rev. Smokie Norful on the number one song “I Need You Now.” That auspicious debut swept the 2003 Billboard and Stellar awards and created a career for Norful that continues, albeit more slowly, more than a dozen albums in.
(July 12, 2023) It’s tough to believe that is was two decades ago that a 26 year old Gospel singer took over the R&B charts with a tender song about dependence on the Lord. But yes, it was in 2002 that most of us first heard Rev. Smokie Norful on the number one song “I Need You Now.” That auspicious debut swept the 2003 Billboard and Stellar awards and created a career for Norful that continues, albeit more slowly, more than a dozen albums in.
It had been five years since we heard new music from Norful, but his broke that drought last fall with the new single, “I Still Have You,” and Smokie has now (finally!) provided the music video for the #1 Gospel hit. A gentle piano ballad similar in feel to his signature song, “I Still Have You” celebrates the gift held by a believer, even in times of greatest weakness. The song has the lush beauty of many of Norful’s biggest songs, and his voice is as expressive and alluring as it was way back in 2002.
Check out the beautiful video for “I Still Have You,” and welcome the great Smokie Norful back to SoulTracks.
By Chris Rizik
Smokie Norful – “I Still Have You”