Smokie Norful Presents Victory Cathedral Choir

Victory Cathedral Choir
Smokie Norful Presents Victory Cathedral Choir
EMI Gospel (2010)
www.emigospel.com

Although the Victory Cathedral Choir, from Pastor Smokie Norful’s Victory Cathedral Worship Center in west suburban Chicago, is comprised of the church rank-and-file, it certainly sounds as professional as they come. The members represent a range of ages, but together, the choir exudes a youthful energy that shakes the walls of Chicago’s famed Fellowship M.B. Church where its self-titled debut album was recorded.

The soloists on the album, most of whom are choir members, are superb, most especially choir director Keshia McFarland. On “Your Latter,” a song that reminds the listener that “your best is yet to come,” McFarland transitions easily from hard singer to fiery aisle-walking evangelist by the reprise.

The choir performs the whole spectrum of gospel sounds, from the rhythmically exciting “Come Too Far” (as in “I’ve come too far to stop now”) and the churchy hand-clapper “The Greatest Name” to the reverent worship anthem “You Are Holy,” with McFarland again working her magic as lead vocalist. “I’m Still Here” is a new song penned (and led) by Norful but driven by the classic Baptist “rocking chair” beat. It has all the elements of a gospel single.

The stellar lineup of musicians includes Inez Andrews’ son Richard Gibbs on organ and the always capable Joey Woolfalk on guitar.

An especially nice touch in the liner notes is the list of all choir members by section. When some artists fail to acknowledge their key musicians on the CD, the fact that Norful gives props to each and every chorister is notable. Not surprising, though: Pastor Norful sounds proud as a new papa as he introduces his church choir to the world.

Four of Five Stars

gPod Picks: “Come Too Far,” “The Greatest Name,” “I’m Still Here.”

Reviewed by Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.