Gospel Singer Smokie Norful Releases “How I Got Over: Songs That Carried Us”. | Avail. Now

HOW I GOT OVER, Songs That Carried Us highlights the standards and hymns that have been the very backbone of the African American church.  Recorded live in Tulsa, OK at the 12th District A.M.E. Church Conference.   

The album showcases the commanding 12th District A.M.E. choir, songs like “Trouble In My Way,” “Amazing Grace,” “Lord Will Make A Way,” and “I Know It Was The Blood”  are meaningful and significant songs to the Black church.  

HOW I GOT OVER, Songs That Carried Us includes appearances by guest artists Joe Ligon, Melvin Williams, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Myron Butler and Sheri Jones Moffett.

The radio single, “Sunday Morning Medley,” which Norful performed earlier this year on BET’s Celebration of Gospel, includes five of our the most treasured  and recognizable church songs: “Soldier In The Army Of The Lord,” “God Is A Good God,” “Storm Out On the Ocean,” “I Want To Live So God Can Use Me” and “Praise The Lord Everybody.”

HOW I GOT OVER, Songs That Carried Us is an archival and musical look at the African American experience and the role the church played in their long and storied past.  Many of the songs still remain in our Sunday Morning consciousness, were born out of the slave experience.

Norful, who penned the now classic anthem “I Need You Know,” is a present day songwriter who still is able to capture the needs and voice of his people.  “I Need You Know,” became an instant hit because of the emotional chord it touched with people around the world.  Its impact is felt 10 years later as the popular ballad is among the most popular songs to sing. Most recently, it was heard on AMERICAN IDOL.