In a nutshell: Smokie Norful has been so busy pastoring his own church, it's no wonder he's chosen the path of least resistance for his latest: a live recording. That's all well and good for fans of Norful the minister; the churchy Smokie Norful Live is as Sunday-friendly as they come. However, aficionados of Norful the R&B balladeer will get the short end of the stick. Aside from his cover version of the Commodores' "Jesus Is Love" (a duet with Heather Headley) and the stripped down "Dear God," the overall vibe is more spirited than soulful—a good window into Norful's pastoral life, sure, but not a complete picture of his aptitudes.
