It’s rare that I pass on doing a CD review, then fall so helplessly in love with a project that I change my mind.  The Anointed Pace Sisters’ latest project, Access Granted, was one such CD and this, the debut album of Smokie Norful’s Victory Cathedral Choir, is another.

The album, Smokie Norful Presents Victory Cathedral Choir (EMI Gospel), was released this Tuesday and, in a nutshell, I’m loving it.  BIG TIME.  Song after song, this project delivers classic choir music that will fit well into the 11am service at anybody’s church.  From choir vocals, to lead vocals, to songwriting and production, the project is a must-have that does not disappoint.

While Smokie Norful is responsible for “presenting” his church choir, I’m glad that it doesn’t feel at all like a Smokie Norful album.  In fact, you’ll only remember that he’s involved with it two times– on the two songs he leads.  Everything else screams “Chicago old school choir” like Milton Brunson & The Tommies or something.

The album opens with the invitational chant “Rejoice” before moving to the band-banging “Come Too Far,” led by Norful.  The vibe slows a bit with “Your Latter,” with a lead vocalist slightly reminiscent of Kim McFarland.

Up next is the shout-ready single, “The Greatest Name,” followed by “You’re All I Need,” a beautiful choral piece that almost sounds like it could have been recorded by Richard Smallwood & Vision.  The worship ballad “You Are Holy” comes next, set delicately to a beautiful piano with an equally beautiful lead vocal over it.  From there, the cohesive project continues to moves seamlessly, from Smokie Norful’s lead on the downright churchy “I’m Still Here,” to “Refuge” and “Just Knowing Jesus.”

The project ends with what might be my favorite track on the album (and which, in my humble opinion, might have been a better single), “I Made It.”  The precise syncopation of the band, choir and lead vocalist on this classic churchy, hand-clapping tune… it’s Sunday morning in all of the right ways.

I think what I like most about this project is that it’s an ode to the true church choir.  It reminds of the days when choir soloists were content to sing their song on Sunday and go back to their 9-to-5 during the week.  The fact that they could sing the walls down at church didn’t make them want to be national recording artists– they were content to serve in their local body.  And serve WELL.

That rant will be for another post, but in the meantime– click here to purchase this project!

I added the single, “The Greatest Name,” to the PunditPlayer several weeks ago (click here to listen again).

Anybody else have this incredible album yet?  Anybody gonna check it out???

Found her!

She sang with Donald Lawrence & Co. at the post party for the Stellar Awards.  Specifically, she sings lead like nobody’s business on one of the hottest tracks on his upcoming album (The Law of Confession, Part 1 is in stores on February 3rd!).  The song has a “Bless Me (Prayer of Jabez)” kind of feel… it’s grand and triumphant with swelling background vocals.  And it’s just as awesome.

So, there you have it.  Now, if I can just manage to get an interview for us… stay tuned!

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post telling you that this new series would start soon– and here’s the first installment!

Few choir soloists have left as indelible an impression on the gospel music community as Kim McFarland.  You prolly remember her from her days with Chicago’s Milton Brunson & The Thompson Community Singers.  She led HITS for days, including “I Tried Him and I Know Him,” “For the Good of Them,” and “In My Name.”

But she started waaaaaay before that with Walt Whitman & The Soul Children of Chicago, leading (and co-writing) “We Are One.”  In my opinion, she kinda helped to define what a contemporary choir soloist is gonna need to bring to the table!

And she didn’t stop there… she released two solo albums– New Life in 1994, and Amazing in 1996.  The latter album features one of my favorite cuts from her, “Intercession.”

So, Kim McFarland, where YOU been?!

Various biographical sources on the internet suggest that Kim McFarland is 39 years old, resides in Chicago, and is married to Chris Anderson, who is a producer, vocalist and session musician.  Together, they run CAKM (I’m guessing, their initials), an event and concert production company.  He also wrote several songs on both of her solo albums.

She’s apparently got two MySpace pages– the most recently updated page is private, but available by clicking here; the other, though publicly viewable, hasn’t been accessed since September of 2008.  Access that one by clicking here.

So, is she still singing?  I think so.  I’m not aware of any big guest appearances, but I do see her name as a background vocalist on various album liner notes over the past three years alone: Hezekiah Walker’s 20/85 The Experience, Marvin Sapp’s Be Exalted, Smokie Norful’s Nothing Without You, Coko’s Grateful, Dewayne Woods’ Introducing Dewayne Woods and When Singers Meet, and Joann Rosario’s Joyous Salvation.  That’s understandable because several of those albums feature tracks from Donald Lawrence, who has used her for vocals a lot lately (including on the Tri-City finale album).

But ummm… that’s about as far as I’m able to get on my own.  Anyone know somethin’ else???

YouTube pickings are slim, so you’ll just have to settle for her killing “For the Good of Them” with the Tommies back in the day: