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JFH Music Review




Bebo Norman
Big Blue Sky



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 46 minutes, 13 seconds
Street Date: May 15, 2001


This 27-year-old boy from Georgia released his successful national debut project Ten Thousand Days in 1999 on new label Watershed Records. The album did surprisingly well, debuting at number 3 on the Internet Sales Chart ahead of Backstreet Boys and Sarah MacLachlan. It sold more than 125,000 copies in the U.S. and became the top-selling new artist release in Europe for the year 2000. This May, Bebo Norman releases his sophomore national release which is bound to do just as well or better than its predecessor.

A little less folk and rootsy-oriented, Big Blue Sky, although still prominently just Bebo and his guitar (with some accompaniments), is more layered and more of a pop-oriented nature. It is evident that Bebo's lyrical and musical compositioning has changed. "The way I look at what a song should be has definitely changed," Bebo states in his official bio. "Even though I still enjoy a mysterious nature of very lyrical songs, I've begun to appreciate how profound a simple and repetitive pop song can be."

Big Blue Sky opens with the upbeat "I Am," which indeed is repetitive, but from the opening of the song, it's clear the album will be much easier listening. Songs like "Perhaps She'll Wait for Me" and "Where You Are" are more signature of Norman's earlier work. Primarily and often solely just himself and his guitar, these ballads are intimate and soothing. "Tip of My Heart" and "Underneath" are more up-beat acoustic pop tunes reminiscent of Steven Curtis Chapman's earlier work and Eli's current. However, one of the best, if not the best track on the record is "Break Me Through." Probably the most different sounding song on the album, Bebo's vocals float over a poppy bass beat with a soft synth creating a beautifully peaceful ballad. Slightly reminiscent of something that one might hear on the Newsboys' Not Ashamed record, the listener will likely be addicted after a couple listens. Bebo proves his versatility and makes it clear he has a lot to offer musically.

With each song and each album, Norman is continually reaching into the depths of the listener's soul lyrically, and musically further securing himself as a talented pop figure in the Christian music scene.

- Review date: 4/29/01, written by John DiBiase



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. Artist Info: Discography
. Record Label: Watershed Records
. Album length: 11 tracks, 46 minutes and 13 seconds
. Street Date: May 15, 2001
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. I Am
  2. Cover Me
  3. You Surround Me
  4. Sons and Daughters
  5. Perhaps She'll Wait for Me
  6. Tip of My Heart
  7. Underneath
  8. Break Me Through
  9. Big Blue Sky
  10. All That I Have Sown
  11. Where You Are
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Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
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This Friday, November 7, 2025
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight (Deluxe) [Warner Music]
Biscuits Country Fried LoFi - EP [Circle Back]
Jekalyn Carr JEKALYN X LEGENDS [WayNorth]
DAMIAN DAMIAN [DREAM]
Every Nation Music Revive [NWN]
Josh Garrels Peace To All Who Enter Here, Vol. 2 (independent)
Amy Jay Mnemonics (independent)
JERUB The Wonder Years [Elevate]
JSP No More (independent)
New Wine Worship Praise King Jesus (Live from New Wine Festival) (independent)
Jeremy Rosado Feliz Navidad - EP [Capitol CMG]
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SINGLES
Dave Barnes Santa's Gotta Go - Single (independent)
Gracie Binion Gunpowder - Single [BEC]
Biscuits Country Fried LoFi - Single [Circle Back]
Blanca O Come, All Ye Faithful (Gloria) - Single [BEC]
Andrea Bocelli The Blessing (feat. Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes) - Single [Universal]
Steven Curtis Chapman Christmas Is All In The Heart (with CeCe Winans) - Single [The Fuel]
Cutright Gram Cracker - Single [Syntax]
Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, Ellie Holcomb It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Single [Magnolia]
Elevation Worship God I'm Just Grateful (feat. Chandler Moore) - Single [Provident]
FrenchyRiff Steps - Single [La Resistance]
Garett and Kate Serban O Holy Night / Holy Forever - Single [Bethel]
Good Things Collective Rejoice! - Single [Real Fun]
Hillside Recording Everlasting Father - Single (independent)
Ian Austin, Heather Suzanne Somewhere Far - Single (independent)
K3hlab Lord You Are - Single [Syntax]
Kelo The Break-Up - Single [Syntax]
Lakewood Music Rejoice Again (feat. Alexander Pappas) - Single (independent)
Colony House Life Goes On/You’re Right Where You’re Meant To Be - Single [LastDaze]
Ben Lawrence Moving (feat. Pyramid Park) - Single (independent)
Tasha Layton Christmas All Year Long - Single [BEC]
Life.Church Worship Tanto - Single (independent)
Limoblaze Esé - Single [Reach]
Myles Maestro falling 4 u - Single [Syntax]
Kevi Morse Yeen ain't wit it - Single [Syntax]
Jeannie Ortega Boyfriend - Single [Syntax]
Presence Music Band Who Knew (Gift Wrapped) [feat. Blake Whiteley] - Single (independent)
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Sacrificial Betrayal Take Risk - Single (independent)
Zane Walls YOU ARE THE FIRE (feat. JontheKid) - Single (independent)
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This Saturday, November 8, 2025
SINGLES
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Next Friday, November 14, 2025
ALBUMS
Emery White Line Fever (Remastered) - Disc One (independent)
Kings Kaleidoscope Asaph's Arrows II EP [BEC]
Ronnie Martin Evergreen Melodie [Velvet Blue]
NF FEAR - EP [Capitol]
Blessing Offor To All A Good Night [Capitol CMG]
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The Young Escape Not Done Yet [BEC]

SINGLES
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