Darwin Hobbs is especially popular for his spirit moving song 'He's able' which has taken the breath of Nigerians away. The song indeed has been an inspiration for many, many, many gospel singers.
- Sheffieldhottie
His debut solo project (Mercy) was characterized by an anointing pieced together in soulful song with the help of producers Fred Hammond and Victor and Cedric Caldwell (see review).
Darwin Hobbs turns around swiftly on Vertical, his sophomore project with EMI Gospel, by combining both some of the same, and some fresh twists too.
Production mainstays Victor and Cedric Caldwell return to the fold, and join forces with Tommy Sims, whose Positive Movement production house has blown notorious in recent years. A fascinating choice of guest artists also marks this effort.
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Crucial to the album is the groovified "Cast All Your Cares", which harnesses the writing hooks of Angie Winans and the brothers Caldwell, is powered by the guitar finesse of Paul Jackson Jr., and features a strong chorus supporting Hobb's soulful delivery on lead.
The familiar voice of Donna Summer graces "When I Look Up". It's a softly soaring AC ballad about the liberty that Jesus brings, with Hobbs intertwining his pipes with Summer's exquisite phrasing over subtle bird twittering effects and a soft rhythm track. Written by the Caldwells with up-and-comer Hallerin Hill, it's a quiet full force gale, complete with backing vocals from Angie Winans.
Continuing on the guest artist theme, former Doobie Brother turned solo artist Michael McDonald joins his husky soul with Hobbs' rich tones on the head-bob track, Everyday. Fueled by musical elements of the Gap Band's "Outstanding", the Tommy Sims composition is an urban delight. Check these lines:
Surely the mercy of your love is in this place
I know that every day, come rain or shine
That it's mine all mine.
—from "Everyday"
On "So Amazing", Hobbs turns the tables on those who can't refrain from constantly comparing his vocal vibe to that of Luther Vandross. With his Gospel cover of this Vandross hit, Hobbs boldly tackles this comparison issue head on. No doubt he could easily be mistaken for the crooner, but with Hobbs' spirit of sensitivity infused throughout, there's no comparison on the deeper level. Virtue softly provides sweet backing vocals.
Michael McDonald
Michael McDonald contributed vocals to a couple of The Winans' projects (Decision and Back 2 Back) back when.
He's primarily known for his work with The Dobbie Brothers and Steely Dan, plus his own solo work.
Other hits have come in collaborations with James Ingram, Aretha Franklin, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross and Donna Summer (who also appears with Darwin Hobbs on this Vertical project).
Hobbs has stated that on this project, "every song was written strategically to represent some aspect of our relationship to God and His relationship to us" —hence the title Vertical, indicating that relationship.
So it's no surprise then, that the jewel in this CD jewel case is the medley of praise and worship ("Praise Medley"). It's on this soft, 8-minute, vocals-focused cut that Hobbs truly astounds with his range and selection of expression. The fact that he doesn't need vocal dramatics to do this speaks volumes to his gift. Holy praise tunes included are "El Shaddai", "You Are Holy", "You Are My Hiding Place" and "Great Is Your Mercy".
Set your alarm clock now, because you certainly don't want to sleep on this project. There's so much to love on this disk that you may not be able to handle it in one listen.
I'm still reeling.
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Crosswalk
Darwin Hobbs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
alive in the spirit Im dead to sin
it may cost my life in the very end
this is the crosswalk im in
this is the crosswalk im in
I made up my mind that I'll follow
I won't be ashamed in the face of men
should i lose my life i will live again
this is the crosswalk im in
singing oh oh
all my soul wants is you
yeah
oh oh oh
al my soul wants is you
and only Jesus
Chours
I'll pick up my cross and I'll follow Him
alive in the spirit Im dead to sin
it may cost my life in the very end
this is the crosswalk im in
this is the crosswalk im in
Choir
I made up my mind that I'll follow
I won't be ashamed in the face of men
should i lose my life i will live again
this is the crosswalk im in
this is the crosswalk im in
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back
No turning back
The cross before me this world behind me
No turning back
singing oh oh
all my soul wants is you
yeah
oh oh oh
all my soul wants is you oo
and only Jesus
lead -
I made up my mind that i'll folllow Jesus
this is my reasonable sacrifice
no turning back, im moving ahead
this is the crosswalk i'm in
I made up my mind that i'll folllow Jesus
this is my reasonable sacrifice
no turning back, moving ahead
this is the crosswalk i'm in
there is no turning back today
I made up my mind
this is the crosswalk i'm in
The lyrics to "Crosswalk" by Darwin Hobbs depict a commitment to following Jesus Christ even in the face of persecution or life-threatening situations. The first verse creates an image of someone holding their cross and walking alongside Jesus, determined to reject sin and live a life infused with the Holy Spirit. The chorus emphasizes the importance of this commitment to the Christian faith, willing to lay down one's own life to follow Jesus. The choir repeats the same sentiment, but also adds a unique twist by describing the idea of not turning back or looking to the past. The final verse serves as a summary of the singer's decision to follow Jesus no matter what circumstances may arise.
Overall, the song reflects a faith-driven mindset, and it encourages listeners to evaluate their own relationship with Jesus Christ. It also highlights the trials and difficulties that may arise when walking with Christ, but ultimately emphasizes the reward that awaits in eternity.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll pick up my cross and I'll follow Him
I will carry the burden of my faith and follow Jesus
alive in the spirit Im dead to sin
My spirit is revived and I am free from the ties of sin
it may cost my life in the very end
Following Jesus may come at a great cost, possibly even my life
this is the crosswalk im in
This is the path of faith that I have chosen
I made up my mind that I'll follow
I am resolute in my decision to follow Jesus
I won't be ashamed in the face of men
I will not shy away from my faith, even in the presence of others
should i lose my life i will live again
Even if I were to die for my faith, I believe in eternal life through Jesus
singing oh oh
all my soul wants is you
yeah
oh oh oh
al my soul wants is you
and only Jesus
My soul's desire is for Jesus alone
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back
I have committed to following Jesus and will not look back
The cross before me this world behind me
No turning back
My focus is on the cross and I will not turn away from it
I made up my mind that i'll folllow Jesus
this is my reasonable sacrifice
no turning back, im moving ahead
this is the crosswalk i'm in
I have made the choice to follow Jesus and will not turn back, even if it comes at a cost. This is the path I am committed to.
there is no turning back today
I made up my mind
this is the crosswalk i'm in
I have made a firm decision to follow Jesus and there is no going back now. This path of faith is the one I am on.
Contributed by Madelyn G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
zhanae
on Heal the Land
(Chorus)
(Oh!
If my people
Who are called
By my name would
Humbly pray
Seek my face and change
their ways
I'll heal the land)
Oh!
Let's talk about the problems
Please tell me how we solve them
There has to be a brighter day.
Ohhhh!
On your mark, get set, let's go now
Lights, Camera, Action showed now
Seems like this is what we've become
What do we do, Ohhhhh
(Chorus)
(Oh!
If my people
Who are called
By my name would
Humbly pray
Seek my face and change
their ways
I'll heal the land
Oh!)
We've got to find our way back
To the idea that we first had
Somehow we've gone and lost our way
Ohhhh
Wake up and smell the brew now
Make this our finest hour
All faces turn into the ground
This is the answer!
(Chorus)
(Oh!
If my people
Who are called
By my name would
Humbly pray
Seek my face and change
their ways
I'll heal the land)
Why? Oh Why?
is the question, tell me.
Who will stand?
Wanna know how did we end up here?
Or when will it end?
Lord, tell me where do we go from hereee?
(Chorus)
(Oh!
If my people
Who are called
By my name would
Humbly pray
Seek my face and change
their ways
I'll heal the land)
Oh OH Oh OH Oh OHhhh (8x)
HEAL THE LAND!
Pray, seek my face!
(Chorus)
(Oh!
If my people
Who are called
By my name would
Humbly pray
Seek my face and change
their ways
I'll heal the land)
Paula Carr
on My Promise To You
Why don't they have lyrics to this song