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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Free
Darwin Hobbs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Free from the guilt that would cause me to be ashamed
Once, once I was blind but now I see clearly
The debt that I owe, Jesus paid for me
No more chains are binding me, I'm totally free
Even my human desires, desire to crucify my soul
Could not await the, the fact that You made me whole
Help me, oh Lord, to establish and know that at Calvary I was redeemed
Free, free from my past, free from the pain
Free from the guilt that would cause me to be ashamed
Once, once I was blind but now I see clearly
The debt that I owe, Jesus paid for me
No more chains are binding me, I'm totally free
Even though I was a sinner
You commended Your grace and Your love toward me
Saved me from death and destruction
Gave me life eternally
Not after my sins have You dealt with me, Lord
I'm so grateful for all You do
Iniquity doesn't take my reward
You still love me and tell I am Your own
Free, free from my past, free from the pain
Free from the guilt that would cause me to be ashamed
Once, once I was blind but now I see clearly
The debt that I owe, Jesus paid for me
No more chains are binding me, I'm totally free
Free, free from my past, free from the pain
Free from the guilt that would cause me to be ashamed
Once, once I was blind but now I see clearly
The debt that I owe, Jesus paid for me
No more chains are binding me, I'm totally free
The song Free by Darwin Hobbs is a powerful testimony of the freedom and redemption that comes from accepting Jesus Christ as one's savior. The lyrics speak of the pain and guilt that the singer once felt, but now he is free from those burdens. The debt that he owed was paid by Jesus on the cross, and he is no longer bound by the chains of sin. Even though he was once a sinner, he has been saved by God's grace and love, and he is grateful for all that God has done for him.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of humility and gratitude for God's mercy and forgiveness. The singer acknowledges that he was once blind, but now he sees clearly. He knows that he has been redeemed through the sacrifice of Jesus, and he is free from the past that once held him captive. The lyrics are a reminder that no matter what we have done, God's love and forgiveness are available to us if we are willing to accept it.
Overall, Free is a powerful and emotional song that speaks to the heart of the human experience. It tells the story of a person who has been set free from the chains of sin and pain, and is now living in the freedom and grace of God.
Line by Line Meaning
Free, free from my past, free from the pain
I have been set free from my past and the pain it brought me
Free from the guilt that would cause me to be ashamed
I am no longer burdened by guilt and shame
Once, once I was blind but now I see clearly
I was once blind to the truth, but now I see the way clearly
The debt that I owe, Jesus paid for me
Jesus paid the debt I owed for my sins
No more chains are binding me, I'm totally free
I am no longer held captive by my sins and have been freed
Even my human desires, desire to crucify my soul
My own wants and desires may lead me to sin and harm myself
Could not await the, the fact that You made me whole
Even though I have sinned, God has made me whole again
Time after time, I remind myself that Your mercies each day are new
I remind myself often that God's mercies are new and given to me every day
Help me, oh Lord, to establish and know that at Calvary I was redeemed
God, please help me know and understand that I was redeemed at Calvary
Even though I was a sinner
Even though I have sinned
You commended Your grace and Your love toward me
God showed grace and love to me despite my sinfulness
Saved me from death and destruction
God saved me from death and destruction caused by my sins
Gave me life eternally
God gave me eternal life through his grace and love
Not after my sins have You dealt with me, Lord
God did not deal with me according to my sins
I'm so grateful for all You do
I am grateful for everything God has done for me
Iniquity doesn't take my reward
My reward from God is not taken away by my sin
You still love me and tell I am Your own
God still loves me and calls me His own
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DIPIERO, HOBBS, STEELE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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