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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Hero
Darwin Hobbs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So your wrapped and shroud in mystery, and took on the form of man
It's hard to understand it, but I know that it is true -
Chorus: If I could be a Hero, if I could be a Hero, oh, if I could be a Hero I'd wanna be, a Hero just like you.
And they say that when you died, you were barely thirty-three
So to touch the world you loved, it must be through your life in me
You died to make men holy, and you lived to set them free
Chorus: If I could be a Hero, if I could be a Hero, oh, if I could be a Hero I'd wanna be, a Hero just like you.
Chorus: If I could be a Hero, if I could be a Hero, oh, if I could be a Hero I'd wanna be, a Hero just like you.
Tag: Make me in your image oh Lord, more of You and less of me, I wanna be just like You.
The lyrics to Darwin Hobbs's song Hero express admiration and reverence towards Jesus Christ, the ultimate Hero for Christians. The beginning of the song acknowledges that Christ's love was something beyond human comprehension, and that He took on the form of man, making Him mysterious and awe-inspiring. The chorus expresses the desire to be a Hero like Christ, who died to make people holy and set them free. The bridge highlights various traits of Christ, such as His selflessness, humility, and beauty, which the singer strives to emulate. The tag at the end asks God to transform the singer into an image of Christ, embodying His qualities more and more.
Line by Line Meaning
I know your love was something, that I could not understand
The love you had was beyond my comprehension
So your wrapped and shroud in mystery, and took on the form of man
You came in human form but still remained a mystery
It's hard to understand it, but I know that it is true
Although difficult to comprehend, I recognize its truth
If I could be a Hero, if I could be a Hero, oh, if I could be a Hero I'd wanna be, a Hero just like you.
I aspire to be like you and be a hero in my own right
And they say that when you died, you were barely thirty-three
You died at a young age, only thirty-three years old
So to touch the world you loved, it must be through your life in me
I must continue your message so that the world can experience the love you had
You died to make men holy, and you lived to set them free
Your death served to sanctify people, while your life granted them freedom
You never once looked back, you hung on a cross and died in place of me - You! You never took up a rock to rule, you took up a towel and washed my feet. You! Only you - are beautiful, you're beautiful to me, to me, to me
You gave up your life without hesitation and served others humbly, making you the epitome of beauty in my eyes
Make me in your image oh Lord, more of You and less of me, I wanna be just like You.
I pray to become more like you, embodying your image and character instead of my own
Contributed by Mason F. 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