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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I Repent
Darwin Hobbs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I repent of living like i deserve anything
my house, my fence, my kids, and my wife
in our suburb where we're safe and white
I am wrong and of these things i repent
I repent of parading my liberty
I repent of paying forvwhat i get for free
by trading sins for others that are easier to hide
I am wrong and of these things I repent
I repent judging by a law that even I can't keep
wearin righteousness like a disguise to see through
the planks in my own eyes
I repent of trading truth for false unity
I repent of confusing peace and idolatry
of caring more of what they think than what I know of
what they need
and domesticating You until You look just like me
i am wrong and of these things I repent
The lyrics to Darwin Hobbs's song "I Repent" express a powerful remorse and regret for the ways in which the singer has participated in and perpetuated cultural sins and injustices. The first stanza begins with a clear apology for the pursuit of "America's dream," which implies a certain level of entitlement and individualism. The singer repents of living like they deserve anything and acknowledges the privilege that their house, fence, and family symbolize. The mention of their suburb being safe and white calls attention to the systems of racial and economic segregation that exist in our society.
The second stanza continues the theme of repentance for the ways in which the singer has taken advantage of their liberties and privileges. They recognize the irony in paying for things that should be given freely, such as grace and forgiveness. The singer has also created a false sense of righteousness by swapping out easy-to-hide sins for bigger, more overt ones. The spiritual hypocrisy is palpable in this confession.
The final stanza encompasses several different areas of repentance. The singer acknowledges that they have judged others by a law that they themselves can't keep, revealing a lack of empathy and understanding. They also recognize the futility in trying to hide behind a veil of righteousness when there are obvious flaws in their own character. The third and final line mentions the domestication of God - a reference to the way in which individuals and institutions often make God in their own image, rather than reflecting the divine nature back to the world.
Overall, "I Repent" is a poignant reminder of the ways in which we are all complicit in various forms of sin and injustice. The song challenges listeners to take responsibility for our own participation in these systems and to seek forgiveness and reconciliation.
Line by Line Meaning
I repent of my pursuit of America's dream
I regret chasing the materialistic American dream instead of true happiness and inner peace.
I repent of living like i deserve anything
I regret leading a privileged life, pretending like it is my entitlement to have everything I want.
my house, my fence, my kids, and my wife
I am referring to the things that I thought would bring me joy, but they only led to superficial happiness.
in our suburb where we're safe and white
I regret living in a bubble, isolated from the world's reality, making me unaware of other people's struggles and differences.
I am wrong and of these things i repent
I acknowledge and apologize for my mistakes, and I am seeking forgiveness and a chance to make amends.
I repent of parading my liberty
I regret flaunting my privileges and freedoms instead of using them for good and just causes.
I repent of paying for what I get for free
I regret valuing material possessions more than life's intangible gifts, like love and friendship.
the way i believe that I am living right
I regret thinking that my way of life is superior to others, judging them instead of embracing differences.
by trading sins for others that are easier to hide
I regret shifting my focus from my shortcomings to other people's mistakes, which are less visible or noticeable.
I repent judging by a law that even I can't keep
I regret imposing my moral standards on others, which I myself fail to abide by.
wearin righteousness like a disguise to see through the planks in my own eyes
I regret acting like a pious person, but in reality, I am not practicing what I am preaching
I repent of trading truth for false unity
I regret sacrificing my beliefs to maintain a fake impression of harmony and agreement with others.
I repent of confusing peace and idolatry
I regret mistaking my desire for tranquility with worshiping material possessions or other superficial things.
of caring more of what they think than what I know of what they need
I regret putting more weight on other people's opinions than on what I know about their true needs and struggles.
and domesticating You until You look just like me
I regret shaping my perception of God and religion to suit my needs and worldview, instead of embracing spirituality with open-mindedness.
i am wrong and of these things I repent
I reiterate my guilt and regret for my wrongdoings, and seek forgiveness and atonement.
Contributed by Bella M. 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