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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Little Drummer Boy
Darwin Hobbs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
When we come
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
on my drum?
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum
The lyrics of Darwin Hobbs's song Little Drummer Boy tells the story of a poor boy who meets with the wise men who are journeying to see the newborn King. The boy longs to give a fitting gift to the King, but being poor, he has nothing worthy to present. Instead, he offers to play his drum for the baby. The mother in turn nods and the boy plays his best music for the King. In the end, the King smiles at him and the boy and his little drum have brought joy and blessings to the King.
The lyrics of this song portray the message of how we can use whatever talents we possess to worship God no matter how small or inadequate we may feel they are. We see this in the boy who uses his drum to worship the King even when he has nothing else to give.
Darwin Hobb's rendition of Little Drummer boy has a rich message that encourages us to use whatever we have to honor God. The song reminds us that God does not choose people based on their status, wealth, or talent but He accepts all who come to Him regardless of their background or situation. The song encourages us not to shy away from offering acts of love and grace to others even when we feel that we have nothing much to give. It is a classic song that captures the essence of Christmas and Christianity, and it is a great reminder for us to seek love, peace, and joy every day of our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
I was given a call to come and see the newborn King with a gentle drumbeat sound
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
We have been invited to see the newborn King, our Messiah
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We bring our most treasured possessions as gifts for the King
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
We will present these gifts before the King in pure reverence
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
We will play our humble drums to express our devotion to the King
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
All of our actions are to show respect and honor to the King
When we come
Whenever we approach the powerful and merciful King
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
The newborn King, who is still a child, can hear our simple greeting with drums
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
As a young, impoverished boy, I have nothing valuable to offer to the King
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I don't have any present as lavish as gold, frankincense, or myrrh
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
I don't possess any material goods worthy of giving to the King of the world
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
However, I can play a soft, heartwarming drumbeat as my gift to the King
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
I humbly ask the King, 'May I play my drum for you?'
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
When I requested to play, Mary the mother of the King, gave her consent and nodded
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
Even the animals in the manger rhythmically joined my percussion performance
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I played a beats of joy and love for the newborn King
I played my best for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I played the drums of my heart with all devotion and sincerity for our King
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Continuously playing the drums with a pure and sincere heart
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
The King smiled with grace and mercy at my music, even though it wasn't made of precious metals
Me and my drum
I left the manger that night, but I will always carry in my heart the love I felt for our newborn King and the drums that made Him smile
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Henry Onorati, Katherine K. Davis, Harry Simeone
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