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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Wonderland
Darwin Hobbs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll always wear a smile
Love and laughter here all the while
The flag of salvation waves around
Freedom here abounds
The joy in the sound calls my name
Oh, this day
I know my heart is free in wonderland
And it's all because of You, my Lord
And all my eyes can see in wonderland
Every day’s a sunny day
Leave behind your shame and your disgrace
Here they have no place
You will wear the garment of His grace
The rising sun will never set again
Sorrow's at its end
And every word that's spoken, shout, "Amen"
Take me there
I know my heart is free in wonderland
And it's all because of You, my Lord
And all my eyes can see in wonderland
Every day’s a sunny day
Every day's a world of peace
Peace flows like a river through me
I'm home, home, home
And I won't ever leave, leave
Call my name to this place
I know my heart is free in wonderland
And it's all because of You, my Lord
And all my eyes can see in wonderland
Every day’s a sunny day
And all my eyes can see in wonderland
Every day’s a sunny day
Every day's a world of peace
Peace flows like a river through me
I'm home, home, home
And I won't ever leave
Peace, peace flows like a river through me
I'm home, home, home
And I won't ever leave
I know my heart is free
I know my heart is free
The lyrics of Darwin Hobbs's song "Wonderland" invites the listener to enter into a place full of love, laughter, and freedom where shame, sorrow, and disgrace have no place. Similar to the children's fairy tale world of Alice in Wonderland, the singer promises a place where even the flag of salvation waves, and every day is a world of peace. The words paint a vivid picture of a place where every word spoken leads to an Amen, and the rising sun never sets again.
The singer acknowledges that it is all because of the Lord that he can experience such freedom and joy in his heart. The chorus repeats this theme, emphasizing the reality of Wonderland to exist not only in some distant utopian land but in the heart of the believer. It is a place where every day is a "sunny day" where the river of peace flows and where he is truly "home, home, home" and won't ever leave.
The song's message is one of faith, hope, and love, encouraging the listener to come to Christ as a child, with open eyes, hearts, and minds, and believe that they too can experience the freedom and peace that comes from living in Wonderland.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on in and enter as a child
Enter this place with the innocence, curiosity and joy of a child.
You'll always wear a smile
This is a happy and joyful place.
Love and laughter here all the while
There will always be love and laughter here.
The flag of salvation waves around
The symbol of salvation is visible here.
Freedom here abounds
Freedom can be found here.
The joy in the sound calls my name
The happiness here is so strong that it feels almost personal.
Oh, this day
This is a day to remember.
I know my heart is free in wonderland
In this place, I am free of all burdens.
And it's all because of You, my Lord
The reason for my freedom and happiness is my faith.
And all my eyes can see in wonderland
Everything I see here is wonderful and perfect.
Every day’s a sunny day
Every day is filled with happiness and light.
Leave behind your shame and your disgrace
All past mistakes and feelings of inadequacy have no place here.
Here they have no place
This place is free of negativity and judgment.
You will wear the garment of His grace
Faith and grace are the only things needed to fit in here.
The rising sun will never set again
There is eternal hope and light in this place.
Sorrow's at its end
There is no room for sadness and pain here.
And every word that's spoken, shout, "Amen"
Every word is truthful and worth celebrating.
Take me there
This is a place to which I desire to go.
Every day's a world of peace
Peace is always present here.
Peace flows like a river through me
I feel peace within me when I am in this place.
I'm home, home, home
This is a place that feels like home to me.
And I won't ever leave, leave
I never want to leave this place.
Call my name to this place
I long to be in this place, call me there.
I know my heart is free
My heart is free from burdens and pain in this place.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CHRIS RODRIGUEZ, TOMMY SIMMS
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