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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You Are God
Darwin Hobbs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or to look upon what it contained
Then a voice said, "See the Lion of the Tribe of Judah"
So I looked to the Lion
And saw a Lamb that was slain
You are worthy to take up and open the scroll
For You are the Lamb that was slain
To the Lamb Who lives and reigns
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
To receive power, wealth, wisdom, and strength
And honor and glory and praise evermore
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
From every tribe and language
Every people and nation
Your blood purchased men for God
You won them a kingdom by Your salvation
And made them priests to serve our God
To serve our God
The lyrics of Darwin Hobbs's song "Who You Are" narrate a scene from the book of Revelation in the Bible. The singer describes a moment when he wept because nobody was worthy enough to open the scroll and reveal its contents. However, a voice instructed him to look to the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, which he did, only to see a Lamb that was slain. The Lamb appears to be Jesus Christ, who is worthy to take up and open the scroll since he was the one who sacrificed himself for humanity.
The chorus affirms the worthiness of the Lamb that was slain and praises him with honor, glory, and power. Additionally, the lyrics state that the Lamb deserves to receive power, wealth, wisdom, and strength, as well as praise and honor. The words "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain" are repeated throughout the chorus, emphasizing the importance of Christ's sacrifice.
In the third verse, the lyrics speak of how Christ's blood purchased people from all tribes, languages, and nations, and how he won them a kingdom through his salvation. The Lamb made them priests to serve God, emphasizing the importance and power of Christ's love and sacrifice.
Line by Line Meaning
I wept, for none was worthy to open the scroll
I cried because there was no one who was good enough to reveal the secrets of the scroll.
Or to look upon what it contained
They couldn't even look at what was inside.
Then a voice said, "See the Lion of the Tribe of Judah"
A voice told me to look at the Lion from the tribe of Judah.
So I looked to the Lion
So I observed the Lion.
And saw a Lamb that was slain
And then I recognized a dead Lamb.
You are worthy to take up and open the scroll
You have the value to reveal and uncover the scroll.
For You are the Lamb that was slain
Because You are the Lamb that was killed.
Glory and honor to the One on the throne
Praise and respect to the One who sits on the throne.
To the Lamb Who lives and reigns
To the Lamb who lives and rules.
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain
The Lamb who died is praiseworthy.
To receive power, wealth, wisdom, and strength
Deserving to get power, riches, intelligence, and capability.
And honor and glory and praise evermore
And also worthiness, glory, and adoration for all time.
From every tribe and language
From all kinds of communities and dialects.
Every people and nation
From every group and country.
Your blood purchased men for God
Your blood bought human beings for God.
You won them a kingdom by Your salvation
You gained them a domain through Your salvation.
And made them priests to serve our God
And also made them priests to serve our God.
To serve our God
To worship our God.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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