Lemme tell you somethin’… this here Mia Paylor… she can write a meeeaaaan review (and by that, I mean “great”). She’s cranks ‘em out before I can even get ‘em published good (pardon my grammar), but I don’t mind it.
And I know you don’t either!
No delays… Mia’s back to tell you about her experience with Champion, the new album from Darwin Hobbs…
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Sometimes, extreme situations are both good and bad. For instance, if I win an extremely high amount of money, it’ll be ALL GOOD to me! However, I may have difficulty planning the best way to spend it. It’s not a bad problem to have… but, it’s a nerve-wrecking issue nevertheless.
Well, I declare and decree that the new Darwin Hobbs CD, Champion, is one of those extreme situations, creating both good and bad circumstances. Good circumstances for Darwin and bad circumstances for me. Let me explain…
First of all, Champion was released on June 22nd, the Tuesday before Payday Friday. Needless to say, my plan was to wait ’til payday to download it. But, my budget was almost destroyed by the buzz of those who were able to purchase the CD before my payday– “Get it NOW!”… “The very Spirit of ‘Godt’ will creep out of your speakers and send you to the floor in worship!”
Good for Darwin because I wanted the CD… Bad for me because I had to wait.
So, I downloaded it after the stroke of midnight on payday (praise God for direct deposit) and listened to it at work. As I listened, it began to usher me right into the very presence of God. But, I couldn’t enter into worship like I wanted to in my cubicle! WARNING: DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS AT WORK OR WHILE OPERATING HEAVY MACHINERY.
Good for Darwin because the CD blessed me… Bad for me and others who ran lights (or worse) while listening, worshipping, and driving.
Champion, with production headed by Daniel Weatherspoon, is EXTREMELY GOOD! It’s jam-packed with church-friendly praise & worship tunes. There is a wonderful balance of songs that influence vertical worship and songs that serve as pep talks for believers. The lyrics are simple enough for congregations to pick up quickly, as well as thoughtful enough for mature worshippers to connect with them.
This CD is not stylistically confused. The instrumentation and arrangements flow seamlessly from song to song. Darwin sounds confident and comfortable during this live praise & worship experience… like he’s found his stride. Plus, those background singers are singing the glory cloud DOWN!
More than anything, every song is relevant to some segment of a worship service, which is the cause of my final problem– which song do I teach first?!
Should I teach the party starter, “Power in Praise”? Maybe I should teach “He is God,” since folks are always complaining about modern churches not singing hymns anymore. Should I teach “God Restores” (featuring Sheri Jones-Moffett)? It’s perfect to be sung during the Call to Discipleship. Or, do I teach “Champion” first? We all need to be reminded that God, our Champion, lives within believers… and “To the Lamb” is already on the list for Resurrection Sunday 2011.
Good for Darwin because many of these songs will be favorites in church…Bad for me because I can’t decide which song to teach first.
Then again, I’ve got lots of new material to teach now. Maybe this isn’t so bad for me after all. 
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Love this review and love the new Darwin album!
Who else has it and what do you think of it? And what do you think of Mia’s review? I’m thinking she’s pretty dead-on?
Talk to us!
I cheesed all the way through your article. You captured the strengths of the project (simple yet compelling lyrics, strong BGVs, production, and DARWIN). He is God is usually a repeat song for me, no matter what's going on around me. Great read and I told you so.
Glad you enjoyed it! And when I mentioned folks almost destroying my budget, that def included YOU and Paul Cash, lol. Pumping it up after I told y'all I was waiting to buy it. SHAME ON YOU! LOL!
You know what??? This is by far the single most compelling review I've ever read on any album... Gospel, r&b, or otherwise. I am so grateful that you purchased Champion. I've been concerned that peeps wud feel it is TOO churchy..but God said its TIMELY! Trust me.. (Not being a braggert), but these songs WORK (for all u worship leaders)!! I asked God for songs that don't need a lot of hype and help!!! (Cheerleading) of course..u can't help but exhort the peeps of God while doing them, but the songs seem to "worship on their own"! Haha Thanks M and all those who will swim the waters of Champion.. Love Darwin
Hey Mia...I see you picked it up! I told you it was great! Darwin really played to his strengths on this one...he really is best during his live performances....
Dearest Granddaughter, I love your reviews can't say that I know all the latest artists as I am still into Shirley Caesar and maybe the Winans and every once in a while Yolanda Adams, however, I do know good writing when I read it! Your reviews make me want to download the albums but unfortunately I do not know how to download! Which is good for me. LOL. Keep up the good work! Peace and blessings! Mumsie
Don't you hate it when you're at work and can't worship like you really want to?? :) I'm on it though... *off to amazon* Thanks for the review!
Ahh yes! I loved this review! I also agree that this is a GREAT record. I love to hear Darwin Hobbs in a live setting. One of my favorite records by Darwin is the "Worshipper" project he did with production by Aaron Lindsey, Israel Houghton & Tommy Sims. Ever since that record, I've been waiting for him to do a live project along the same lines of that "Worshipper" record. AND FINALLY here we have it! The songs are great! Darwin is blazing the vocals! The BGV's are blazing as well! And Daniel Weatherspoon did a great job on the production! I've been telling people they need to get this record IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!
*Goes to download* Thanks Mia!!
*frantically clicking on the Thumbs Up button* Why can't add more than one?! AAAAAAAWWWWWWW! Thank you, THANK YOU! I meant every word...this CD is amazing! I'm so glad God used you in such an awesome way...Hallelujah!
YOU KNOW that I can't run around my cubicle, lol. These people would like at me like I was crazy. Come back and tell us what you think once you hear it! :-)
you are so right. I listen to the songs daily and this project is so anointed and does take you in another realm of worship. Praise ministry at my church is already on these songs, cannot wait for the congregations to hear and the presence of God to flow in the atmosphere
My God! My God! My God! It is 2:36 a.m. and I have to make myself turn this CD off and go to bed! I love the entire CD but specifically can't get enough of He Restores, I'm in Love(More Than A Conqueror) and I'm Yours. This CD definately goes to work with me and I Thank God for an office that I can close the door and run around (lol)! Thanks for the tip! Peace and Blessings!
Cant wait to pick it up! Darwin has always been a premiere worshipper and worship leader to me! I got 3 other people sharing an office with me, and if i knock ALLLLL my stuff off this desk, maybe they'll leave???? Thanks Mia, thanks Darwin, and Bless God for the songs of the Lord going forth... Darwin, Cha ching! You just sold another one! LOL! (j/k) Blessings Glenda