Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review




Rebecca St. James
Pray



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 59 minutes, 59 seconds
Street Date: 1998


Rebecca St. James never ceases to amaze me. She's 21, she's beautiful, and she still loves God like someone who just came away from an amazing Spirit-filled youth retreat and is running on a Spiritual "high." Each song she's ever written and recorded has been in-your-face and bold with the Christian message, never looking anywhere but vertically to our loving God. Rebecca has become a young adult who all of us can look at and learn from.

Pray is Rebecca's newest project, the follow-up to 1996's Grammy-nominated God and 1997's seasonal project, Christmas. Much like God, Pray is a successful mix of her Aussie-accented vocals and pop/rock-driven tunes. However, Becca's had her musician pals turn up their amps a little bit for this one. Not too many of the tracks can really enter the "ballad" category while some do start out or just hover above that description.

The album kicks off with her new single/video and title cut from the album, which was inspired by 2 Chronicles 7:14. The song begins with some strings, including a violin, leading the listener to think, "Uh-oh! Has Reccas gone soft?" But before you can really finish the sinking feeling, the drums roll in and the electric guitars say "hello" with a catchy tune you'll more than likely want to hear over and over.

Rebecca decided to do a couple of pretty funky covers on this album. She reworked Rich Mullins' "Hold Me Jesus" into a slow, almost dark, but repentive cry out to God to draw near to us when we're in need of His comfort. Also, she redoes Keith Green's classic "Lord, You're Beautiful" with electronic drums and bass carrying her soft, melodic voice through the intro before a stronger beat jumps in. Before long, the guitars are more prominent, strings have been introduced, and Becca's voice has been layered to give the track a new identity.

Before I critique the whole thing for half a novel, I'll close with this: Miss St. James has made another successful recording and I highly recommend it for fans of her previous work and for those who may prefer a little edgy pop/rock now and then.

- Review date: 10/19/98, written by John DiBiase



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

RSJ: Pray CD

Buy This CD Online


. Record Label: Forefront Records
. Album length: 11 tracks, 59 minutes and 59 seconds
. Street Date: 1998
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Pray
  2. OK
  3. Give Myself Away
  4. Hold Me Jesus
  5. I'll Carry You
  6. Come Quickly Lord
  7. Peace
  8. Mirror
  9. Lord You're Beautiful
  10. Love to Love You
  11. Omega
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, November 19, 2024
SINGLES
Mat Kearney Certainty - Single (independent)

This Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ALBUMS
1K Phew Let Go Let God: The EP [Reach]

SINGLES
Drew & Ellie Holcomb High Seas - Single [Magnolia]
Sleeping At Last Let It Snow - Single (independent)

This Thursday, November 21, 2024
ALBUMS
The Choir Translucent (independent)

SINGLES
Wilder Woods Curioso [Dualtone]

This Friday, November 22, 2024
ALBUMS
Coqui I'll Still Have Christmas Day - EP [DREAM]
for KING & COUNTRY A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) [Curb]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 3 & 4 [Horizon]
Jonathan McReynolds Red & Green - EP [Capitol CMG/Motown]
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
R.kitect Vicious Circles - EP (independent)
Run51 Let's Celebrate - EP [DREAM]
Van Zant Always Look Up [Frontiers Music]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down I Speak Jesus - Single [BEC]
99 APEX Find A Way Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Cory Asbury You're Still The One - Single [BEC]
Ashes Remain Lost Light - Single [BEC]
Paul Baloche Angels We Have Heard On High/Glorious (feat. Sarah Kroger) - Single [Integrity]
Elan Brio Sun Rays - Single (independent)
Amy Jay And So It Goes - Single (independent)
Jericko Holy Ground - Single [Syntax]
Reece Lache' Energy - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Presha - Single [Syntax]
Cliff & Antoinette Murray O Emanuel - Single [DREAM]
Procyse, Dave A. You’re Not Free - Single [Polished Arrow]
River Valley Worship This is Our Jesus (feat. Moriah Christian) - Single [BEC]
Vineyard Worship Royal Son - Single [Integrity]

VINYL
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]

Next Thursday, November 28, 2024
VINYL
Van Zant Always Look Up Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, November 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) [Flatiron]
Thrive Worship Christmas, Vol. 2 - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
ICF Worship Light of the World - Single [Integrity]
Selah Glory Hallelujah (feat. Mike Weaver) - Single [Integrity]
Slow Salvation The Ghost of Christmas Past - Single [Velvet Blue]
Uche Agu, Revival Today Worship Medley of Hymns - Single [DREAM]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) Vinyl (Record Store Day Exclusive!) [Flatiron]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images