Search - Rebecca St. James :: The Ultimate Collection

This collection lives up to its name

Michael Dalton | Eureka, CA United States | 04/17/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Rebecca St. James has the heart of a disciple. It's reflected in God-centered lyrics and modern music with an edge. It's this combination of passion for God and artistic integrity that make her a continual favorite with fans.



This 2-CD set provides a comprehensive collection of her best material. This includes "Lion," part of the inspired by soundtrack for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe, "America," the theme song for the 2005 National Day of Prayer, and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," from WOW Christmas. Another bonus is "Expressions of Your Love," a duet with Chris Tomlin.



Older songs like "Pray" and "God" hold up well with their raw energy and rock. "Yes, I Believe in God" and "Here I Am" are inspired songs of commitment.



St. James adequately covers the praise and worship songs found here, but she is at her best on songs like "You Are Loved" that have a modern pop/rock sound. She's too talented to not be devoting herself to the excellent original material that you find throughout this release.

"

Rebecca St James : A Spiritual & Comprehensive Collection

Cabir Davis | 08/20/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"One listen to the almost experimental version of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!" should convince you that Rebecca St. James is one of the most interesting and radical performers in the spiritual music world. Granted, her music is 'Christian', if such a tag must be used, but she is clever enough to de-religionize most of her songs, to a point where most of her songs sound as if they were referring to a universal Lord of sorts - something that many listeners will find truly refreshing and uplifting.



While this was my first introduction to Rebecca, I have visited some of her past releases to ascertain whether her studio albums are indispensable. Sadly, I found much filler, which is why I'm glad I got this comprehensive collection of tracks from the beginning of her career. While I couldn't quite relate to some of the more over the top songs such as "Wait for Me" (which seems to encourage teen abstinence), I can appreciate a good hymn or spiritual song when I hear one, and this album has those in spades.



For people wondering what sort of music this, well think of it as light hearted and related pop music with a Christian twist. There are typical pop synthesizers on some songs, plain guitar instrumentation in a few, and then there are those that are rather rock influenced. The amazing opener, "God Help Me" remains the best track here, especially since it is the song that James uses to often open all her live concerts (she isn't much of a stage performer from what I've seen online, but thats another story).



The only downside, if any, if that some of these songs sound oddly dated, even though they're supposedly 'new'. Some of these songs are from the 2000s, yet sound almost '80s-oriented. Not sure if this was intentional, but the cheese factor was unmissable. Yet, on songs like 'Abba', and the vintage sounding 'Here I Am', Rebecca's soaring vocals are truly extraordinary. A live version of "Blessed be your Name" involves the audience, and her rare song for Narnia, entitled "Lion" is here as well. And while the Alanis Morissette & Sinead O'Connor musical influences are ever present on songs such as 'Mirror', the message is very much Rebecca's.



For those who haven't heard of St. James, she is indeed a force to be reckoned with within the Christian music industry, as shes one of the few successful female recording artists, in a male or band dominated industry. This Australian songstress has some great work under her belt, and this is a great way to get all her best stuff in one place.



Four Stars."