Rebecca Jean Smallbone was born on July 26, 1977 in Sydney, Australia. In 1990 she opened for Carman on his tour stops in that country when she was just twelve. In 1991 she put out the independent album REFRESH MY HEART. Moving forward to 1996, she released GOD, a terrific album that was nominated for a Grammy for 'Best Rock Gospel Album'. Its successor PRAY had more of a dance feel to it and won a Grammy for 'Best Rock Gospel Album'. Her career signature song would have to be 'Wait for Me', which encourages youth to save sex for marriage. Rebecca's last studio album was 2011's I WILL PRAISE YOU (Beach Street/Reunion). It was produced by Mark A. Miller and executive produced by Terry Hemmings. In the liner notes Rebecca writes: "Jesus, thank You for Your gracious love for me. And thanks for the privilege of serving You. Use this album to honor Yourself. I love You".
1. Rebecca, Jonathan Lee, and Fred Williams wrote the album's title track and second single, 'I Will Praise You'. I love these beautiful opening words to this pop/dance song: "Joy comes in the morning/The sun is rising/And I wait for You/Streams flow in the desert/There's an oasis/And I wait for You/Whatever the storm, whatever is lost/Whatever it takes, whatever the cost/I will praise You/I will praise You".
2. A cover of Matt and Beth Redman's 'You Never Let Go' is next and dates back to 2005. It's a melodic modern worship song that places great confidence in God: "I know You are near and I will fear no evil/For my God is with me/And if my God is with me/Whom then shall I fear?/Whom then shall I fear?/Oh no, You never let go/Through the calm and through the storm/Oh no, You never let go/In every high and every low/Oh no, You never let go/Lord, You never let go of me".
3. Rebecca and Jason Ingram co-wrote the lead single, 'Shine Your Glory Down'. It's a catchy pop/dance song that serves as a heartfelt prayer: "With each breath, fill me/With each step, free me/When I love, Father love through me/Oh Majesty.../Light of the world, light up this day/God, I long to see Your face/Oh shine Your glory down/Light of the world be on display/And every heart will sing Your praise/Oh shine Your glory down".
4. 'You Still Amaze Me' is a great ballad that uses strings arranged by John Mark Painter. It testifies: "Oh how beautiful the sound that has saved a wretch like me/I was lost but I am found/I was captive till You made me free/It was grace that taught my heart how to marvel at Your Name/Breaking all my fears apart/Taking all my doubt and shame/And it all comes down to this/Yeah it all comes down to/Your grace is amazing to me/Your love is still such a wonder/Your cross is still bringing me to my knees, oh God".
5. 'In a Moment' was written by Rebecca's worship pastor Michael Neale and her brother Joel Smallbone. It's a modern worship ballad that uses group vocals to good effect and anticipates Christ's return: "In a moment everyone falls silent/To hear the mighty trumpet/Split the eastern sky/Just imagine the King of all creation/Riding through the heavens/Returning for His bride/Alleluia, alleluia/Hear the sound of Heaven ring/Alleluia, alleluia/All the earth will bow and sing".
6. 'The Kindness of our God' is an inspirational song that touches on both Christmas and Easter: "The angels sang a song of peace/For unto us a child was born/And with Him came the earth's release/This is the mercy of our God/We drove the nails into the cross/He took the weight of sin for us/Because of love He paid the cost/This is the kindness of our God".
7. 'When the Stars Burn Down (Blessing and Honor)' eagerly anticipates the future: "God of all mysteries, Lord of the universe/Righteous King/There will come a day standing face to face/In a moment, we will be like Him/He will wipe our eyes dry, take us up to His side/And forever we will be His".
8. Stu Garrard, Paul Mabury, Jon Thatcher, and Jason Ingram wrote 'Almighty God'. This atmospheric pop song grows in musical intensity and offers hope: "There is a river/It's overflowing/The presence of our Lord is here/There is a river/Our joy will rise as we draw near/Almighty God is our fortress/He is with us/ And God is with us/Almighty God will not fail us/He is with us/God is with us".
9. 'You Hold Me Now' is a Hillsong cover. It's a lovely modern worship ballad that looks to the future: "I'm believing for the day/When the wars and violence cease/All creation lives in peace/Let the songs of Heaven rise to You alone.../For eternity, all my heart will give/All the glory to Your Name".
10. Rebecca co-wrote 'You Make Everything Beautiful' with brother Luke Smallbone, and Fred Williams. It's a quiet piano/keys driven number that finds Rebecca talking to God: "Lifting open hands to You my Savior/Beautify my soul/Knowing You redeem my pain and failure/Purify my soul/Beautify my soul".
I WILL PRAISE YOU is mainly a modern worship record with the slower songs outnumbering the faster ones. The first three songs are more pop/dance in nature but then the album quiets down overall. Rebecca's vocals and use of background vocalists are a highlight on this album. Rebecca is determined to praise God no matter what the circumstances. He is to be praised for His faithfulness, care, kindness, creation, grace, the cross, and salvation! There are songs that long for and celebrate God's presence here on earth, and there are many references to the end of time as we know it when Christ will return and we'll be enjoying eternal life in heaven. I'm rating I WILL PRAISE YOU 90%. For more info connect with Rebecca St. James on Facebook. I hope if she does ever put out a new album it is rock oriented in nature. Right now she is enjoying being a wife and a mother. Her brothers Joel and Luke are for King & Country.