Rebecca St James - Open Mic Karaoke: Rebecca St James Vol 1

Reviewed by Rosemary Payne

'Karaoke For Christians', the alternative label could read. Is this the kind of ghetto mentality we should be ascribing/aspiring to? This is one of a series of karaoke-friendly recordings of songs released by Forefront Records, featuring artists firmly stuck in the wonderful world of CCM. Presumably someone in Forefront thinks there must be a market for this output somewhere out there, but it's hard to see this appealing to anyone other than hardened Rebecca St fans who perhaps think that Elvis is for heathens. If this four-track disc is aimed at kids and teenagers then its aim may be more laudable in allowing teens to sing along in their rooms to some lyrics that are not peppered with heavy innuendo, but if that is the aim, the series needs re-packaging to attract the younger buyer. Each song comes in two versions:- one with lead vocals, one without; and on-screen lyrics with graphics that can be viewed if you possess the appropriate hardware. There are two tracks from the 'Transform' album, "Wait For Me" and "Reborn" and the remaining two are the well-known "God" and "Song Of Love". Less diffident youth groups might enjoy the concept of stepping up to the mic and trying to emulate this talented songstress.