Planetshakers Release 'It's Christmas Live'
Internationally recognized praise band Planetshakers globally releases It’s Christmas Live Nov. 27 from Venture3Media (V3M). Available to pre-buy / pre-save now at all major digital and streaming outlets, the recording celebrates Jesus and His coming to earth to bring us life, hope and freedom.
Recorded live in front of a packed auditorium at Planetshakers Church before the pandemic lockdowns, the full production recording and companion video was produced, directed and mixed by Joth Hunt at Planetshakers Studios. Combining Planetshakers’ unique musical interpretation of classic favorites alongside its original Christmas songs, the new album is led by Hunt and worship leaders Rudy Nikkerud, Chelsi Nikkerud, Natalie Ruiz, Joe Vatucicila, Rachel Vatucicila, Kemara Fuimaono and Steve Sowden. The recording also features a 59-voice choir and multiple drum, guitar, bass and keyboard musicians.
“Christmas is a great time to remember what Jesus has done,” says Russell Evans, Planetshakers Founder and Lead Pastor. “Despite what we may see around us or how we may feel, Christmas is a time where we can refocus our attention firmly on Jesus. God becoming man to save humanity!”
“The Christmas season is a wonderful time to celebrate the goodness of God,” adds Hunt. “These songs are full of life and joy; great reminders of some of the blessings God has given to believers.”
This all new live recording of Planetshakers’ first-ever full-length studio Christmas album released last year highlights the David Foster and Carole Bayer Sayer-penned “The Prayer (Italian Lyric Version)” that is beautifully-delivered in a Natalie Ruiz and Joe Vatucicila duet. Other highlights include the lead track “Angels We Have Heard On High,” which has additional lyrics by Hunt, the title track and original song “It's Christmas,” co-written by worship leader and pastor Sam Evans, the jazz-inspired original offering “All Glory” featuring Hunt on vocals and piano, and the declarative original “Light of the World” spiced with rap vocals.
The new album’s companion, 60-minute video special entitled, Christmas Down Under, Recorded Live from Planetshakers Australia, will be broadcast globally by Daystar Television Network, American’s largest Christian TV network, beginning at 11:00 am CST / 12:00 Noon EST Dec. 22. Hosted by Planetshakers’ Joshua Brown and Daystar’s Rachael Lamb Brown, the special will not only feature all the new music from It’s Christmas Live, but also a timely message from Pastor Evans.
Along with Daystar’s Christmas Down Under presentation, Amazon Prime Video will further offer a special It’s Christmas Live feature next month.
“Now more than ever before we need to make a deliberate decision to remember the joy of Christmas,” says Joshua Brown. “The joy of knowing that Jesus, through his unconditional love, gave up heaven and came to earth to serve us, by giving His life, so we can take on His eternal life through Salvation.”
Along with the live recording, Planetshakers released its Over It All studio album earlier this month. The recording features 10 artfully crafted songs, all inspired by the hurt and the hope they see around them in this season. Sharing Bible-based, faith declarations, the album opens with the “247 365” principle of worship as the title track emphasizes that God is “Over It All” and the closing track, “The Great Outpouring,” looks past the present pandemic, declaring that “revival is in the air.”
