Open Heaven / River Wild

Last updated

Open Heaven / River Wild
Open Heaven River Wild (Official Album Cover) by Hillsong Worship.png
Live album and Video album by
Hillsong Worship
Released16 October 2015
Recorded29 June – 3 July 2015
Venue Allphones Arena, Sydney
Genre Contemporary worship music
Length67:42
Label Hillsong, Sparrow, Capitol
Producer Michael Guy Chislett
Hillsong Worship chronology
No Other Name
(2014)		Open Heaven / River Wild
(2015)		 Let There Be Light
(2016)
Singles from Open Heaven / River Wild
  1. "One Thing"
    Released: 18 September 2015
  2. "O Praise the Name (Anástasis)"
    Released: 1 July 2016 [1]

Open Heaven / River Wild (stylised as OPEN HEAVEN / River Wild) is the 24th live album of Hillsong Worship, which consists of several worship pastors from Australian church Hillsong Church. The album was recorded during the 2015 Hillsong Conference at the Sydney SuperDome (currently named the Qudos Bank Arena) from 29 June until 3 July 2015 and was released on 16 October 2015, under Hillsong Music, Sparrow Records and Capitol Christian Music Group; this marks the first time the church's annual worship album was recorded entirely during the conference, [2] as opposed to the annual July releases that coincide with the event. [3] Michael Guy Chislett oversaw production of the album, while Hillsong senior pastor Brian Houston and his son, worship leader Joel Houston, served as executive producers.

Contents

Open Heaven / River Wild features several prominent vocalists of Hillsong, including Reuben Morgan, Joel Houston and Marty Sampson, as well as the Hillsong United band and the Hillsong Young & Free group. Following the Easter release of "O Praise the Name (Anástasis)", the album's lead single, "One Thing", was released on 18 September 2015.

Background

In March 2015, "O Praise the Name (Anástasis)" was released as a free download on Hillsong's website, and served as a single for Easter. [3] David Ware served as vocalist for "O Praise the Name", while prominent worship leader Marty Sampson co-wrote the song. [4] Sampson played the song for Hillsong global creative director Cass Langton, who was "overwhelmed" by the song, saying, "The lyrics… they captivated me. The thoughts in the song opened my eyes again to the Gospel story, and I felt the emotions of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ all over again — I could hardly wait to hear our church worship to this song." [5] [6]

On 14 June 2015, Langton announced through a blog post that the recording of the next annual live worship album will be at the 2015 Hillsong Conference at the Allphones Arena in Sydney, Australia, marking the first time the album would be recorded entirely during the conference, [7] [ non-primary source needed ] [2] as opposed to the typical July releases that coincide with the event. [3]

On 17 August 2015, Hillsong released a teaser video on various social media accounts; the title of the album as well as the cover art and the 16 October release date were announced the next day. [8] On 3 September 2015 Hillsong released the trailer to YouTube along with the track-listing for the new album. [9] [ non-primary source needed ]

Recording

The live worship album and DVD were recorded during the span of the 2015 Hillsong Conference in Sydney, Australia from 29 June to 3 July.

Worship leaders from several Hillsong Church locations, such as Aryel Murphy from Hillsong Los Angeles, Chris Davenport from Hillsong New York, Tarryn Stokes from Hillsong Melbourne and Reuben Morgan from Hillsong London, were included in the recording.

Promotion

Singles

"One Thing" was released on 18 September 2015 via iTunes as a pre-order single.

"O Praise the Name (Anastásis)" was released on 2 October 2015 via iTunes as a pre-order single.[ citation needed ]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Christian BeatStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [10]
Jesus Wired75/100 [11]
New Release TodayStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [12]
Worship LeaderStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [13]

Barry Westman, rating the album five stars for Worship Leader, says, "this collection of songs will provide the church with a fresh batch of songs for corporate worship with a heartfelt and intimate feel." [13] Awarding the album four stars at New Release Today, Kevin Davis states, "These are very passionate worship songs sung with vocal sincerity and reverence with biblically based lyrics." [12] Madeleine Dittmer, giving the album four and a half stars from The Christian Beat, writes, "The twelve tracks on this album are beautifully written songs of praise that draw listeners in to a sacred place of worship." [10] Indicating in a 75-percent review at Jesus Wired, Rebekah Joy describes, "[the album] really provides some good anthems of worship that really fit in with the Hillsong brand." [11]

Track listing

Standard edition [14]
No.TitleWriter(s)Worship leader [15] [ better source needed ] [16] Length
1."O Praise the Name (Anástasis)"
Marty Sampson5:29
2."Love on the Line"
Aryel Murphy4:56
3."One Thing"
Aodhan King6:13
4."Open Heaven (River Wild)"
  • Matt Crocker
  • Sampson
  • Matt Crocker
  • Hannah Hobbs
7:29
5."Transfiguration"
  • King
  • B. Ligertwood
  • S. Ligertwood
  • Taya Smith
Taya Smith5:36
6."What a Saviour"
  • Chris Davenport
  • Houston
Joel Houston6:57
7."Heart Like Heaven"
  • Crocker
  • Houston
Jad Gillies7:28
8."Jesus I Need You"
  • David Ware
  • Reuben Morgan
4:59
9."Here with You"
  • Joshua Grimmett
  • Johannes Shore
  • Jamie Snell
 Tarryn Stokes 4:20
10."In God We Trust"
  • Ben Fielding
  • Eric Liljero
  • Morgan
  • Ben Fielding
  • Annie Garratt
4:01
11."Faithfulness"DavenportChris Davenport5:38
12."Never Forsaken"
  • Hastings
  • Hannah Hobbs
Laura Toggs4:36
Total length:67:42
Digital deluxe edition [17]
No.TitleWriter(s)Worship leader [15] [16] Length
13."Here Now (Madness)" (featuring Hillsong United)
6:55
14."Rule" (featuring Hillsong United)
  • Crocker
  • Houston
  • Benjamin Tennikoff
Jonathon Douglass4:13
15."This Is Living" (featuring Hillsong Young & Free)
  • Joel Davies
  • King
Aodhan King3:34
16."Pursue / All I Need Is You" (Medley; featuring Hillsong Young & Free)
  • Hobbs
  • King
  • Sampson
  • Aodhan King
  • Tracy Pratt
7:43
Total length:90:07
DVD [18]
No.TitleWorship leaderLength
1."O Praise the Name (Anástasis)"Marty Sampson5:24
2."Love on the Line"Aryel Murphy4:54
3."One Thing"Aodhan King6:14
4."Open Heaven (River Wild)"
  • Matt Crocker
  • Hannah Hobbs
7:28
5."Transfiguration"Taya Smith5:35
6."What a Saviour"Joel Houston6:48
7."Heart Like Heaven"Jad Gillies7:27
8."Jesus I Need You"David Ware5:11
9."Here with You"Tarryn Stokes4:29
10."In God We Trust"
  • Ben Fielding
  • Annie Garratt
3:59
11."Faithfulness"Chris Davenport5:35
12."Never Forsaken"Tarryn Stokes4:10
13."Here Now (Madness)"
  • Joel Houston
  • Jad Gillies
  • Taya Smith
7:04
14."Rule"Jonathon Douglass4:12
15."This Is Living"Aodhan King3:57
16."Pursue / All I Need Is You" (Medley)
  • Aodhan King
  • Tracy Pratt
7:42
Total length:90:09

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2015)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [19] 1
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [20] 137
Canadian Albums (Billboard) [21] 37
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [22] 19
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) [23] 4
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista) [24] 3
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) [25] 24
UK Albums (OCC) [26] 39
US Billboard 200 [27] 25
US Christian Albums (Billboard) [28] 1

Related Research Articles

<i>For All Youve Done</i> 2004 live album by Hillsong Church

For All You've Done is the thirteenth album in the live praise and worship series of contemporary worship music by Hillsong Church. The live album was released on 4 July 2004 on Hillsong label, which peaked at No. 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart. It had been recorded in February of that year at the Sydney Entertainment Centre with production by Darlene Zschech, Raymond Badham, Joel Houston and Reuben Morgan.

<i>Hope</i> (Hillsong album) 2003 live album by Hillsong Church

Hope is the twelfth album in the live praise and worship series of contemporary worship music by Hillsong Church. The album reached No. 3 on the ARIA Albums Chart.

<i>Blessed</i> (Hillsong album) 2002 live album by Hillsong Church

Blessed is the eleventh album in the live praise and worship series of contemporary worship music by Hillsong Church. It was recorded live at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on 3 March 2002 by Darlene Zschech and the Hillsong Worship Team. Blessed saw Marty Sampson step up to lead worship alongside Darlene Zschech and Reuben Morgan for the night. Over 10,000 people from Hillsong Church attended the recording. The album reached No. 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart.

<i>Look to You</i> 2005 live album by Hillsong United

Look to You is the sixth live praise and worship album by Hillsong United. The CD comes with a free DVD which includes documentary footage, interviews and 'behind the scenes'. The album reached No. 30 on the ARIA Albums Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reuben Morgan</span> Australian musician

Reuben Timothy Morgan is an Australian worship pastor at Hillsong Church and one of several worship leaders and songwriters in Hillsong Worship group. Prior to this he was a worship pastor at Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. He has written songs such as "Eagles Wings", "Hear Our Praises", "I Give You My Heart", "My Redeemer Lives" and "Mighty to Save", which won the Worship Song of the Year at the 40th GMA Dove Awards. In 2005 his first solo worship album, World Through Your Eyes, debuted at No. 3 in the Australian Christian Charts.

Martin W "Marty" Sampson is an Australian singer-songwriter, musician and former worship leader at the Hillsong Church in Sydney. From the late 1990s until 2019 he featured on the United Live albums and was one of the original Hillsong United band's worship leaders. Sampson's main instrument is the guitar although he also plays the piano, flute and drums. Aside from work for Youth Alive and Hillsong United, Sampson has issued solo albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hillsong United</span> Australian worship band

Hillsong United is a worship collective that originated as a part of Hillsong Church. Formed in 1998 as part of Hillsong's youth ministry, the band consists of several rotating worship leaders from the church, including Joel Houston, Taya Smith-Gaukrodger, Matt Crocker, Jonathon Douglass, Brooke Fraser, Jad Gillies and Benjamin Hastings. Due to several songs written by the youth ministry, Hillsong Worship leader Darlene Zschech recommended that they record an album, which resulted in their debut extended play, One, which was released alongside the Hillsong Worship album Touching Heaven Changing Earth. Since then, the group has released fourteen live albums, as well as five studio albums. The band composes songs and performs in church services as well as concerts on worldwide tours.

<i>United We Stand</i> (Hillsong United album) 2006 live album by Hillsong United

United We Stand is the seventh live praise and worship album by Hillsong United. The CD comes with a free DVD which includes documentary footage, interviews and a bonus "United" Documentary. The album reached No. 28 on the ARIA Albums Chart.

<i>Mighty to Save</i> (Hillsong album) 2006 live album by Hillsong Worship

Mighty to Save is the fifteenth album in the live praise and worship series of contemporary worship music by Hillsong Church. It was released in July 2006, at the annual Hillsong Conference. The album peaked at No. 25 on the ARIA Albums Chart.

<i>Saviour King</i> 2007 live album by Hillsong Worship

Saviour King is the sixteenth album in the live praise and worship series of Christian Contemporary music by Hillsong Church. It debuted at No. 6 on the ARIA album chart on 9 July 2007, while the DVD debuted at No. 2 on the DVD chart. On the US Billboard Top Christian Albums Chart, it debuted at No. 5.

<i>This Is Our God</i> 2008 live album by Hillsong Worship

This Is Our God is the seventeenth album in the live praise and worship series of contemporary worship music by Hillsong Church. It was recorded live at the Acer Arena on 9 March 2008 by Reuben Morgan, Joel Houston, Darlene Zschech, and the Hillsong Live Worship team with a crowd of over 10,000 worshippers. The album opened at No. 2 on the ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart in Australia.

<i>Faith + Hope + Love</i> 2009 live album by Hillsong Worship

Faith + Hope + Love is the eighteenth album in the live praise and worship series of Christian Contemporary music by Hillsong Church. It was recorded live on 01 March 2009 at Hillsong Convention Centre, on 08 March 2009 at Hilsong City Campus and on 29 March 2009 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on. The recording team was composed by the Hillsong Live Worship team led by Reuben Morgan, Darlene Zschech and Joel Houston. One of the most acclaimed songs on the album is "It's Your Love" sung by Darlene Zschech.

<i>God Is Able</i> (Hillsong album) 2011 live contemporary worship series album by Hillsong Church

God Is Able is the twentieth album in the live contemporary worship series by Hillsong Church. It was recorded at the Sydney Entertainment Centre in Australia by Reuben Morgan, Darlene Zschech and the Hillsong Worship Team on 7 November 2010. The songwriters include Reuben Morgan, Ben Fielding and Dylan Thomas, Darlene Zschech, Joel Houston, Harrison Wood, Jill McCloghry, Sam Knock, Joel Davies, Jason Ingram and Chris Tomlin. God Is Able debuted at number three on the ARIA Albums Chart. It was nominated at the 43rd GMA Dove Awards for Inspirational Album of the Year. The DVD was recognized at the 2012 ARIA No.1 Chart Awards for spending one week at number one on the Australian chart.

<i>Cornerstone</i> (Hillsong Worship album) 2012 live album by Hillsong Worship

Cornerstone is the twenty-first album in the live praise and worship series of contemporary worship music by Hillsong Live. It reached No. 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart, debuted at No. 32 on the Billboard 200 chart, and became the No. 1 album on the Billboard Christian Albums chart.

<i>Glorious Ruins</i> 2013 live album by Hillsong Worship

Glorious Ruins is the 22nd live worship album by Hillsong Church. It was recorded live in London, England, and Sydney, Australia by the Hillsong Worship team from around the world including Reuben Morgan, Joel Houston, Ben Fielding, Hillsong United, and international teams from London, Stockholm, and Cape Town. The album includes 12 songs including "Man of Sorrows", "Glorious Ruins", "Christ Is Enough", "Anchor", and "You Crown the Year". It was released on 28 June 2013 in Australia and New Zealand and on 2 July 2013 internationally. The album reached No. 3 on the ARIA Albums Chart.

<i>No Other Name</i> 2014 live album by Hillsong Worship

No Other Name is the 23rd worship album by Hillsong and was released on 1 July 2014. This live album is named after the 2014 Hillsong Conference. The recording team for this album includes Reuben Morgan, Ben Fielding, Annie Garratt, Jad Gillies, David Ware, Jay Cook, Joel Houston, Matt Crocker, Taya Smith, Hannah Hobbs and Marty Sampson, among others.

<i>Empires</i> (Hillsong United album) 2015 studio album by Hillsong United

Empires is the fourth studio album from Australian contemporary worship music band Hillsong United, a worship band from Hillsong Church. The album was released on 26 May 2015, under Hillsong Music, Sparrow Records and Capitol Christian Music Group. Michael Guy Chislett served as the album's producer, with vocalist Joel Houston serving as creative director and co-producer. "Touch the Sky" was released as the album's lead single in March 2015. The album won the Worship Album of the Year at the 47th Dove Awards.

<i>Let There Be Light</i> (album) 2016 live album by Hillsong Worship

Let There Be Light is the 25th live album of Hillsong Worship, which consists of several worship pastors from Australian church Hillsong Church. The album was recorded during the 2016 Hillsong Conference at the Qudos Bank Arena from 4 July until 7 July 2016 and was released on 14 October 2016, under Hillsong Music, Sparrow Records and Capitol Christian Music Group.

<i>The Peace Project</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Hillsong Worship

The Peace Project is an album by Australian contemporary worship group Hillsong Worship and is the fifth Christmas-themed worship album from Hillsong Music, following We Have a Saviour (2012). Released on 20 October 2017 by Hillsong Music Australia and Capitol Christian Music Group, the album's production was spearheaded by Ben Tan and Michael Guy Chislett. The album was nominated for the GMA Dove Award for Christmas / Special Event Album of the Year at the 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards.

<i>There Is More</i>

There Is More is the 26th live album by Australian worship group Hillsong Worship. The album was released on 6 April 2018, by Hillsong Music and Capitol Christian Music Group. Production was handled by Brooke Ligertwood and Michael Guy Chislett.

References

  1. ↑ "O Praise the Name (Anástasis) [Radio Edit] - Single by Hillsong Worship". iTunes . July 2016.
  2. 1 2 Sarachik, Justin (29 September 2015). "Hillsong Worship's 'Open Heaven/River Wild' Album will be First Live Project Recorded at Annual Conference". BreatheCast. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 Yap, Timothy (12 July 2015). "Why Haven't Hillsong Worship Released a New Album This Year at the Hillsong Conference?". Hallels. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  4. ↑ Ong, Czarina (27 March 2015). "Hillsong singer David Ware says their song 'O Praise The Name' brought a new revelation of Easter". Christian Post . Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  5. ↑ Langton, Cass (26 March 2015). "I Can't Wait To Sing This Song at Easter". Hillsong.com. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  6. ↑ Ong, Czarina (30 March 2015). "Hillsong's Cass Langton cannot wait to sing 'O Praise The Name' on Easter". Christian Post . Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  7. ↑ "Want to Sing on a Hillsong Worship Album? – Collected". hillsong.com. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  8. ↑ Longs, Herb (18 August 2015). "Hillsong Worship's New Album "Open Heaven/River Wild" October 16 Release". The Christian Beat. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  9. ↑ "We're so excited for the release of our... – Hillsong Worship – Facebook". facebook.com. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  10. 1 2 Dittmer, Madeleine (15 October 2015). "Hillsong Worship's "Open Heaven/River Wild" Is A Powerful Worship Experience". The Christian Beat. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  11. 1 2 Joy, Rebekah (16 October 2015). "Review: Hillsong Worship – OPEN HEAVEN/River Wild". Jesus Wired. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  12. 1 2 Davis, Kevin (14 October 2015). "Casting Minds to Calvary". New Release Today. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  13. 1 2 Westman, Barry. "Hillsong Worship: Open Heaven / River Wild". Worship Leader. No. November/December 2015. p. 64. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  14. ↑ "Open Heaven / River Wild (Live)". iTunes. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  15. 1 2 "OPEN HEAVEN / River Wild Album Credits". Hillsong Store Help. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  16. 1 2 Open Heaven / River Wild album booklet
  17. ↑ "Open Heaven / River Wild (Deluxe/Live)". iTunes. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  18. ↑ Monger, Timothy. "Open Heaven / River Wild (DVD)". AllMusic . All Media Network . Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  19. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Hillsong – Open Heaven / River Wild". Hung Medien. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  20. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Hillsong – Open Heaven / River Wild" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  21. ↑ "Hillsong Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  22. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Hillsong – Open Heaven / River Wild" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  23. ↑ "Charts.nz – Hillsong – Open Heaven / River Wild". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  24. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Hillsong – Open Heaven / River Wild". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  25. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Hillsong – Open Heaven / River Wild". Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  26. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  27. ↑ "Hillsong Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  28. ↑ "Hillsong Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.