“The First Nowell: A Christmas Light Revived in Josh Turner’s Gentle Baritone”
It was a crisp December evening, and winter had laid its peaceful touch across the countryside. Snow glimmered like scattered diamonds, frost painted windows with delicate lace, and the soft scent of pine drifted through the quiet air. Along streets lined with warm lights and evergreen garlands, the final days of the year felt like a slow turning page. In this serene glow, an old carol rose once again, shimmering with renewed beauty through Josh Turner’s voice. “The First Nowell”, featured on his 2021 album “King Size Manger”, carried the grace of tradition into a new season.
Though listeners may encounter both “The First Nowell” and “The First Noel”, they are not two different songs. They are the same beloved English carol. “Nowell” is the older Middle English spelling, while “Noel” became the more familiar form used in later hymnals and recordings. Turner chose the traditional spelling, a subtle nod to the carol’s heritage and the centuries of voices that kept it alive.
The song itself traces its origins back to the seventeenth century, a time when it was sung in simple village gatherings and church halls echoing with winter air. Over the years it has been covered by countless artists, each offering their own color. Bing Crosby brought a velvety warmth, Nat King Cole added elegant phrasing, Johnny Cash offered a rustic sincerity, and Carrie Underwood wrapped it in bright, soaring tones. Every interpretation carried the same story of angels, shepherds, and a guiding star, yet each one illuminated a different facet of the carol’s quiet wonder.
Josh Turner approached the piece with the steadiness that defines his artistry. His deep baritone settled into the melody with a calm, reverent touch, allowing the carol’s simplicity to shine. Rather than dressing it in heavy orchestration, Turner embraced a gentler path. His version feels like a candle lit in a quiet chapel or a hymn drifting across a snowy landscape under a pale winter moon.
What sets his rendition apart is not grandeur but sincerity. He honors the song’s sacred history while shaping it with the warmth of classic country and gospel. His phrasing carries a sense of stillness, as though inviting listeners to pause in the holiday rush and rediscover the story at the heart of the season.
Through “The First Nowell”, Turner breathes new life into a centuries old melody. He bridges past and present with a voice that is both grounded and graceful, offering a moment of reflection amid the bright swirl of Christmas celebrations. As the final notes fade, they leave behind the gentle glow of something enduring and familiar.
A carol of ancient roots.
A voice shaped by tradition.
A winter blessing carried softly into the modern world.