Josh Turner “King Size Manger” Album Review

Prime Cuts: King Size Manger, Solder's Gift, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Overall Grade: 4.5/5
Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Alabama, Hillary Scott, Reba McEntire, and many others have taken the same detour before. They have each recorded their share of Christian albums amidst their highly successful country music careers. Turner has taken such a turn before when he released his Christian music debut I Serve a Saviour in 2018. The album was so warmly received that he decided to do a Christian-themed Christmas album. Though Turner made his first appearance on the charts in 2001, King Size Manger is his first dabble in seasonal music. Instead of taking a musical direction tangent to his own sound, Turner has decided to keep the album country, a genre that he truly shines in.
The album is a mixture of traditional carols and four original contributions. Easily the best among the originals is the title track "King Size Manger." Here Turner puts his velvety baritone to great effect as he re-tells the story of Christ birth over a gorgeous piano-driven melody. "Soldier's Gift," written by Tom Douglas and Travis Hill, is a strong narrative song about how a soldier who is far away from home celebrates Christmas. The best part of the song is that it grabs your attention from the get-go, and it never lets you go as story unfolds right through the song. Turner then teams with singer-songwriter Pat McLaughlin on the bluegrassy banjo-fronted "What He's Given Me."
It's easy to mistake Hawaiian-influenced "Mele Kalikimaka My 'Ohana" (featuring Jake Shimabukuro and Ho'okena) as a traditional folk song. But it was actually written by Turner himself when he and his wife went to Hawaii for an anniversary trip. With its unique ukulele strums, "Mele Kalikimaka My 'Ohana" is indeed a standout Christmas offering. Rhonda Vincent (who sounds like Patty Loveless) lends her vocals to the delightful bluegrass-tingled "Joy to the World." Turner brings back the 90s country sound with his rendition of "Angels We Have Heard on High."
When artists bring in their family to sing with them, it usually adds up being a cheese-fest. Not so when Turner brings in his wife and his four sons to sing on "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." In fact, when they all sing together in the chorus, they actually sound very good. Fans who love their Christmas music rustic will love the stripped-down country-to-bone rendition of "Go Tell It on the Mountain." Though the album has its predictable moments here and there, King Size Manger finds Turner relaxed and passionate about doing these Christmas songs his way. And thanks to producer Kenny Greenberg for helping Turner get to his goal.
Tags : josh turner Christmas Albums 2021 josh turner news josh turner new album Country music Josh Turner “King Size Manger” Album Review
Hot Trends
-
Chris Rice Maintains Public Silence Following Abuse Allegations; Focuses on Writing and Speaking
-
Forrest Frank & Crowder Release New Collab “The Rock”
-
Ross King Mourns the Loss of His Wife Staci After Courageous Battle with Cancer
-
Remember When Katy Perry Released Her Christian Music Album "Katy Hudson"?
-
The Tragic End of Kingdom Heir's Founder Steve French
-
Sister Sandra Crouch Gives Update on Gospel Music Legend Andrae Crouch's Health
-
Andrew Peterson "Resurrection Letters" Recordings Gather 5-Star Acclaim
-
The Longest-Running Christian Songs in Billboard History Unveiled
-
Grace Kelley, Daughter of Wynonna Judd, Baptized at Church She Once Stole Van From
-
Read the Heartwarming Story Behind the Grascals' New Song "Haggard"
-
NBA Star Jonathan Isaac Unveils Newest Shoe: "The Judah 1 Low"
-
HOUSEFIRES Release New Single Ahead of 5th Live Album
-
Here Are the Lyrics And Video of Chris McClarney's "Speak to the Mountains"
-
Zach Williams Releases Bold New Single “Hated” Ahead of Jesus Loves Album
-
Breakout Worship Leader Lizzie Morgan Debuts New Album "Not My Will"
Most Popular
-
Chris Rice Maintains Public Silence Following Abuse Allegations; Focuses on Writing and Speaking
-
Forrest Frank & Crowder Release New Collab “The Rock”
-
Ross King Mourns the Loss of His Wife Staci After Courageous Battle with Cancer
-
Remember When Katy Perry Released Her Christian Music Album "Katy Hudson"?
-
The Tragic End of Kingdom Heir's Founder Steve French
-
Sister Sandra Crouch Gives Update on Gospel Music Legend Andrae Crouch's Health
-
Andrew Peterson "Resurrection Letters" Recordings Gather 5-Star Acclaim
-
The Longest-Running Christian Songs in Billboard History Unveiled
-
Grace Kelley, Daughter of Wynonna Judd, Baptized at Church She Once Stole Van From
-
Read the Heartwarming Story Behind the Grascals' New Song "Haggard"
-
NBA Star Jonathan Isaac Unveils Newest Shoe: "The Judah 1 Low"
-
HOUSEFIRES Release New Single Ahead of 5th Live Album
-
Here Are the Lyrics And Video of Chris McClarney's "Speak to the Mountains"
-
Zach Williams Releases Bold New Single “Hated” Ahead of Jesus Loves Album
-
Breakout Worship Leader Lizzie Morgan Debuts New Album "Not My Will"