Noel is the first holiday studio album from contemporary Christian music recording artist Josh Wilson, which was produced by Matt Bronleewe and released on October 9, 2012, by Sparrow Records. The album was met with commercial and critical successes.
Background and release The album was released on October 9, 2012, by Sparrow Records, and it was produced by Matt Bronleewe. This album was the first Christmas album by Josh Wilson.
Music and lyrics At Worship Leader, they stated that the "Beautiful acoustic guitar and a haunting and hollow piano tone are the first musical touches you hear on Noel", and on that "Noel is basically its permanent home, in quality and uniformity of sound." Sarah Fine of New Release Tuesday wrote that this was a "very simplistic Christmas project with very few bells and whistles", and noted that "it does serve as the perfect album for intimate moments of praise by the fire this holiday season." At Indie Vision Music, Jonathan Andre compared the musical style here to the likes of Andrew Peterson and Steven Curtis Chapman.
Critical reception
Noel garnered generally positive reception by music critics. At Worship Leader, they rated it four stars, and wrote that the artist was "warm and welcoming", which they compared the album to "a sonic mug of mulled cider." Sarah Fine of New Release Tuesday rated it the same, and she declared that it came in as expected, which was "simple, airy and chock-full of cozy, holiday warmth." At Indie Vision Music, Jonathan Andre rated the album three stars, and commented that "From reflective melodies and heartfelt hopeful inspirations, Josh is able to utilise his musical ability to carve out songs that will hopefully remind, transform and encourage listeners to see beyond themselves this December holiday." Emily Kjonaas of Christian Music Zine rated it three stars, and said it was simply "a good record."
Track listing
Personnel
Josh Wilson – vocals, arrangements, acoustic piano, organ, synthesizer pads, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, baritone guitar, bouzouki, mandola, mandolin, ukulele, autoharp, bass, drums, percussion, mallets, hammered dulcimer Matt Bronleewe – programming, various random additional and supplemental sonic material, guitars Nathan Johnson – electric guitars Tony Lucido – bass Jeremy Lutito – drums Paul Mabury – drums Joe Henderson – percussion Paulo Clayton – hammered dulcimer Sam Levine – saxophones, woodwinds Chris Carmichael – strings, string arrangements Will Pickering – arrangements Wes Pickering – arrangements, backing vocals Josh Rosenthal – arrangements, backing vocals Becca Wilson – backing vocals Mandisa – vocals (3) Andrew Peterson – vocals (10)
Choir
Vinnie Alibrandi – choir Christopher Anderson – choir Danny Berrios – choir Katherine Bessimer – choir Shawn Blackney – choir Carmen Brown – choir Bonnie Carnes – choir Bryan Chisholm – choir Chad Chrisman – choir Jesi Christiansen – choir Kara-Lyn Clary – choir Susan Collier – choir Bethany Debayle – choir Stewart Dolca – choir Matt Ewald – choir Clint Fields – choir Lee Fox – choir Jeff Gunkel – choir Charlie Hadcock – choir Brittani Hale – choir Karrie Hardwick – choir Andrew Hirth – choir David Johnson – choir Carl Kates – choir Megan Keisling – choir Jessica Kelm – choir Rebecca Lindley – choir Joe Littlefield – choir Kelee Littrell – choir Liz George – choir Kyle Marion – choir Kathy Maynard – choir Jamie Neeck – choir Laura Newby – choir Brad O'Donnell – choir Ondie Ponton – choir Abbey Radeka – choir Kelly Redfern – choir Kristina Rehberg – choir Ryan Russell – choir Amy Saffell – choir Sharon Shaub – choir Jordan Smith – choir Jackie Stammen – choir William White – choir Betsy Williams – choir Jimi Williams – choir Becca Wilson – choir
Production
Matt Bronleewe – producer Josh Wilson – producer (1, 7–10), editing Jeff Pardo – vocal producer Brad O'Donnell – A&R Vinnie Alibrandi – engineer Andy Hunt – engineer, editing Stephen Leiweke – engineer Ainslie Grosser – mixing Sean Moffitt – mixing Andrew Mendelson – mastering at Georgetown Masters, Nashville, Tennessee Jess Chambers – A&R administration Lani Crump – production coordinator Dave Steunebrink – production coordinator Jan Cook – art direction Sarah Sung – package design Cameron Powell – photography
Charts Chart (2012) Peak position
References