Friends who are in perfect harmony
YOU only have to hear the words ‘We’re walking in the air,’ and one man springs to mind. The boy soprano from a small village in Wales who made The Snowman his own will actually be turning 49 as this Christmas approaches.
Since his days spent floating in the moonlit sky, Aled Jones has carved out quite a career for himself.
He’s a seasoned broadcaster, presenting the BBC’s Songs Of Praise while also appearing every Sunday on Classic FM, with regular stints on Radio Wales too.
But it took a chance text to an old pal for Aled to realise that, when it came to the crunch, singing really was his first love. ‘I still love broadcasting but if you gave me the choice of being a TV presenter or a singer, I would choose a singer any day,’ Aled says in his Welsh lilt.
It was teaming up with fellow singer Russell Watson that reignited Aled’s passion for performing live again.
He and Russell have just released their second album together called Back In Harmony, featuring hymns and classical hits and the pair are currently out on tour, arriving at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre in October 18.
‘It’s gone down so well and it is one of the most fun tours I have ever done,’ Aled says of their double act.
‘Neither of us has ever done a show like this before and it has been such a laugh — the audiences are rolling in the aisles and they seem to be enjoying the music as well.
‘We didn’t know this would happen and we never planned it, but we naturally just bounce off one another anyway. It’s as if there isn’t an audience in front of us.
‘It’s all very relaxed and the music has gone down so well, we have had packed houses and the band is fantastic.’
Aled admits hasn’t toured as much as Russell and it was something he was doing less and less due to his presenting.
‘What I found was that the more successful you become doing TV and radio, the less time you have to sing,’ he says. ‘And I have really missed it.
‘Now, going back on stage, I have realised this is what I want to do and it is what I want to do a lot more of. I have really enjoyed being on stage and performing this tour, I plan to do more of that next year without a doubt.’
The latest album is the follow up to In Harmony and contains some more upbeat numbers than before, as does the concert set list.
‘Both of us chose the songs, there are quite a few uo beat numbers on the second one like Lucky Lucky Lucky Me, Funiculi Funicula and Mario Lanza’s The Loveliest Night of the Year which was one Russell really wanted to do,’ Aled says.
‘The second album is probably a bit more upbeat than the first and the songs have had the audiences up clapping.
‘Someone said we do a bit of dad dancing which is probably true but a lot of the other reviews have talked about how well our voices blend together.’
Aled and Russell have been friends for years but the idea for In Harmony came about by accident.
And since they’ve begun recording together, their friendship has become even stronger.
‘We have known each other for years,’ Aled says. ‘We met at a charity event at the Royal Albert Hall years ago and we have been in touch with each other a lot over the years.
‘But it was Classic FM’s 25th birthday a few years ago and Russell was voted Best Male Artist of the 25 years. So I sent him a text saying “Congratulations, you sod…”
‘He instantly texted me back saying “Oh we should do something together,” and three months later we were in the studio.
‘Russell has lots of energy, a sense of fun and he has a great work ethic as well. But to be honest with you, we lark around like little school kids. When we are on stage I have to rein him in occasionally.
‘But both of us having been around for a long time, we appre
ciate that we are very lucky to have this opportunity. Here we are now, 14 concerts in on this tour and we have had 14 standing ovations — that’s not something to take lightly.’
Charming and down-to-earth, Aled Jones has never lost sight of who he is, despite being thrust into the whirlwind of fame at such a tender age.
And he insists he never felt any pressure when singing as a child — it was just something he did.
‘I don’t know any different,’ Aled says of growing up in the spotlight and his sudden success. ‘When I was a kid there was never any pressure on me. My mum, dad and me just muddled through. I am from a tiny little village in North Wales and it was a shock to them as much as me. So we muddled through it all with a smile on our faces and I seem to have done the same in adulthood.’
And he doesn’t worry about his own children Emilia, 17, and Lucas, 14, following him into showbusiness. Emilia is already a successful actress, getting her first role in the film One Day at the age of just eight and has since appeared in the likes of Channel 4’s Utopia as Alice and in Dr Who.
‘She’s got her own fantastic career going ahead and she is doing what she loves,’ Aled says.
‘I am incredibly proud of her and my son Lucas. He sang The Snowman with me when he was a soprano but he is taller than me now and his voice is breaking.
But if he wants to do music in the future that’s fine by me, I will just be there to hold their hand and be a dad really.
‘Being a dad is a main thing — I love my kids with every inch of my soul. I suppose every dad says that and that is the one thing that is difficult about touring — being away from them – but I get home as much as I possibly can.
‘And they just know me as dad, to them I am just the guy who cooks a good roast chicken.’
Aled Jones and Russell Watson will be at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre on October 18. Tickets are available via ticketmaster.ie