Classical music stars share details ahead of Christmas show

TWO of the world’s greatest classical voices have reunited for Christmas.

Aled Jones and Russell Watson will be performing together in Glasgow next month after a three- year hiatus following the release of their album Christmas with Aled and Russell on November 4.

The album features new recordings of beloved Christmas classics, including carols such as O Holy Night and O Little Town of Bethlehem, as well as festive favourites like White Christmas and It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.

In addition, it also features a special rendition of Walking In The Air, which was originally released by then boy soprano Aled in 1985.

Speaking about the recording process, Russell laughed: “We actually decided to record our album in what was in essence the hottest week of the year, so basically its 38 degrees outside, the humidity is 100% and I was inside singing

White Christmas, so that was quite funny.

“But in all honesty, it was a great experience and from the production all the way through to the music, everything about the record is firstclass, and it’s weird now because I’m still listening to a few of the tracks from the record and as it’s starting to get a little bit colder, it’s starting to make more sense.”

Aled continued: “I was recording In The Bleak Mid Winter in a studio wearing shorts and a t- shirt.

“We both love Christmas music and Russ even has a go at Walking In The Air for the first time ever so this album has got everything on it.”

Christmas with Aled and Russell is the third album released by the duo, with Aled saying he thinks it’s “the best one we’ve done”.

“We’ve blended together beautifully and there are bits on this album that you don’t even know when Russ is singing or when I’m singing because our voices are so similar,” Aled says.

The treasured artists are now touring the UK and Aled says both he and Russell “love Glasgow loads”.

He explained: “Performing in front of any Celt audience is always a joy for me because they wear their heart on their sleeves, the Scottish are a little bit like the Welsh, so there’s always good fun to be had when we perform in Scotland.

“People come out because they want to have fun and that’s why I’m really looking forward to touring this Christmas stuff because people are already in a good mood before they even come to the hall because it’s Christmas. I’m really looking forward to being in front of the Glasgow crowd because if we have a laugh on stage, they really enjoy it as well.”

So, what can the audience expect from the show?

“A lot of fun, some great music, some fantastic musicians, and they’ll hopefully leave the concert brimming with Christmas spirit and hopefully joyful hearts,” Aled said.

“It’s not just the music you’d expect us to sing either, there are lots of different kinds of tracks on the album and in the concert, so lots of middleofthe- road stuff but also the carols you’d expect as well so a real mixed bag.”

Christmas with Aled Jones and Russell Watson will be at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on December 7.