Aled Jones – Favourite Things
Aled Jones MBE is a Welsh singer and television and radio presenter. Jones shot to fame as a teenager with his cover of “Walking in the Air“, the song from Channel 4’s animated film The Snowman. His version reached number 5 in the UK charts in 1985. Since then, Aled Jones has performed the role of Joseph in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, become a presenter on BBC Radio Wales, BBC’s Songs of Praise and Classic FM and released 31 albums selling over 7 million copies. He has also written three books, including a children’s book, Bobby Dean Saves Christmas, which is out now. You can book tickets for Jones’ 2022 Cathedral Tour here.
These are a few of Aled Jones’ favourite things…
Family
I’ve always been very lucky that my parents supported me in what I wanted to do, as both a child and an adult. Neither of my parents are singers, though they both appreciate good music, but both sets of my grandparents sang in choirs, and there was always music playing in my house growing up: Family support allows one to truly flourish. During lockdown, I think everyone realised just how important those close to us are. Not seeing family as often or being able to travel to one another further enhanced how much it means to be able to spend time together.
Music
Music is like breathing for me. I have always found music in everything. When my mum used to dry my hair as a child, I would harmonise with the notes coming out of the hairdryer or the running water in the bath. I have always had this ability to instinctively harmonise with everything. I’ve just done a single with Gary Barlow for his Christmas album, and I harmonise with his voice on that. I am always singing and playing music.
Travel
I have not been able to do this due to the dreaded Covid, but in the “old days” I was constantly in the airport, often going to Australia, where I am lucky to usually do a tour every year. People like my music in Australia, and it still blows me away that I can travel to the other side of the world and have people come to my concerts.
I have always travelled to perform, and there is nothing better really, the minute I am in the airport I feel refreshed. I get to see places I would never have usually gone to if I wasn’t touring, and I try to make an adventure out of everything. Being able to travel is something I took for granted, and I’ll appreciate it so much more when we are able to do it properly again.
Wine
As with the rest of the world, during the first lockdown, wine-o-clock got earlier and earlier… I’m a huge fan of whites and reds, and I know quite a lot about wine and grape varieties and things like that. Italian reds, the big Super Tuscan full-bodied ones are my favourite, but I also like Californian reds. I think it’ll be an Italian red on Christmas Day though.
My Denon Headphones
I have a pair of headphones that I have had for years and years and years and I only use them to record. They are really expensive Denon AH D9200s, which sounds like something Harry Potter would fly on, but I have had them nearly all of my adult career. When I was recording an album in LA a screw came off, but I managed to find a replacement one. Then, the other day, the other screw came off, and I couldn’t find a replacement, so they are held together with Gaffer tape at the moment. I really should get a new pair, my engineer keeps laughing at me, but I have had them for almost every recording session I have ever done so they have a lot of sentimental value, and they make my voice sound so clear and precise.
Enjoyed Aled Jones’ favourites? Explore last week’s Favourite Things here.