REVIEW: Aled Jones – Motherwell Concert Hall
Despite releasing more albums than Madonna and Queen (30 to be precise), and three decades since first appearing on the nation’s conscience, Aled Jones is still working to shake his image as the rosy cheeked choir boy who went walking in the air.
Now 44, Jones has recently been in the public eye from his two year stint on the ITV breakfast time sofa with Lorraine Kelly and as one of the principal presenters of the BBC’s flagship religious show Songs of Praise.
He is now back on tour doing what what he loves the most – singing from the heart. This concert, Songs of Hope and Inspiration delivers exactly what it says on the tin, a selection of pop-standards, religious, Scottish and Welsh folk ballads and traditional tunes all with a “hymn-like quality” to soothe the soul or inspire.
Despite the tiny audience in this cavernous concert hall, Jones gives his all during the programme, interspersing the diverse song choices with amusing anecdotes and (due to the intimate numbers) lots of one to one banter with members of the audience.
Thirty years on Jones is still in fine voice and manages to breathe new life and some interesting arrangements into old favourites as well as ably tackling the more modern folk-inspired numbers. His voice remains rich and melodious throughout.
This is an evening of musicianship of the highest standards and quality, it’s just a pity that the locals didn’t turn out in greater numbers to see it.