Aled Jones and Russell Watson have a new Christmas album (picture: )
“Morecambe & Wise were so funny. With Al and I, it’s just kidding. When we’re backstage, we’re constantly taking Mickey out for each other. Everyone asks what are we laughing at.”
Now the Men With Golden Lungs are back with their first Christmas album. It’s their third studio collaboration, and Aled says “the best we’ve done.” “But we say that, right?”
Just released, Christmas with Aled & Russell, is as cracking, elegant and consistent as the singers themselves.
The twelve paths range from Holy, O Night of Power, to Saccharin, Mistletoe and Wine. They also take on Walking In The Air, the song from the 1982 animated classic The Snowman, which made Bangor-born Aled a star in the school.
“The making of the album was very strange,” Russell says. “We recorded it this summer when it was 38 degrees outside. I’m singing ‘I’m dreaming of a white Christmas’ and outside I can see steam rising.”
Eid adds, “I was wearing shorts and a T-shirt and singing at The Bleak Midwinter…”
Watson and Jones together again (picture: )
He continues, “I recorded my vocals in Acton, Vegas west of London.”
Russell: “You scored me in Los Angeles…Lower Accrington.”
They laugh and Russell says, “I feel sorry for people who work in supermarkets over Christmas and even though I have to listen to the same songs over and over again, especially since the holidays are expanding all the time.”
Aled, “Once I left a store because of that. I’d go in and hear Cliff’s Mistletoe & Wine, then Slade, and I know Walking On The Air would be next…but I love all the Christmas songs, Chris Rea, Wham!, Wizzard…hmm It’s all magical.”
all of them? Have you never heard of Christmas Funky Funky by New Kids On The Block?
“There should be a candidate on my playlist,” Russell quipped, rigid.
They make a strange couple, tenor people and snowman. Former bolt cutter, Ormston-born Watson is a dramatic opera singer while Aled is a lyrical baritone. On paper, their voices shouldn’t peck. So far on stage, the mix is incredible. Working together has taken their careers to uncharted territory – and Arias
“My voice is unaffected by opera, while Russell’s is a lot,” says Ald. “I’ve never sung anything like Volare before we recorded together a few years ago, but it came out great. She even surprised us.”
The stars reunited at the Welsh National Eisteddfod this summer after an 18-month break. “It was the same as ever – lots of laughing and joking,” says Russell, who turns 56 later this month. “We have a very similar sense of humor.
“I’ve never been one of those guys on the red carpet. I only have a couple of friends in the industry. Our friendship is good. We’re buddies. I feel comfortable talking about anything and everything with Al.”
Feast: “Me too, exactly the same. That’s good fun.”
Timing problems can be annoying. Russell admits, “I was born late, and if the soundcheck was at 3 p.m., I’d be there at 10 p.m., and he would be there at 10 to 10.” Except for Proms In The Park when Watson was on stage, his singing partner was nowhere to be seen.
The theater director said, ‘I’m sorry we’re going to have to put you down without Aled’…
Jones, 51, explains: “I had a taxi driver go in the wrong direction. I missed the sound check and it was almost stage time. I literally arrived when he was about to sing, and I ran on stage. I was wearing sneakers and jeans!”
Laughs Russell: “I said, ‘Thanks for coming.'” We got it done. I was worried though. I could have gotten away with Volari on my own, but the rest was bi. “
The son of steelworker, brain tumor survivor, Russell, “sings like Pavarotti and entertains like Sinatra,” according to the New York Times.
He has played for three presidents, one of whom is the Pope and the various royals, and is the greatest selling classic crossover singer of our time; Yet he remains resolutely humble.
(picture: )
Aled became the world’s most successful boy soprano at the age of twelve and achieved over forty discs in gold, silver, and platinum. The friends first met at the Royal Albert Hall in 1999, but only collaborated in 2018, and went on to have two Top Ten albums.
Both confirm they haven’t joined at the hip, although Aled says they may start writing together next year.
The first is the UK Tour – 21 dates, starting at the Manchester Opera House on 13 November and ending at Fairfield Hall, Croydon on 12 December.
“Every night will be different,” says Aled. “The set is the same but with kidding, anything can happen…”
Anything but an appearance by Traffic Cone – Aled’s alter-ego on ITV’s inexplicably popular The Masked Singer. “This outfit is back,” he insists.
While the show was running, Russell came across a huge line of traffic cones on the M6, and sent a picture to Aled with the message, “Look, you’re multiplying!”
What’s Next? “Al has Classic FM and Songs Of Praise. I have solo projects ahead of us that we will announce soon. I might do another musical,” says Russell, who played Billy Budd in Chicago for three months this year.
Aled: “The good thing about Chicago, though, is that Ross’ dance has improved.”
“Marginally,” says Russell. “It’s okay when someone tells you what to do. We don’t dance, we make moves and embellishments…”
The star claims he only started moving on stage to “dodge the bottles” when he played rough bars in Wythenshaw 30 years ago.
“You’re better when you have a drink,” Aled notes.
Russell: “I think I can act accurately. I’ve watched Tony Adams. I can do it.”
He survived I’m A Celebrity from ITV last year. How was the rancid rotisserie?
He says, “Despicable.” “Face down into a bowl of blue mixture—cheer for it! Growing up in Salford, the ice was always inside the window but… I assumed it would be room temperature. I went straight under that freezing cold mixture and sucked it in, up to my nose. I thought I could pull this off. It’s pancake juice, we can have pancakes tonight for dessert…”
After the tour comes Christmas. “I’m going to have a 100% traditional family birthday,” says Aled. “I love nothing more than that, just shut the door to the world and enjoy it.”
Russell: “I’m exactly the same. We shut the front door and that’s it. We don’t watch much TV over Christmas. Mostly, it’s about getting together.”
Russell, who has two daughters from his first marriage, lives with his second wife Louise in Cheshire.
“My wife is angry at Christmas,” he says. “Planning starts any day now, buying new decorations. Our house looks like Blackpool illuminations, Christmas trees decorated to the max, a large luminous snowman figurine… Needless to say, I sent a pic to Aled – “We’re done with Your companion”…”
He laughs and adds, “I love Christmas but always feel sad. I miss my grandparents, but my wife quickly got me out of it.”
Ald married trapeze circus artist Claire in 2001. They have a son and daughter – actress, singer and songwriter Emilia – and live in London.
His festive plans include “eating a lot and watching trash on TV”. He says, “I just loved the warm-up and horse specials, which included a lot of laughs. We don’t have those big comedic situations anymore, but we still have the Home Alone and Elf movies and all of that.”
Aren’t the two fantasizing about hosting their own TV show at Christmas?
“Great idea,” Eid smiles. “Spread the word!”
Consider it widespread.
*Christmas with Aled and Russell Out now via BMG.
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