Former choirboy Jones makes comeback

Aled Jones is a regular Songs of Praise presenter

By Tom Bourton BBC News Online

His days as a world-renowned soprano may be behind him, but Aled Jones has found a perfect niche for his talents with Songs of Praise.

With a relaxed onstage manner, and a selection of songs which suit his much-altered vocal range, he is aptly matched to his audience.

Aled Jones made his professional debut at St David's Hall

And at this special gala concert at Cardiff's St David's Hall, Claire Sweeney, Julian Lloyd Webber and violin quartet Bond were all on hand to add a bit of variety to the night.

Starting with Jones, there were a few traces of nerves as he opened with All Through the Night (Ar Hyd y Nos) and Panis Angelicus.

But who would not be edgy before their first live concert for more than 10 years?

Performing a mix of hymns and classical pieces he chose himself, Jones found room for favourites such as Pie Jesu, a rousing Do You Hear What I Hear and My Life Flows On, as well as the traditional Suo-Gan and the all-new I Believe.

Throughout the evening, he was supported by massed choirs including the Llanelli Male Choir and Libera - who he introduced as "the best boy band in the world".

Guest spots

The fact that Jones has an album coming out soon was not lost on the audience, and the frequent delays and stoppages reminded onlookers the show was being recorded for TV.

But this was a special concert, and audiences forgive almost anything if charity is involved - in this case, money was being raised for the Noah's Ark appeal.

In between his songs, Jones welcomed his special guests onto the stage.

Claire Sweeney performed her chart hit

Julian Lloyd Webber stood out with two sublime pieces - Air on a G String and Caccini Ave Maria.

Irish singer Roisin O'Reilly performed Danny Boy, before former Brooksider Claire Sweeney emerged.

She may be a newcomer to the chart scene, but she is already a veteran of the one-song set, as she powered through her recent hit If You Believe.

After that, the glamour girls of Bond swanned on to play Allegretto, tossing their hair and pouting as if they were auditioning for a Vidal Sassoon advert.

To round it off, we got all of them together for the singalong finale, which a grinning Jones clearly enjoyed most of all.

The album Aled is released on 14 October, and the concert will be shown as a Songs of Praise TV Special on 13 October.