Music Review - Aled Jones' Aled

Can't quite sleep. Thats the problem when you've not done much in the day- you don't get tired that easily!! And the monotonity of YL's snoring doesn't quite help in knocking me to sleep either. So, I thought I would get to the laptop and try to get some progress on some reports that I had to do (that were outstanding from my research project that i did for my thesis).

But being the usual ill-disciplined me, I soon found something else to do. I had borrowed Aled Jones' CD "Aled" from my pastor. So, I set about listening to it. And my, what great voice Aled has!!

Some Background: I first noticed Aled Jones in "Strictly Come Dancing" (those of u in London would know what program I'm referring to). YL was pointing out to me that that was the guy who presents BBC's Songs of Praise, and occassionally sings the hymns on the show. Saw his CD on my pastors' rack when I went to his place, and so thought i will check out his music. Apparantly, he sang publicly since the age of 12 (i think he's now close to 40 yr old but still look very young...bless him!).

Back to the cd and the music. Its wonderful! He's got this really smooth and well-toned voice that seemed to soar up and down effortlessly through the high and low notes. The music selection for this disc is also excellent. There were a few hymns that i've never come across before but were really nice, and some other more familiar ones like "Pie Jesu", "How great thou are", "Ave Mara", and even Christmas hymns (I am so in the Advent mood!!) like "All through the Night" and "O Holy night".

I particularly like the lyrics and celtic tune of this hymn "My life flows on":

My life flows on in endless song
Above earth's lamentation,
I hear the real though far-off hymn
That hails a new creation.
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that rock I'm clinging
It sounds an echo in my soul,
How can I keep from singing?

What though the tempest round me roars,
I know the truth, it liveth,
What though the darkness round me close,
Songs in the night it giveth
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that rock I'm clinging
Since love is lord of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?

I lift my eyes, the cloud grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smooths,
Since first I learnt to love it.
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
A fountain ever springing;
All things are mine since I am his,
How can I keep from singing?

Gosh! I remembered my friend Brandon who used to tell me that classical music are best appreciated in the stillness of the night...he is quite right!

BTW, if you want to find out more about Aled Jones, here's his website : Aled Jones