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'WALKING IN THE AIR ' ALED JONES' NEW RELEASE, Aled Jones tenor and treble ('One Voice'), Classic FM

25th November 2016

NEW RECORDING

At the request of Aled Jones, Howard Blake has created a new arrangement of his global hit song 'Walking in the Air', which Aled Jones has recorded for Classic FM to be released November 25th 2016 as the star-track or single on his new album -  'One Voice' - volume 2.

His current album, 'One Voice' has been at number one in the Classic FM music charts for more than 13 weeks.

Aled will sing a completely new tenor line with orchestral backing both of which tracks have  been composed by Howard Blake. Against these tracks will be synched Aled's original treble track as recorded for EMI in 1985.

PETER AUTY VERSION 1982

Howard Blake wrote both words and music for the original theme-song of 'The Snowman' animated film and also orchestrated and conducted it. The first orchestral recording of the entire film including the song 'Walking in the Air' was made in CTS Studios Wembley on July 5th 1982 conducted by Howard Blake. The boy chosen as soloist was Peter Auty, at that time a chorister at St Paul's Cathedral. His voice was tracked on at De Lane Lea Studios, Dean Street, London on July9th 1982, supervised by the composer. In 2016 Peter Auty is a prominent tenor soloist with Covent Garden Opera.

ALED JONES VERSION 1985

In 1985 Blake was contacted by advertising agency Saatchi and Saatchi who asked if he would re-record 'Walking in the Air' as a track to a TV ad series for Toys 'R Us. Blake asys: 'I rang Peter Auty but his voice had unfortunately broken. I was recommended to use Aled Jones who recorded the song in Abbey Road. I was unable to conduct as I was now under contract with CBS/Masterworks in regard to 'The Snowman' which was starting to go platinum as an LP. The conductor on the EMI session was John Altman. The orchestral arrangement used was my original printed score but a couple of bars were transferred from the end of the 'dripping' scene to provide an intro. At my suggestion this version was released as a single on EMI and went on to become a chart hit (variously at no.3 and no.5.)

 


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