Spirit Of The Anzacs

2015 marks the 100th Anniversary of the ANZAC’s landing at Gallipoli. In honour of this landmark occasion, former Australian of the Year, Lee Kernaghan, teams up with a host of local artists and musicians to bring you ‘SPIRIT OF THE ANZACS’ – Standard & Deluxe Editions available now. ‘Spirit of the Anzacs’ features local music stars Lisa McCune, John Schumann, Sara Storer and Fred Smith, in addition to the talents of Guy Sebastian, Sheppard, Jon Stevens, Jessica Mauboy, Shannon Noll and Megan Washington, who lend their vocals to charity single and album title track. The ‘Spirit of the Anzacs’ single is based on former Prime Minister Paul Keating’s moving eulogy at the entombment of the Unknown Australian Soldier.

Lee Kernaghan says, “Mr. Keating’s immortal words, “He is all of them. And he is one of us.” led us to write a song that pays tribute to all the men and women who have served and sacrificed on behalf of our country across 100 years of ANZAC history”.

Recorded at Rancom Street Studio in Sydney with long-time producer and collaborator Garth Porter, ‘Spirit Of The Anzacs’ is a tribute to those that have given their lives, those who have served, and those that still today step bravely into the unknown to serve our country.

Lee and Garth were granted unique access to the Australian War Memorial archive, collecting letters penned by diggers to their loved ones at home and spanning World War I to the present day. Each song on the 16-track recording is inspired by one of these real letters.

“This is some of the most powerful material that I’ve ever had the privilege to record in my career”, said Lee. “The album takes you on a real journey, from the trenches of the Western Front to the bombing of Darwin, Kokoda, Long Tan, and the dust of Uruzgan Province in Afghanistan. It is a project that goes to the heart of who we are as a nation.”

“Every nation has its story. This is ours. From the bloody Gallipoli landing to the dusty deserts of Afghanistan, precious war letters held at the Australian War Memorial have inspired this moving tribute from one of Australia’s great story tellers, Lee Kernaghan. The spirit of the men and women who wrote them, their courage and sacrifice lives in these songs – and in us.” – Dr Brendan Nelson, Director, Australian War Memorial

Spirit Of The Anzacs is available now.