IN 2015, the centenary of the ANZAC’s landing at Gallipoli, local musicians have united to record a charity single called ‘Spirit of the ANZACS’.
On Friday the ‘Spirit Of The ANZACS’ video was launched, with proceeds from the single going to the Legacy and Soldier On charities.
Featuring a stunning array of home-grown talent including Lee Kernaghan, Guy Sebastian, George Sheppard, Jon Stevens, Jessica Mauboy, Shannon Noll and Megan Washington, ‘Spirit Of The ANZACS’ is based on former Prime Minister Paul Keating’s moving eulogy at the entombment of the Unknown Australian Soldier.
Kernaghan said Keating’s immortal words, “He is all of them. And he is one of us.” inspired him and his producer and song writing partner Garth Porter to write a song that pays tribute to all the men and women who have served and sacrificed on behalf of the country across 100 years of ANZAC history.
The song features on Lee Kernaghan’s forthcoming album same-titled album. Kernaghan and Porter 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,” he said.
“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.”
It will be released in both Standard and Deluxe editions on Friday 13 March, 2015, and showcases vocals from some of the country’s premier talent – from Lisa McCune, to John Schumann, Fred Smith, and Sara Storer.
To view the music video and find out more about the creation of the album visit the website at http://spiritoftheanzacs.umusic.com.au/