Australian country music icon Lee Kernaghan has assembled a cast of mates for his forthcoming new release, Spirit of the Anzacs.
As the name implies, the 16-track album pays tribute to the diggers of past and present, and commemorates the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli.
Much more than your usual tribute, each of the songs were inspired by actual letters home from Australian service men and women to their loved ones.
The letters span from World War I to present day.
Produced by long time collaborator Garth Porter, it was recorded at Rancom Street Studio in Sydney.
In the lead up to its creation, both men were given unprecedented access to the Australian War Memorial archive for inspiration.
‘‘This is some of the most powerful material that I’ve ever had the privilege to record in my career,’’ Kernaghan 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.’’
Joining Kernaghan on the album are Sara Storer, John Schumann, Lisa McCune and Fred Smith.
The jewel of the release is arguably its title track, on which Kernaghan shares the microphone with Guy Sebastian, Sheppard, Jon Stevens, Jessica Mauboy, Shannon Noll and Megan Washington.
Spirit of the Anzacs will be available nationally on March 13 through Universal Music.
