Lee Kernaghan - Spirit Of The Bush (2007)

Lee Kernaghan is back doing what he does best: celebrating the spirit of regional Australia. Featuring seven new recordings among old favourites, Spirit of the Bush includes Lee’s new version of John Schumann’s legendary track, ‘I Was Only 19 (A Day In The Light Green)’ and Peter Allen’s iconic ‘Tenterfield Saddler’. The inspiring title track, ‘Spirit Of The Bush’, was recorded with fellow country artists Adam Brand, Steve Forde and a chorus of guest artists. All up, the album includes an impressive 17 tracks which will not disappoint fans and newcomers alike.

Australians have rallied in their tens of thousands to support Lee Kernaghan's fund raising project for Australia’s bush battlers, Spirit Of The Bush.

Following its launch at a huge concert in Grenfell on June 30, the “Spirit of the Bush EP” — recorded with Adam Brand, Steve Forde and a chorus of country music stars — has sold bucketloads, reaching the number 1 spot on the ARIA Singles Chart in its very first week.

The hit song, Spirit Of The Bush, has been included as the title track on his brand new album, Spirit Of The Bush, released by ABC Music/Warner Music Australia. The album - inspired by Lee’s desire to capture his passion and feeling of dedication to the bush and its people - is a mixture of the old, the new and the lovingly reinterpreted.

Along with Spirit Of The Bush (included in its full version and as a reprise), Lee’s included an incredibly catchy new track titled Sassafrass Gap, which was written many years ago by Bernie O'Brien and recorded by Saltbush. “The song was floating around in the depths of my memory, and Nick Erby eventually located it in his archives and sent it to me. It’s a perfect start to the album,” Lee said. “Already the fans are absolutely loving it, and we recently performed it on the Today Show.”

Other new tracks on Spirit Of The Bush involved Lee putting his own stamp on some of the classics of Australian music, Stan Coster's wonderful Three Rivers Hotel (listen for the slight variation in lyrics when Stan’s name is mentioned), Eric Bogle’s poignant Shelter, Peter Allen’s iconic Tenterfield Saddler and John Schumann’s legendary and powerful I Was Only 19 (A Day in the Green). Following the album’s release, Lee received an email from John Schumann giving Lee’s version the thumbs up and praising his handling of the song.

“I’m enjoying the fact that, after more than a decade of enjoying success in this industry, I’m in a position to make a difference — both to new artists and to rural Australians, including many people who’ve been loyal fans for years. That’s the most satisfying thing, and I don’t think you can beat the feeling it gives you,” he said.

Track List:

01. Sassafras Gap
02. I Was Only Nineteen (A Walk In The Light Green)
03. Three Rivers Hotel
04. Spirit Of The Bush
05. Diamantina Drover
06. Bare Essentials
07. The Way It Is
08. Spirit Of The High Country
09. Southern Son
10. Shelter
11. When Country Comes
12. A Bushman Can't Survive
13. Mate
14. Tenterfield Saddler
15. Cunnamulla Feller
16. Hat Town
17. Spirit Of The Bush Reprise (My Country)

Quality: CBR 320 Kbps 48000 Joint Stereo
Size: 138.85Mb
Genre: Country

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