The Soldiers
Following the phenomenal success of their Top 5, double platinum selling debut album ‘Coming Home’ The Soldiers are back with a brand new album that once again honours the nation’s heroes in the most heartfelt manner. ‘Letters Home’ will be released on 25 October 2010 on Rhino UK.
The Soldiers - Lance Corporal Ryan Idzi, Staff Sergeant Richie Maddocks and Sergeant Major Gary Chilton – have dedicated the title track to Guardsman Tony (Neil) Downes who died on 9 June 2007 whilst on active service in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, aged 20. For the first-time ever, the words from a ‘last letter’ to loved ones have sensitively been turned into a song with the lyrics credited to Tony (Neil) Downes. The track was created by hit music production duo Nick Patrick (Russell Watson, Katherine Jenkins) and Jeff Chegwin with permission from Guardsman Tony (Neil) Downes mother and family.
The ‘last letter’ from Tony (Neil) Downes, to his teenage sweetheart and his family, inspired lyrics such as “I’m sorry to put you through all this / I’m sorry there was no last kiss’, and ‘I’m up here in heaven / You’re free to start again / My love will never end / I’m sorry to my family and friends”, words that will undoubtedly resonate with anyone who has friends or family currently serving in the Armed Forces. Many serving soldiers will compose a ‘last letter’ to their loved ones – a letter only opened in the event of death, a poignant reminder that any soldier understands the implications of the job they have chosen.
Mrs Sheryl Downes, mother of Guardsman Tony (Neil) Downes commented: “The song is the most amazing thing I have heard. It shows how much my son was a loving and caring person. I can just see him now looking down on us all with his million watt smile, he will be so proud.”
The album ‘Letters Home’ will feature 17 tracks, comprising of three original compositions (‘Letters Home’, ‘I Will Carry You’, ‘Great British Hero’) and 14 covers of well known and classic love songs including Rod Stewart’s ‘Have I Told You Lately’, Eric Clapton’s ‘Wonderful Tonight’ and The Beatles’ ‘Yesterday’.
The album ‘LETTERS HOME’ is released on 25 October 2010 on Rhino UK. The digital single ‘LETTERS HOME’ is released 18 October 2010.
TRACKLISTING:
1. I Will Carry You
2. Have I Told You Lately?
3. You're In My Heart
4. Wonderful Tonight
5. When A Man Loves A Woman
6. Yesterday
7. Great British Hero
8. Your Song
9. Everlasting Love
10. You Are So Beautiful
11. The Air That I Breathe
12. True
13. Requiem For A Soldier (Band Of Brothers)
14. You Raise Me Up
15. Missing You
16. Everytime We Say Goodbye
17. Letters Home