With the release of Volume 2, we now complete ‘The Great New Zealand Songbook’.

The 68 artists that perform the 80 songs featured on both volumes represent the past, present and future of New Zealand music. What treasure they have given us!

Volume 1 was released in May last year for New Zealand Music Month and in just eight months achieved 8 x platinum status (weren’t those days meant to be over for the music business-).

As we were completing the track listing for Volume 2, it occurred to us that either album could have been called Volume 1 or Volume 2, such was the depth and richness of material we had to draw on.

Volume 2 follows the same format as Volume 1 with CD 1 ‘Last Century’ and CD 2 ‘This Century’. The ‘Last Century’ disc again sees Crowded House and Dave Dobbyn but this time along with ‘Poi E’ from the Patea Maori Club (made famous again with the release of the movie ‘Boy’), Th’ Dudes with ‘Be Mine Tonight’, Ray Columbus ‘She’s a Mod’, Max Merritt ‘Slippin’ Away’ and Mi-Sex ‘Computer Games’. It’s another incredibly strong line up from ‘Last Century’.

‘This Century’ sees the inclusion of Gin Wigmore, both on her solo track ‘Oh My’ and with the boys from Smashproof on ‘Brother’; both massive number one singles since the release of Volume 1. We have also included ‘You Got Me’ by J Williams featuring Scribe, one of the biggest selling tracks of this year, along with the 2009 Silver Scroll winner; ‘Apple Pie Bed’ by Lawrence Arabia. Also included is ‘Walkie Talkie Man’ by Steriogram, the New Zealand song personally chosen by Steve Jobs to launch the iPod!

We again commissioned New Zealand artist Dick Frizzell to provide us with an original piece of artwork for the front cover featuring the iconic image of ‘Charlie the Four Square Man’ - but this time from behind!

It is an honour to present the second (and final) edition of ‘The Great New Zealand Songbook’.