Mention the name Bart Cummings in Australia and you’ll get everyone telling you about the legendary horse trainer, however those who are deeply into Australian music will know of the other famous Bart Cummings, the Ballarat musician who made a name for himself in bands like Hydroplane, The Shapiros and The Cat’s Meow. Now he has grouped together some other talented music stalwarts and created Bart & Friends, who have just delivered a great album titled Stories With The Endings Changed.
This album is an absolute gem, and must have for any budding filmmakers looking for songs for soundtracks). Tracks like the breezy ‘Who Am I To Say No’ are begging to be used in films while ‘When I’ve Got No Choice’ is a smooth, easy listen that is going to be a joy to have on CD come summer.
‘There’s No Place I’d Rather Be’ is one of the best songs to be released in Australia this year and it’s here that you realise that Bart & Friends do this folky pop-rock better than most others in the same genre. And if the album hasn’t won you over so far than the brilliant harmony of ‘Rule The Day’ certainly will.
‘Now I Think There’s Something You Can Do For Me’ is a love song with a twist… it’s lyrics that say ‘lead me astray, if you think you can’ are a stroke of lyrical genius and it is quickly followed up by another smooth love song with ‘Calling Out My Name’, but don’t be worried because Bart & Friends certainly don’t make cheesy love songs.
‘Cast Of Half Forgotten Name’ is a tad ordinary but the short and sweet ‘Tomorrow Will Be Better Than Today’ quickly sees this talented band back on the track. The closing track ‘Sound Of The Bells’ also shows what a great songwriter Bart Cummings is.
This sensational album has crept up on is, but it is clearly one of the best albums to come out of Australia this year.
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