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100 Years from Now

by Stephen Cummings

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Whyte Rushan
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Whyte Rushan I first heard the artist on Tripple RRR Melbourne, while listening in, a woolshed, on Maungatautiri Mountain, a very lovely recording, I highly recommend this to all Favorite track: Carry Your Heart.
Michael Rae
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Michael Rae Wonderful to hear great new material from Stephen Cummings! ❤️
Rod Kenworthy
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Rod Kenworthy Having been there on that fateful night in Brisbane in 2020, this new release holds a special poignancy for me. It is wonderful to hear Stephen's new voice conquering the limitations of his affliction, his soul shining through.
Sean Tinslay
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Sean Tinslay So glad you are back Stephen Cummings!
Missed your music SO very much… ❤️
#livingnationaltreasure Favorite track: Carry Your Heart.
petewilliams13
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petewilliams13 Stephen Cummings is one of the finest songsmiths that this country has ever produced, every release of his is something to look forward to.
bnebe64
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bnebe64 This album is something,beautiful,melancholy, yet hopeful and considering Stephens recent health issues amazing
I’d be hard pressed to name one artist that has put out so many consistently beautiful records as Stephen Cummings
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  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Limited edition 12". Pressed on transparent teal vinyl

    Includes unlimited streaming of 100 Years from Now via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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    edition of 100  6 remaining
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  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    100 Years from Now pressed on black 12" vinyl

    Includes unlimited streaming of 100 Years from Now via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 7 days
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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    All nine tracks on Compact Disc. With beautiful artwork by Mia Schoen.

    Includes unlimited streaming of 100 Years from Now via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 7 days
    Purchasable with gift card

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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

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1.
Every moment is a golden one For him that has the vision Every moment is a golden one For him that has the vision For him that has the vision Every moment For him that has the vision For him that has the vision I woke up, I got up, but I had no heart for the game Some people don’t feel the cold, I’m now much the same Waiting for you, to call Waiting for evening, to fall I carry your heart in my heart I carry your heart with dignity In the bleak days at the start of winter Your smiling eyes call to me In the bleak days at the start of winter Your smiling eyes call to me Every moment is a golden one For him that has the vision to recognise it as such Not very much Every moment is a golden one For him that has the vision Every moment Every moment is a golden one For him that has the vision For him that has the vision Every moment is a golden one For him that has the vision For him that has the vision For him that has the vision For him that has the vision For him that has the vision For him that has the vision
2.
You can be a real bore Have you heard enough, would you like more? She has everything, she is waiting Waiting to begin Pick myself off the floor Have you heard enough, what’s the score? The great advantage of being alive, is the experience of time An unbroken tan, a silly man, it’s your dime, it’s your dime What a silly thing, to cry about What a silly thing, the words just burst out Even when I was trying to say something nice She was looking at me with little twinkly eyes That she could live, without my love some how One hundred years from now, I won’t be crying She doesn’t like being pushed around When she is up, she is also down One hundred years from now, I won’t be crying I won’t be blue, but I’ll still be thinking of you What a silly thing, to cry about What a silly thing, the words just burst out What a silly thing, to cry about What a silly thing, the words just burst out
3.
Each and every day From morning till night We had fun, What’s done is done. I tried so hard So hard to please you What more can I do Doing the best The best I can But it's not good enough for you No it's not good enough for you But it's not good enough for you No it's not good enough for you I tried so hard To make it right Gone fishing But I didn’t get a bite I’ll be a dreamer I’ll be a fool Oh my darling, my whole life through Doin’ the best, the best I can Don’t forget about me All the possibilities Don’t forget about me I feel the possibilities But it's not good enough for you No it's not good enough, for you But it's not good enough No it's not good enough But it's not good enough No it's not good enough, for you
4.
May the flowers remind us Why the rain was so necessary Engine noises and people’s voices See the forest and not the trees Runaway sailor I know you by sight You’re a runaway sailor In the wind and the light Make no mistake I’m wide awake on a night like tonight, I’m intrigued by the city at night You mighty weaver of fogs Casting a spell that gathers a mist Briefly together Runaway sailor I know you by sight You’re a runaway sailor In the wind and the light Let me be there in the morning, Whatever the weather No more light than a firefly A clear yellow spark in the sky Casting a spell that gathers The mist briefly together Let me be there Whatever the weather Runaway sailor I know you by sight You’re a runaway sailor In the wind and the light Runaway sailor Runaway sailor
5.
We are experiencing personal problems at this time We are presently going out of our minds Wish I could erase Everything I ever done Just call me lonesome From now on I, I am having an anxiety attack I, I am having an anxiety attack And life is pleasing But life is teasing me And so, it’s time to make a new start Dead but not, forgotten in my heart I’ve got a lot, of things I’d like to say Maybe this time, life won’t wander away I, I am having an anxiety attack I, I am having an anxiety attack And life is pleasing But life is teasing me Yeah this world, will hide me when I cry See my love. as I kiss you goodbye Now all I do, is just exist And think about, all the chances I have missed I, I am having an anxiety attack I, I am having an anxiety attack And life is pleasing But life is teasing me I, I am having an anxiety attack I, I am having an anxiety attack I, I am having an anxiety attack I, I am having an anxiety attack
6.
Even though the rain has stopped The idea of a walk intrigues you Knew no right, knew no wrong I can barely sing this song All night you waited for morning All morning you waited for afternoon All afternoon you waited for night Nothing works out quite right You can’t escape and you don’t want to Who’s that walking on the other side of you? You can’t escape and you don’t want to Who’s that walking on the other side of you? And still the longings came Like on a butterfly’s wings If we do all the right things We can overcome our native frailty The wind is blowing and the grass is singing White clouds gather in the sky The weather begins to rise and blow in You can’t escape and you don’t want to Who’s that walking on the other side of you You can’t escape and you don’t want to Who’s that walking on the other side of you You can’t escape and you don’t want to Who that walking on the other side of you Who’s that walking? Who’s that walking? Who’s that walking? Who’s that walking? Who’s that walking?
7.
Heavy sheets of rain splashing, against the window The sky is crying, and the winds blow Emptying the contents, of my pockets on the table Biscuit crumbs, small change and a guitar cable Stretched out get out, not much fun There are trucks and men in orange vests With the company name printed across their chests Rain clouds enshroud our house tonight But living is laughing, if you get it right Stretched out get out, not much fun for me Stretched out get out, not much fun I think I hear the car, some wonderful new adventure The clock is ticking, but you’re sticking The wrong time of year, to view the sunset Let’s go somewhere quiet It’s never going to be the same Stretched out get out, not much fun for me Stretched out get out, not much fun You snuggled up close to me in bed Till I fell asleep Whenever your life ends, it’s all there For you to keep Extraordinary moments vanish into thin air Thin air, thin air, thin air
8.
Shake It 03:23
Shake it one time One time for me My head’s mixed up And my heart’s lonely A flush of fire What you say and do Oh baby I’m happy to be with you You have a lovely face Me I’m like an ancient ruin When people look at us They must wonder what we’re doin’ Shake it The way you dance is mighty fine Like a door slamming You are divine Shake it baby You are such fun It’s nice to be dancin’ with someone Like a big ship Out on the mighty ocean My heart’s bubbling with emotion It makes me laugh Your kindness is a reward The more you shake it The more the music roared When you begin To moan and sing Before I met you I didn’t have anything You have a lovely face But me I’m like an ancient ruin When people look at us They must wonder what we’re doin’ Oh shake it Shake it up One time for me Shake it up My heart’s lonely Shake it up When you moan and sing Shake it up My head’s mixed up And my heart’s lonely Shake it up You are such fun Shake it up It’s nice to be dancin’ with someone
9.
When it all went down I shovelled spoons in my coffee I had no energy Didn’t know what to do When it all went down I’m so tired, tired of being blue It drives me up the wall Acting in this way That bird has flown Gone home alone What am I to do? So tired, so tired of being blue It’s so hard to reveal to you My uncertainty Holding back my tears Facing all my fears What am I to do? So tired, so tired of being blue There’s no getting out of this With a silly story I sit on my seat With a view of the street What am I to do? So tired, tired of being blue So tired, tired of being blue Tired, so tired, of being blue So tired, tired of being blue So tired, tired of being blue

about

Cheersquad Records & Tapes is proud to announce the release of Stephen Cummings' new album '100 Years from Now'.

Stephen Cummings of course needs no introduction to Australian music fans - the Countdown Award and ARIA Award-winning singer and songwriter has had a long, productive, creative and distinguished career since his days up front of Sports in the late '70s and '80s.

What does need an introduction however is the fact that in March 2020 - at the onset of Covid - Stephen suffered a life changing stroke and this new album is the product of both events and the enthusiastic support he received creating it from the Melbourne music community.

'100 Years from Now' is a record of beauty, of humanity, and of unflinching honesty. And gorgeous musicality. Recorded and mixed with long time collaborators guitarist and producer Robert Goodge (Essendon Airport and I'm Talking) and producer and engineer Simon Polinksi (Steve Kilbey, Ollie Olsen). The album is a collection of co-writes that put Cummings' post-stroke physical condition to the fore, both musically and lyrically. The effect of Stephen's stroke on his singing adds a layer of bittersweet heartbreak to his already emotive style.

“I was always a natural singer and assumed I could just sing as long as I wanted. After the stroke, I had a lot of rehab to learn to walk and recover fine motor skills on my left side. I couldn’t really play guitar anymore. I did some vocal therapy and found my tone still good but the control and breathing the hard part. I learnt I if I sang more slowly and more quietly it sounded better. I have to focus more and keep to different parameters.

Robert picks up the story:

"This record started off from both our boredom at being locked down and Stephen’s double frustration at having a stroke just as the restrictions started…he got the double lockdown whammy.

"I thought it might be good therapy for Stephen to do some songwriting and singing with no pressure, just a bit of friendly creative noodling, to aid in his recovery…perhaps he would share them with his Facebook friends… So I whipped up a few song sketches.

"Stephen had no trouble writing lyrics. They came as fast as I could supply the basic structure…Singing them however was more of a challenge, but that is what I expected and we just kept trying… gaining ground little by little…So a couple of ideas soon became quite a few.

Stephen continues:

“Robert and I have been good friends for many years. He’s probably the most musical person I know and he was really patient getting me to record lines over and over until he was satisfied.

“I’ve had to accept now that things aren’t going to be the same but they can still be good and work with what I’ve got. Robert just kept turning up to record so I felt obliged to keep going but he and Simon really gave me confidence I could do it.”

Robert:

"We started enlisting musician friends of Stephen to contribute and flesh it out. A lot of these musicians actually recorded their own parts (particularly the backing singers) …So it was built on the generosity of these players and their eagerness to help out…People even started to give us songs to work on so that helped broaden the whole outlook…The finished record is a testament of how supportive the Melbourne music community can be."

Stephen:

“The album captures the state I was in during my recovery. The weather was always bad when I went on all my lockdown walks and that is a feature of the album too.

“It’s got a different sound to what I normally do. It’s very dreamy with all the female harmonies and exotic string instruments Robert used like the tiples.

“It’s one my favourite records I’ve made. I really like the mood and I loved having different people helping out like Lilith Lane and Glen and Philippa from the Underground Lovers. I’ve also known Wally for years so I was really happy for Cheersquad to release it.”

The record is also the coming together of many of Stephen's musical partners from over the years, from his long time guitarist Sam Lemann and bass player Bill McDonald (who shares with Goodge a background in Melbourne's post-punk scene and has more recently been Paul Kelly's long term bass player) to current band members Maxine Sutcliffe and Michael Davis. Graeme Lee of the Triffids (and more recently of Goodge's reformed Essendon Airport) contributes some pedal steel, Philippa Nihill and Glenn Bennie of the Underground Lovers are involved together on one track, and Clare Moore of the Moodists and Chris Abrahams of the Necks both contribute. Stephen's old friends Rebecca Barnard and Billy Miller of the Ferrets appear on a number of tracks, and Goodge also brought in friends Kim Beissel (Crime & City Solution, Hot Half Hour etc) from his late '70s cohort at the Clifton Hill Community music centre, and Zan Abeyratne from I'm Talking. Lilith Lane and Angus Leslie and Beth Otenstein from Sex on Toast also contribute backing vocals.

credits

released May 5, 2023

Carry Your Heart { Cummings , Goodge }
Robert Goodge : Guitars, mandolin , keyboard
Maxine Sutcliffe : Viola
Rebecca Barnard and Billy Miller : Backing vocals

What a Silly Thing { Cummings , Goodge }
Robert Goodge : Guitars and mandolin
Graham Lee : Pedal steel
Bill McDonald : Bass
Michael Davis : Drumkit
Geoff Hales : Percussion
Angus Leslie and Beth Otenstein : Backing vocals

Don’t Forget { Cummings , Bennie }
Philippa Nihill: Lead and backing vocals
Glenn Bennie : Guitars , keyboard
Robert Goodge: American tiple, bass guitar, keyboard

Runaway Sailor { Cummings , Goodge }
Robert Goodge : Guitars, Colombian tiple, xylophone and keyboard
Billy Miller :Backing vocals

Anxiety Attack { Cummings , Goodge , Hales, Abrahams }
Robert Goodge : Guitars, mandolin and bass guitar
Chris Abrahams : Fender rhodes
Geoff Hales : percussion

Who’s That Walking { Cummings , Goodge }
Robert Goodge : Guitars , American tiple , mandolin, keyboard and bass guitar
Maxine Sutcliffe : Viola and backing vocals

Stretched Out { Cummings , McDonald }
Bill McDonald : Bass , guitar , keyboards
Kim Beissel : Alto Sax
Steve Lebsandt : Trombone
Robert Goodge : Guitar , keyboards
Clare Moore : Vibraphone
Zan Abeyratne : Backing vocals

Shake It { Cummings , Goodge }
Robert Goodge : Mandolin, guitar
Maxine Sutcliffe : Double bass ,viola
Peter Reno : Banjo
Lilith Lane and Steve Bird : Backing vocals

Tired of Being Blue { Cummings , Lee }
Graham Lee : Lap steel and bass
Sam Lemann : Guitars
Michael Davis : Drumkit
Robert Goodge : Mandolin
Lilith Lane : Backing vocals

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Cheersquad Records & Tapes Melbourne, Australia

Wally “Meanie” Kempton took the plunge in 2018 and launched his record label Cheersquad Records & Tapes. Since then he has released new material from acts such as The Meanies, The Hard-Ons, Chris Wilson, Phil Jamieson, Seasick Steve, Wanita, Minibikes, The Rinehearts, Immigrant Union and T. Wilds, along with limited edition vinyl of older material from Snout, Even and The Glory Box and more. ... more

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