BILL FAY Time Of The Last Persecution CD/1971/DARK S-SW

BILL FAY 'Time Of The Last Persecution' CD (UK, Esoteric Recordings, Catalogue #ECLEC 2038) Brand new/unplayed copy of superior Esoteric Recordings label CD edition of second album (originally released on the Deram label) from 1971 by Bill Fay.

'Reissue of the 2nd Bill Fay album, originally released in 1971 on Deram. 2005 24-bit remaster from the original tapes, with new liner notes from Mark Powell. Time Of The Last Persecution is an album noted for its stripped-down and stripped-away raw nerve. Differing slightly from his first self-titled release, this record is considered to be more raucous, more guitar-oriented, alongside some simple piano. Great guitar playing from Ray Russell, who is co-credited with producing and arranging the album.'

'Bill Fay is an enigmatic UK based singer, songwriter and pianist whose work is impossible to categorise. His late '60s and early '70s work has a strong cult following, is highly regarded my many music journalists and is dark and haunting with songs rarely going over three minutes. Bill was originally signed to Decca and between 1967 and 1971 the label released a beautifully odd single ('Some Good Advice'/.'Screams In The Ears') and two excellent albums (the lushly orchestrated Bill Fay and the rawer, more rock-oriented Time Of The Last Persecution). Bill's fantastic songs have touched and inspired many - his fans include country rockers Wilco, songwriter/producer Jim O'Rourke, Ben Chasny of Six Organs Of Admittance and David Michael of Current 93.'

''Time Of The Last Persecution' is a bonafide classic album, the kind you will keep going back to until the day you die. The fact that, beyond the occasional mention in Mojo (and that for his first album), Fay remains practically unknown is almost incomprehensible. This album makes a mockery of lesser figures who have persisted in the music crits' lexicon, and while the likes of Dylan are certainly a touchstone for him, Fay really is in a class of his own here.' - Headheritage

'Bill Fay recorded two of the most beguiling and original albums of their time. A Londoner who'd studied electronics at Bangor University before deciding to pursue a career in music, he came to Decca's attention via Honeybus's manager Terry Noon early in 1967 and his sole single, Some Good Advice, appeared that August. It's now one of the hardest Deram 45s to locate. Backed by The Fingers and produced by Peter Eden, who'd discovered Donovan and was later to produce The Crocheted Doughnut Ring, Heron and others, it was a haunting message song whose surreal piano-led flipside hinted at the darker themes he'd later explore. Decca declined to issue a follow-up, so Fay accepted a bizarre range of temporary jobs while continuing to write. His demos from the time are compiled on the excellent From The Bottom Of An Old Grandfather Clock compilation and included the memorable Maxine's Parlour, recorded by Pinkerton's Assorted Colours. Eden hadn't forgotten Fay, however, and when Decca announced its budget Nova series in 1969, he negotiated an album deal. Recording of his debut began with Honeybus backing him, but when Pete Dello left the band, the sessions were started again, this time with orchestral arrangements courtesy of Mike Gibbs (a jazzman who made a couple of rare Deram albums himself). Though is was largely recorded in a day, and with no second takes, it's delightfully original and rounded, containing excellent songs like the dramatic The Sun Is Bored, the aching Cannons Plain and the beautiful Be Not So Fearful. Fay barely played live, however, and radio play proved elusive, so it slipped into obscurity despite being relaunched in the late summer of 1970 following a glowing review in ZigZag. All was not lost, though. Fay's friendship with Dello had awakened an interest in religion and philosophy that guitarist Ray Russell (who'd played on his debut and went on to form Running Man and Mouse, among many other projects) had encouraged. When Decca authorized a follow-up, Eden suggested Russell produce it in his place. The result, the partly-improvised Time Of The Last Persecution, was recorded in a single day in October 1970 and stands as one of the more challenging and personal records to emerge from England in the period. Showcasing Fay's warm singing and delicate piano playing alongside Russell's astounding guitar style and some remarkably powerful drumming from Alan Rushton, its' an often unbearably intense and poignant account of his personal, political and spiritual struggles, alternating simple songs of great beauty (I Hear You Calling) with squalling epics (Till The Christ Comes Back) and unreservedly recommended to anyone with adventurous tastes.' - The Tapestry Of Delights

Tracks on this CD are as follows:

• Omega Day
• Don't Let My Marigolds Die
• I Hear You Calling
• Dust Filled Room
• 'Til The Christ Comes Back
• Release Is In The Eye
• Laughing Man
• Inside The Keepers Pantry
• Tell It Like It Is
• Plan D
• Pictures Of Adolf Again
• Time Of The Last Persecution
• Come A Day
• Let All The Other Teddies Know

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