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24th May 2007
Hi
Bill Fay made a surprise appearance singing with US rock band Wilco on the 21st May at their Shepherd’s Bush Empire gig. Wilco and Fay performed “Be Not So Fearful” as part of that night’s encore. As I’m sure you are aware, this marks the first time Bill Fay has performed on stage since the 1970s! Thanks to everyone who emailed to inform me of this most significant event.
Here are some relevant excerpts from reviews of the gig found online (links to the full articles are underneath):
“At the end of a nearly two-hour set, (Jeff) Tweedy (vocals/guitar in Wilco) introduces Bill Fay. "Since we discovered this man's records six years ago I can't think of anyone whose records have meant more in my life," Tweedy says.
It's a grand statement, and, as they begin the duet "Be Not So Fearful", a still silence and wonder fall upon the crowd, to breath-catching emotive effect”
By Elisa Bray (The Independent Online Edition)
http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/music/reviews/article2568459.ece
“Wilco's influence over other musicians now appears to extend to bringing them back from the dead. The Chicago sextet, an inspiration to numerous younger bands thanks to their take on country and classic US rock, last night persuaded British singer-songwriter Bill Fay to make his first appearance on stage for more than 30 years.
Fay sold very few copies of two albums around the end of the Sixties, but Wilco leader Jeff Tweedy's wholehearted admiration brought him briefly out of the shadows here, to sing a short, touching version of his ballad Be Not So Fearful”
By David Smyth (The Evening Standard)
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/gig-23363305-details/Wilco/gigReview.do?reviewId=23397451
“After nearly two hours, Tweedy called on a special guest, and a slightly sheepish looking greybeard came on. This, amazingly, was Bill Fay - a big hero of mine, as regular readers of Wild Mercury Sound will know. Fay's three albums are incredible treasures of British music, which I could vaguely describe as a cross between Syd Barrett and Scott Walker, though such simplification does them a gross disservice. I think we have a track from his first album on the next free Uncut CD.
Anyway, Fay hasn't been on a stage for over 30 years, though an ongoing mutual appreciation between him and Wilco meant they almost talked him into a duet at Hammersmith Apollo on the "Ghost Is Born" tour. Both Tweedy and Fay have talked to me about all this, and I feared that their anxious desire not to disturb each other might mean they would never get it together.
But they do. Fay duets on a version of his own, gorgeous "Be Not So Fearful", his warm and quavering vocals buried a little behind those of Tweedy - I suspect because Fay was too nervous to sing on his own. It's a wonderful moment, though. Let's hope that one of our greatest and most neglected singer-songwriters can be gently eased back into the spotlight now - like another auspicious recluse, Vashti Bunyan, was a couple of years ago”
By John Mulvey (Wild Mercury Sound – Uncut.co.uk)
http://www.uncut.co.uk/blog/index.php?blog=6&p=170&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more170
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In other news, Bill Fay contributed an exclusive recording entitled “Pear Tree Tomorrow” to “SuperTexture”- the latest album by guitarist Gary Smith (of the Bill Fay Group, Aufgehoben and others).
“SuperTexture” is a 2 CD release- “Pear Tree Tomorrow” is included on the 2nd disc of “treatments, interpretations and re-imaginings” of the material on the 1st disc.
For more information please visit the relevant page at the Sijis website HERE
http://www.sijis.com/sijis_index.cfm?mainspace=release&catalogid=siji14
Sorry to everyone for not reporting on this sooner.
29th July 2006
Hi everyone, it’s happy news time again. You’ll be pleased to know that the vinyl edition of the Bill Fay Group’s Tomorrow Tomorrow and Tomorrow is now available to buy. Here’s some blurb about the 12” wonder from both Durtro and Drag City who speak great things far more eloquently than I ever could, would and/or should. So, over to them…
“Drag City have released a vinyl version of the Durtro CD by Bill Fay group. This LP release of Tomorrow Tomorrow and Tomorrow features a new mastering of the material, a remix of 'Planet Earth, Daytime' extending the song's length, and the inclusion of three tracks not on the Durtro CD ('Change Is Near', 'Pear Tree' and 'My Friend') in place of a montage of songs (tracks 6–14 on the Durtro CD). Additionally, Bill Fay has written extensive liner notes for inclusion in this new package.
Gary Smith, of The Bill Fay Group, wrote this to me today: "Obviously the vinyl release has to differ from the Durtro CD, losing songs along the way but gaining unreleased material. New artwork, unseen photos and extensive sleeve notes from Bill Fay talking about the album's genesis, thoughts on songs and other topics complete the package.
"Gaining access to the original multi-tracks has made it possible to delve deeper into the recordings of The Bill Fay Group (although this is just the start for remixing, unearthing forgotten music et cetera) so we have previously unheard songs such as 'Change Is Near', used as an introduction but extracted from a longer version; 'My Friend' with its personal and touching lyric, the enigmatic 'Pear Tree'. There's a remix of ' Tomorrow Tomorrow and Tomorrow ' and the central panel of 'Planet Earth, Daytime' has been extended. And, with patience, there is more to be found."
“The Bill Fay Group first came to light about two years ago — and over twenty years after they finished recording their album! But rock and roll time is a funny thing, and Tomorrow Tomorrow and Tomorrow is just the latest example of how oddly things grow and change over the years. Bill Fay was already a legendary figure for his two early-70s records, Bill Fay and Time of the Last Persecution, both of which didn’t sell much but are still being talked about and enjoyed by open-eared listeners to this day. Outside of the record industry by the late 70s, he hooked up with a trio of young men called The Acme Quartet (no fools, these lads) and began to make recordings that occupied a completely different space than his initial records. The twist? They couldn’t find anyone to put them out! Not until the scary-but-actually-quite-nice folks at Jnana/Durtro came calling in 2004, that is. We’re following behind with this vinyl version — a different sequence with a few songs less and a few songs more that we think you’ll find quite exquisite. Tomorrow Tomorrow and Tomorrow is now out on the format it was intended to be released on: vinyl!”
Also, for the completists among us, here’s EVEN MORE informative blurb stolen absolutely ages ago from Drag City but only reproduced here now…later. Bill Fay dot Co dot UK- with its finger on the pulse…
“Meanwhile, over in England, future cult legend Bill Fay was living rough. A London recording artist at the turn of the decade, he hadn’t recorded since the sessions for Time of the Last Persecution in 1970. Now, seven years later, he found himself playing the odd gig here and there. One night down the club, he met Gary Smith, Rauf Galip and Bill Stratton, performing their improvisations under the name The Acme Quartet. Mutual admiration led to suggestions of collaboration — and over the next four years, they recorded material for a new Bill Fay album, to be released under the democratic name The Bill Fay Group. In 1981, with a full complement of songs, they failed to find a single excited label, agent or person in the entire industry as they
knew it. And then the tides of time rolled in. Fourteen years later, the good (and frightening) people at Durtro Jnana were excited and rolled the bones. The Bill Fay Group’s CD, Tomorrow Tomorrow and Tomorrow was one of the year’s most unpredictable releases. Now comes one of this year’s most unpredictable vinyl reissues. With a different track listing featuring songs not found on the CD and notes from Bill Fay not included on the CD, the LP version will provide vinyl fans, lost music junkies and aficionados of fine music a different view to a rare moment, Tomorrow Tomorrow and Tomorrow”.
Payday is this Monday so you have no reason not to buy this latest slice of BF wonderment from DRAG CITY and all the usual places.
3rd March 2006
Some news directly from Gary Smith (guitarist with the Bill Fay Group):
“We've just finished mixing songs (unreleased) for a vinyl
version of the Tomorrow… album for Drag
City in the USA. The artwork is near completion and there will be new
liner notes by Bill.
Bill has contributed a new piece for an upcoming album of mine.
The Bill Fay Group will be recording new material shortly”
Info is available at www.garysmith.org
More news when we get it.
********************
Also, some news from Jnana records:
MSF compilation:
“All the parts of the comp are in! We are assembling for the
next few days, but all pre-orders will be out this week. Please allow
a couple of weeks for them to arrive before asking! Due to the sheer amount
of work involved, it seems very likely that they won’t appear in
stores until the end of the month.
Thanks again to everyone who pre-ordered! The price in our shop will remain
at US $24.99, so please encourage all your friends to buy it here! Not
only will they save money, but it will also allow us to donate the maximum
amount to MSF!
Ordering information: Orders are being taken from our
shop.
The cost is US $24.99, with postage and packing charges being $7.50 for
North American orders and $13.50 for international orders. (Due to this
release comprising 5 CDs in a box with a large booklet, the weight is
such that the postal rates are high. We are charging the actual postage
rate.)”
www.jnanarecords.com
This compilation features a BRAND NEW Bill Fay song entitled “It’s
The Small Things Now”- a beautiful home recording- as well as previously
unreleased gems from a whole host of FANTASTIC musicians. I urge everyone
to order a copy as soon as they can- 5 discs’ worth of amazing music
and the proceeds go to an extremely worthy cause! Get to it.
********************
Lastly…
I’ve been lying to you all for some time now…saying everything
was up to date,
when in fact, the LINKS page was still a diabolical mess…
Well, my people…I lie no more:
8th December 2005
OK, so *now* the site is FULLY up to date. Go and see for yourself! Something new, even in the dingiest of nooks! Isn’t that great?
I was intuitive enough to buy a copy of this month’s MOJO on Monday (MMMMM indeed!). My spirit, having penetrated even the ghastly cover image of Bruce Springsteen with his shirt open, sensed the publication contained the words ‘Bill’ and ‘Fay’ placed next to each other in a manner that would suggest they referred to the subject of this humble website.
I was correct (of course, as I am magic) but I do not recommend, even for a split second, or indeed the type of second that is not much longer than an amoeba’s co…ugh, that you rush out and buy it on the strength of the above paragraph. As it’s not much. And anyway, watch in awe as I reproduce the ‘article’ in all its glory LIVE! YES! FOR YOU! Consider yourself lucky, or indeed BLESSED:
Page 62
‘Reissues Of The Year’
17. Bill Fay Time Of The Last Persecution (Eclectic)
“The long lost, out-there classic of UK singer-songwriterdom rediscovered. Nick Drake be damned”
I’m guessing they forgot to put it a few places higher.
While we’re on the subject of end of year lists, I’d like to mention once again the LONG awaited and subsequently MUCH welcomed Bill Fay Group album Tomorrow, Tomorrow & Tomorrow which emerged so gracefully from its hiding place in January. It’s a truly sublime release- full of subtly powerful songs, haunting melodies and touching lyrics. “Strange Stairway”, “We Are Raised”, “Spiritual Mansions” and “Love Is The Tune” in particular floored me with their beauty.
2005 has been, for me, a fantastic year for music and I consider Tomorrow… to be one of it’s finest releases, alongside similarly glorious returns to the limelight from Simon Finn and Vashti Bunyan (Magic Moments and Lookaftering respectively), not to mention albums from Antony & The Johnsons, Six Organs Of Admittance, Alasdair Roberts, Josephine Foster, M. Ward, Animal Collective, Devendra Banhart, The Skygreen Leopards, Nurse With Wound, Spires That In The Sunset Rise, August Born, Currituck Co., beautiful live albums from Baby Dee and Current 93, and of course the sparkling handful of releases from The Golden Gonk (BA Hons).
My deepest thanks to everyone involved with the release of Tomorrow… and of course to the Bill Fay Group for creating such wonderful music in the first place.
Thanks also to Eclectic Discs for reissuing Bill Fay and Time Of The Last Persecution in the spring. While I’m sure those lucky enough to own the See For Miles ‘twofer’ (OOOOOOH, I’VE GOT THAT!!!) were incensed that their little musical secret was once again available to every man, woman, dog, cat…rabbit, even…and – GASP – was being written about in every magazine and ‘blog’ known to man, woman, dog etc., let’s be honest it was a great disservice to such a fantastic songwriter that his MASTERFUL albums were out of print. And now they’re with us again. For which we are truly thankful.
Finally, thanks to everyone who has visited our site and emailed this year. It’s been higgledypiggledytopsyturvyhow’syerfather with a fair chunk of the summer spent in offline hell and – GASP YET AGAIN – I’ve still not replied to about 4 month’s worth of emails. But alas- the wheel keeps turning, the river keeps running, the fish keep swimming down said river, Musick To Play In The Dark keeps going for too much on eBay and Jandek keeps releasing 5 albums a month.
Sorry, I’ve no idea where I’m going with this one.
So, in the words of Wizzard and other greats, MERRY CHRISTMAS.
I expect that’s all until 2006.
*COLLECTIVE CHEER*
Love with tinsel on,
Jamie
24th November 2005
Hello.
So here we are again. It’s been many moons since the last update and we’ve exceeded our bandwidth maaaaany times in this, err, time. YOU JUST LOVE US TOO MUCH! So thanks for that. Your enthusiasm. For the site.
I had originally intended to update much sooner but boring things like ‘finishing a degree’ and ‘having a poorly PC’ got in the way. Not to mention a rekindled obsession with such trash as Hollyoaks (hi Nancy!) and The X-Factor (sick, I know) and the inevitable chronic laziness. Really sorry!
Also, sorry to anyone who emailed me in the past few weeks…OK, months- if your email was nice enough then maybe I’ll reply soon! You never know. Oh, and we’ve been online over a year now! How great is that?! We toyed with the idea of decorating the site with strategically placed balloons and birthday cakes to celebrate but decided to leave it ‘til next year. So that’s something to look forward to.
But enough awkwardly constructed sentences, here’s a comprehensive list of all the exciting updates to the site. Brace yourself:
• REVIEW of the Eclectic Discs
reissues from The Brooklyn Rail by David Shirley
• ARTICLE from the September
2004 edition of Record Collector by Richard Morton Jack
• Various stuff done to the LINKS page
• The ABOUT page made better
And finally, some news:
THE WIRE
There’s an interview with improv guitar GOD Ray Russell in this month’s edition of THE WIRE (with Lightning Bolt on the cover). This includes a short section on Bill and the time they worked together in the early ‘70s. Well worth reading.
**********
An update on the MSF compilation
“All 5 discs are sequenced and mastered. We are just waiting for
the mechanical licenses to arrive for the 5 tracks which are cover versions,
and then we can begin to press. As such, we've decided to hold off pre-orders
for a couple of weeks. The pressing plants are backed up with all the
greatest hits packages etc that are being pumped out for Christmas, so
I don't have a definite date on which we'll get the CDs back. So, things
are moving along, albeit a bit more slowly than we'd like. Suffice to
say, we are in the final stages of this massive undertaking. Thanks to
all the people who have been writing in asking about the set. I do think
it will be well worth the wait.”
[taken from JNANA RECORDS]
In case you’re sat there mouthing “what the…” at your screen, this compilation will feature a track by Bill Fay. For more info and a full list of the artists involved see further down this page. Set aside a few hours as there are TONS of people on there! I kneel in the long shadow of their excellence.
*************
So that’s it for now. Thanks to David and Richard for letting me use those articles on the site. If anyone else has something to contribute, just email and we’ll do the rest. Some day. But please, no more ‘fan fiction’. Thanks.
LOVE YOU
Jamie
4th July 2005
For those of you who missed the interview with Bill last night on BBC6 Music, shame on you…oops, I mean here’s a list of songs he brought along to play on air during the interview:
The Fingers – “I Hear The Sun”
Colin Hare – “Find Me”
Pete Dello – “Hear Me Only”
The Gary Burton Quartet – “Throb” (a Michael Gibbs composition)
Ray Russell – “Q”
Gary Smith – title tbc
As you can see, all people Bill has worked with (The Fingers backed him on the “Some Good Advice” single, Hare and Dello were members of Honeybus who cut many demos with Bill in the ‘60s, Gibbs scored the orchestral arrangements on the Bill Fay album while Ray Russell and Gary Smith were Bill’s guitarists on the two Decca albums and Tomorrow, Tomorrow & Tomorrow respectively). Was really great of Bill to showcase this little-heard music from such underrated figures from the fascinating world of ‘60s and ‘70s music.
29th June 2005
My apologies for the lack of updates recently. Consider my wrists slapped for this unequivocal laziness. I’ve a feeling the following news will more than make up for my shortcomings though…
BILL FAY ON DIGITAL RADIO SUNDAY JULY 3RD 2005!
Singer/songwriter and huge Bill Fay fan Matt Deighton got in touch to tell me about his and Bill’s appearance on BBC6 Music’s ‘Freak Zone’ show. A quick glance at their website blessed me with the following information:
”We return after a week off thanks to 6 Music's must-listen Glastonbury coverage, with live guests Bill Fay and Matt Deighton.
Former Mother Earth frontman, Deighton talks about his new album Wake Up The Moths, featuring covers of Fay's songs. And 60s/70s singer/songwriter, Fay tells us about the re-issue of his albums Bill Fay and Time Of The Last Persecution.”
Me again. July 3rd’s ‘Freak Zone’ broadcasts between 17.00-20.00. If you have access to BBC6 Music DO NOT MISS IT! As I’m sure you are all aware, Bill Fay interviews are very much like platinum crested hen’s teeth inside a small pouch fashioned from dodo feathers (which may or may not be hanging around the neck of a unicorn, stood on the deck of the ark) so be sure to tune in or wind up or whatever it is you do to work digital radio.
To view the webpage from which I pinched the above info go here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/shows/freakzone/
For everything you wanted to know about BBC6 Music but were just too damn afraid to ask you’ll be wanting to look here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/whatson/
*********
Now for the bit I should’ve told you about a month ago.
THE ECLECTIC DISCS REISSUES OF BILL’S FIRST TWO ALBUMS BILL FAY AND TIME OF THE LAST PERSECUTION ARE NOW AVAILABLE TO BUY! It’s true- I even saw one in HMV this afternoon.
No doubt you’re all sat there now screaming “WE KNOW! WE’VE ALL BOUGHT THEM ALREADY!” at your monitors but regardless I’ll add that they’re fantastic looking (and sounding, obviously) things and are available in exchange for your pounds and pence, dollars and cents. And Euros. Etc. Um. From far too many online shops and travelling merchants to possibly go into here. I recommend a visit to the links section for a list of what I consider to be the finest of these purchasing outlets. Then again if you’re uncomfortable leaving your card details in the hands of strangers you could buy them from actual real-living-breathing shops in a town or village near you.
I was clever enough to miss both the Mojo and Uncut reviews of the reissues but I’m pretty much 1,359% sure they liked ‘em. If anyone has scans/transcriptions carved on stone tablets of these fine Fay features then I would be overjoyed to see them!
*********
In other news, Bill will be contributing liner notes to the Current 93 2-disc retrospective “Judas As Black Moth”, released on Sanctuary/Castle on August 22nd this year.
For full details ya gotta go here:
http://www.durtro.com/newsf.html
*********
Lastly, a big thanks and firm handshake to everyone who’s got in touch about the site. May the emails continue to flow, from your box to mine.
I love you all.
Jamie
21st February 2005
The March 2005 issue of WIRE is out now! The six-page Bill feature is predictably excellent and informative, with a great interview (only the second interview Bill has granted since the ‘70s) and some rare photographs, as well as interviews with guitarists Ray Russell and Gary Smith.
Don’t delay- buy today! Or tomorrow.
7th February 2005
The release date for the CD reissues of Bill's first 2 albums has been confirmed- 21st March. You can pre-order them here: http://www.eclecticdiscs.com
Also, I hear that The Wire magazine are planning some kind of feature on Bill so keep your eyes peeled for that.
22nd January 2005
“The BILL FAY GROUP album, TOMORROW TOMORROW AND TOMORROW has just arrived from the pressing plant so people should start getting their copies in the next couple of weeks. We hope you are as delighted by it as we are. Speaking of Bill Fay, I am sure that many of you will be happy to know that Eclectic Records are reissuing both of his matchless albums that were released on Decca/Deram over 30 years ago. Although these albums, BILL FAY and TIME OF THE LAST PERSECUTION, were available on a '2 albums on 1 CD' release on the UK See For Miles label, this has been deleted for some time and I have seen copies of the CD going for more than $150 on eBay. Bill is in touch with Eclectic concerning their reissue, and they are sure to be wonderful editions. For those who haven't heard Bill Fay: THESE ALBUMS ARE UNEQUALLED. He is as near to perfection as one can be, in my opinion.”
Forthcoming HIV/AIDS compilation
All the tracks, bar one or two, have now been received for the benefit compilation CD set from which all profits go to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontierès' work with people with AIDS and HIV in West Africa. A confirmed list will be announced soon, but we have already received tracks from the following artists. About 99% of them are previously unreleased.
Christina Carter • William Basinski • Bill Fay • Simon
Finn • Six Organs Of Admittance • Michael Gira • Antony
• Jarboe • Devendra Banhart • Pantaleimon • Faun
Fables • Nurse With Wound • Sundial • Current 93 •
Irr. App. (Ext.) • Thighpaulsandra • Little Annie Anxiety
• Jim O'Rourke • Small Creatures (Joseph Budenholzer) •
Michael Yonkers • Michael Masley • Mirror • The Pastels
• Colin Potter • The Hafler Trio • Ghost • Pearls
Before Swine • Jad Fair • Linda Perhacs • Edward Ka-Spel
or Legendary Pink Dots • Einar Örn/Ghostdigital • Taurpis
Tula • Teenage Fanclub • Richard Buckner • Anomoanon
• Hiroyuki Usui/L • Matmos • Thurston Moore •
Shockheaded Peters • John Terrill • Max Richter • AUBE
• Richard Youngs & Alex Neilson • Isobel Campbell •
Allen Ginsberg • David Surkamp (of Pavlov's Dog) • Charlemagne
Palestine • Will Oldham/Bonnie Prince Billy • Marc Almond
• Damon and Naomi • Mount Vernon Astral Temple • Bevis
Frond • Unveiled • James William Hindle • Sorrow •
John Maslen • Larsen • Mr Durt • Calder's Circus (John
Contreras) • Brett Smiley • Cyclobe • Blue Eyed Black
• Vashti Bunyan • Stephanie Volkmar • Howie B •
Tom Recchion
~ taken from durtro.com
17th January 2005
Hello to everyone who stumbled across us during the 2 seconds that our humble site was showing up in the search engines. We’re back! Hope you all enjoyed your Christmas and New Year celebrations and all that. May your 2005s be filled with laughter, good health, love, nice dinners, starry skies and Bill Fay.
GREAT NEWS- Bill’s 3rd album, Tomorrow, Tomorrow & Tomorrow is now available to buy (a little earlier than expected) directly from Jnana’s eBay shop! Here is ze link to ze shop- http://stores.ebay.com/Jnana-Records. Hurry though as they’re selling like proverbial hotcakes. For those of you who think eBay is evil incarnate, if you hang on until the 24th of this month (the CD’s proper release date…I think) then you can pick it up from all the usual places- Midheaven, Highway 61, The Freak Emporium and maybe even Amazon if they can be bothered to get some in stock.
I received my copy today in the post!!! I don’t want to colour anyone’s views on the album before they’ve had a chance to hear it, so I won’t say anything other than it’s very different to his other material…oh, and it’s very good! Thanks to everyone behind the release of the CD and of course to Bill and the group for creating the music in the first place! The discography section has been updated to incorporate this wonderful album. Give me a few weeks and hopefully I’ll have the lyrics transcribed. Hehe.
Speaking of lyrics, the lyrics to Bill Fay, Time Of The Last Persecution, From The Bottom Of An Old Grandfather Clock and the “Some Good Advice”/“Screams In The Ears” single are now 100% accurate. Bill kindly went through my original transcriptions and corrected them, which was totally brilliant of him. He also forwarded a beautiful letter he originally sent to Julian Cope, regarding a couple of the reviews on the Head Heritage site, which I’ll be transcribing for inclusion on billfay.co.uk. So yes, expect that soon!
Lastly, there is a strong possibility that Bill’s amazing first two albums will be reissued on CD later this year. This is fantastic news seeing as the See For Miles ‘twofer’ CD has been out of print for so long. More news on this soon, I hope…
Thank you to everyone who has contacted us with your kind words of support about this site- it was great to hear from you all! We look forward to all future emails!
But anyway, with front page Google dominance but a whisker away, I bid thee farewell, until the next time…
Much love (especially to the girl I saw on the bus this afternoon)
Jamie!
1st November 2004
The release of Tomorrow, Tomorrow & Tomorrow has now been put back until February 2005 due to some problems with the artwork. Hang on in there, folks! In the meantime here's some info on the album, directly from Durtro Jnana:
Durtro Jnana are delighted to announce, at last,
the release of the
legendary BILL FAY GROUP's third, previously unreleased, album, recorded
between 1978 and 1981 and the follow-up to his first 2 albums, BILL FAY
and
TIME OF THE LAST PERSECUTION, both classics and much sought after in the
original vinyl.
With the renewed interest in BILL FAY's past work, the re-issue of his
back
catalogue and even his recently made-available pre-Decca demos (FROM THE
BOTTOM OF AN OLD GRANDFATHER CLOCK), it's surprising to discover that
20
new songs (which combine the best elements of his 2 Decca albums--careful
exploratory arrangements of Bill Fay's songs played with passion) should
have remanined unreleased for over 20 years.
Bill Fay has been portrayed as a mysterious figure who somehow created
2
brilliant albums and then vanished. But, as Bill himself has said, "It
wasn't me who left the music, it was the music business that left me."
Despite having no contract or record company support, he continued to
write, rehearse and play occasional shows, which is where he met, in 1977,
the improvising trio THE ACME QUARTET. A mutual interest in, and respect
for, each other's work led to the decision to collaborate as the BILL
FAY
GROUP.
TOMORROW, TOMORROW AND TOMORROW shows Bill continuing to write thoughtful,
life-affirming songs that, this time, have benefited from extended studio
sessions and input from three equally committed musicians. This CD does
not
consist of demos, out-tales or "alternative" versions of previously
recorded songs. It was planned, and recorded, as Bill's follow-up to TIME
OF THE LAST PERSECUTION. It is his third LP.
TOMORROW, TOMORROW AND TOMORROW: BILL FAY GROUP
FULL TRACK LIST:
STRANGE STAIRWAY
SPIRITUAL MANSIONS
PLANET EARTH DAYTIME
GOODNIGHT STAN
TOMORROW, TOMORROW AND TOMORROW
JUST A MOON
TO BE A PART
SAM
LAMP SHINING
TURNING THE PAGES
LOVE IS THE TUNE
AFTER THE REVOLUTION
JERICHO ROAD
STRANGE STAIRWAY (2)
LIFE
HYPOCRITE
MAN
COSMIC BOXER
WE ARE RAISED
ISLES OF SLEEP
TOTAL TIME: 54' 59"
ALL WORDS AND MUSIC BILL FAY, EXCEPT "OUR WORLD"--MUSIC BY GARY
SMITH.
ARRANGED BY BILL FAY GROUP.
Bill Fay: voices and keyboards; Gary Smith: guitars; Rauf Galip: electric
and bowed bass; Bill Stratton: drums.
Durtro Jnana Records is a label of and by David Tibet of Current 93 and
Mark Logan
www.durtro.com
www.jnanarecords.com
26th October 2004
R.I.P. John Peel (1939-2004)
Extremely sad to say that legendary radio broadcaster and all-round amazing music fan John Peel has died at the age of 65. Forever championing the underdog, it was John who gave Bill Fay airplay when nobody else would, back in the day (after Bill had “harangued” him at a charity football match, no less!). John brought so much amazing music, by Bill and hundreds of other bands and artists, to our attention and for this we are truly thankful. Rest in peace, John- we’ll miss you.
6th October 2004
Exciting news with regards to Bill’s late ‘70s/early ‘80s demo and studio recordings (first mentioned in the liner notes to From The Bottom Of An Old Grandfather Clock). Yes, David Tibet’s Durtro Records are releasing these eagerly anticipated songs on a collection entitled Tomorrow, Tomorrow & Tomorrow! According to durtro.com, we can expect a November 2004 release!
Curiously the album is credited to the ‘Bill Fay Group’, which I’m informed is Bill backed by Gary Smith’s jazz-fusion group The Acme Quartet.
David Tibet, we love you.
More news on Tomorrow, Tomorrow & Tomorrow as and when we get it!