Bill Fay - Life is People

I am currently listening to what I consider to be the best albums of the year in an attempt to decide upon my top three. More on this in due course but one album that is sure to make the final cut is 'Life is People' by Bill Fay.

I first became acquainted with his name through a 3 CD compilation set entitled 'Strange Pleasures: Further Sounds of the Decca Underground', which features three of his songs, one of which was the title track from his 1971 Deram album, 'Time of the Last Persecution'. I quickly sought out that album and immediately became a 'fan' of this critically acclaimed but commercially unsuccessful gem.

As a massive fan of American band Wilco, I was intrigued by a song performed by Jeff Tweedy during the excellent documentary DVD 'I Am Trying to Break Your Heart'. The song in question turned out to be called 'Be Not So Fearful' which was written by Fay and appeared on his first album in 1970. So what became of Bill Fay after 1971? Well, not a lot it would seem. Dropped by his record company, he did return to the studios in the 1970's but the results were not released until 2005 when 'Tomorrow, Tomorrow & Tomorrow'  appeared on a small independent label, credited to The Bill Fay Group. In the same year a wonderful collection of demos was issued entitled 'From the Bottom of an Old Grandfather Clock'. And although Fay has continued to live in London and write songs, that has been the sum of his recorded output until earlier this year.

'Life is People' is a collection of twelve songs, eleven of which were written by Fay. Comparisons have been made to Randy Newman, Nick Drake and Leonard Cohen but musically this album offers so much more. The hymnal 'The Healing Day' evokes Procol Harum while the following 'City of Dreams' begins like something from Pink Floyd. After 'The Never Ending Happening' in which Fay sounds world weary over his own beautiful piano accompaniment, the more upbeat 'This World' features Fay and Jeff Tweedy taking the lead vocals on alternate verses.

Religious themes recur throughout the album and the organ and choir on 'Be at Peace with Yourself' is almost churchlike. It seems appropriate therefore that the following track should be a cover of Jeff Tweedy's own 'Jesus etc.'. With just Fay singing the beautiful melody over block piano chords, the result is simply astonishing.

At 69 years of age, Fay is a contemporary of others who have released albums this year. Namely, Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Leonard Cohen. He has never attained their level of success and I suspect he now never will. Forty years is a very long time to wait for a follow-up album but hopefully we will not have to wait much longer for his next effort. Until it comes, I suggest you immerse yourself in this album and his meagre, but wonderful, back catalogue. I hope and trust you will not regret it.