British folk rock troubadour BILL FAY released a single two albums on Deram in 1970-1971 that were largely ignored by both the music press the record buying public. The records quickly fell out of print outside of a growing cult following he was considered a lost artist lumped into the same category as Nick Drake or Jackson C. Frank. But that started to change in 1998 when See For Miles re-issued both albums the 45 on CD to much critical acclaim. Bill Fay was found still alive well he provided Wooden Hill with his demos recorded from 1966-1979 which were released as From The Bottom of an Old Grandfather s Clock in 2004. 2005 finally saw the release of Tomorrow, Tomorrow Tomorrow which was to have been his 3rd album recorded in the late 1970s. And then lo behold, an all new LP Life Is People appeared in 2012 followed by two more records of new songs by 2020. Bill Fay is now receiving great reviews is even on the road performing 50 years worth of material. 1971s Time Of The Last Persecution is his 2nd LP is more stripped down than the heavily orchestrated eponymous 1970 debut. He is working in a more traditional rock environment of guitar, bass, drums piano this time around. The excellent lead guitar work w/psychedelic touches is handled by Ray Russell who was a founding member of cult favorites Running Man Mouse of Lady Killer fame. Fellow Mouse band mate Alan Rushton plays drums, Daryl Runswick is on bass while Bill Fay himself plays piano sings. Despite Bill s forlorn look on the cover, this album contained some of his best songs- Omega Day , Til The Christ Comes Back , Plan D especially the title track Time Of The Last Persecution with it s apocalyptic message akin to some of Leonard Cohen s darker moments. A great record from an unsung talent that is finally getting his moment in the sun.
