Bill Fay
Posted by: graham55 on 12 October 2005
A quite superb singer/songwriter, who released two epic albums in the early 1970's and then disappeared from sight.
His two albums have just been re-released on CD and were rapturously reviewed in Mojo. Quite wonderful, and it's very surprising to me that Naim users, who like good music, haven't picked up on these!
Graham
His two albums have just been re-released on CD and were rapturously reviewed in Mojo. Quite wonderful, and it's very surprising to me that Naim users, who like good music, haven't picked up on these!
Graham
Posted on: 12 October 2005 by Diode100
I'm familiar with the name, but never actually heard any of his work. Didn't he use the Small Faces as a backing band on some tracks ?
Posted on: 14 October 2005 by graham55
I don't think that there are any Small Faces involved, but that's just going by the sleevenotes and the fact that I don't hear different backing voices.
Still highly recommended, though, despite their apparent absence!
Graham
Still highly recommended, though, despite their apparent absence!
Graham
Posted on: 14 October 2005 by Guido Fawkes
Diode100, are you thinking of Billy Nichols "Would You Believe" is a superb album, where he is backed by the Small Faces.
I hadn't heard of Bill Fay - what style is he, Graham?
Rotf
I hadn't heard of Bill Fay - what style is he, Graham?
Rotf
Posted on: 14 October 2005 by graham55
Rotf
Think Ray Davies (w/o Kinks), Bob Dylan (pre and post electric), Nick Drake, Donovan (but heavier) or even the sainted Syd Barret. Mix them all up, and you might get some idea, although you wouldn't really be close!
He's very much his own man, but I can't imagine many being disappointed. Indeed, he's very much the kind of musician who could and should record for the Naim label. So, now that he's resurfaced, why not give him an audition, Anna? I'm quite serious!
Graham
Think Ray Davies (w/o Kinks), Bob Dylan (pre and post electric), Nick Drake, Donovan (but heavier) or even the sainted Syd Barret. Mix them all up, and you might get some idea, although you wouldn't really be close!
He's very much his own man, but I can't imagine many being disappointed. Indeed, he's very much the kind of musician who could and should record for the Naim label. So, now that he's resurfaced, why not give him an audition, Anna? I'm quite serious!
Graham
Posted on: 14 October 2005 by Guido Fawkes
Thanks Graham
Had a listen to some samples on Amazon, sounds pretty amazing reminds me of Tom Rapp, who I really like. Have ordered "Time of the Last Persecution"
Rotf
Had a listen to some samples on Amazon, sounds pretty amazing reminds me of Tom Rapp, who I really like. Have ordered "Time of the Last Persecution"
Rotf
Posted on: 14 October 2005 by Diode100
quote:Originally posted by ROTF:
Diode100, are you thinking of Billy Nichols "Would You Believe" is a superb album, where he is backed by the Small Faces.
I hadn't heard of Bill Fay - what style is he, Graham?
Rotf
Yes, of course, Billy Nichols, my mistake. He was part of the Immediate roster.
Just too many damn Bills in this world.
Posted on: 15 October 2005 by Mike Hughes
I bought the first album and found that all the artists referenced previously came nowhere near. At first I thought it too hippified and parochial (like someone who'd never been outside but wanted to write about it) and then I slowly grew to love it. It's a one off and highly recommended to anyone who wants to discover a lost artist with if not an original voice then a highly individualised one.
Great stuff. Second album is on the Christmas list.
Mike
Great stuff. Second album is on the Christmas list.
Mike
Posted on: 15 October 2005 by Mike Hughes
Sorry to post again so quickly but I forgot to say that one of the things that drew me in is that it is the most uncompressed recording I had heard in sometime and all the more powerful for it.
Mike
Mike
Posted on: 30 October 2005 by graham55
Mike
I'm sure that, when you get your (no doubt well-deserved) Chhristmas present, you'll see that the first record had a rather different sound to the second. But I agree (and said above) that Bill Fay doesn't sound like the names I gave above. How do you describe an original?
It's just awfully sad that so few people here have, apparently, taken up the invitation to listen to this music. I think that the man was/is touched with a genius that is so far ahead of what passes so often for music.
But there you go!
Graham
I'm sure that, when you get your (no doubt well-deserved) Chhristmas present, you'll see that the first record had a rather different sound to the second. But I agree (and said above) that Bill Fay doesn't sound like the names I gave above. How do you describe an original?
It's just awfully sad that so few people here have, apparently, taken up the invitation to listen to this music. I think that the man was/is touched with a genius that is so far ahead of what passes so often for music.
But there you go!
Graham
Posted on: 30 October 2005 by Guido Fawkes
Have now received and listened to "Time of the Last Persecution" - really excellent my thanks to Graham for the recommendation
Rotf
Rotf
Posted on: 25 November 2005 by graham55
I'm listening to these two CDs yet again tonight. They are truly exceptionally good. I do wish that I could persuade more of you to try them.
Graham
Graham