If, for some artists, “legend” is a common-place signifier, for Bill Fay it’s a plan-truth descriptor. Most people presumed the singer-songwriter dead when, after his two albums – the self-titled 1970 debut and the following year’s “Time Of The Last Persecution” – were released, Fay dropped from everybody’s radar only to resurface in 2007, when, thanks to WILCO’s Jeff Tweedy, who was fascinated by Bill’s apocalyptic vision, first covered the veteran’s song and then brought him back to the stage. But now there’s no doubt in the Englishman’s demise, as he passed away in London on February 21st at the age of 81.
At the time of his departure for the better world, Fay was working on a new record which would pick up where 2020’s “Countless Branches” left off, the unfinished platter planned to become Bill’s fourth post-return longplay, another offering of his to feature remarkable songs featuring an old friend Ray Russell on guitar. Such lifelong commitments may speak volumes of the great musician’s talents, yet volume has never been a prominent aspect of his creations – and can his attitude to life be expressed more eloquently than in this verse:
“Peace be in your breath and in your sighing
Peace be in your jack and in your blade
And peace be in your Sunday picnic
And your old school friends who’ve passed away”?
Sleep well, Bill.
