Bill Fay is perhaps one of the UK's best-kept secrets. A true songwriter like John Lennon or Leonard Cohen were at the time of the release of his first two (and only) albums in 1970 (Bill Fay) and 1971 (Time Of The Last Persecution). Two albums that led to his record label dropping him, but also garnered him a true cult following among connoisseurs, including Nick Cave, Jeff Tweedy (Wilco), Jim O'Rourke, and David Tibet (Current 93). The two albums were reissued in 1998, followed by collections of unreleased tracks and demos in the early 2000s. Now nearly 70, after a life of odd jobs and uninterrupted (and until now private) musical writing, Bill Fay is releasing his first real studio album since 1971; a series of powerful tracks with a humanist, intimate, and universal vision. A life lesson on the humility that everyone should adopt in this materialistic and greedy world. His masterpiece, undoubtedly. He was notably motivated by American producer Joshua Henry, a fan since he was young, who delved into the great man's demos and assembled around him guitarist Matt Deighton (Oasis, Paul Weller, Mother Earth), drummer Tim Weller (who has played with almost everyone, from Will Young to Noel Gallagher and Goldfrapp), and keyboardist Mikey Rowe (High Flying Birds, Stevie Nicks, etc.). In addition, two musicians from the second album Time Of The Last Persecution are also present on Life is People: Ray Russell and Alan Rushton. Add to this group a magnificent cello, or a string quartet, a gospel choir, organs, and electric or acoustic guitars for arrangements ranging from the intimate to the cosmic, all carried by one of the great English voices of the century. Notably, Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) lends his voice to the track "This World," while Bill Fay delivers a delightful cover of Wilco's "Jesus etc"!
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