Photo: Press
The only recorded live video footage of masterful English songwriter Bill Fay on the internet has been dug out today. You can watch the stunning Jools Holland performance of 'The Never Ending Happening' on Gigwise below.
Fay is the only performer apart from Scott Walker that requested his performance have no audience during his set so there's complete focus on Fay at the grand piano and a profound stillness. This is a beautifully played, tear-jerker of a song. It was performed in 2012 when Fay was out promoting Life Is People, his first proper album since his second LP in 1971.
Okkervil River and The War On Drugs, Jim O'Rourke, Jeff Tweedy and Nick Cave are all fans of his work. In particular on this performance the parallels between Cave and Fay at their most brittle and overwhelmed by the word become apparent.
He's someone that once gets under your skin, becomes an obsession and a regular go-to on your home stereo. Fay's an under-celebrated gentle genius that will always stand the test of time.
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