Bill Fay - Time Of The Last Persecution - Deram LP 1971

	£		414
	$		494

Bill Fay – Time Of The Last Persecution

Deram SML 1079 Stereo 1971

Matrix Numbers:-

ZAL -10287 P-2D

ZAL - 10288P-2D

Second album by pianist/singer/songwriter Bill Fay. Recorded at the end of 1970 and released the following year. Sombre but interesting stuff. I can't top a quote from the review listed below:-

“The album is filled with end times imagery and apocalyptic language, but somehow Fay manages to keep it personal and intimate, caught between imparting dread knowledge while trying to spread some kind of reassurance.”

Clearly Ray Russell has a major hand in the arrangements with loads of guitar parts augmenting the basic tunes. His playing here is a long way from the smooth sound of his Bergerac theme. Oh yes. Guitar wig-out with free form jazz interludes courtesy of Nick Evans and Co.

Brilliant bass playing from Daryl Runswick who made a number of albums with Ray Russell and Alan Rushton at the start of the 70's. We expect nothing less from the author of “Rock, Jazz and Pop Arranging”.

A pretty comprehensive review of this album, or its CD re-issue, can be found at http://www.headheritage.co.uk/unsung/review/817

Enough of my ramblings, let's cut to the chase:-

The outer sleeve has worn lower corners and the curve of the LP can be seen particularly from the back. Should have been laminated. I've include photos to highlight these flaws and, in consequence, grade the sleeve very good rather than excellent.

The inner is a plastic lined blue Deram sleeve. This has a few marks which I believe are caused by the adhesive rather than foxing.

The disc is in very good* condition. There is a certain amount of static sound on the first track and 3 minor clicks as side 2 starts. I'm being cautious and not saying that it is “Excellent”. You can see from the picture that this is a red label Deram disc.

You should confirm the sound quality for yourself on the attached eCommerce Player. (In fact my request/demand is that you listen before placing any bid.) You would certainly know it was vinyl but I guess that's what you are seeking.

(This album recorded on my Rega 3 turntable with a Goldring 1012 GX cartridge using “Audacity”, exported as two 128 kbps MP3 files and uploaded into eCommerce Player. No editing whatsoever)

Side 1:

1. Omega Day

2. Don't Let My Marigolds Die

3. I Hear You Calling

4. Dust Filled Room

5. 'till The Christ comes Back

6. Release Is In The Eye

7. Laughing Man

Side 2:

1. Inside The Keeper's Pantry

2. Tell It Like It Is

3. Plan D

4. Pictures Of Adolf Again

5. Time Of The Last Persecution

6. Come A Day

7. Let All The Other Teddies Know

Words and Music by Bill Fay

Arranged and Produced by Bill Fay and Ray Russell

Piano,Vocal : Bill Fay

Guitars: Ray Russell

Drums: Alan Rushton

Acoustic & Electric Bass: Daryl Runswick

Tenor, Alto Flute: Tony Roberts

Trombone: Nick Evans

Trumpet: Bud Parkes

Recorded in October 1970

Photographs and sound files are of the item at auction.

Apologies for any “typos” and my Cavalier use of upper and lower case text.

I am sure you will be satisfied with your copy of Bill Fay's “Time Of The Last Persecution”, but should there be any issues with incorrect listing or quality, please contact me via e-mail before leaving negative feedback. If you still feel the description to be misleading, I will be happy to organise a refund, not including postage and packing, on its safe return to me.

* As per Record Collector Magazine's Grading Guide reproduced below.

Record will be send using a “Music Omax” cruciform mailer. I reckon this to be a step up from a mailer with a stiffener insert. You may check over www.royalmail.com to see that I'm just trying to cover the cost of "signed for" postage.

Dispatch to UK E.U., USA, Canada, Japan, Australia.

Payment by PAYPAL only. Payment within 7 days of end of auction.

UK Dispatch by First Class Mail (Signed For)

E.U., U.S.A.,Canada, Australia and Japan dispatch by “International Signed For” service from Royal Mail.

Record Collector Magazine's Grading Guide:

MINT: The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

EXCELLENT: The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and / or creasing.

VERY GOOD: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

GOOD: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

FAIR: The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and / or defaced.

POOR: The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing.

BAD: The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection filler.