Obscure British singer-songwriter Bill FAY made a couple of albums in the early Seventies that matched oblique sub-dylanesque songwriting with unusual arrangements, though it didn't add up to anything notable. He had actually done his first single for Deram back in 1967, introducing his characteristic downbeat melodies and scrambled impressionistic lyrics, though with somewhat more pop-oriented production and melodies than those heard on his albums. It wouldn't be until 1970 that his self-titled debut appeared. His hoarse and thin singing is obviously Bob DYLAN-influenced, but he had the tendency to go distressingly off-key. There was a bit of the British lilting storytelling style to his songwriting, in the path of Al STEWART, DONOVAN and Nick DRAKE. Twee orchestral arrangements figure strongly on the record, as if to cover up for some of the artist's vocal deficiencies. His second album, "Time Of The Last Persecution" (1971), was similar in its songwriting, but far more straightforward and rock-oriented in its production, and more conventionally accomplished in its vocal delivery. Though still not noteworthy, it was definitely better than its predecessor, and sometimes enlivened by unexpectedly gnarly rock guitar.