Still Some Light: Covering the Darkness

EP: Still Some Light

Artist: Bill Fay, Hiss Golden Messenger

Genre: #ballad #soul #melancholy #piano

Label: Dead Oceans

Non-Airable Tracks: N/A

Description:

Still Some Light is a Hiss Golden Messenger cover of Bill Fay’s original song under the same name. Released as a small, two-song EP, the package features only HGM’s recording and Bill Fay’s version.

Before listening to this song, essentially a single, I was completely unaware of Bill Fay’s music and legacy. Upon doing some surface-level research, I found Mr. Fay to be a down-to-earth pianist and songwriter, who authored his most influential work in the 1960s, '70s, and ’80s. This cover is derived from a 2010 compilation album, similarly named Still Some Light, which is a revival of Bill Fay’s original 1970 and 1971 recordings.

Hiss Golden Messenger’s version of Still Some Light is an appropriate interpretation that maintains Bill Fay’s lyrical authenticity while employing the classic HGM style. MC Taylor, frontman of Hiss Golden Messenger, employs his unique sweeping vocals to craft a cover that is not better or worse than the original, just emotionally different. This cover reminded me of three other classic Hiss Golden Messenger songs: “Down at the Uptown,” “Terms of Surrender,” and, “Caledonia, My Love.”

Still Some Light, Hiss Golden Messenger’s version, is now streaming on most services, including Tidal, Spotify, Soundcloud, and YouTube.

Sounds Like:

1. Bob Dylan

2. Bill Fay

3. Jeff Tweedy

Reviewer’s Name: Hayden Tillinger

Date of Review: 25 April 2022