Exposé Online banner

Simon Dupree & the Big Sound — Part of My Past - The Simon Dupree and the Big Sound Anthology
(EMI 7243 593727 2 3, 1968/2004, 2CD)

by Jon Davis, Published 2005-09-01

Part of My Past - The Simon Dupree and the Big Sound Anthology Cover artThere’s no doubt that a complete collection of the recordings of Simon Dupree and the Big Sound has historical value. Aside from being a curious footnote in the story of the psychedelic 60s with their one hit, “Kites,” the band is of course a curious footnote in the history of Gentle Giant, the simple pop band with a silly name that gave birth to a progressive powerhouse. The musical merits of such a collection are subject to debate, however, since the band never really found a successful place in their own time, first playing British blues rock after the fad had passed, then flailing desperately for a hit to follow their moment in the spotlight. Maybe it’s just hindsight, but they do seem to be a band in search of an identity, musicians of talent unsure of what to do with their gifts. The blues-based material is well-played and features some interesting arrangements with organ and trumpet. The psychedelic material runs quite a gamut, from the hilarious (even stupid) “Broken Hearted Pirates” to wonderful gems like “Part of My Past,” “Castle in the Sky,” and “Thinking about My Life.” Of particular interest are the tracks recorded for the never-issued second album, a Mellotron-heavy set of florid late-60s British pop, maybe not a match for Odessey & Oracle, but a solid entry in the history of psychedelia. Some of the vocal arrangements are quite elaborate, showing where the Shulman brothers learned some of the tricks they would utilize in their later endeavors. This collection is amazingly well conceived and executed, with thorough liner notes and the best sound you could expect for sources of the time, well worth the expense for fans of Gentle Giant or psych-rock.

Filed under: Archives, Issue 32, 2004 releases, 1968 recordings

Related artist(s): Gentle Giant, Simon Dupree & the Big Sound

Latest news

2020-07-06
Ennio Morricone RIP – Famed composer Ennio Morricone has died at the age of 91. The creator of scores for more than 500 movies, some of his works have become the most recognizable sounds in the history of cinema. His soundtracks for Sergio Leone's Westerns made from 1964 to 1971, are iconic landmarks in film music, but he also composed for dramas, comedies, and other genres. He won the Academy Award for Best Original Score in 2016 for The Hateful Eight. » Read more

2020-06-14
Keith Tippett RIP – One of the giants of British jazz has left us. Keith Graham Tippetts, known professionally as Keith Tippett, died today at the age of 72. His work from the late 60s into the 70s and beyond includes some of the greatest jazz produced in the UK, and stands as an impressive oevre to this day. » Read more

2020-05-15
Phil May of The Pretty Things RIP – We were saddened to learn that Phil May, lead singer and founding member of The Pretty Things, has died at the age of 75. The band's 1968 album S.F. Sorrow is one of the enduring classics of the psychedelic era, and the group existed in various forms until finally retiring in 2018. » Read more

2020-05-14
Jorge Santana RIP – Jorge Santana, noted guitarist, leader of the band Malo and brother to Carlos Santana, died on May 14 at the age of 68. Jorge and Carlos worked together on a number of occasions, though Jorge's career was centered around Malo, solo work, and with Fania All-Stars. » Read more

2020-05-06
Florian Schneider RIP – Florian Schneider, one of the founders of the pioneering electronic group Kraftwerk, has died at the age of 73. Co-founder Ralf Hütter announced that his bandmate had passed away from cancer after a brief illness. » Read more

More news

Previously in Exposé...

Anekdoten - Vemod – Anekdoten is a new four piece from Sweden. This album was recorded early this year, and from what I've heard, they have been highly revered by, among others, their countrymen Änglagård....  (1994) » Read more

Random review

Listen & discover

Venture into the "Shadowlands" with Emmerhoff

More recommendations
The Seventeenth Dream of Dr. Sardonicus Festival 2019

Print issues