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

2017-05-19
First ProgStock Festival Set for October – October 2017 will see the inaugural edition of a festival called ProgStock in Rahway, New Jersey at the Union County Performing Arts Center. With a definite slant towards neo-progressive music, the event is sure to please many fans with the inclusion of such artists as Echolyn, Glass Hammer, and Aisles. The festival will take place October 13-15. » Read more

2017-05-05
Clive Brooks RIP – Word reaches us today of another sad passing in the music world. Drummer Clive Brooks, best known as a member of such Canterbury bands as Egg, Uriel / Arzachel, and Groundhogs, has died at the age of 67. Details are sketchy at this point. The news was reported on Nick Mason's Facebook page — Brooks was Mason's drum tech. » Read more

2017-05-02
Col. Bruce Hampton RIP – The phrase "He died doing what he loved" is almost a cliche, but in the case of Col. Bruce Hampton, it couldn't be more true. Hampton, who was born Gustav Berglund III, collapsed on stage at his own 70th birthday celebration and later passed away. The event took place at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. » Read more

2017-04-16
ProgDay 2017 Announces First Bands – Flor de Loto, Sonar, and Infinien are the first three performers to be announced for the 2017 edition of the long-running ProgDay Festival. The 23rd ProgDay takes place Saturday and Sunday, September 2nd and 3rd, at Storybook Farm in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. » Read more

2017-04-16
Allan Holdsworth RIP – Surely in the list of artists who have contributed to the sound of modern music, there is a special spot for guitarist Allan Holdsworth. His name is known to virtually every student of the instrument in jazz and rock, and his style has been so widely emulated that it's hardly worth mentioning anymore — we can just assume that every guitarist has Holdsworth as an influence. » Read more

More news

Previously in Exposé...

Laren d'Or - War of Angels – The same veiled (an under-promoted!) Hungarian label that is teasing us with Talizman, and After Crying, now goes to the other side for a symphonic keyboard recording by Laren d'Or. A solo project?...  (1999) » Read more

Random review

Listen & discover

1974 - The Outline live in studio

More recommendations
ProgStock 2017

Print issues