Οι Βρετανοί Simon Dupree And The Big Sound υπήρξαν ο υβριδικός (κάτι ανάμεσα σε rock, jazz, soul και ψυχεδέλεια) προάγγελος των Gentle Giant. Η δράση τους στο διάστημα mid – late ‘60s χαρακτηρίζεται από ένα γοητευτικό συχνά ερασιτεχνισμό, που τίποτα δεν προμηνύει από την διάδοχη κατάσταση – οι G.G. υπήρξαν ένα από τα πιο σοφιστικέ progressive γκρουπ των ‘70s – ακομα και ο Zappa έχει αναφερθεί σ’ αυτούς με κολακευτικά λόγια, κάτι που σπάνια έκανε.
Ακούμε δύο τραγούδια τους για διαφορετικούς λόγους : το πρώτο, λόγω της ημέρας. Το δεύτερο γιατί συνθέτης και ερμηνευτής του ήταν ένας περιστασιακός κιμπορντίστας του γκρουπ ονόματι Reginald Dwight. Αυτό ήταν το μόνο τραγούδι του που δέχτηκαν να ηχογραφήσουν οι αδελφοί – συνθέτες, multi-instrumentalists Derek, Phil & Ray Shulman (πυρήνας του γκρουπ, όπως και των Gentle Giant). Ο ίδιος θα ανακοίνωνε λίγο αργότερα την αποχώρησή του εν όψει ξεκινήματος σόλο καριέρας, με ένα ψευδώνυμο που είχε προκαλέσει ρίγη γέλιου στα υπόλοιπα μέλη : Elton John.

British Simon Dupree And The Big Sound were the hybrid (something between rock, jazz, soul and psychedelia) precursor of Gentle Giant. Their activity in the mid – late ’60s is characterized by a often charming amateurism, which doesn’t at all foreshadow their successor – G.G. were one of the most sophisticated progressive groups of the ’70s – even Zappa has referred to them in flattering terms, something he rarely did.
We hear two of their songs for different reasons : the first, because of the day. The second because of its composer and performer : an occasional keyboardist for the band, named Reginald Dwight. This was the only song of his that the brothers – composers, multi-instrumentalists Derek, Phil & Ray Shulman (the band’s core, as well as Gentle Giant’s) agreed to record. He would shortly afterwards announce his departure, in view of starting a solo career, under a pseudonym that had caused lots of laughs among the other members : Elton John.

00:00 Kites 03:45 I’m Going Home

I will fly a yellow paper sun in your sky
When the wind is high, when the wind is high
I will float a silken silver moon near your window
If your night is dark, if your night is dark
In letters of gold on a snow white kite
I will write “I love you”
And send it soaring high above you
For all to read
I will scatter rice paper stars in your heaven
If there are no stars, if there are no stars
All of these and seven wonders more will I find
When the wind is high, when the wind is high
In letters of gold on a snow white kite
I will write “I love you”
And send it soaring high above you
For all to read
In letters of gold on a snow white kite
I will write “I love you”
And send it soaring high above you
For all to read

It’s a long long journey
When you’re on your own
It’s a long long way to travel
When you’re all alone
So be careful and you’ll find
That you’re sure to make good time
‘Cause your home
Is the best place you can go
I’m going home, going home
I’m going home, I’m going home
I’m feeling tired, sad and all alone
I’m going home, going home
Don’t you try and stop me
I made up my mind
I have been to many places
Where they treated me unkind
So be careful and you’ll find
That you’re sure to make good time
‘Cause your home
Is the best place that I know
It’s a long late evening
And not far to go
You have traveled many miles
But it’s nice to know
You’re careful, you’ll find
That you always make good time
Good time
To the best place you can go