Just bought the amazing
1967 - Sunshine Tomorrow.
If you haven't done so already, go out and buy it; you need it if you're reading this.
Listening to it led me to pull out my mono copy of
Smiley SMiLE to compare to the re-channeled pseudo-stero copy posted above.
Usually, fake stereo versions suck.
This
Smiley SMiLE is the exception.
It sounds pretty good to me - it's brighter than the slightly dark sounding mono version.
My earlier excitement was mostly in reaction to the pristine state of the vinyl.
It's rare to find a (likely un-played) copy of a 1967 record by a major band in 2017.
It's like entering a time capsule and experiencing another by-gone era for a brief moment.
The original mono version does have its own pleasures and cachet.
Hard to pick a favorite; mono probably gets the edge.
Further July 4th listening material: