"Good Vibrations" : Chronology of Different Versions

[P.J.]

Ok, so officially we got:
Good Vibrations (Sections) (Stereo & Mono)
Good Vibrations (Rarities Version) (Mono)
Good Vibrations (Early Version; "She's Already Working On My Brain") (Mono)
Good Vibrations (Single/Smiley Smile Version) (Mono)

What are the dates credited to the different mixes/versions? Which came first, second, third?

Is there a date breakdown for the different pieces of the Sections Version?

[PongHit]

Ok, so officially we got:
Good Vibrations (Sections) (Stereo & Mono)
Good Vibrations (Rarities Version) (Mono)
Good Vibrations (Early Version; "She's Already Working On My Brain") (Mono)
Good Vibrations (Single/Smiley Smile Version) (Mono)

Officially, we also got BW's 2004 SMiLE version, if you wanna include that...

[Andrew G. Doe]

This is very top-of-the-head, but...

#1 - Good, Good, Good Vibrations - Brian's scratch vocal/Tony's dummy lyrics
#2 - Rarities version
#3 - 45 mix

Known session dates are [Western unless stated otherwise]:

2/17
2/18* [Gold Star]
2/23

4/9* [Gold Star]

5/4*
5/24 [Sunset]
5/25 [Sunset
5/27*

6/2* ("Inspiration") - 2 sessions
6/12 ("Inspiration")
6/13
6/16* - 2 sessions
6/18*

8/24* [Sunset]

9/1*
9/12 - vocals [Columbia]
9/21 - vocals [Columbia]

According to the Smiley Smile/Wild Honey 2fer notes, the "Various Sessions" collage was recorded at the dates noted *

[Cam Mott]

C-man is sitting on an excellent analysis of this subject, maybe if we all smile and say please he will share.  

[P.J.]

C-man is sitting on an excellent analysis of this subject, maybe if we all smile and say please he will share. 

Really? Dude, bring it on brotha!

[Bill Tobelman]

Let us see man, C-man.

[Bicyclerider]

With all the instrumental sessions, is anyone else surprized at it only taking two vocal sessions to complete the song?

Makes me think about how Brian was willing to tinker with instrumental tracks and rewrites of tracks forever, but after Pet Sounds he became unwilling to spend the same amount of time on vocal sessions - i.e. the Smile sessions?  With the exception of Heroes, it was one or two tries at a song and then the song was abandoned if not completed. 

[Aegir]

The session musicians were being paid at an hourly rate, no?

The vocalists (Mike, Carl, Al, Dennis, Bruce) were not, and were probably less willing to do retake after retake.

[Andrew G. Doe]

With all the instrumental sessions, is anyone else surprized at it only taking two vocal sessions to complete the song?

Makes me think about how Brian was willing to tinker with instrumental tracks and rewrites of tracks forever, but after Pet Sounds he became unwilling to spend the same amount of time on vocal sessions - i.e. the Smile sessions?  With the exception of Heroes, it was one or two tries at a song and then the song was abandoned if not completed. 

Should point out that the vocal sessions I noted were for the released version:  there had to be (currently) unknown vocal sessions for the Rarities version. I'm assuming that the vocals for the 'early' version were cut at the session for the track.

[Cam Mott]

Bruce claimed to NME that a single version of GV was already “in the can” in mid-May, which might indicate at least one vox session by then.

At what must be the June 16 instru session Brian sings “vibrations, a-happ…”.

The music press was reporting that Brian was finishing up recordings with the group for Good Vibrations on or about Monday August 8 before the group began a tour.

[c-man]

C-man is sitting on an excellent analysis of this subject, maybe if we all smile and say please he will share.  

OK...I will try to get it posted in the next few days.  I probably need to update it just a bit, since I put it together back in 2000.  It's a busy, busy week for me, but I'll do my best.

[Cam Mott]

hip, hip....