Question On Woody Woodpecker/Ms. O'Leary's Cow

[The Heartical Don]

...was the chorus of Woody laid over the 'Fire' music in 2004 for the very first time? Or are there indications that Brian had this in mind as a possibility for the original SMiLE? Or did the idea occur to him in 1971 (SMilE-plan) or perhaps 1988 (another SMiLE plan if memory serves)? I vividly recall when I heard the combination for the very first time, in 2004, in the Royal Festival Hall. To me it was the grand surprise of the evening, also because it all fit so seamlessly... that it was hard to imagine that it was not an original plan born in 1967.

[The Shift]

...was the chorus of Woody laid over the 'Fire' music in 2004 for the very first time? Or are there indications that Brian had this in mind as a possibility for the original SMiLE? Or did the idea occur to him in 1971 (SMilE-plan) or perhaps 1988 (another SMiLE plan if memory serves)? I vividly recall when I heard the combination for the very first time, in 2004, in the Royal Festival Hall. To me it was the grand surprise of the evening, also because it all fit so seamlessly... that it was hard to imagine that it was not an original plan born in 1967.

We were at the same gig the same night and heard the same thing for the first time. Like you, it sounds to my ears like it was always the plan.  I'm sure AGD agrees too... 

[Roger Ryan]

Clearly "Fall Breaks..." is essentially the same music as "Mrs. O'Leary's Cow" (the former probably being Brian's "candle" version he mentioned after shelving the "Fire" track) so we know that the vocal part was conceived of in relatively close proximity to the recording of the SMiLE track. Reportedly, Brian surprised Darian by singing the "Fall Breaks..." vocal over "Mrs. O'Leary's Cow" when the two were reviewing material for BWPS in 2003; no reason not to think of it as an official part of SMiLE.

[TheLazenby]

Well, I think Purple Chick's "Mrs. O'Leary" proves that the "Fall Breaks" vocals are a good enough fit.

Wouldn't it be magical to be there when Brian suddenly sings what you recognize as a different (but similar) Beach Boys song.... and you realize that the missing piece of the puzzle is in place?

I mean, this might've just been from BWPS being my primary introduction to the Beach Boys' catalog, but hearing "Fire" without the vocals just seems, to steal a term from George Harrison, "so... naked!"