The Smiley Smile Message Board

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl_pIkTheD0&feature=player_embedd
I am hope no one gets mad that I posted the link to the early version of "Good Timin'", but I need some help. What is that resonant string instrument out on top during the intro? Is it a synth part? Perhaps a clavichord or harpsichord? Also anyone know who is playing it?

If we talk about the same instrument it sounds in fact like a harpsichord. But I'm not totally sure as something there sounds a little "unreal" to my ears. The experts here shall give you the right answer

Harpsichord is my first guess but I think it could be another string instrument or a synth. Thanks for the suggestion Rocker we are thinking along the same lines .

I vote synthesizer that sounds like a harpsichord.

I vote electric harpsichord.  Probably played by Brian on an overdub.  From what Guercio has said, it seems the track was laid down at Caribou by the Wilson Brothers and he. 

That said, the final (released) version sounds like there may be a synth (Oberheim) doubling that line.

Thanks Craig I think I'll go with electric harpsichord then. I feel there is an overdub in 1978 too, but it's that metallic sound that really gives the song a boost.

in reference to the LA version, think about the use of the harpsicord on Lady Lynda as well....I'm really glad Al re-did the song, the MIU cut just wasn't that great

Good point I just listened to the early version of Lady Lynda (actually cut a few months before the MIU sessions) and it does miss something.

I think the LA version is way too over the top though, one of the reasons it was not successful in the US.  Too much harpsichord and fake production hid the harmonies, which you get shining through on Knebworth.  I know the 78 is lacking something but I actually prefer that version with Al's falsetto bits during the tag.  I guess my ideal version would be somewhere in the middle though.

BTW, I enjoyed hearing the Dennis Good Timin lead on youtube. His voice does not sound good (it actually sounds better on Knebworth) , but it does give some soul to the song and puts Carl back in the harmonies which strengthens them.  Also, sounds like Al telling Dennis in the beginning that Audree's out there.  Cool clip.

I've been listening to "Good Timin'" ad nauseum of late.  I have the finished version, the backing track with electric harpsichord (assume that's the Caribou version in '74) and a version with Carl singing the lead, but no backgrounds.  Not sure when the latter was recorded.

Is there another studio version making the rounds?  I love the backing track as is.  And why, exactly, did it take so long for them to finish the song?  Notwithstanding the slightly weak verse, it's clearly one of the best tracks they had in the can for some time.  Was it the harmony arrangement that took a while? And who did that anyway?  Carl?  Bruce?

IIRC, the '74 version of Good Timin' was left as it was at the time due to the fact that Brian's "involvement" in the '74 sessions amounted to mostly unreleaseable work. There are some gems, like the aforementioned Good Timin', but not much else. There's another track from '74 called I Really Love You which isn't bad...no vox though.

Bruce stated awhile back that he wrote the vocal arrangement for "Good Timin'".  And Brian doesn't sing on it (he was probably in the hospital at the time).

Never heard of that one.

I've always wondered if Brian had written any of the melody back in '74 -- or if it was even called "Good Timin'" back then.  Having finally heard the backing track with the harpsichord, piano, guitar, drums and horns, part of me wonders if he hadn't -- the song has a very full feeling to it with the harpsichord melody (much of which is edited out of the final version) and I wonder if it was kind of one of Brian's "feels." 

Also, there's a lilt to the high harmony that is very "In My Room," btw.  I noticed on YouTube they used to play the songs back to back -- and it doesn't surprise me.

More than any other late-period BB's song, "Good Timin'" makes me believe they could have been the best adult contemporary act on the planet if they could've gotten their act together. 

The whole LA album is an argument for that case...IMO, the last time they really gave 100%.