Take note of Jim Lockert's comments regarding how both Smiley and WH were mixed, and consider again what kind of technology and limitations they had to work with at this time and how these specific albums were given their final mono mixes in 67. When reduction mixes were done as standard practice in order to free up more tracks for overdubbing and additions, whether in the tracking process or in the mixdown process, anything that was done to the tracks is permanently locked into the overall mix. If there was a certain amount of echo added, if there was a fade, if anything was changed prior to the reduction mix and bounce, it got burned onto the tape and cannot be changed.
Not saying that applies specifically to this intro or mute or anything else specific to this track, but that is one of the most basic factors to consider when you're dealing with 50 year old tapes and mixdowns. It's a huge credit to the work of experts like Mark who do this regularly and do it so well that many if not most of these remix projects are beholden to however things were done 50 years ago, and the luxury we've had for the past 40 years or so of having enough tracks to where bounces and reductions weren't necessary and all tracks had their own individual channels and tracks on the tape to isolate and move around at will did not exist in 1966-67 and before.
Never gave this much thought, but I was waiting for a haircut the other day, and the 60's satellite radio station was playing California Girls. Nothing against Mike's vocals, which are great, and you can't argue with the commercial performance of the song as is. But, Al might have had that slightly lower range that would fit the song. Al also has that habit of stretching out the last word in a line, that also would have fit the tune nicely. And Al had just sung lead on the last single, which was a #1.
Bruce will be spending his birthday on the road, as I would imagine he has spent the last, man, how many birthdays?? His contributions are many, and I wish him all the best!
