Is there a definitive "who played what instrument on which song" list?

[virsago]

Aside from Pet Sounds, obviously.  I love information like this but it doesn't seem to be readily available.

[Wah Wah Wah Ooooo]

There was, but Carole Kaye burned it

[SIP.FLAC]

There was, but Carole Kaye burned it

Close thread.

[metal flake paint]

I'd recommend Jon's FAQ book, plus Craig's excellent site:
http://beachboysarchives.com/

[Joshilyn Hoisington]

Aside from Pet Sounds, obviously.  I love information like this but it doesn't seem to be readily available.

To be honest, I don't think there is a definitive credits list for Pet Sounds.  All official ones, in my opinion, have errors.

Slowinski's site is the place to start, for sure.  And if there's a specific credit in question, this board is usually a great place to whittle down an answer.

[virsago]

I'm looking more for Smiley Smile - Sunflower information.  Seems like Surf's Up - onward was played by the band/whoever was supplanting their live act at the time.

[adamghost]

It's very spotty.  C-Man (Craig Slowinski) is the acknowledged authority on this topic -- he knows more than anybody.  Partial credits on specific tracks are known, but nothing comprehensive is out there publicly.

[Andrew G. Doe]

It's very spotty.  C-Man (Craig Slowinski) is the acknowledged authority on this topic -- he knows more than anybody.  Partial credits on specific tracks are known, but nothing comprehensive is out there publicly.

Problem is twofold, if not more.

1 - unlike The Beatles, The Beach Boys recorded all over the place from the earliest days - Abbey Road may have had its technical drawbacks, but the documentation was outstanding.

2 - the AFM sheets were filled in by those recording, hence not exactly unimpeachable.

3 - when the home studio started being used, the documenting became exceedingly lax.

[Aegir]

Seems like Surf's Up - onward was played by the band/whoever was supplanting their live act at the time.

is that true? Carl & the Passions and Holland, maybe. And most of Love You, I'd imagine. But 15 Big Ones? LA onward? doubt it. MIU is probably mostly the live band (Ron Altbach etc) because it was recorded in Iowa.

[Joshilyn Hoisington]

Seems like Surf's Up - onward was played by the band/whoever was supplanting their live act at the time.

is that true? Carl & the Passions and Holland, maybe. And most of Love You, I'd imagine. But 15 Big Ones? LA onward? doubt it. MIU is probably mostly the live band (Ron Altbach etc) because it was recorded in Iowa.

15 Big Ones had wrecking crew on it.

I'm looking more for Smiley Smile - Sunflower information.  Seems like Surf's Up - onward was played by the band/whoever was supplanting their live act at the time.

True, the record is spotty, but there is solid info from that era.  I would say we've got a pretty good handle on it.  But I don't think there's much written down in one place.  There's Craig's ESQ "Friends" sessionography.  A lot of Sunflower AFM sheets are in the McPartland book.