Church Key

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
"Church Key"
Single by The Revels
B-side Vesuvius
Released November 1960
Genre Surf
Length 2:03
Label Impact 1-IMX
Writer(s) Dan Darnold
The Revels singles chronology
"Church Key"
(1960)
"Intoxica"
(1961)

Church Key is a classic instrumental single that was released by California surf group The Revels on Tony Hilders Impact Records label in 1960.

Background

The track

The track starts off with a guitar intro, following with the main theme of the number is handled by the guitar in a 12 bar blues progression. There is a party atmosphere in the track. The title of the track is spoken. There is the sound of a beer can being opened as well as a voice of giggling female.[1] The A side which was credited to The Revels with Barbara Adkins was written by Dan Darnold. The B side to the single was "Vesuvius which was written by Robert J. Hafner [2] This was the first release on Hilders Impact Records label.[3]

It appears on The Revels 1964 album Revels on a Rampage, Intoxica!!! The Best of the Revels in 1995 and various artist compilations Kahuna Classics: Surf Music, Surf Wax: Songs of the Beach and Instro Poker of Aces.[4]

The group

"Church Key" and "Comanche" were the tracks The Revels were best known for.[5]

The band's next single was "Intoxica" / "tequila" which was released in 1961.[6]

Label and distribution

The single was picked up by Liberty Records for national distribution. The banner that it was released under was that of Impact. This was to retain the identity of Tony Hilder's label.[7]

Other versions

  • The Bisacaynes ... "Moment Of Truth" (The Surfaris) / "Church Key" (The Bisacaynes) - Northridge 1001 (1963) [8]
  • Jim Waller And The Deltas ... "Surfin' Wild" / "Church Key" Arvee A-5072 (1963) [9][10]
  • Dave Myers and his Surf-Tones ... "Church Key" / "Passion" - Impact 27-IMX (1963) [11]
  • The Trashmen ... "Church Key" (The Trashmen) / "Wailin'" (The Wailers) - Sundazed / Norton LV-1 (1999) [12]
  • Detroit Bros. Murdered by the Surf Music - `PPDET-0004 (2000) [13][14]

Note: "Church Key" by The Fabulous Pharaohs released in 1966 is a different track all together and was credited to Fisher-Stevenson.[15]

References

  1. Inside the Music of Brian Wilson: The Songs, Sounds, and Influences of the Beach Boys' Founding Genius
    By Philip Lambert Chapter 4 Surfin' U.S.A. Page 61
  2. 45Cat The Revels California - Church Key / Vesuvius - Impact California - USA - 1
  3. Billboard May 9, 1964 Page 22, Programming Specials
  4. Allmusic The Revels Church Key
  5. Way Back Attack THE REVELS Midnight Stroll
  6. Goldmine Price Guide to 45 RPM Records by Tim Neely Page 567 Revels, The (2)
  7. Billboard November 28, 1960 Page 26 Music As Written, Page 28 Music As Written
  8. 45Cat The Surfaris (Original) - Moment Of Truth / Church Key - Northridge - USA - 1001
  9. 45Cat Jim Waller And The Deltas - Surfin' Wild / Church Key - Arvee - USA - A-5072
  10. Inside the Music of Brian Wilson: The Songs, Sounds, and Influences of the Beach Boys' Founding Genius
    By Philip Lambert Chapter 4 Surfin' U.S.A. Page 61
  11. 45Cat Dave Myers And His Surf-Tones - Church Key / Passion - Impact (alifornia)- USA - 27
  12. 45Cat The Trashmen - Discography
  13. Detroit Bros website Goods
  14. Detrot Bros website Disc
  15. Discogs Fabulous Pharoahs, The – Church Key / Route 66