Church Key

"Church Key"
Single by The Revels
B-side "Vesuvius"
Released November 1960
Genre Surf
Length 2:03
Label Impact
Songwriter(s) Dan Darnold
The Revels singles chronology
"Church Key"
(1960)		 "Intoxica"
(1961)

"Church Key"
(1960)		 "Intoxica"
(1961)

"Church Key" is a classic instrumental single that was released by California surf group The Revels on Tony Hilder's 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 was also released on the CT label which was another record label of Hilders.[4][5]

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.[6] A version of the song by The Biscaynes appears on the Surf's Up! At Banzai Pipeline compilation album.[7]

The group

"Church Key" and "Comanche" were the tracks The Revels were best known for.[8]

The band's next single was "Intoxica" / "tequila" which was released in 1961.[9]

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.[10]

Other versions

List of singles
Act Title Catalogue Year Notes
The Gonzos "Church Key" / "Very Muddy Waters" Donna 1330 1960 [11]
The Surfaris
* The Biscaynes		 "Moment Of Truth" / * "Church Key" Northridge 1001 1963 [12]
Jim Waller And The Deltas "Surfin' Wild" / "Church Key" Arvee A-5072 1963 [13][14]
Dave Myers and his Surf-Tones "Church Key" / "Passion" Impact 27-IMX 1963 [15]
* The Trashmen
The Wailers		 * "Church Key" / "Wailin'" Sundazed / Norton LV-1 1999 [16]
Appears on album
Act Title Catalogue Year Notes
Centurians Surfers' Pajama Party Del-Fi Records DFLP 1228 1963 [17]
The Impacts Wipe Out! Del-Fi Records DFLP 1234 1963 [18][19]
The Rivieras Let's Have a Party U.S.A. 102 1964 [20]
Detroit Bros. Murdered by the Surf Music PPDET-0004 2000 [21][22]

Note: "Church Key" by The Fabulous Pharaohs released in 1966 is a different track all together and was credited to Fisher-Stevenson.[23]

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. ↑ Popsike - Rare Surf 45 The Revels ' Church Key ' on CT from 1960
  5. ↑ AllMusic - Tony Hilder
  6. ↑ Allmusic - The Revels Church Key
  7. ↑ Artistdirect - Surf's up at Banzai Pipeline, Surf's up at Banzai Pipeline Track Listing
  8. ↑ Way Back Attack - THE REVELS Midnight Stroll
  9. ↑ Goldmine Price Guide to 45 RPM Records by Tim Neely - Page 567 Revels, The (2)
  10. ↑ Billboard, November 28, 1960 - Page 26 Music As Written, Page 28 Music As Written
  11. ↑ 45Cat - The Gonzos - Discography
  12. ↑ 45Cat - The Surfaris (Original) - Moment Of Truth / Church Key - Northridge - USA - 1001
  13. ↑ 45Cat - Jim Waller And The Deltas - Surfin' Wild / Church Key - Arvee - USA - A-5072
  14. ↑ 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
  15. ↑ 45Cat - Dave Myers And His Surf-Tones - Church Key / Passion - Impact (California)- USA - 27
  16. ↑ 45Cat - The Trashmen - Discography
  17. ↑ Both Sides Now Publications - Del-Fi Album Discography, by David Edwards and Mike Callahan
  18. ↑ Discogs - The Impacts – Wipe Out!
  19. ↑ Allmusic - Impacts Wipe Out!, Overeview
  20. ↑ 45 Worlds - Artist: The Rivieras, Catalogue: 102
  21. ↑ Detroit Bros website Goods
  22. ↑ Detroit Bros website Disc
  23. ↑ Discogs - Fabulous Pharoahs, The – Church Key / Route 66
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