The Revells "The Go Sounds of the Slots!" 1965

The Revells weren't an actual group, but one of the several surf-hot rod acts of the 1960s that were actually comprised of California session players and songwriters. They released one album, a novelty-concept LP of sorts jammed with songs about the then-hot slot car craze. Masterminded by Gary Usher (who produced the record and wrote most of the songs with Roger Christian), it resembles the sounds of Jan & Dean/the Beach Boys circa 1964. Because of the demand for this rare album, a re-issue CD was released in 1995.
The Revells (not to be confused with another surf combo the Revels) were actually a studio project of Gary Usher and most of the Hondells' touring band. Usher was commissioned to create an album around the theme of slot car racing, which was a popular hobby at the time. The "group" took its name from Revell, a manufacturer of slot cars and models that is rumored to have provided some financial backing for the endeavor. The resulting 1965 album The Go Sound of the Slots! approximated the Beach Boys' sound on ten songs about slot cars that, unless you listen closely, sound like any other run-of-the-mill car songs. Only an errant word here and there prevents "My Ferrari G.T.O." from being about a full-size car. The players -- Glen Campbell, Dickie Podolor, Hal Blaine, Tommy Tedesco -- are notable, but the album was an uninspired rush job that its creators admit they had trouble getting behind. It was so rushed, in fact, that a few of the songs are rewrites of Hondells numbers. The 1995 CD reissue adds two bonus tracks by the Wheel Men, an earlier Usher project for the same label. The songs have nothing to do with slot car racing, but are a worthy addition since they easily surpass the Revells' material in quality. - AllMusic Review by Greg Adams

trax:
1. Lotus 23 2. Fastest Little Racer 3. My Ferrari G.T.O. 4. Wait Till Next Time 5. Slot City 6. My Little Slot Coupe 7. Cobra 8. My Baby Digs Slot Car Races 9. Little Stockers 10. Restless Rookie 11. School Is a Gas 12. Hon-Da Beach
…originally served by Russ...