As well as making some of the greatest jazz recordings, Riverside Records also released about 20 albums in its Riverside Sports Car Series. These included interviews with contemporary racing drivers including Stirling Moss and Phil Hill (also available through Ace) and double LPs of engine sounds(!) as well as Peter Ustinov's Grand Prix Of Gibraltar.
A spoof Grand Prix based loosely around the Monaco GP, which Ustinov, a great motor racing fan, occasionally attended, this is the first time it has ever been released on CD. Sir Peter replicates (extraordinarily successfully) assorted engine noises (he had a cold at the time which helped make his Ferrari V12 sound more authentic), marching bands and klaxons. He lampoons the various personalities and nationalities involved in motor racing in 1958 in a wonderfully non-PC manner.
The sleeve-note has been written by Nigel Roebuck, probably the greatest authority on Grand Prix racing today, based on a recent interview with Sir Peter himself.
Please note, you do not have to be interested in motor racing to enjoy this CD, just in possession of a sense of humour.....
In these days of sanitised, processional Formula One racing, where the sport's authorities encourage us to view it more as a game of chess than a race and any driver who utters anything except the official line is reprimanded, it is a joy to listen to.
By Phil Stoker
