Tortuga Music Special Projects Cat. # TMSP1001

Scheduled for release in 2000

 

~ Notes ~

This is a set of recordings made by KPRC Radio in and around Houston Texas, to fill a request for (then) Airman Colin Kennedy (Sr.) whom was serving in Korea.  Made in April 1953 using one of the first ever portable tape recorders, the recordings were edited at KPRC-TV and sent to Korea on open reel tape.  Kennedy took the tapes to the Armed Forces Radio Service where they were transcribed to three vinyl disks.  (Hence the "side numbers" seen below.)  The disks were transcribed again in 1999, this time to digital audio tape.  Then they were transferred to a Macintosh computer with the Sonic Solutions Noise Reduction System.  This eliminated almost all of the scratches, pops and surface noise accumulated on the vinyl discs over nearly fifty years.   The restored product is destined for The U. S. National Archives in Washington D.C..  Sonic Solutions Engineer: Roland Alvarez at VDI Multimedia, Santa Monica, California.  Restoration Produced by Colin Kennedy Jr.

 

"Sounds of Houston" total runtime: 48:04

1. Side One (7:08)

a. Narration: Pat Flaherty, KPRC news reporter, describes the project.

b. Patrolman Reno Kirby, HPD, intersection of Texas & Main, Sat. morning, Apr. 11.

c. Maitre d' Ben Cohen, Rice Hotel Mezzanine Floor, invites Kennedy to Hawaiian Show at Empire Room, meal.

d. Flaherty sets next scene.

e. Buffs manager Al Hollingsworth at Buff Stadium, Wed. night Apr. 15, during Buffs vs. Beaumont Exporters (Texas League game) as recorded by Bruce Leher, KPRC Sports Director.  (Original tape speed increases here, presumably caused by batteries running down on the portable tape machine.)

f. Morris Frank, public address announcer, Buff Stadium, with greetings.

2. Side Two (8:08)

a. Conclusion of Morris Frank's greeting.

b. Art Rautsong (sp?), Buffs General Manager with greetings.

c. Eddie Dyer, former Cardinals manager (1946-1950), extends greetings, describes winning the pennant and World Series in 1946.

d. Bruce Leher, KPRC Sports Director, describes highlights of recent Memorial Golf Tournament and Masters Tournament, invites Kennedy to press box at Buff Stadium upon return.

e. Pat Flaherty sets next scene.

f. Excerpt from KPRC interview with Vincent Price, "House of Wax" premier, Thursday morning, Apr. 15, The Majestic Theater.

3. Side Three (7:05)

a. Vincent Price interview conclusion.

b. Flaherty sets scene: KPRC Television Studio, Friday night, Apr. 17, 11:35 PM.

c. Actress Mary Beth McDonell says hello between live television commercials.

d. Gene Lewis, KPRC-TV Senior Director, extends greetings to American personnel in Korea.

e. In background: scratchy record featuring Italian vocalist.

f. Flaherty sets scene: Sat. night, Apr. 18, 10:30 PM, Luigi's Restaurant, 1701 Calhoun at Jackson

g. Mr. Sam "Luigi" Valotta, owner of Luigi's, announces upcoming restaurant move to 4704 Montrose Blvd (to take place between May 1st and May 15th ), invites Kennedy and girlfriend to pizza "and anything you like".

h. "Mama" Valotta (chef at Luigi's, wife of Sam) invites Kennedy and girlfriend to dinner.

4. Side Four (7:05)

a. "Mama" Valotta conclusion.

b. Sam "Luigi" Valotta's final comments.

c. Flaherty sets scene: Houston City Hall.

d. Hon. George Marquett, Houston City Councilman (sent Texas flag to Kennedy) with comments.

e. Flaherty at The Palladium, intersection of South Main and O.S.T., Thursday night, Apr. 23rd, 8:30 PM. ("…used to be a hillbilly joint…")

f. Art Mooney and his Orchestra play during "Texas Talent Train" contest telecast (in conjunction with KPRC-TV).

g. Flaherty describes action as 3rd week-in-a-row Talent Train winners The Sheltons are announced by Art Mooney in background.

h. Musical excerpts with introductions by (barely audible) Art Mooney.

i. "Talent Train" broadcast conclusion, closing theme.

5. Side Five (7:37)

a. Flaherty sets scene at University of Houston Campus where the Annual Frontier Fiesta is taking place, mentions (inaudible) train streamliner that had just passed by on the Santa Fe Line, adds that Dr. W. W. Kemmera (?) resigned his post as President of the University of Houston citing differences with the Board of Regents.

b. Frontier Fiesta color: busker says "Step right up!", etc.

c. Inside a night club called The Plug Nickel: an unidentified comedian tells jokes, sets up song by The Dimples.

d. "A Good Man Is Hard To Find" (complete), performed by The Dimples.

6. Side Six (9:55)

a. Flaherty sets scene, Shamrock Room at Shamrock Hotel, Thurs. Apr. 23rd, 11:20 PM.

b. Albert A. Moreno, Shamrock Room Waiter Captain, describes Seagrams Seven Crown celebrations including bathing beauties at Shamrock bathing pool, pianist Hal Pruden and Band with 14 musicians, Irene Ryan, Dornan Brothers comedy act, etc.

c. Bostonian entertainer Charles Dornan (in Shamrock Room) says hello, describes warmth and friendliness that he has experienced with Texans during his lengthy stay.

d. Hal Pruden and Band play rumba music.

e. Flaherty concludes "Sounds of Houston" recordings.