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john~k
22 Posts |
 Posted - 11/03/2009 : 14:11:02
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Hello,
Just wanted to let everyone know about an upcoming restoration project and request an opinion. My brother Andy recorded weekday and Limelight Shepherd shows beginning in 1964 when he left the Navy until WOR ended FM simulcasting in 1967. Andy passed away in 2003 and left a nearly complete set of shows in my care. Although degraded with time these tapes did start out with an advantage. They were all recorded on fairly high-end equipment. His Roberts recorder for example cost the equivalent of $3,000 in today's dollars.
My background in electronics has helped overcome some of the technical issues related to transfer and restoration of this material. Issues such as speed correction, bandwidth reconstruction, and improved dynamic range. The question is, do the results improve upon what is already available?
I would very much appreciate an opinion on the sound quality of this work. My thinking is that there would be little value in pursuing this project if equal or better quality material already exists. Here's a clip I've been using to chart my progress. It's Shepherd reading a poem by Ogden Nash, titled, "A Tale of the Thirteeth Floor." It originally aired on Thursday, December 9, 1965.
Restored clip:
http://ultrashare.net/hosting/fl/a3d3911c18/Thirteenth_Floor
There's also an alternate recording of this show on archive.org. It begins at about the 8 minute mark.
Alternate recording:
http://www.archive.org/download/JeanShepherd1965Pt1/1965_12_09_The_Lafayette.mp3
Thanks in advance for any insight or suggestions.
Sincerely,
john~k |
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spiderman
USA
36 Posts |
Posted - 11/19/2009 : 04:41:12
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Hi John,
In my humble opinion, your sample is MUCH better than the one circulating from the JSP. I'd be very interested in hearing more.
Keep your glove oiled... |
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john~k
22 Posts |
Posted - 11/19/2009 : 22:18:10
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Hi spiderman,
Thanks for the positive review and interest. The only other test clip I have available is from a Limelight show with WOR staff announcer Dick Partridge reading the 11 PM news. If you're up for a 6 minute time capsule from 1964, let me know, and I'll post that link.
john |
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john~k
22 Posts |
Posted - 12/27/2009 : 13:36:41
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Wow, speaking of coincidence. Does anyone know how to contact this guy?
http://shepcast.blogspot.com/2009/05/still-here-tonight-i-added-1175th-show.html
6/06/2009 12:01 AM Buttermilk Sky said...
I sent Shep a poem by Ogden Nash called "A Tale of the Thirteenth Floor," and he read it on air with appropriate music. I would love to hear it again, if you ever come across it.
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john~k
22 Posts |
Posted - 12/31/2009 : 12:35:56
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Here's another restored clip with Shepherd ad-libbing some commercials. If you're into trivia, you'll learn which brand of "hi-fi" equipment he owns. Sound clarity is such that you can hear the studio echo. First aired on Christmas Eve, 1965.
Xmas Eve Ads Clip
http://ultrashare.net/hosting/fl/11a5033827/Xmas_Eve_Ads
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john~k
22 Posts |
Posted - 01/07/2010 : 10:50:28
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Just uploaded an extended clip of Shep describing Bolus' (sp) "pre-arranged" Polish wedding. I don't see it listed on the sites with air dates, so it may be new. It aired Tuesday, November 10, 1964.
Bolus Wedding Clip
http://ultrashare.net/hosting/fl/9ecadf1564/Bolus_Wedding
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john~k
22 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2010 : 11:07:25
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As you probably know, WOR ended FM simulcasting in August of 1966. Shepherd was AM only beginning that month and the sound quality of his shows really suffered. Bandwidth and frequency response of AM is much narrower than FM and is prone to all sorts of static and interference.
I didn't think much could be done to improve the sound quality of these AM shows. However after testing this past weekend I was surprised to find how much could be recovered. It's certainly not FM quality, but surprisingly good.
Here's a clip from a show not listed in anyone's archive. It's Shep announcing the release of his new novel, "In God We Trust: All Other's Pay Cash." The show originally aired on Friday, October 14, 1966. Let me know what you think.
IGWT - 3.15 MB
http://ultrashare.net/hosting/fl/5f433bca47/IGWT
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Restoration Project - Take A Listen...
