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October 2000
Hosted by Dennis Svatek
Running time: 1 hour 49 minutes
1. In Heaven There is No Beer - Polka
Bill Mraz Orch. - Houston, Texas
from the album "Swing and Sway the Oompah Way" (Mraz 505), mid 1960's
Gil Baca Orch. - Fayetteville, Texas
from the album "Plays Washington D.C.", 1968
2. Beautiful - Polka
3. Wein-Rhein-Liebes - Polka
4. Baca's - Waltz
5. Rowena - Polka
6. Schunkel - Walzer
7. Libussa - Polka
8. Mlada Holka - Polka
9. Walk Through This World With Me
10. Yakety Sax
11. World of Tears
12. Up the Lazy River
13. She Calls Me Baby
Liner notes:
Gil Baca’s Band Plays Washington D.C.
The Baca name in our area has been synonymous with the sound of old time
music
for generations. The heritage has been passed on through the years to the
offspring of
those musicians who dedicated their life to the “happy sound of
music”. Music that makes the “old” feel young again and the
“not so old” appreciate the fact, that this is their music also.
I have been playing old-time music for only two years on my daily radio
show and
I have come to appreciate immensely the music of Gil Baca and his orchestra.
I met Gil
and Kermit, the Baca boys, and their talented father, Ray Baca, two years
ago at The
Annual Frydek Spring Celebration. I had played their distinctive sound on
my program,
but as you know the real thing is always better than a substitute. I was
very impressed by the musicians in the band. They are of the highest caliber.
When you see the dedication with which they play, you’all know what
I mean.
Last year (1967) the Gil Baca Orchestra was invited to play for the
American
Folklife Festival at the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C. This was
heartwarming to know that an organization from this area would represent
the people of Czech, German, Polish, origin of the entire United States.
They did well, speaking on a diminished note, and were invited back this
year to a repeat performance. This to me is the epitomy of greatness. The
songs you are about to hear on this album are the ones that were accepted
with such great fervor in Washington. Listen to the artistry of the
“high-flying” Ray Baca on the dulcimer, the twin saxes of Vernon
Drozd and the big iron bass of Norman Barnes. I think you’all agree
that this is the “real sound” of old-time music played by men who
love their work and make the “best” of it.
Leon Williamson
Radio KFRD, Rosenberg, Texas
South Texas is the land of the polka, schottische, and waltz music, a
heritage of
the strong, lusty people who came over, years ago, from Germany, Czechoslovakia,
and other European countries, where music, with so many was a way of life.
The Gil Baca Orch. have drawn on this heritage. They play with the feeling
and
excitement that goes right to the listener’s toes and makes him want
to get up and dance. And this album should also stir the listener into a
desire to see this band perform in person, and enjoy a fun filled evening
with a stein of beer, good company and old time at its very best.
Vince Incardona
Radio KAWA, Waco, Texas
To me the Gil Baca Band exemplifies the spirit of Czech folk life so well
known in
South Texas. Whenever their fine orchestra strikes up and begins to play
a polka, to me it is indicative of the fun loving and friendly people that
have populated hundreds of
communities in South Texas and various other European countries where the
polkas and waltzes are loved so well.
This group, basically, encompasses a family, and this again makes it
difficult
because this type of music probably originated and is all being done for
fun and enjoyment. And this exemplifies the band. They not only play for
the enjoyment of others, but they enjoy playing themselves. And I can say
personally, that I enjoy playing their music on the radio because I like
it. To me it is a part of typical American folklore and thousands uponthousands
of my listeners feel the same way.
Let’s hope that this type of music, will never fade from the American
scene.
Dewey Compton
Agri-Business Director
Radio KTRH, Houston, Texas
The venerable “dulcimer”, in the Baca family, came from the
country of their
ancestors, a country with a proud musical tradition, perhaps expressed in
the old saying
according to which “evey Czech is a musician:. While the old dulcimer
helped the Bacas
to carry on in the new world, it was up to Ray Baca, his sons, Gil and Kermit
Baca, and
the band to add some of the best American ingredients including the indomitable
Texan
spirit. The result is a band of outstanding versatility which can more with
ease from one
musical idion to another.
Their polkas really warmed up the usually blase’ Washington audiences
during two
successive summer festivals in the capital and equally delighted radio listeners
in the old country on the other side of the Atlantic.
Jan and Libussa Kocourek
Voice of America - Radio, Wasington D.C.
I wanted to tell you how wonderful your polka and waltz record is. It
is
outstanding, my listeners really like it.
The Gil Baca Band is doing a superb job. Keep up the good work.
George Roesner
Farm Director
Radio KPRC, Houston, Texas
On behalf of Mr. James Morris, Director of the Division of Performing
Arts and
the Division Staff, I would like to thank you, the Gil Baca Band, for your
outstanding
participation in our recent festival of American folklife. Your performances
were
tremendous successes of the visitors to the Mall.
The festival was an overwhelming success. Over 515,000 people enjoyed the
crafts demonstrations, workshops and evening concerts over the July 4th weekend
and we have had a gratifying written response from both public and press.
I am sure that your band can join us in our pride at the success of the festival.
Please extend to them our thanks and our hope that you all enjoyed your
participation as much as we have enjoyed having you here in Washington.
Ralph C. Rinzler
Director Folklife Festival
Washington D.C.
Ray Baca - Dulcimer
Gil Baca - Piano
Pete Garcia - Trumpet , sax
Brian McWhirter - Bass, trombone
Kermit Baca - Drums
Vernon Drozd - Clarinet, sax, trumpet
Gene Lichnovsky - Trumpet
Norman Barnes - Bass
14. Haj Husicky Haj - Polka
Harry Czarnek & the Texas Dutchmen - Houston, Texas
from the album "Red Rose Polka", early 1970's
15. Echoes in the Hills - Waltz
Harry Czarnek & the Texas Dutchmen - Houston, Texas
from the album "A Polka Picnic", mid 1970's
16. Wheelbarrow - Polka
Joe Patek Orch. - Shiner, Texas
same
17. Mockingbird - Waltz
Jimmy Brosch & His Happy Country Boys - Houston, Texas
from the album, "Believe It or Not", 1970's
18. Corn Cockle - Polka
Jimmy Brosch
same
19. Green Meadow - Waltz
Praha Bros. - Temple, Texas
from the album "Praha Bros.", 2000
Billy Havlik - Trumpet, vocals
David Fraga - Trumpet
Shorty Grisham - Guitar, vocals
Ray Motl - Accordion
Michael Morris - Drums, vocals
Tom Jones - Also sax, guitar, vocals
Russell Kalkbrenner - Bass, vocals
20. Clover by the Water - Polka
The Dancehall Boys - Austin, Texas
from the album "Behind the Blacksmith Shop", 1995
John Ondrusek - Accordion, vocals
Dennis Svatek - Trumpets
Tommy Lane - Bass
Doug Mican - Drums
21. Once on a Sunday - Waltz
The Dancehall Boys - Austin, Texas
from the album "Live, Volume 2", 1997
John Ondrusek - Accordion, vocals
Dennis Svatek - Lead trumpet
Danny Gerik - 2nd Trumpet, vocals
Thomas Durnin - Bass
Mark rebecek - Drums
22. Flutophone - Polka
Buttons & Banjo - Prairie du Sac, WI
from the album "After All These Years", 1999
Len Strozinski - Concertina
Harry Endres - Banjo
Gil Voss - Tuba
Francis McMahan - Snare
23. Lonesome - Waltz
Jodie Mikula Orch. - Ennis, Texas
from the album "Musically Yours", 1997
Nick Mikula - 2nd cornet, alto sax, alto horn, guitar, vocals
Charlie Patak - Button accordion, trumpet, tenor sax, trombone, guitar,
vocals
Mike Marek - Tuba, electric bass
Andy Mikula - Percussion
Pat Zapletal - Piano
Ken Mikula - Lead cornet, tenor sax, trombone, clarinet, vocals
24. Rooster - Polka
Jodie Mikula Orch. - Ennis, Texas
same
25. My Darling - Waltz
Pavelka Orch. - Corpus Christi, Texas
from the album "Pavelka's new Sound", 1977
Benny J. Pavelka - Trumpet, vocals
Jerome J. Pavelka - Tenor sax
Mickael Pavelka - Guitar, vocals
Benji Pavelka - Bass
Kirby Park - Accordion, cordovox
Mark Rebecek - Drums
26. PrzybiLi Ulani - Polka
Brian Marshall - Houston, Texas
from the album "Polish Standard Time", mid 1990's
27. Bride's Dance - Waltz
Brian Marshall - Houston, Texas
same
28. Beautiful - Polka
Lee Roy Matocha Orch. - Fayetteville, Texas
from the album "Lee Roy is Back Again", 1960's
29. In the Dark - Polka
Romy Gosz Orch. - Manitowoc, WI
from the CD "Radio Broadcasts 1960-1963"
30. At the Spring - Waltz
Czech Melody Masters - Austin, Texas
from the album "Old-Tyme Radio Favorites", 2000
Dennis Svatek - Lead trumpet, vocals
Dave Bedrich - 2nd trumpet, vocals
Greg Rickard - Piano
Thomas Durnin - Upright double-bass
Mark Rebecek - Drums
31. Cavalry Soldier - Polka
Tony Janak & His Orch. - Yoakum, Texas
from the album "Simply Beautiful", 1980's
32. Muziky Muziky - Polka
Dick Rodgers - Wisconsin
from the album "Good Old Time Melodies"