~Ears, Heart, Soul and Brain~

RFW SPEAKS!

The artistic process of RFW is akin to instruments like a Mellotron or Emulator, musicians such as turntablists and samplists and sound artists that utilize field recordings and shortwave. The creation is accomplished by "playing" pre-recorded or found sounds and arranging, altering, editing and sequencing them to make something old become something new.

Radio has been my schooling, profession and passion for 42 years. But aside from a select and diminishing number of commercial signals as well as persistent and revolving college shows and their presenters, the artistic quality of radio is nearly extinct. Even better than average channels and programming on products such as Sirius, Pandora and Spotify are the result of a well informed person(s) knowingly feeding great and quality selections into a data-base and allowing software and algorithms to introduce and or automate their flow and rotation. The hosts, although often charming, entertaining and capable, are usually reduced to the role of talking-head.

In 2006, when I first launched this my dream "station", I was very aware that what I was undertaking was a rare and endangered species. Music is my poetry, my cinema, my literature and my inspiration. I relate songs, tones, tunes and tempos to events, feelings, news and incidents I live, observe, feel and wish to articulate about, then create a new piece of art to share with you. They are not intended to be definitive or autobiographical, just as every painting is not perfect or a mirror-image self-portrait, yet all bear the unmistakable mark of it's creator.

Whether my motivation is thematic, intended to convey an emotion, make a point or musically random - the results are always a transformation of many separate and unique pieces from equally different talents into a new source of enjoyment funneled though my ears, heart, soul and brain.  

As we end this year and start 2015, I am proud to not only continue, but to also evolve and mutate each Transmission into an addition that stands alone in the gallery of the blog but, also fits those that came before or will be realized in the future like a living, breathing puzzle that will never be completed.
Please remember, I do this for the artists, myself and YOU!

Happy New Year from Radio Free Wohlman!

~A Madog And An Indian Man~

Transmission 9914

Paying tribute to Joe Cocker and remembering Ravi Shankar with an introduction from Mushroom!

T9914 is a 148mb 320k mp3 1:05:05 in length made loud to be played louder! 

"learning to live together, untill we die"

RFW

~The Christmas Companion~

Transmission 9814

Whereas CITWA 2014 was conceived as a foreground listening experience, 

this mate is intended to mingle with the background sounds of you and your family 

cooking, eating, drinking, opening presents and enjoying each other as well as 

the beauty that is inherent in this celebration of a very special birth.

Raise a glass to the music of Angel, Vince Guaraldi Trio, Hip Hop Peanuts with a guest rap from Linus, The Bach Choir, Johann Sebastian Bach, Luciano Pavarotti & London Voices, The Chieftains with Elvis Costello and Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Wiener Mozart Ensemble, Esquivel and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky!

T9814 is a 133mb 320k mp3 58:14 in length made with love to be listened to with love!

"tidings of comfort and joy"

RFW

~A Christmas Gift For You~

  THE RFW HOLIDAY MESSAGE - 2014

It feels like an authentic end of an era, or is it the Phoenix rising? 

This has been my favorite seasonal song since November of 1963 (I was 7), when my very cool cousin Henrietta bought "A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector". I have played it for my own enjoyment or on the radio for your's every year since then. But for all intents and purposes, I heard it and understood it for the very first time the other night watching Darlene Love perform it for the very last time on the soon to be a memory
Late Night with Dave Letterman. 

It does not matter if the singing narrator asks nicely or demands compliance. Our wants and needs do not motivate or change the outcome. In fact, it often pushes the person in the opposite direction!  

The person being sung to has many choices. They can come back home to where they once belonged, go home for the first time to where they do belong, or stay where they are and ignore all invitations - for home is truly where the heart is.

Sometimes:

-  everyone is better off if the person you thought you wanted to return stays away.

 - the place the person afraid of change could find is the home they always dreamed of.

 -  there is no better company than your own.

Don't come home because you are wanted.

Don't go home because you are wanted.

Don't stay home because you are wanted and can't be or are afraid to be honest.

Be where you want to be because it makes you a happier and better person!

Be careful of what you ask for - you might get it.

Feel the joy of loving and being loved.

Understand how lucky you are to have somewhere to live and/or someone that cares.

 Work hard everyday to make it work for all the years that follow.  

May you, your family and your furry friends have a very Merry

"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"

RFW

~So Close But So Far Away~

Transmission 9714

When you have to ask - you already know!

Annie Lennox begins by drawing the line!

Loves Me Not - Buzzcocks, Junior Wells, Bo Didley, The Young Rascals, Teddy Pendergrass and  Senor Coconut & His Orchestra

Loves Me - Cheap Trick, The Archies, Johnny Thunders & The Heart Breakers, People, The Mojo Men, Colour Box and Thomas Dolby!

Jeff Beck  - Ends Lovingly

T9714 is a 137mb 320k mp3 1:00:06 in length made loud to be played louder! 

"I guess action speaks louder than words"

RFW

~The New Nick Is No Dick~

Transmission 9614

Anti-ballistic ground to sleigh missiles, elves gone postal, tainted milk, evil dictators demanding that The Christmas Story 24 Hour Marathon be reduced to an edited two-day mini-series to air in July or compromising recordings of Mrs. Claus and Rudolf will be exposed (ooo Rudy baby, that red nose) - Santa needed to either hand the whole operation over to his over-anxious son, Nick Jr. or evolve just to survive! SC 2014 is sexy, tough and hard - he's not tolerating any more shit! But under all the sinewy muscle, bullet-proof armour and bad-ass visage still beats the heart of a lovable, jolly fellow that always comes through with both good-will and good goods! It all starts with Soul Santa Orchestra, Gary Walker and James Brown, then we check out what old-school sounds are in our favorite Saint's brand new bag!

Punchbags with Talking Heads, Fujia & Miyagi, Colourbox, The Bees, Mary Wells and Warren Zevon.

Hot Rods with John's Children, John Fogerty with Brad Paisley, Jeff Beck and Johnny Taylor.

I Spy gear with The Untouchables, Was (Not Was) and Blue Oyster Cult!

...and some therapy from Soupy Sales, an acknowledged expert on problem wives!

T9614 is a mb 320k mp3 1:00:00 in length nade loud to be played louder!

"he's given up the cookies and slimming down"

RFW

Very scary!

Keep it in your sock, boy!

When asked about the rumors regarding Rudolph's other lesser publicised
genetic wonders 

Mrs. Claus broke into a wide-smile and breathlessly recalled ......!

~(All) Tomorrow's Spoons (Today)~

Transmission 9514

Read these words - no forking yesterdays! This is a forward scoop of ageless tunes featuring Bryan Ferry, The Shirelles, Jimi Hendrix, Rod Stewart, Tomorrow, The Mirage, Dave "The Fuze" Fiuczynski, , Spoon, Boris, Underworld, Soundgarden, Jack Bruce and Can!

T9514 is a 320k mp3 1:15:19 in length made loud to be played louder!

"And what costume shall the poor girl wear?"

RFW

 

*Today's show was inspired by both a listen to a collection of great singles by the 60s British Invasion band The Mirage and CJ Wohlman's recommended choice video by Richard Gale! Enjoy it below - but beware of future utensils of the rounded variety!

~Eight From Behind or Four On One~

RFW REWIND

Now that you've had the chance to have a "little party" with CITWA 2014, here is a welcomed visit from The Ghost of RFW Christmas' Past!

CITWA 2013

CITWA 2012

CITWA 2006 - 2011

~I Am The Story~

Christmas In The Wohlman Archives 2014

It seemed to work during the planning stages, so what could go wrong? Light the candles, hang the balls and turn up the holiday sounds of King Crimson featuring Greg Lake, Keith Emerson, U2, School Of Seven Bells, Paul Revere & The Raiders, NRBQ, Wes Lachot, Los Campesinos!, Bob & Doug Mckenzie, The Cast of Twin Peaks, Winston Tong, Kay Martin & Her Body Guards, Jimmy Butler, Ben Light & His Surf Club Boys, Curtis' Corner and his Jingle Bell Dubstep Elves, Boris Brott & The Hamilton Philharmonic, Metallica, Lady Antebellum, Carpet Frogs, Yukihiro Takahashi, The Long Ryders, The Living Sisters, Chet Atkins, Davitt, Sigerson, The Blind Boys of Alabama & Taj Mahal, Emery and Sufjan Stevens!

CITWA 2014 is a 235mb 320k mp3 1:43:05 in length made loud to be played louder! 

"I never end" 

RFW

* Thanks to Special K for the visual stimulation!

~The Secret Word Is...~

RFW TEASER

Christmas In The Wohlman Archives 2014

Pops Up Tomorrow, December 13th

I Know You Are But What Am I?

~What's It All About?~

RFW TEASER

Christmas In The Wohlman Archives 2014

Floats down like an angel on December 13th!

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host, praising God and saying 'Glory to God in the highest, and peace, good will towards men' That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown"

~Jesus Natus Est~

RFW TEASER

Meister der Palastkapelle, Palermo - 1150

Christmas In The Wohlman Archives 2014 

Will be wrapped and ready to open this Saturday, December 13th!

" In the midst of life we are in death: of whom can we seek of succour, 

but Thee, O Lord"

~What Is Christmas To You?~

RFW TEASER

Christmas In The Wohlman Archives 2014

Is mixed with egg-nog and served up this Saturday, December 13th!

"ring-a-ling, hear them ring"

~J.S. Celebrates J.C.~

RFW TEASER

Christmas In The Wohlman Archives 2014

A new classic is unveiled this Saturday, December 13th!

This Holiday Season, get Bach to where you once belonged!

~You Keep Me Hangin'~

Transmission 9414

"And He saith unto them, 'why do ye doubt me, oh ye of little faith' ".

Phones, (s)he and stardom are answered, adored and reached for by 10cc, Faith No More, Electric Light Orchestra, Blondie, The Monkees, The Zombies, The Rolling Stones, The Crystals, Public Enemy, Miles Davis re-translated by Bill Laswell, Patti Smith Group, David Bowie, Marilyn Manson and Laibach.

T9414 is a 155mb 320k mp3 made loud to be played louder! 

"we think you'd better come down"

RFW

*The quote contains the purported words of JC as written by Mathew (8:26) and found in the The Bible. 

~Center Stage At Last~

Transmission 9314

Hats off to the late Ian McLagan and Bobby Keys with appearances by Small Faces, Faces, The Bump Band, Joe Cocker with The Mad Dogs and Englishmen and The Rolling Stones!

T9314 is a 149mb 320k mp3 1:05:121 in length made loud to be played louder! 

"as good as Ian was on the keys, Keyes was on the sax"

RFW

~They Glisten~

RFW  TEASER

Christmas In The Wohlman Archives 2014 
Is Dropping On December 13th!

No one can resist these Schweddy Balls!

~Pebbles~

Transmission 9214

Have you ever had someone that you are telepathically connected to? Consistently present and aware, the joy and happiness delivered by my psychic partner of the heart inspires a Sunday session in the Archives featuring Keith Emerson & Greg Lake, Daryl Hall & Todd Rundgren, Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant, Peter Green and Lindsey Buckingham era Fleetwood Mac, Tame Impala, Pond and Mink Mussel Creek!

T9214 is a 172mb 320k mp3 1:15:17 in length made loud to be played louder! 

"disturbing the waters of our lives"

RFW

*Rocking photo and sea-kissed inspiration courtesy of T!

~Maybe~

Transmission 9114

The words and sounds of "the cute Beatle" get things rolling with recycled junk-art by Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Robin Zander & Rick Nielsen, Roger Daltrey and Wings! We then get big, happy and blue with Eyal Maoz, Seks Bomba and Oz Noy. Finally, Low inspired sounds from Dylan Howe, David Bowie and Phillip Glass soothe us into a hushed peaceful tranquility!

T9114 is a 150mb 320k mp3 1:05:51 in length made loud to be played louder!

"you help me sing my song"

RFW

"Love...is a state of tremendous tranquility, calmness, serenity, silence. 

And out of that silence is poetry. 

Out of that silence is song, 

and out of that silence arises a dance of your being." 

Osho - Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh

Maybe you are like me and saw this show, but missed the concert movie! A Rockshow featuring Wings Over North America in 1976!

 Coincidently, we lost "the quiet Beatle" on this day in 2001. George Harrison's songs have become very important to me as I have grown. Enjoy this great all-star tribute!

Four musical Heroes (Phillip Glass - Aphex Twin - David Bowie - Brian Eno) colliding!

~Hands Off That's Mine~

RFW REWIND

Here is one you might have missed from 2012!

Transmission 11812

On Thanksgiving, people give thanks to God for what they have. On the following day, they lose their heads in a shopping frenzy and kick the almighty shit out of their neighbors for what they want! Take advantage of the huge savings on Steely Dan, Wild Flag, Ian Hunter, Fleetwood Mac, Gary Clark Jr., The Black Keys, Prince, The Kinks, Los Bravos, Wilco, David Bowie, The Anderson Council, Genesis, Audra Mae & The Almighty Sound, Underdogs and Medeski/Martin & Wood!

T11812 is a 66.9mb 128k mp3 1:13:09 in length made loud to be played louder!

"when Black Friday comes I'll stand down by the door, and catch all the grey men when they dive from the 14th floor"

RFW

~And He Said The Word~

Transmission 9014

RFW - where the bird has you for dinner! Chew to the Thanksgiving beat of The Doors, Steve Miller Band, Left Lane Cruiser, Medeski/Martin & Wood, Joana Lewie, Zoot Money's Big Band, The Rolling Stones, Jim Keltner Orchestra with Mick Jagger, Jr. Walker & The All Stars, The Pipkins, Bob Williams, Jim Dandy, The Hook, Blondie, Paul and Linda McCartney, The Firesign Theatre and the Stiff Records Live Review!

T9014 is a 133mb 320k mp3 58:26 in length made with love to be stuffed to bursting!

"Let's Eat"

RFW

My fondest memories of this special day include waking up early and watching the Macy's parade live from NYC with my family. 

After awhile, the adults would go into into the kitchen to continue cooking, showing me "Tom's " progress every hour!

I would adjust the rabbit ears on the trusty black and white set, sneak a few strufoli and settle in with my cousins for a morning marathon of holiday cartoons.

We would then all gather for an Italian feast! 

 Listen to the music as you prepare your meal, then enjoy a few of the video favorites below with your kids and grandkids and watch them roll their eyes as you tell them the stories about

 ..."when I was young ...."!

~My Love Wears Forbidden Colours~

Transmission 8914

A healing Sunday session by Ryuichi Sakamoto with assistance from Kazumi Watanabe, David Sylvian, Bernard Fowler and others!

T8914 is a 143mb 320k mp3 1:02:43 in length made with love to be listened to lovingly! 

"I won't be disappointed"

RFW

*Mr. Sakamoto earned a B.A. in composition and a M.A. with emphasis on ethnic and electronic music. He is a prolific solo artist, a founding member of the legendary Yellow Magic Orchestra, an award winning composer, dramatic actor, consistent collaborator and a RFW favorite. Visit SiteSakamoto for more about Ryuichi and enter here for a wonderful NYC radio piano recital. Please listen and send him back your good vibrations.

~Reading and 'Riting and 'Rithmatic and RFW~

Transmission 8814

No hick'ry sticks - just musical 4-R lessons well taught by Louis Jordan, Dave Edmunds, David Bowie, Talking Heads, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Rory Gallagher, The Beatles, Bo Carter & The Mississippi Sheiks, Jack Kerouac & Steve Allen, Fats Waller, Harry Nilsson, Spoon, The Kinks, Beck, Neal Ford & The Fanatics, The Flaming Lips and The Band.

T8814 is a 150mb 320k mp3 1:05:39 in length made loud to be played louder! 

"good old Golden Rule days"

RFW

*The illustration is the 1907 sheet music for "School Days" written that year by Will Cobb and Gus Edwards. A sentimental remembrance of those bygone days, the version we played by Louis Jordan was recorded in 1949 and took jumpin' liberty with the verses, but kept the chorus intact!

**The (Golden) Rule of Three was a shorthand version for a particular form of cross-multiplication, often taught to students by rote. 

***I  fondly remember getting psychologically tortured by the fine nuns of my Catholic grammar school, being physically beaten by the role-model Jesuit priests of my early high school years and transversely, the names and faces of the few teachers and broadcast instructors and professionals that were great at their jobs, taught me well and made a difference in my life! 

"Teach Your Children well, their father's hell, did slowly go by

And feed them on your dreams, they one they fix, the one you'll know by"

Graham Nash

~Listen, Listen, Listen~

Transmission 8714

Wake up

Today will be shorter than the last

Your heart beats faster than the seconds that pass you

Nightime will soon arrive.

Just as brightness merges into night, the lines that separate our themes are as close as the twilight between the beats of a blurred pulse. Transform with Laurie Anderson, Wayne County & The Electric Chairs, Massive Attack, Brian Wilson, Q65, The Eyes, Jim Carroll Band, Japan and William Burroughs.

T8714 is a 141mb 320k mp3 1:02:00 in length made loud to be played louder! 

"before the darkness there's a moment of light"

RFW

* According to the American Heart Association, the average heart at rest beats 60 to 80 times per minute.

**Twilight is the illumination of the Earth's lower atmosphere when the Sun itself is not directly visible because it is below the horizon. Twilight is produced by sunlight scattering in the upper atmosphere, illuminating the lower atmosphere so that the surface of the Earth is neither completely lit nor completely dark. The word "twilight" is also used to denote the periods of time when this illumination occurs.

***Psychologist William James, in his 1890 text "Principles of Psychology", wrote that as we age, time seems to speed up because adulthood is accompanied by fewer and fewer memorable events. When the passage of time is measured by “firsts”- the lack of new experiences in adulthood, James morosely argues, causes “the days and weeks [to] smooth themselves out…and the years grow hollow and collapse” (sigh). A good argument to try more new things (or old things with new people) and slow it all down!

~Buy Now Or Bye And Bye~

Transmission 8614

Although suitable for any occasion, this package would ideally be played in the last call hour of your really great party. Get fuzzy, groove it, mash up and chill out with The Other Half, N.E.R.D., P.M. Dawn, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Beautiful People, William Onyeabor, Tangerine Dream, Ryuichi Sakamoto and Pink Floyd!

T8614 is a 149mb 320k mp3 1:05:17 in length made loud to be played louder!

"What Can I Do For You?"

RFW

~Four String Maestros~

Transmission 8514

Jack Bruce has passed and John Paul Jones is alive and well - both are spotlighted with help from Those Crooked Vultures, Nguyen Le, Tool, Led Zeppelin, Phil Upchurch, Leslie West and Corky Laing!

T8514 is a 201mb 320k 1:28:12 in length made loud to be played loudest!

"I ain't crying, but I'm sad"

RFW