Search - The Wildcats :: By the Light of Day

The Wildcats, a Central Massachusetts blues band, are pleased to announce the release of their new CD, "By the Light of Day", on Black Rose Records, an independent label based in Saugus, MA. The Wildcats are known for their high energy, dance and jam blues with mostly original tunes in varied styles of blues and R&B. The `Cats feature the soulful female vocals and songwriting of Fay Adams combined with the intense lead guitar work, vocals and harmonies of Jeff Adams, all backed by the funky, joyous grooves of Steve Stavropoulos on bass and Bob Tula on drums. The band also includes the original 50's Hammond B-3 organ sound of Donny Lavin, and the saxophone and horn arrangements of Scott Shetler are also featured on their first studio effort on Black Rose Records, "By the Light of Day." This is the Wildcats' first studio effort and they had the support of Black Rose Records President Al Cocorochio, who they call a blues visionary and philanthropist for his support and friendship to up and coming local blues acts. The Wildcats' sound engineer and producer, Ducky Carlisle, a genius in the studio, has recorded numerous successful projects and worked with such notables as Johnny Winter and Sue Tedeschi, who had a couple of Grammy nominations for Ducky's recordings of the hit tunes, "Rock Me Right" and "Hurts So Bad" (written and produced by Tom Hambridge, former Black Rose artist). The band is joined by veteran saxman and award-winning horn arranger Scott Shetler (Michelle Wilson, etc.) for a few tunes. The disc has 10 original tunes and 3 covers which run the R&B gamut of blues, swing, soul and a few funky rock & roll influences. I think the friendship and support of the whole band for the CD comes through on the disc, and the fun we all had making it shows - as Ducky pointed out, "The Wildcats are a band, not a project". That tightness shows in their music. The Wildcats, known for their danceable tunes and catchy melodies, dive into uncharted waters with a bevy of pop-blues-and-rhythm originals that get better with every spin of the disc. They still deliver signature finger-snapping, toe-tapping ditties to the delight of the rug cutters, but there's also a seriousness to this disc that explores mature themes and passions in Fay Adams' title track, Jeff Adams' "I Must Be Crazy" and "Land Time Forgot." Their harmonies also hit the mark in "I'm Sorry" and their old standby "Satisfied." The addition of Boston horn man and arranger Scott Shetler on tenor sax and clarinet and of Mimi Rabson on electric violin brings a new dimension to the Cats diversified and maturing musical tastes. These aren't appetizers, they're meaty entrees of an established band that has found its home. - Art Simas, Editor, New England Blues Society