Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Singer Fay Adams leads the Wildcats through a nice range of blue moods on “By the Light of Day” (Black Rose 1026). This Massachusetts combo is made up of some of the Northeast’s best players. Guitarists Jeff Adams and B-3 man Donny Lavin can tear it up in front of a top-flight rhythm section. (Adams is a fine rhythm player herself). There’s not a bad cut here: I like the easy minor-key groove of “By the Light of Day” and the smoothly soulful “I must be Crazy”, but hey, that’s me.
- Blue Revue, Oct/Nov 2003, Special Year of the Blues Issue
I first met Fay Adams on the board of the New England Blues Society. In this capacity, she worked selflessly for the betterment of Blues musicians. When I finally saw her perform with her band “The Wildcats” I witnessed another side of her dedication to roots based music. The Wildcats served up a set of blues and R&B that touched on many facets of the genre. It was hot!
Such is also the case with the Wildcats new CD “by the light of day”. It’s a great collection of mostly original roots based music that leads the listener down a heartfelt path. Along the way they hit all the right stops. From the Tyrone Davis like “Show Me” to the Chicago rumba like moody “By the Light of Day” the band shows their understanding of all kinds of R&B.
Fay’s vocals are compelling throughout, from the gutsy “Satisfied “ to the ultra cool “Has this whole world gone crazy”, Fay shows she’s capable of meaningful interpretations of several styles.
The band is impeccable. I love it that these guys carry a B-3 on the road. Searing guitar work from Jeff Adams abounds on this disc. My favorites – the Albert Collins like stuff on I’m Sorry”, and the rock swing solo on Wynona Carr’s “Till the Well Runs Dry”. B-3 beds and solos give the Wildcats their own sound. Check out the Hammond work on ”It Don’t Mean a Thing”. It’s as good as it gets.
I’m glad to see musicians who I like so much as people and players have come out of the studio with a gem. This is not one of those blues records where all the tracks sound alike. It’s an adventurous exploration of the many sides of blues and R&B that I strongly recommend – James Montgomery, President New England Blues Society
- Black Rose Records
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
- Blues Spectrum - New England Blues Society
Discography
By the Light of Day - Black Rose Records (Indy label) - first studio effort, 2002
11-10-2000 - Live at Gilrein's
Blue in the face - Live on WJUL radio, 1998
Radio Airplay on Boston and Worcester area blues shows. MP3's can be downloaded on http://artist.amazon.com/thewildcats
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
The Wildcats are party band favorites, and the name of their game is "dance & jam blues" featuring hot blues/rock guitar, vocals, and variety, with tunes made for a spin on the dance floor. They draw on influences "from Ruth Brown to Savoy Brown, and from Doo-wop to Woodstock".
The Wildcats feature the soulful female vocals and songwriting of Fay Adams and the creative lead guitar work, vocals and harmonies of Jeff Adams - all backed by funky, joyous grooves.
The band includes some of the areas finest blues musicians: big jammin?bassman Rick Calcagni, phenomenal organ and piano of Shinichi Otsu (Greg Piccolo) and Boston-area veteran sax players, Bruce "the Goose" McGrath, Mark "the Shark" Seibel, and Scotty Shetler, who also provided the horn arrangements on their new CD on Black Rose Records, "By the Light of Day."
With the addition of young lion Dana Bonardi on drums, the combined influences of this group result in a varied show that runs the musical gamut of blues styles.
The Wildcats have played opening sets for many notable blues artists, including Johnny Winter, Sam McClain, and Savoy Brown, and have enjoyed playing Blues Fests, including Mt. Wachusett, Union Station Festival in Attleboro, Boston's "Save the Harbor" blues cruise, Marsfield Fair, and were a showcase band at the 2002 NXNE (North by Northeast) Music Conference in Toronto Canada.
The Wildcats were winners of the 2003 “Best Blues Act?in the Worcester, MA Best Music Poll, the “Wormtown Sound Awards.?Their CD, “By the Light of Day? their first studio effort, contains 10 original tunes and has received positive reviews from a variety of local and national blues sources.
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