"Everything in music is ultimately communication, whether it’s conveying the emotion to the audience, or tightening up the arrangements with the band (or getting the audience to show up!). Putting yourself in the other person’s shoes will invariably provide some valuable insights."

Wildcat O'Halloran: Blues Masterclass

Guitar-slinger Wildcat O'Halloran has been thrilling audiences in Western Massachusetts for over thirty-five years. The band has opened for just about every major blues artist to visit Massachusetts, from Greg Allman to John Lee Hooker to The Stray Cats, and has been backup band for Bo Diddley and James Cotton. Recently, they opened for Duke Robillard at Greenfield's Hawks and Reed Music Hall. Often featured at Millennium Music Conference, and  longtime host of the  Sunday Blues Jam in Northampton, the Wildcat (guitar and vocals) will often be accompanied by "Dr." Kathy Peterson (Bass), “Dr. Luscious” Emily Duff (sax), Devin Griffiths (guitar, vocals) and drummer Mark Chouinard. New England based Wildcat O'Halloran with no label support or high powered promoters, has had a series of critically acclaimed albums burn up the charts in recent years.

(Photo: Massachusetts based guitar-slinger Wildcat O'Halloran with Emily Duff on saxophone)

His latest, 11-tracks album "Lead Me Not Into Temptation, I Can Find It Myself" (2024) has been described as "a masterclass in tone and grit". Musically the band tends to wade in the traditional side of the blues, but lyrically "Cat" always tells a fun and interesting story that is atypical of the blues. He is undoubtedly a skilled wordsmith with a great sense of humor. His guitar playing is derivative of 60's Clapton, choosing taste and restraint over guitar acrobatics. He is more of a Peter Green and Matt "Guitar "Murphy fan than the players that came to the blues scene with a Hendrix influence.

Interview by Michael Limnios            Archive: Wildcat O'Halloran, 2012 Interview

How has the Blues and Rock music infuenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

After you experience the power of the blues, and see the universal effect it has on all types of people, it’s impossible not to realize that human beings are all tied together by our common aspects… which are WAY more important than our differences. Some people (fools, mostly) might try to deny that, but they’d have to deliberately ignore the picture right in front of them. When James Cotton called out “Gimme a Jimmy Reed in E”, and started counting, he assumed that he and I were going to a familiar, shared place… and he was RIGHT!

What is the driving force behind your continuous support for your music/lyrics? What's the balance in music between technique (skills) and soul/emotions?

Muddy Waters once noted that there’s “GOOD Blues” (skillfully played, well arranged, communicating a message, and showing command while doing it)... and there’s “DEEP Blues”---I think that second one means Blues showing a profound knowledge and respect for the deepest traditions of the masters who’ve gone before, as well as a deeply meaningful exploration of the emotions in human life. For a little Irish-American boy growing up in New York City, that second component was a sizable challenge… But fortunately, I met, and learned from men who were keenly attuned to every centimeter of that territory. That was key—because you need a healthy dose of both aspects (Good—-and Deep)--or the Blues just isn’t that interesting!

What moment changed your music life the most? What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

When legendary drummer Kennard Johnson left the James Cotton Band, and relocated to Massachusetts, he provided my already full-blown blues obsession with graduate level fine tuning. It was a master class every gig. Then, when I got the opportunity to play with Mr. Superharp… and make him smile!... it told me I was on my way!

"After you experience the power of the blues, and see the universal effect it has on all types of people, it’s impossible not to realize that human beings are all tied together by our common aspects… which are WAY more important than our differences." (Wildcat O'Halloran / Photo by Vinny Natale)

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

Ans.- One trend in newer music that worries me is a tendency to disregard “chops”.....some fnd that too “Spinal Tap”, maybe? That seems like we’re trying to express “deep” emotions without requisite skill! Meanwhile, we have the other extreme, where the dexterity runs wild with no roots. I think that despite the negative aspects of the internet, the fact that you can compare and contrast the “latest thing” with the work of the old masters will, ultimately, be a very GOOD thing.

If you could change one thing in the musical world and it would become a reality, what would that be?

I don’t think it’s a secret that the financial realities of the music world are pretty treacherous…. especially now, when artists are apparently supposed to “work hard to get streams” on sites that pay fractions of cents. After Covid, there’s been a wave of “ OOOH, we’re so glad music is back!” Hope that continues.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Everything in music is ultimately communication, whether it’s conveying the emotion to the audience, or tightening up the arrangements with the band (or getting the audience to show up!). Putting yourself in the other person’s shoes will invariably provide some valuable insights. Which leads in to the next question….

Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues? What is the role of music in today’s society?

Picture this: One human, no technology …versus one tiger—advantage tiger. Substitute in Lion, elephant, cobra, poisonous fish, or whatever you like. You see the point. Tiger versus a group of humans, who are sharing support and technology—advantage humans! And that… that key to our success… is based in our innate human interest in co-operation. We are literally PROGRAMMED to help each other….we can’t WAIT to do it. And while we’re developing our empathy, what if we found a music that values sharing our problems, and at the same time, makes us feel BETTER about those (shared) problems. How valuable could THAT be?

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(Wildcat O'Halloran / Photo by Whittling Fog)