Wild & wicked

“Wild & Wicked” is the product of two musical artists who decided to explore and allow each other’s style to blend comfortably.

One may think that working in a radio station and hosting prime time morning shows would easily pave the way to a recording career.

But it was only after 14 years since Pamela Wildheart – as she is fondly called during her Radio Heart 91.3 FM days in Singapore – when she met Moliano that the album “Wild & Wicked” took shape.

Moliano, a respected musician and accomplished music producer, was off to a new start after splitting from Love Hunters, which is best remembered for its major haul of record sales compared to most artists in Singapore.

“We talked and talked about recording music. I have always been busy writing my music. My career as a performer has brought me to travel to so many countries worldwide. I never took recording music seriously despite the offers by record labels in the Philippines and Singapore as well,” Pam said.

“Moliano struck me as truly sincere in his respect for me and my music,” she said.

As fate dictates, she said, Moliano caught up with her as she was walking in a shopping center and this time around, the talks became more serious.

“Music is serious business and to really immerse yourself in the heart of music, you must be prepared to give up everything. I decided to give up my job and get into the studio to record my music,” Pam shared.

“As my musical producer and creative director, Moliano has proven to be exceptional and very open to ideas. We worked really well together. It’s amazing how easy the whole process was owing to our working styles,” she added.

According to Pam, “Wild & Wicked” is the product of two musical artists who decided to explore and allow each other’s style to blend comfortably. It has 10 songs and includes a combination of English and original Pilipino music. Six are in English, while four are written in Filipino. Most of the songs are composed by Pam herself.

She got the blessing of her friend, Freddie Aguilar, to include “Anak” in this album. Pam’s version is a welcome change, rock inspired as arranged by Moliano. Like Ka Freddie, she hopes that the song would encourage Pinoys to pay tribute to the family as an important catalyst in shaping our lives. The only drawback, though, to a Bisdak singing in Tagalog is the phrasing of the words. Remember that despite having the license to record covers, we still have to stick to stressing words accurately. Say for example, “gatas” (milk), the stress is on first syllable and you can’t compromise just so to accommodate a rearrangement.

As for “Tunay,” Pam said that Moliano wrote the music and lyrics originally in Malay. However, it was her who added the Filipino lyrics to it. Tunay questions a man and even a woman and urges both to rediscover the truth between them: Are they really in love or is it plain madness that has made them love each other enough to live together for so long?

As Pam is an empowered woman, she said she chose the word “Pinay” instead of Pinoy for a track title. “Gender reflective. I wish to highlight my pride being a Filipina today. This is an affirmation of my roots, with an upbeat rhythm enough to inspire pride and cheer,” she said. This song is dedicated to all the Pinays in the world who are truly hardworking, dedicated, committed and passionate amid adversity and challenges.

As for “Pinay sa Singapore,” this is dedicated to Jennifer, Pam’s house manager, who is absolutely overjoyed to greet Sundays as the most important day of the week for her in Singapore. This is about the Filipinas working as domestic managers in zillions of households worldwide. The simplicity and happy tone shows that anyone can be happy if they choose to, or that anyone can bring joy to themselves especially if they have friends to support, days to look forward to, and above all, an undying zest for the positive.

The rest of the songs are in English with one Unplugged version.

A Ronnie Scott-original, which happens to be my favorite, entitled “It’s A Heartache” brings out the best in Pam’s husky voice. Although seemingly buried through time, this song is surprisingly appealing to listeners of all ages who can’t quite get over the raspy voice of Bonnie Tyler (Total Eclipse of the Heart). Remarkably, Rod Stewart made another version which was equally well-received.

“I’ve always wanted to sing this song and now my chance to sing it has come,” an overwhelmed Pam shared.

“One can’t get over and done with the huskiness or hoarseness, otherwise the pain of heartaches will not sound as realistic and convincing as the original songs.”

Pop song “Still Crazy Over You” (I luv the guitar works!) is another love song in the list. In here, Pam’s passionate person and big heart manifest. This goes to that person who made her realize that despite all these years, despite everything that has come and gone, she still misses this person and if he reappears in her life, he is still capable of making her fall in love with him again and again. “It becomes a painful litany of heart murmurs – his name, his vision and his representation as the former love of my life,” she said.

She also has a piece on “Mother Nature”. Her strong influences and experiences with nature were inherent even in her childhood. She grew up appreciating life, nature and the bountiful blessings of caring for creatures big and small. “My close encounters with birds, animals, and nature especially gave me a strong bond towards the glorious environment which may not be here forever. I have personified Mother Nature and echo her cries addressed to all to 'spare her life' as she is hurting everyday with the way we harm, pollute, and abuse these natural wonders of the earth, the living and the loving specially."

One more love song is “Shivers Down My Spine” wherein a woman is deeply and madly enraptured by love. “Thoughts come and hover…some may call these insecurities, but with the fast paced lifestyle and cosmopolitan exchanges, it comes as no surprise that despite our successes, we can still feel fear thinking about losing that special love.”

Finally, the carrier track “Wild & Wicked” may be misunderstood. While many may think “wild” is usually suggestive and sometimes negative, “wild” can refer to the untamed spirit, free, able to express deep passion, and very much original.

To know more of the album and distribution, visit www.pamelawildheart.com.