Southern Soul and Blues – Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets

Anson Funderburgh formed his band the Rockets way back in 1978 and the oldest song on this tribute is "Come On" from the album Talk To You By Hand from 1981. The lead singer at that time was Darrell Nulisch, but that changed in 1986 when veteran blues singer and harmonica player Sam Myers joined the band. The remaining 16 songs on this CD are from eight albums covering the years that Sam has been with the band. Two songs are driving instrumentals and the other 14 feature Sam’s vocals.

Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets have won numerous awards during this time, including seven W.C. Handy Blues Awards for band of the year three times, album of the year two times and single of the year twice. Both of those award winning songs are included: "Change In My Pocket" and "Changing Neighborhoods", written by Sam Myers.

Sam Myers has had a long and successful career starting with Elmore James back in the 1950s. Anson has played with everyone from Snooks Eaglin, Delbert McClinton, the Fabulous Thunderbirds and Grady Gaines to Huey Lewis, Boz Scaggs and David Sanborn.

The Rockets are rounded out with Wes Starr on drums, "Gentleman" John Street on piano and organ and Eric Przygocki on electric and upright bass.

This blues compilation even includes a song that might be considered rockabilly called "Oh-Oh", but the rest is straight out blues, blending the Mississippi vocals and harmonica playing of Sam Myers with the Texas guitar of Anson Funderburgh. The results of this partnership have always been outstanding and this CD is proof of the matter.

–Dan Guilfoyle