Blues
“Funderburgh, as always, seems far more interested in playing just the right note than a blistering series of obvious ones.” --Washington Post
“Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets with Sam Myers are the best blues band in the country.” --Delbert McClinton
Anson has played with some of the finest blues, R&B and country musicians in the land, including such notables as the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Snooks Eaglin, Delbert McClinton, Boz Scaggs, David Sanborn, Huey Lewis, Betty White, Earl King, Hal Ketchum, Thunderbird Davis, Grady Gaines and Clarence Hollimon & Carol Fran.
Anson also has an abiding appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into the creation of the music he has spent a lifetime playing. But music isn’t his only interest. Funderburgh’s fascination with things from an earlier era takes him into pawnshops and thrift stores across the country, as he searches for vintage guitars and watches. And, some five years ago, Anson discovered that playing golf is a great way to get some exercise and fresh air on the road.
Singer / harmonica player Sam Myers’ earliest recordings were made with the late great Elmore James on the Fire and Fury labels. Myers has written such notable blues songs as “Sleeping in the Ground,” which was waxed by Robert Cray and post-Cream supergroup, Blind Faith. (The latter version is featured on Eric Clapton's Crossroads boxset.) Myers’ “Changing Neighborhoods” won a W.C. Handy Award, and has since become a blues standard for up-and-comers to cut their teeth on.
Sam also has an uncanny memory for the interstate and highway system in this country -- no small feat considering his vision impairment. No matter where you want to go, Sam can tell you what road to take and how long it will take to get there. He’s an enormous fan of the classic western films, and such golden-age-of-radio adventure and mystery programs as The Shadow, The Lone Ranger and The Green Hornet. When Sam is not on the road, he can found jamming at neighborhood clubs in his hometown of Dallas, Texas. Every night he is out and about, playing harmonica and exposing musicians of different generations to his music, happy to teach any and all interested parties the tricks of the trade. Sam is a formidable presence on the Dallas music scene.
(By the way, these are great topics of conversation when meeting Sam. He does not, however, care to talk about his handicap or his age, and appreciates your consideration in these areas!)
The Rockets are known to be the tightest band in the blues and have the hardware to back it up. They have three WC Handy Awards for “Band of The Year” in their trophy case.
John Street plays both piano and organ with the Rockets. He cut his teeth with a shag dance band The Sands" in the Carolinas where he learned how best to get folks on the dance floor -- and where he managed to pick up a few steps himself. Hailing from St. Petersburg, Florida, Street has toured with Rock Bottom and the Gregg Allman Band, and recorded with nearly all the Tampa Bay blues bands. He’s also the Rockets’ hi-fidelity expert. If it has anything to do with sound or electronics, he can fix it or make it better. Needless to say he’s become a great asset to the band since joining in the summer of 1998.
Joining the band in 2001 is Austin, TX-based Wes Star on drums and in 2003 Eric Przygocki on bass. Since 1979 Wes has been one of Texas’ most in-demand drummers. He has performed, toured, and recorded with the likes of Omar & The Howlers, Marcia Ball, Greg “Fingers” Taylor, Asleep at the Wheel, Delbert McClinton, Jimmy Dale Gilmore, and Hal Ketchum. Eric plays both upright and electric bass. Anson was one of Eric’s early motivators and inspirations. Eric honed his skills as bassist for Gary Primich, Nick Curran, Holland K Smith, and has played with Jimmie Vaughn, Lou Ann Barton, and Kim Wilson.
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01.Side Tracked King, Thompson 5:47
02.Understand King, Ling 4:12
03.Ways of Man Reynolds, Tate 4:20
04.It's You Luandrew 4:15
05.Turning My Life Around Funderburgh, Myers 4:14
06.Peace of Mind Earl, Gomes 5:29
07.Empty Arms Levy, Lewis, Young 3:28
08.Wild Cherry Washington 3:14
09.Tell Me What I Want to Hear Cochran, Funderburgh, McCabe ... 4:37
10.The Drifter Walton 3:44
11.Everything's Gonna Be Alright Little Walter 5:58
12.Shedding Tears of Laughter Myers 5:06
13.Trying to Make You Mine Funderburgh, Myers 4:37
14.Make a Little Love James 4:33
15.Backstroke Collins 4:45
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