Anson Funderburgh grew up in the suburban Dallas neighborhood that produced Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan. His crisp, stinging Texas guitar style is economical, well articulated and rooted in the Texas blues guitar heritage, particularly the Houston
slick-picking tradition of players like Albert Collins, Johnny "Guitar" Watson and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown.
As a teenager, Funderburgh was already playing in black and white clubs around Dallas. The band's early recordings with Darrell Nulisch are reminiscent of the
Fabulous Thunderbirds. But the addition of Sam Myers' classic blues harp and vocals in 1986 added the element that set this band apart from other bands recreating old blues.
A vintage guitar and watch collector and an avid western movie lover, Funderburgh's latest release captures the magical chemistry and excitement of Funderburgh and Myers. Stellar cuts include covers of Walter Jacobs' "Little Girl" and Buddy Guy's "$100 Bill"
and Myers' two originals, "Things Have Changed" and "Single Again."
Also, be sure and look for the hidden track that appears shortly after the ending of track 12.
Web: www.rounder.com
This review is copyright © 2000 by Matt Alcott, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved.