Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets: Change In My Pocket

Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets is one of those Texas roadhouse bands that is best appreciated in a live setting – preferrably intimate with low lighting, in the depths of summer and with no air conditioning to speak of. Somehow their Hammond B-3 fueled shuffles, Muddy-inspired slow blues, and vintage twist numbers take on a life of their own when they hit air mixed with sweat, smoke, hops, and pheromones. Naturally, much of that late night ambiance fails to translate to the colder medium of compact discs, but they do generates some sparks on Change in My Pocket (11661-9573-2A; 45: 18). Leather-lunged frontman Sam Myers is in peak form on Buddy Guy’s “$100 Bill,” and his own “Single Again,” in which Funderburgh closely emulates King-era B.B. King. Myers also penned some particularly topical lyrics in the humorous “Things Have Changed (In a Very Cruel Way).” Funderburgh plays it understated throughout with subtle, sly phrasing and cool comping on his Fender Stratocaster. But he lets loose and gets especially nasty on “$100 Bill,” his own instrumental shuffle “Hula Hoop,” the Bo Diddley-fied “Willie Jo” and the New Orleans stroll “You Can’t Be the one For Me.” Rough and ready for goodtimes.

Originally Published May 1, 1999