Sam Myers Coming From The Old School CD

It's taken Sam Myers fully 50 years to make his first solo album. But he's no stranger to either stage or studio, having worked with Elmore James and Anson Funderburgh. For his debut he's assembled a top-notch band, led by guitarist Mel Brown, to work not so much behind him as with him. Brown is a standout as an accompanist, offering wonderful decoration to "I Got the Blues" and "Burning Fire." But understandably, it's Myers who's the star of the show, and his driving harmonica playing carries its own momentum, as on his version of Rice Miller's "Ninety Nine." But there's also a very pleasing grit to his singing, whether on the slow and deeply soulful"After Hours When the Joint Is Closed," or "Waitin' On Your Mama," which could have come directly from the Chicago school of blues. It might have taken him five decades to get to this, but from the music on the disc, not a single minute was wasted. ~ Chris Nickson

Blues legend Sam Myers got a second chance at the brass ring, and he's happily made the most of it. As frontman for Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets, the legally blind Myers's booming voice and succinct harp work have enjoyed a higher profile recently tha

Liner Note Author: Andrew Galloway.

Recording information: Liquid, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (01/12/2004-01/14/2004).

Photographer: Gary Collver.

Personnel: Sam Myers (vocals, harmonica); Sam Myers; Alec Fraser (acoustic bass, electric bass); Alex Fraser (bass guitar); Mel Brown (guitar, piano); Jack de Keyzer (guitar); Pat Carey (saxophone); Michael Fonfara (piano, organ); Jimmy Boudreau (drums).

Audio Mixer: Alec Fraser.

Living Blues (p.41) - "Coming up on their 50th class reunions, graduates coming from the old school of harmonica players are becoming a scarce and treasured resource."