Henry Thomas (blues musician)
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Henry Thomas (1874-1950s?[1]) was an American pre-World War II, country blues singer, songster and musician.
Thomas, billed as "Ragtime Texas", was born in Big Sandy, Texas, and began his musical career as an itinerant songster (minstrel), and recorded twenty-three songs from 1927 to 1929. He accompanied himself with the guitar and the quills, a folk instrument made from cane reeds that sound similar to the zampona, used by musicians in Peru and Bolivia. Some of his songs are difficult to categorize — they sound more like precursors to the blues, rather than what is now called "blues." They are, therefore, a rare testimony of the kind of music which preceded the establishment of the blues around 1900.
His springy guitar-playing, probably inspired by banjo-picking styles, implies that he was used to catering for dancing.[2]
His best-known influence has been through two songs. "Fishin' Blues" was covered by Taj Mahal and The Lovin' Spoonful; and "Bull Doze Blues", was recorded by Canned Heat as "Goin' Up The Country".
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Some sources state 1930
- ^ Russell, Tony (1997). The Blues - From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray. Dubai: Carlton Books Limited, p. 176. ISBN 1-85868-255-X.
[edit] External links
- Henry Thomas from the Handbook of Texas Online
- Henry Thomas biography at the All Music Guide website
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