Little is known of HENRY “RAG TIME TEXAS” THOMAS, yet his recorded legacy, between 1927-29, remains a wholly unique body of work. He was a one-man band, accompanying himself on guitar and reeds/pan pipes - known as quills - which he played from a rack strapped around his neck. The quills, combined with his strummed guitar, played in the style of a banjo, created one of the most memorable sounds in American Roots music. His quills intro on ‘Bull Doze Blues’ was instantly identifiable when Canned Heat recycled it forty years later (albeit on an oboe) in ‘Going Up Country’.
1. John Henry 2. Cottonfield Blues 3. Arkansas 4. The Fox and the Hounds 5. The Little Red Caboose 6. Bob McKinney 7. Red River Blues 8. Won't You Allow Me One More Chance? Honey 9. Mollie, Run Run 10. Shanty Blues 11. Woodhouse Blues 12. Jonah in the Wilderness 13. When the Train Comes Along 14. Bull Doze Blues 15. Don't Ease Me In 16. Texas Easy Street 17. Texas Worried Blues 18. Fishin' Blues 19. Old Country Stomp 20. Charmin' Betsy 21. Lovin' Babe 22. Railroadin' Some 23. Don't Leave Me Here
