Bull Doze Blues

Precious little is known of Henry "Rag Time Texas" Thomas, yet his recorded legacy, between 1927-29, remains a wholly unique body of work He operated as 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. One of the oldest Bluesmen captured on record - certainly, one of the very few who'd been playing in the 19th Century - Thomas was in his fifties when he cut these sides. 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'.