Henry Thomas | The mystery of the hobo songster
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Henry Thomas | The mystery of the hobo songster
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About this listen
Little is known about the life of Henry Thomas, but his legacy of 23 recorded songs influenced generations of folk, rock, and blues musicians. He often accompanied himself on the "quills" a pan flute-like instrument probably fixed in a brace around his neck. Often using the name "Ragtime Texas" Thomas was born in east Texas and was known to travel by train as a hobo, Otherwise his life is a mystery.
Songs:
Fishing Blues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OilNFHa1AOc
Bull Dog Blues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcLgJ-K49a8
Arkansas:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdtoZzctg1c
Video: Otha Turner cane fife player in the Mississippi fife and drum tradition:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MgK8RtFWQY&list=WL&index=11
Sid Hemphill - Devil's Dream
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP3GKaX_Kz8
Video of African Quill playing
Ritual dance nsambo and panflutes Nyanga (Mozambqie)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLLX_xqoK_0&list=WL&index=11
Possible video of Henry Thomas playing guitar and quills:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75v6uwO5tVA
Don Flemmons, contemporary songster, demonstrates the quills and "hooting" technique:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqIdB9cNt5Q