Henry Thomas - Ragtime Texas 1927-1929 (CD)

Many versions of "John Henry" exist, but Henry Thomas's version, because of his use of reeds, is unique. The reeds have a light, radiant air that lifts this song to something joyous. Thomas was born in Texas in 1874 and didn't record his first sessions until he was in his early fifties. His music incorporated blues and patched together songs ("rags") that seemed to come from earlier traditions, including nine pieces on which he uses reeds. The use of them may point to an earlier African-American tradition that had nearly vanished by the time he was recording. These pieces represent the best songs on this collection, with standouts like "The Little Red Caboose" and "Bull-Doze Blues." The later song sounds very similar to Canned Heat's "Goin' Up the Country," including the reed solo that sets the song in motion. Songs like "Don't Ease Me In," would later be performed by the Grateful Dead and many others, while "Honey, Won't You Allow Me One More Chance?" is lyrically related to an early Bob Dylan song with almost the same title. The songs gathered here have been taken from five recording sessions between 1927 and 1929 and are ordered chronologically. The liner notes explain the origins of reeds/quills in African-American music, and help place Thomas in a historical context. The fidelity on certain cuts is scratchy, but his voice and instrumentation are still always discernible. This is a good collection of an early-Texas songster, especially valuable because of Thomas' unique use of reeds.

Track List:

Disc: 1

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. Honey, Won't You Allow Me One More Chance?
9. Run, Mollie, 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 Blus
17. Texas Worried Blues
18. Fishing Blues
19. Old Country Stop
20. Charmin' Betsy
21. Lovin' Babe
22. Railroadin' Some
23. Don't Leave Me Here