Henry Thomas - Bulldoze Blues
Henry Thomas (1874, Big Sandy, Texas -1930?) was an American blues singer, songwriter and musician. After leaving home in his teens he drifted along the Texas rail lines as a hobo before earning his way as an itinerant songster.
During the period between 1927-1929 Henry recorded 23 sides for Vocalian Records. He played a guitar which he accompanied with quills and his music encompassed many styles including blues, ragtime and gospel.
After this period little is known about Henry's life and although one account places him in Texas in the 1950's, most biographers believe he died in 1930.
Of the 23 recordings, one of the most popular today is Bulldoze Blues. The song was reworked by pianist Johnny Miller in 1927, who re-wrote the lyrics and gave it to jazz musician Wingy Malone. He released two versions in 1927 and 1930 under the title 'Up the Country Blues'. These recordings never found any significant popularity outside jazz circles and it wasn't until Canned Heat took this song and reworked it to produce their 1968 song 'Going up the Country' that it attracted a wider audience.
Canned Heat's version is very close to Henry's original, with only the lyrics and minor changes to the song's structure being the only notable differences. Musically, the song is virtually identical.
Contoversially, Canned Heat did not credit Henry Thomas in their version of the song. However, since then people have become more aware of his original version of the song making it popuar in its own right.
Source: Wikipedia
During the period between 1927-1929 Henry recorded 23 sides for Vocalian Records. He played a guitar which he accompanied with quills and his music encompassed many styles including blues, ragtime and gospel.
After this period little is known about Henry's life and although one account places him in Texas in the 1950's, most biographers believe he died in 1930.
Of the 23 recordings, one of the most popular today is Bulldoze Blues. The song was reworked by pianist Johnny Miller in 1927, who re-wrote the lyrics and gave it to jazz musician Wingy Malone. He released two versions in 1927 and 1930 under the title 'Up the Country Blues'. These recordings never found any significant popularity outside jazz circles and it wasn't until Canned Heat took this song and reworked it to produce their 1968 song 'Going up the Country' that it attracted a wider audience.
Canned Heat's version is very close to Henry's original, with only the lyrics and minor changes to the song's structure being the only notable differences. Musically, the song is virtually identical.
Contoversially, Canned Heat did not credit Henry Thomas in their version of the song. However, since then people have become more aware of his original version of the song making it popuar in its own right.
Source: Wikipedia
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