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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 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OilNFHa1AOc] Bull Dog Blues https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcLgJ-K49a8 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcLgJ-K49a8] Arkansas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdtoZzctg1c [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 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MgK8RtFWQY&list=WL&index=11] Sid Hemphill - Devil's Dream https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP3GKaX_Kz8 [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 [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 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75v6uwO5tVA] Don Flemmons, contemporary songster, demonstrates the quills and "hooting" technique: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqIdB9cNt5Q [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqIdB9cNt5Q]
10 episodes
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