Interesting to learn that Canned Heat’s big 1968 hit, “Goin’ Up the Country,” is basically a re-write of 1929’s “Bull Doze Blues” by Henry Thomas, down to the flute part (listen here). The next year, 1969, saw the single release of a spirited cover version by The Duck (Johnny Sandlin) and The Bear (Eddie Hinton) of the Muscle Shoals Sound Rhythm Section, with help from Duane Allman and the Memphis Horns. I like how the intro fools you into thinking that the song is heading in one direction before it shift gears and heads somewhere else altogether:
“Goin’ Up the Country” The Duck & the Bear 1969
Did Atlantic really intend the title of the track to be “Goin’ Up to Country”?
Johnny Sandlin: Drums & percussion
Eddie Hinton: Lead guitar
Duane Allman: Slide guitar
Barry Beckett: Keyboards
David Hood: Bass Guitar
Wayne Jackson: Trumpet
Andrew Love: Tenor Saxophone
Joe Arnold: Tenor Saxophone