If anyone today remembers Fishin' Blues, it is most likely the rollicking, good-time version released by the Lovin' Spoonful in 1965. As with Going Up the Country, however, the original was recorded by Henry Thomas in the 1920s, in which he also played the quills.
Here is the Henry Thomas version, which is considerably more bluesy than the Spoonful's:
Here is the Lovin' Spoonful rendition:
Here is a more faithful version by Dom Flemmons, playing the quills part on a pan pipe:
Here is Taj Mahal:
The Jug Band version by Jim Kweskin, with lead vocal by Geoff Muldaur:
And finally, the stoned version by the Holy Modal Rounders (Peter Stampfel and Steve Weber, who were also in The Fugs):
Love the song, as long as fishing isn’t done with a hook; no fish are hurt' and one simply ties a bit of bate, perhaps some bread, to the end of a line and let’s ‘em eat some. My favorite line is, “Better your life/Your lovin’ wife/ Can Catch more fish ‘en you.” I say it periodically to my neighbors when I see them heading for a local pond with fishing rods.
I still love the old Henry Thomas version. Taj Mahal can always get my ear. And the jug band and Modal Rounders versions were new for me, but I really enjoyed them. Each brings out a unique aspect of the song.
Thanks for putting up all those versions. I hadn’t heard several of them. I wonder what the Grateful Dead could have done with the song, but I don’t think they ever sang it.