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"Fishin' in My Pond" was a song written by Willie Dixon in 1956. The song was recorded by the Chicago blues musician Lee Jackson in Chicago, Illinois, United States, that same year, and issued as a single on Cobra Records in February 1957.

Recording

Jackson recorded the Dixon-penned humorous track, "Fishin' in My Pond", a twelve bar blues number, on which Jackson played guitar and also supplied variable vocals, which expressed frustration and disappointment. The song was ostensibly about a man whose fish got stolen from his pond, although the lyrics had a metaphoric reference to illicit sexual shenanigans. The single was released in February 1957.

The personnel on the recording were Jackson (vocals, guitar), Dixon (double bass), Sunnyland Slim (piano), Big Walter Horton (harmonica), Jimmy Rogers (guitar), Harold Ashby and Lucius Washington (tenor saxophone) and Jesse Fowler (drums).

It was reviewed in the February 23, 1957, issue of Billboard who stated "Lee Jackson chants a slow, rhythmic blues that is for the southern markets. Appealing, drifty type wax".

The B-side was the song "I'll Just Keep Walkin'", penned by Jackson.

Later versions

"Fishin' in My Pond" was also recorded by Junior Valentine on his album I Can Tell (2000); by Hip Linkchain on Westside Chicago Blues Guitar (2007); by Wanda King on From a Blues Point of View (2008); by Jimmy Rogers and Left Hand Frank on The Dirty Dozens (2007); and Willie Dixon's own version of his song appeared on the compilation album, Boss of the Chicago Blues (Fuel Records, 2005).

Compilation reissue

Jackson's track was included on the compilation album, Big Boss Men: A Chicago Blues Collection, released in 2013 on Fuel Records.

Value

In December 2019, an original vinyl copy of the single sold for $228.

References

1. ^ "Illustrated Lee Jackson discography". Wirz.de. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
2. ^ "Fishin' In My Pond". 45cat.com. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
3. Inaba, M. (2011). Willie Dixon: Preacher of the Blues. African American Cultural Theory and Heritage. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 176. ISBN 978-0-8108-6993-6. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
4. D'Souza, Ajay. "Chicago Killers - Part 3". Sundayblues.org. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
5. Sulzer, Will (July 5, 2018). "Roots Vinyl Guide". Rootsvinylguide.com. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
6. "I Can Tell You | Junior Valentine". AllMusic. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
7. "Westside Chicago Blues Guitar | Hip Linkchain". AllMusic. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
8. "From a Blues Point of View | Wanda King". AllMusic. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
9. "Dirty Dozens". AllMusic. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
10. "Boss of the Chicago Blues | Willi Dixon". AllMusic. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
11. "Big Boss Men: A Chicago Blues Collection | Various Artists". AllMusic. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
12. "Big Boss Men: A Chicago Blues Collection | Various Artists | Releases". AllMusic. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
13. "Blues 45 - Lee Jackson - Fishin' In My Pond - Cobra - mp3 - auction details". Popsike.com. December 15, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2021.

External links

• YouTube
• List of all Cobra Records releases

• 1956 songs
• 1957 singles
• Blues songs
• Songs written by Willie Dixon
• Cobra Records singles
• Comedy songs