While not technically the first recording of this song–a couple of live bootlegs and a solo album cut predate this one by a number of years–this video session has to be the most definitive. In particular, it’s the tuba that makes its first appearance here, and it brings a New Orleans flavor that spices up the broth just right. The quartet is rounded out with banjo, fiddle, and brushed snare, all of which play pure and simple like the best of homegrown ingredients. If music could be certified organic, this is it.
It worth noting also that Fielder has typically played “Hot Sauce and Soppin’ Bread” at a quicker tempo, not unlike an overeager appetite ready to dig in after grace is said. In the new rendition, it’s given more room to breathe. The aromas of the song’s greens and beans and whiskey are allowed to fill the dining room or backyard air, and it’s the more casual flair here that makes this a meal experience more suited to conversation between family and friends. For a comparison, listen to the version that appears on Fielder’s 2016 album, The Banjo Tapes, where it’s titled “Cooking & Drinking”.