[Dixielandjazz] Muskrat Ramble

[Stephen G Barbone]

On Jan 5, 2011, at 3:00 PM, dixielandjazz-request at ml.islandnet.com  
wrote:

>  "Bob Romans" <cellblk7 at comcast.net>
> l
>
> I heard once that this tune was originally "Muscat Ramble" after  
> Muscatel
> wine that the early jazzers drank in the jazz clubs. True?
> Warm regards,
> Bob Romans,

Probably not Bob.

That legend first appears In the introduction to a Cross Word Puzzle  
Book:

Simon & Schuster Crostics #115  by Thomas H. Middleton

Basically the intro says that Mr. Middleton a Dixieland Fan, had  
noticed that on records, the title was issued in error a few times as  
Muskat Ramble, or as Muscat Ramble, in addition to the correct Muskrat  
Ramble. (He was using the words in a crossword puzzle).

He remembered an old buddy of his that was a drunk, referring to  
drinking muscadoodle. His pal said this was a common name for muscatel  
wine, and a way to a cheap drunk.

Then Middleton thought that Muskrat Ramble might be referring to  
Muscat, or Muscatel because Muskrat's didn't Ramble, they waddled.  
Also, he theorized that a Muscat Ramble would be when his alcoholic  
buddy ran out of wine and commenced searching for more Muscatel.

Hence the urban legend you heard was born.

On the other hand, Kid Ory said he wrote it circa 1921 and Lil Hardin  
named it. Then Louis Armstrong said he wrote it and Ory named it. Then  
Sidney Bechet chimed in saying it was originally a Buddy Bolden tune  
called "The Old Cow Died and The Old Man Cried."  Claiming further  
that Ory et al merely stole the tune.

Take your choice as to what is correct. <grin>

I use this story when introducing the tune to audiences, along with a  
reference to the Country Joe and The Fish recording of the tune "Feel  
Like I'm Fixin to Die Rag" which copies the chorus. Many in our non- 
heads audiences hear this tune, cite Country Joe's version saying they  
didn't know that was jazz.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband