Does anyone know what song "I Feel Like I'm Fixing To Die Rag" is based on? The chorus has always sounded like John Phillip Sousa tune or something that you'd hear on a carousel calliope to me but I've never been able to put my finger on what song (if any).

earliest recording I know of is by the Louis Armstrong's Hot Fives in the '20's, I think they called it struttin' with barbeque but that could be the wrong name. I am sure it is much older than that!

Thanks for the shot, PS but I don't think that's it. I Googled it and came up with a bunch of YouTube vids on "Struttin´with some barbecue". Not the same tune, me thinks. Thanks just the same.

Check country Joe's website. I remember some time back that he was in some legal tussle with the heirs of some blues or jazz guy that didn't want him using the tune. if memory serves, something written around the 1920's involving a muskrat.

www.countryjoe.com/lawsuit.htm

I do remember stuff!

Thanks, Larry. That's the one! And thanks PS. It was, indeed, Satchmo's band that did the tune! This is like the "College of Musical Knowledge"! We should start a new website: "Blunder-pedia"

Yeah! Ain't we something!?

Also I've seen Pete do this song live. "I Feel Like I'm Fixing To Die Rag" . He does a great version of it...

I new it was the Hot Fives just couldn't remember the song title. If you have never heard the Hot Fives and you love Old Time Jazz (even if you just like old time jazz) they were great. Louis was special from what I can tell and the Banjo of St Cyr (a good remaster is essential but worth it). You will be surprised how many familiar melodies you will hear! That copyright stuff? Who can figure you could get a copyright almost a 100 years later?

The one that amazed me was Whole Lotta Love...Just listen to Muddy Waters song You Need Love...The only thing missing is a Jon Bonham Drum Solo and a few guitar pyrotechnics (which Buddy Guy probably could have handled if it had been fashionable in Chicago at that time)!