I never drop gs in my writing or speech. It sounds rural and I’m anything but. I drop a g today in the interest of accuracy. Oh well, what the hell.

Walkin’ My Baby Back Home was written in 1930 by Fred E. Ahlert and Roy Turk. If I were more alert I’d make a pun on Ahlert’s name. Sometimes I don’t know when to stop…

Walkin’ My Baby Back Home was recorded many times before Nat King Cole and Billy May cut the definitive version. That’s where we begin.

Nat also recorded the song on an all-piano album.

Louis Armstrong’s version was recorded before Nat’s, but the latter is the king of this tune; make that King Cole. Louis had the last laugh because he was King Zulu.

Walkin’ My Baby Back Home seems to be a guy’s song. Big band belter Jo Stafford bucked the trend.

George Benson cut a latter-day swing version with the Count Basie Orchestra in 1990.

Finally, James Taylor walks his baby back home barefoot. I hope the pavement wasn’t hot.

What would the Friday Cocktail Hour be without a Jazz instrumental version of the week’s song? This time, Oscar Peterson and the Stephane Grappelli Quartet.

Have I mentioned lately how much I love Oscar Peterson?

That’s it for this week.  It’s been a scorcher, so pour yourself a Gin and Tonic to cool off. It’s what Bogie, Betty, and Frank would want. Never argue with them.