Last week I featured a “guy song,” this one is for and by the ladies with an exceptional exception. Crazy He Calls Me, however, was written in 1949 by two men, Carl Sigman and Bob Russell.

The song quite rightly is associated with the great Billie Holiday who was the first artist to record it. That’s where we begin our musical journey.

Here’s the aforementioned exceptional exception. What was it with Nat and sweaters? The man lived in LA. I guess he was trying to Crosby-fy his image; either that or he got cold easily.

The great Abbey Lincoln with some torchy craziness or is that crazy torchiness?

Next up Dinah Washington live with a small group featuring Clifford Brown.

The Queen of Soul, Say no more.

I’m particularly fond of this version by Linda Ronstadt and Nelson Riddle.

What would a Friday Cocktail Hour be without a jazz instrumental version of the week’s song? This time, the piano stylings of Jimmy Rowles. He worked as an accompanist for such great singers as Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, Peggy Lee, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald. That’s quite a resume.

That’s it for this week. Pour yourself a shot and toast the beginning of the weekend. It’s what Bogie, Betty, and Frank would want. Never argue with them.