These are dark times so I thought we needed something chipper and upbeat to go with our Whisky Sours today.

Pick Yourself Up was written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields for the 1936 Astaire-Rogers movie Swing Time. I think that ownership passed from Fred to Anita O’Day in 1957. So that’s where we begin. Plus, I’ve been dying to use that picture from the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival. What a hat, what a dame.

I’ve had Neil Hefti on my mind because I just finished rewatching The Odd Couple and Hefti wrote the theme song. He only made one album with Sinatra but it’s a doozy.

Nat King Cole. Say no more.

I’ve had a crush on the Divine Diana Krall for some 20 odd years. Does that make me an odd guy?

Here’s Dianne Reeves from the soundtrack of the movie about Edward R Murrow and Fred Fucking Friendly:

What would a Friday Cocktail Hour be without a jazz Instrumental version of the week’s song? This time, Al Hirt followed by the ubiquitous Oscar Peterson.

Have I told you lately how much I love Oscar Peterson? Of course I have. What’s not to love?

That’s it for this week. Let’s raise a glass to Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields and thank them for all the great music and words. It’s what Bogie, Betty, and Frank would want. Never argue with them.