Carnival rolls into high gear tonight, which means it’s time for another song about New Orleans.

Basin Street was the main drag of the legendary red-light district Storyville, which was shuttered during the Great War.

Basin Street Blues was written in 1928 by Spencer Williams. It’s a much-loved and often recorded song.

We begin with the first artist to record this swell song: King Zulu 1949 DBA Louis Armstrong.

Let’s take a walk down Basin Street with The Wildest:

I posted this album cover back in 2015. I dig Dino’s take on this song.

Peggy Lee covered Basin Street Blues on one of her best albums. It was produced by the great Quincy Jones.

Here’s Shirley Horn from her I Remember Miles album. You’ll see why directly.

Our Mac cut one of my favorite versions of the Spencer Williams classic in 1992.

A swell and swinging version by New Orleans’ own, Don Vappie.

What would a Friday Cocktail Hour be without jazz instrumental versions of the week’s tune? This time, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington & Johnny Hodges, and Oscar Peterson.

Have I told you lately how much I love Oscar Peterson?

That’s it for this week. Let’s toast the return of the Magazine Street parade route. It’s what Aaron, Art, Charles, and Cyril would want. Never argue with them.