This week’s song is NOT in Singin’ In The Rain. I’m still in precipitation exhortation mode. We’ve had some rain this week but need more, which is why I brought out the big guns. Thanks Gene, Debbie, and Donald. Your time will come.

Harry Warren and Al Dubin wrote September In The Rain in 1937 for the obscure movie musical Melody For Two. Despite those humble roots, it’s been recorded over 300 times.

We begin in 1956 with Der Bingle:

Dinah Washington recorded the Warren-Dubin standard in 1961:

Frank Sinatra and Nelson Riddle. Say no more. I’ve said too much already.

Here’s a swell version by Basie alums Joe Williams and Harry Sweets Edison:

Finally, the great Annie Lennox with a 21st Century interpretation of the Warren-Dubin classic.

What would the Friday Cocktail Hour be without instrumental versions of the week’s tune? This time, Zoot Sims followed by Yehudi Menuhin & Stephane Grappelli, and Oscar Peterson.

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

That’s it for this week. Let’s raise a glass and drink to more rain and less heat in New Orleans. I can dream, can’t I? It’s what Sinatra and Crosby would want. Never argue with them.