This post has a weird inspiration. The other night, Dr. A and I watched the OG movie of The Man Who Came To Dinner. Monty Wooley stars as the irascible Sheridan Whiteside; not to be confused with droll Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. Monty Woolley was Cole Porter’s best friend hence this song selection. Told ya it was weird.

Cole Porter wrote Just One Of Those Things for the 1935 musical Jubilee. Sounds celebratory, no?

In selecting the singers for the last FCH of 2024, I focused on some of our regulars.

We begin with a double dose of Doris Day:

What would the final FCH of the year be without Sinatra? That was a rhetorical question. I wouldn’t commit such a dastardly deed.

Blossom Dearie has one of most unique voices in pop music history. That goes for her name as well.

Ella Fitzgerald. Say no more.

Most versions of this song are fast, fast, fast. Louis and Oscar caress Cole’s song with this slow burning arrangement.

Have I told you lately how much I love Oscar Peterson? That goes for the singer too.

Speaking of fast, fast, fast versions of the Porter classic, we have Nat, Nat, Nat:

Finally, Bryan Ferry:

What would the Friday Cocktail Hour be without jazz instrumentals of the week’s tune? This time, Benny Carter followed by Oscar Peterson. Who else?

Repeat after me: Have I told you lately how much I love Oscar Peterson? I can never say that enough.

That’s it for this week. Let’s drink to the end of 2024. It’s what Cole would want. Never argue with him.