We’re still feeling the aftershocks of the Bourbon Street terrorist attack. That along with the historic Los Angeles wild fire have cast a pall over 2025. I knew it was going to be a rough year, but this is ridiculous. One could even say we’re reeling this year.
I thought a song about New Orleans was in order for this week’s FCH. Pearl Of The Quarter didn’t make the cut for the New Orleans Tunes Dozen because the city’s name is not in the title but its oldest neighborhood is. Locals drop the French and call it the Quarter except for those who add an S and call it the Quarters. Call it another local idiosyncrasy.
Walter Becker and Donald Fagen wrote Pearl Of The Quarter for 1973’s Countdown To Ecstasy album. It’s a personal favorite of mine for obvious reasons.
We begin with Steely Dan:
Boz Scaggs. Say no more.
I got a big laugh over the mistitling of this cover by Swedish singers, Sara Isaksson & Rebecka Törnqvist. Pearl Of The Cruiser? Most Swedes I’ve known are really good with languages but what can ya do? I dig this low-key piano driven interpretation of this week’s tune.
Here’s a version by Steely Dan lead guitarist Jon Herington and backing vocalist Caroline Leonhardt on lead vox this time around.
What would the Friday Cocktail Hour be without an instrumental version of the week’s tune? This time, Joe Goldmark on pedal steel guitar:
That’s it for this week. Let’s drink to the end of the Los Angeles wild fires. It’s what Danny, Mac, and Pete would want. Never argue with them.
