I’m having a little fun with the featured image this week. It’s cover art by Hipgnosis for the 1974 Genesis concept album, The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway. It has bupkis to do with this week’s tune. The new guy isn’t the only one who gets Parenthetical around here.

The good people at Secondhandsongs.com tell the story behind On Broadway.

“Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil participated in the adaptation of their original work with Leiber and Stoller. Mann and Weil had pitched it to Leiber and Stoller for performance by The Drifters. The more experienced songwriting pair were interested in the song if certain changes were made and told Mann and Weil they could all rewrite it together or Mann and Weil could leave, rework it and bring it back. Mann and Weil were thrilled to work with Leiber and Stoller and opted to rewrite it with them.”

The song lived happily ever after.

We begin with The Drifters:

It’s chanteuse time with Blossom Dearie. It’s her real name. I am not making this up, neither is she.

Nancy Wilson could do it all including Bossa Nova.

In 1978, George Benson assumed ownership of On Broadway.

We’ll see more of George Benson on Sunday.

The Cowboy Way was a meh 1994 movie with Woody Harrelson and Kiefer Sutherland. I’d almost forgotten it until I stumbled into this version of On Broadway from its soundtrack by Jeff Beck & Paul Rodgers. I love me some Paul Rodgers.

James Taylor. Say no more.

Johnny Mathis retired from live performances recently at age 89. Here’s his swellegant version of this week’s tune.

What would the Friday Cocktail Hour be without instrumental versions of the week’s tune? This time, Illinois Jacquet followed by Tito Puente.

It’s time for some lagniappe. You didn’t think I was just going to tease you Lamb-wise, did you?

That’s it for this week. Let’s drink to the end of the pollening in New Orleans. It’s what Aaron, Art, Charles, and Cyril would want. Never argue with the Neville Brothers.