I’m at Jazz Fest today hence the featured image. I was nervous about attending after being on the sidelines for so long, but I’ve never seen Cheap Trick so I’m there. Hopefully, I won’t regret it.

Careless Love is a traditional New Orleans blues/folk song of uncertain origin, the copyright, however, is owned by WC Handy. From what we know the song dates from around 1910 and comes from the Black community. That concludes this brief foray into musicology. If anyone knows more, please leave a comment.

We begin with the great Bessie Smith:

Nat King Cole. Say no more.

Eartha Kitt could sing the phone book and make it sound sexy. Was that a careless comment? Discuss amongst yourselves.

I don’t think of Careless Love as a country and western song but who am I to argue with Ray Charles?

Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee put their signature folk blues spin on this week’s folk blues song.

Next up, New Orleans blues legend Snooks Eaglin:

Finally, Dr. John with my favorite version of Careless Love:

What’s the Friday Cocktail Hour without instrumental versions of the week’s tune? This time, two New Orleans legends, Danny Barker and Pete Fountain followed by the great organist Jimmy Smith.

That’s it for this week. I propose a toast to my making it through the day at Jazz Fest. It’s what Danny, Mac, and Pete would want. Never argue with them.