We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
We love Cole Porter at our house. But my absolutely favorite singer of Cole is Ella Fitzgerald. She made a recording named Ella Fitzgerald Sings Cole Porter that we Played until it almost melted. When CDs came into the picture, we bought the same recording in that format. Ella has a kind of instinctive understanding of Cole that's almost eerie, considering the difference in their backgrounds. She sings his lesser known things, like Miss Otis Regrets, and Every Time We Say Goodbye so wonderfully. Ella is truly a genius.
What Marianne said about Ella Fitzgerald's interpretations of Cole Porter. A singer at the top interprets a songwriter at the top.
It isn't just Cole Porter that Ella Fitzgerald masters. Her Irving Berlin Songbook is full of gems. For some reason, she was more playful with Irving Berlin than with other composers in her Songbooks.