LOS ANGELES, CA -- "A love that would never die and
music that would live forever" is the tagline for "De-Lovely", this summer's feature film biography of legendary composer Cole Porter. Also this summer, some of the best-known and best-loved recordings of 18 of his immortal songs, performed by music's greatest singers and digitally remastered, are heard on THE VERY BEST OF COLE PORTER (Hip-O/UTV/Verve/UMe), released June 15, 2004.

"De-Lovely", starring Ashley Judd and Kevin Kline (opening in limited release on June 25), features classic Porter songs covered by the likes of Diana Krall, Sheryl Crow, Elvis Costello, Alanis Morissette, Natalie Cole, Robbie Williams and others. THE VERY BEST OF COLE PORTER offers itself as an original, musical companion piece. The package also includes an essay by critically acclaimed writer Will Friedwald (author of "Sinatra! The Song Is You: A Singer's Art", "Stardust Melodies" and "Tony Bennett: The Good Life").

Among the stars on THE VERY BEST OF COLE PORTER are Ella Fitzgerald ("Too Darn Hot," "Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love)" and "You Do Something To Me"), Tony Bennett ("Begin The Beguine"), Billie Holiday ("Easy To Love"), Peggy Lee ("My Heart Belongs To Daddy"), Sarah Vaughan ("You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To") and Fred Astaire ("Night And Day").

Also heard are Dinah Washington ("I Get A Kick Out Of You"), Mel Torme ("What Is This Thing Called Love"), Carmen McRae ("Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye"), Eartha Kitt ("Let's Misbehave"), Dean Martin ("True Love"), Shirley Horn ("Love For Sale"), Helen Merrill ("Anything Goes"), Anita O'Day with Billy May & His Orchestra ("Just One Of Those Things") and Jeri Southern, with the inspiration for the film's title ("It's De-Lovely"). The sole contemporary artist is Aaron Neville with "In The Still Of The Night."

From the late '20s through the early '50s, Porter was undoubtedly music's most literate, sophisticated, charming and suggestive songwriter. That latter quality distinguished him from the only other American composer of words and music he can be compared to -- Irving Berlin. Among the musicals Porter penned were "The Gay Divorcee," "Kiss Me Kate," "Silk Stockings," "Anything Goes" and "Can-Can."

2004 marks the 40th anniversary year of his death. But whether heard as hit songs from stage and screen or post-swing revivals or jazz club renditions, the songs on THE VERY BEST OF COLE PORTER will indeed live forever.