Whenever someone asks me to recommend some music, the first album that pops into my head is Lori Cullen’s Buttercup Bugle.  Her previous album, Calling for Rain, deservedly received a Juno nomination for Best Jazz Vocal, but somehow this one didn’t get enough attention.  It’s amazing and deserves a lot of attention.

Lori is not only one of the most skilled and talented singers I know, she’s also an amazing songwriter.  And on top of all that, she’s freaking hilarious –on and off stage.

Before I go on any further, click here and listen to a sample of the album (“Clearer Weather”)

OK.  Did you listen to it?  Good. You are now cursed. That song will be stuck in your head for eternity.

magic fight dissolving potion

Ali is even more obsessed with this album than I am. Recently, she discovered that it has magical powers.

We have these horrible neighbors who fight all the time, and it drives us nuts.  They yell at each other constantly with the door and windows wide open.  One day Ali wanted to fight back without screaming back at them, so she decided to blast Buttercup Bugle from a boombox in our backyard – directly towards the fighting neighbors.  And they shut up!  Buttercup Bugle has become our default tactic for getting them to stop fighting.  I like to think that they start dancing as soon as it comes on.

Buy at least 5 copies of this album and give 4 of them away as Christmas presents. Give one to your grandma, and to your 17 year old cousin, your 3 year old nephew, and to your mom…I’m serious!  If you don’t fall in love with it… than I will buy the CD from you myself.  I need more copies to give away.

Other people I love:

I love Chaka Khan

I Love David Byrne

I love Donny Hathaway