Recommend some music for my dad, please!
November 30, 2011 4:51 PM Subscribe
My dad loves music, but every Christmas I end up getting him (a) winter gloves or (b) a stack of books that he's too busy to read. Given the following list of songs, artists, and genres he seems to like, could you recommend a few albums he might enjoy?
I feel a little silly asking such a vague question of people who don't really know my dad, but I know approximately nothing about music. Please help me, musically oriented MeFites! Here is some information about my father:
(1) My father is an accomplished musician and music lover, but generally interested in most things -- imagine you are buying music for a working class kid turned hippie turned affable East Coast liberal.
(2) While he always appreciates the books I give him, the reading, research, and writing that accompany his job seem to keep him too busy to do much reading for pleasure. He will probably listen to any music I give him while commuting to and from work.
(3) I'm not particularly worried about buying him music that he's already heard, but he does already own most of the popular and folk music from the late 1960s / early 1970s on vinyl (so, uh, I probably won't be buying him the White Album).
(4) My brother and I gave him an iPod a few years ago, but he really only uses it to listed to Prairie Home Companion at the gym, so albums available on physical CDs are probably the way to go.
(5) If someone held a gun to my head and asked me to name six things my father enjoys listening to, I would tell them:
--the Ian Campbell Folk Group
--Cat Stevens
--Maitre Gazonga (this song, in particular)
--Bob Marley
--assorted, catchy, rhythmic music from Central America, South America, and the Caribbean recorded in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s
--anything that might be featured on Prairie Home Companion
tl;dr: Given the music my dad seems to like, folk, bluegrass, and "world" music, all seem to be safe bets, but I am happy to consider other genres as well. Please help me be an awesome daughter and buy him something he'll enjoy more than seasonal knitwear!
I feel a little silly asking such a vague question of people who don't really know my dad, but I know approximately nothing about music. Please help me, musically oriented MeFites! Here is some information about my father:
(1) My father is an accomplished musician and music lover, but generally interested in most things -- imagine you are buying music for a working class kid turned hippie turned affable East Coast liberal.
(2) While he always appreciates the books I give him, the reading, research, and writing that accompany his job seem to keep him too busy to do much reading for pleasure. He will probably listen to any music I give him while commuting to and from work.
(3) I'm not particularly worried about buying him music that he's already heard, but he does already own most of the popular and folk music from the late 1960s / early 1970s on vinyl (so, uh, I probably won't be buying him the White Album).
(4) My brother and I gave him an iPod a few years ago, but he really only uses it to listed to Prairie Home Companion at the gym, so albums available on physical CDs are probably the way to go.
(5) If someone held a gun to my head and asked me to name six things my father enjoys listening to, I would tell them:
--the Ian Campbell Folk Group
--Cat Stevens
--Maitre Gazonga (this song, in particular)
--Bob Marley
--assorted, catchy, rhythmic music from Central America, South America, and the Caribbean recorded in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s
--anything that might be featured on Prairie Home Companion
tl;dr: Given the music my dad seems to like, folk, bluegrass, and "world" music, all seem to be safe bets, but I am happy to consider other genres as well. Please help me be an awesome daughter and buy him something he'll enjoy more than seasonal knitwear!
If he likes bluegrass and folk, Gillian Welch/David Rawlings if he has not discovered them yet.
posted by sleeping beauty at 5:02 PM on November 30, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by sleeping beauty at 5:02 PM on November 30, 2011 [4 favorites]
For folk with a maritime/Canadian flavor, there's Stan Rogers... perhaps Northwest Passage, Fogarty's Cove or From Fresh Water.
For folk with a maritime/Scottish flavor, there's Archie Fisher.
posted by carmicha at 5:03 PM on November 30, 2011
For folk with a maritime/Scottish flavor, there's Archie Fisher.
posted by carmicha at 5:03 PM on November 30, 2011
Manu Chao
Ibrahim Ferrer
Sierra Leon Refugee All Stars.
posted by entropone at 5:03 PM on November 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
Ibrahim Ferrer
Sierra Leon Refugee All Stars.
posted by entropone at 5:03 PM on November 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
I love Johnny Flynn, who is kinda new folky. His first album, A Larum, was my absolute favorite album of 2008. His second album is called Been Listening and is also really good, but A Larum is just amazing. Lots of videos!
posted by jabes at 5:04 PM on November 30, 2011
posted by jabes at 5:04 PM on November 30, 2011
The late, great Phil Ochs is the first musician that jumped to mind reading your description of your dad. It sounds like he might already have some Ochs on vinyl, but perhaps he'd appreciate replacing it on CD?
posted by scody at 5:05 PM on November 30, 2011
posted by scody at 5:05 PM on November 30, 2011
My dad enjoys the Caitlin Rose CD I bought him, and somewhat overlapping tastes.
posted by easternblot at 5:05 PM on November 30, 2011
posted by easternblot at 5:05 PM on November 30, 2011
Maybe try some Ali Farka Toure and Ry Cooder.
Or Buena Vista Social Club.
posted by foxhat10 at 5:05 PM on November 30, 2011 [2 favorites]
Or Buena Vista Social Club.
posted by foxhat10 at 5:05 PM on November 30, 2011 [2 favorites]
Trampled by Turtles.
posted by amodelcitizen at 5:07 PM on November 30, 2011
posted by amodelcitizen at 5:07 PM on November 30, 2011
Harry Chapin, Greatest Stories + Manhattan Transfer = Dad Success
posted by DarlingBri at 5:07 PM on November 30, 2011
posted by DarlingBri at 5:07 PM on November 30, 2011
You don't mention what kind of instrument your dad plays; does that have any bearing on the artists/genres he likes?
On the folk/bluegrass spectrum, Uncommon Ritual (Edgar Meyer, Mike Marshall and Béla Fleck on double bass, mandolin, and banjo respectively) is an album I've gifted to quite a few people. It's a genre I've heard loosely dubbed "Americana", classical-flavored folkish music played by extraordinarily talented, often classically-trained musicians... doesn't really fit neatly into pigeonholes Along those lines, there's also:
Appalachia Waltz
Into the Cauldron
Goat Rodeo Sessions
Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet
posted by usonian at 5:12 PM on November 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
On the folk/bluegrass spectrum, Uncommon Ritual (Edgar Meyer, Mike Marshall and Béla Fleck on double bass, mandolin, and banjo respectively) is an album I've gifted to quite a few people. It's a genre I've heard loosely dubbed "Americana", classical-flavored folkish music played by extraordinarily talented, often classically-trained musicians... doesn't really fit neatly into pigeonholes Along those lines, there's also:
Appalachia Waltz
Into the Cauldron
Goat Rodeo Sessions
Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet
posted by usonian at 5:12 PM on November 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
Leonard Cohen Live in London. The musicianship of this band is at a very high level, and seeing his other likes, hard to believe he would not love this.
posted by Danf at 5:13 PM on November 30, 2011
posted by Danf at 5:13 PM on November 30, 2011
If it's kind of folksy/rootsy, I want to throw in for The Wailin' Jennys. Bright Morning Stars and their live album are both fantastic.
posted by Ghostride The Whip at 5:16 PM on November 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Ghostride The Whip at 5:16 PM on November 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
Using Maitre Gazonga as a starting point.
Do you know why he likes the song that you reference? I think it may be important to characterize why. If he spent any time in that part of the world (so he likes the lyrics), then I would highly recommend something like Amadou & Mariam's Senegal Fast Food or Henri Dikongue's C'est la vie.
If it is the beat/sound, then he may really like Zouk (it is bar music in Central Africa at least),so then he may like "Laisse parler les gens." I would search "Zouk" and get a CD with a collection of that music -- if that is what he likes.
If it is the novelty (something that just sounds different), then I think that he would love stuff by Habib Koite or Baaba Maal, for example. It may be easy if you go this route and you can probably pick any of the Putumayo African music collections (and get a dozen musicians, he will like something).
Folk music? A gain, why?If it is lyrics, I think that he may enjoy Richard Shindell's (checkout a few songs and listen to the lyrics). Another person (sound of folk music, b ut lyrics are more basic),check out William FitzSimmons.
On preview, nthing Bela Fleck....really novel, instrumental,and haven't listened to it but he traveled through Africa and made music that was a bit of a mix.
posted by Wolfster at 5:19 PM on November 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
Do you know why he likes the song that you reference? I think it may be important to characterize why. If he spent any time in that part of the world (so he likes the lyrics), then I would highly recommend something like Amadou & Mariam's Senegal Fast Food or Henri Dikongue's C'est la vie.
If it is the beat/sound, then he may really like Zouk (it is bar music in Central Africa at least),so then he may like "Laisse parler les gens." I would search "Zouk" and get a CD with a collection of that music -- if that is what he likes.
If it is the novelty (something that just sounds different), then I think that he would love stuff by Habib Koite or Baaba Maal, for example. It may be easy if you go this route and you can probably pick any of the Putumayo African music collections (and get a dozen musicians, he will like something).
Folk music? A gain, why?If it is lyrics, I think that he may enjoy Richard Shindell's (checkout a few songs and listen to the lyrics). Another person (sound of folk music, b ut lyrics are more basic),check out William FitzSimmons.
On preview, nthing Bela Fleck....really novel, instrumental,and haven't listened to it but he traveled through Africa and made music that was a bit of a mix.
posted by Wolfster at 5:19 PM on November 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
Carolina Chocolate Drops and Justin Townes Earl? They were both on PHC and everything.
posted by Diablevert at 5:20 PM on November 30, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Diablevert at 5:20 PM on November 30, 2011 [2 favorites]
Chumbawamba's A Singsong and a Scrap is one of the best albums I have ever heard. I gave a copy to my grandmother and she loved it. It's all folk songs, and it is fantastic.
posted by Slinga at 5:25 PM on November 30, 2011
posted by Slinga at 5:25 PM on November 30, 2011
On the Cat Stevens-ish tip - Roy Harper's Stormcock.
posted by Chairboy at 5:32 PM on November 30, 2011
posted by Chairboy at 5:32 PM on November 30, 2011
Check out Red Molly- kind of on the Wailin' Jennys spectrum with a little Andrews sisters thrown in. Ellis Paul comes to mind also- more contemporary/ Cat Stevensy.
posted by bookrach at 5:43 PM on November 30, 2011
posted by bookrach at 5:43 PM on November 30, 2011
2nd-ing Manu Chao
I would recommend Orchestra Baobab - they are a Senegalese band that played Afro-Cuban music.
Also, you can't go wrong with S.E. Rogie He had one of the richest voices I have ever heard, and sings songs that are lighthearted on the surface, but filled with depth. (also)
posted by baniak at 5:59 PM on November 30, 2011
I would recommend Orchestra Baobab - they are a Senegalese band that played Afro-Cuban music.
Also, you can't go wrong with S.E. Rogie He had one of the richest voices I have ever heard, and sings songs that are lighthearted on the surface, but filled with depth. (also)
posted by baniak at 5:59 PM on November 30, 2011
Josh Ritter! Specifically, "So Runs the World Away" and "The Animal Years"
posted by jbickers at 6:03 PM on November 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by jbickers at 6:03 PM on November 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
Something unusual? The Shapenote Album by The Tudor Choir. I believe I've heard Sacred Harp singing on PHC before (though perhaps it was Harmonia where I heard it first). It's beautiful stuff in a haunting (and sometimes flinty) way.
posted by jquinby at 6:21 PM on November 30, 2011
posted by jquinby at 6:21 PM on November 30, 2011
Does Dad have much music on .mp3? Do you have much time? You could copy some of his favorite albums (White Album indeed) to .mp3 for him, and put them on the itouch. That would be a labor of love, which he might really appreciate.
posted by theora55 at 6:23 PM on November 30, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by theora55 at 6:23 PM on November 30, 2011 [2 favorites]
I came in to recommend Josh Ritter's "The Animal Years", so I'll second that. There's a recently released deluxe edition that has an acoustic version of the album. It's all I want for Christmas.
posted by backwards guitar at 6:57 PM on November 30, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by backwards guitar at 6:57 PM on November 30, 2011 [2 favorites]
Your dad sounds a lot like my dad, to whom I am planning to give an album by The Kruger Brothers. They're kind of bluegrass, kind of classical, kind of jazz, kind of a lot of things, but they are most definitely three of the best musicians I've ever encountered, in terms of both artistry and raw musicianship. Jens* is absolutely one of the best banjo players in the world, right up there with Bela Fleck and Tony Trischka.
*Yeah, turns out one of the world's best banjo players is a middle-aged Swiss guy named Jens. Not really what you'd expect, but there it is.
posted by Commander Rachek at 6:59 PM on November 30, 2011
*Yeah, turns out one of the world's best banjo players is a middle-aged Swiss guy named Jens. Not really what you'd expect, but there it is.
posted by Commander Rachek at 6:59 PM on November 30, 2011
Sarah Jarosz. Most interesting new voice in bluegrass I've heard in a while, and a helluva mandolin player.
posted by dr. boludo at 7:04 PM on November 30, 2011
posted by dr. boludo at 7:04 PM on November 30, 2011
Another yes for Jorge Ben, plus the Beleza Tropical compilation
Paul Simon's Graceland if he does not have it already
the first two Peter Case solo albums
Karin Allyson's From Paris to Rio album
The Harder They Come soundtrack and/or any given Jimmy Cliff recording
The Byrds' Sweetheart of the Rodeo (more countryish than your examples, but still might life it)
Mermaid Avenue, the Billy Bragg-Wilco collaboration on Woody Guthrie lyrics
One of the classic Richard Thompson recordings -- you could either go one of the very early folkie ones, or I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight
And I know this is a stretch -- Camper Van Beethoven's Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart (many cool sounds and acoustic instruments)
posted by jhiggy at 7:28 PM on November 30, 2011
Paul Simon's Graceland if he does not have it already
the first two Peter Case solo albums
Karin Allyson's From Paris to Rio album
The Harder They Come soundtrack and/or any given Jimmy Cliff recording
The Byrds' Sweetheart of the Rodeo (more countryish than your examples, but still might life it)
Mermaid Avenue, the Billy Bragg-Wilco collaboration on Woody Guthrie lyrics
One of the classic Richard Thompson recordings -- you could either go one of the very early folkie ones, or I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight
And I know this is a stretch -- Camper Van Beethoven's Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart (many cool sounds and acoustic instruments)
posted by jhiggy at 7:28 PM on November 30, 2011
Gillian Welch, definitely, although he may already have that. If you want to give him something he might not have picked up for himself, he might enjoy Mumford and Sons or Ryan Adams' Heartbreaker or Ashes and Fire. He may also enjoy the Head and the Heart and the Civil Wars.
posted by elizeh at 7:31 PM on November 30, 2011
posted by elizeh at 7:31 PM on November 30, 2011
Oh, yes, seconding Mermaid Avenue and Josh Ritter, too.
posted by elizeh at 7:32 PM on November 30, 2011
posted by elizeh at 7:32 PM on November 30, 2011
Grateful Dead, Workingman's Dead. Acoustic.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 7:58 PM on November 30, 2011
posted by JohnnyGunn at 7:58 PM on November 30, 2011
I'd say just about anything by Mike Nesmith (except for his 2006 release, Rays, which is pretty much electronica(!!)), Infinite Rider on the Big Dogma was the companion release to Elephant Parts.
Beth Carvahlo's catalogue is chock full of great samba, and goes back to ~1969.
Arto Lindsay's O Corpo Sutil is lovely.
He might appreciate the country-ish/blugrass likes of Grandaddy, Band of Horses, Iron and Wine or My Morning Jacket, too.
And I've just been telling people to get either album by Fleet Foxes. Their harmonies are just beautiful, I think.
posted by droplet at 8:11 PM on November 30, 2011
Beth Carvahlo's catalogue is chock full of great samba, and goes back to ~1969.
Arto Lindsay's O Corpo Sutil is lovely.
He might appreciate the country-ish/blugrass likes of Grandaddy, Band of Horses, Iron and Wine or My Morning Jacket, too.
And I've just been telling people to get either album by Fleet Foxes. Their harmonies are just beautiful, I think.
posted by droplet at 8:11 PM on November 30, 2011
Good For What Ails You: Music of the Medicine Shows 1926-1937
posted by fings at 8:55 PM on November 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by fings at 8:55 PM on November 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
He sounds ripe for expansion into AfroPop.
Others have gone that direction, but I'll suggest Kanda Bongo Man (Congolese Soukous).
posted by spbmp at 9:25 PM on November 30, 2011
Others have gone that direction, but I'll suggest Kanda Bongo Man (Congolese Soukous).
posted by spbmp at 9:25 PM on November 30, 2011
He may have it already but the Harry Smith Folkways Anthology makes a great gift.
or the Arhoolie box set
posted by minkll at 9:38 PM on November 30, 2011
or the Arhoolie box set
posted by minkll at 9:38 PM on November 30, 2011
I know you're not my sister, but this leaves me wondering if my dad has a second family I don't know about...
Anyway, music *my* Prairie Home Companion-loving, folkie dad loves includes James McMurtry, Tom Waits, and Paul Simon (particularly Graceland and Rhythm of the Saints). You might also check out any of the Alan Lomax recordings -- he was an ethnomusicologist who traveled the world recording music. You can find collections of prison songs, cowboy songs, southern US folk songs, Haitian music, and on and on.
posted by katemonster at 9:41 PM on November 30, 2011
Anyway, music *my* Prairie Home Companion-loving, folkie dad loves includes James McMurtry, Tom Waits, and Paul Simon (particularly Graceland and Rhythm of the Saints). You might also check out any of the Alan Lomax recordings -- he was an ethnomusicologist who traveled the world recording music. You can find collections of prison songs, cowboy songs, southern US folk songs, Haitian music, and on and on.
posted by katemonster at 9:41 PM on November 30, 2011
Well, my demographics and musical tastes are quite like your Dad's, so I would add to the many great suggestions already made the trio Red Horse, consisting of Eliza Gilkyson, John Gorka, and Lucy Kaplansky.
posted by Rain Man at 10:17 PM on November 30, 2011
posted by Rain Man at 10:17 PM on November 30, 2011
Ok, I think I've got it! Caetano Veloso's Transa. Sophisticated Brazilian pop that mixes catchy rhythms with bluesy, folksy lyrics--a lot in English. I was listening to it on the way home and thought it would really appeal to a Cat Stevens fan. More: 1 2
posted by hydrophonic at 10:23 PM on November 30, 2011
posted by hydrophonic at 10:23 PM on November 30, 2011
Aaron Copland's "Rodeo," parts of which have been featured on Prairie Home Companion.
Copland was a classical composer who was "instrumental in forging a distinctly American style of composition, and is often referred to as 'the Dean of American Composers'". And "though many of Copland's works incorporate traditional American folk tunes, Rodeo is unique in that it leaves them quite intact in the score, with very little alteration on the part of the composer." -- Wikipedia
Devil Makes Three
They play folk punk.
posted by maurreen at 12:15 AM on December 1, 2011
Copland was a classical composer who was "instrumental in forging a distinctly American style of composition, and is often referred to as 'the Dean of American Composers'". And "though many of Copland's works incorporate traditional American folk tunes, Rodeo is unique in that it leaves them quite intact in the score, with very little alteration on the part of the composer." -- Wikipedia
Devil Makes Three
They play folk punk.
posted by maurreen at 12:15 AM on December 1, 2011
The Cat Stevens is what sent me in this direction:
1. Two he may already have, I admit, are Nick Drake's Pink Moon and Van Morrison's Astral Weeks. (I know Van Morrison isn't "folk" as such. I do not care. That album is glorious.) If he does NOT own those albums, however, BY GOD HE SHOULD.
2. Two entire recording labels to check out -- one big, and one not-so-big -- Real World and Green Linnet. Real World is Peter Gabriel's pet world-music-label, and you can find albums from musicians all over the world, from Sufi Qwawali to Norwegian Sami to the Blind Boys of Alabama. (You can also find Peter Gabriel's own stuff; actually, some of the label "samplers" may be a good bet.) Green Linnet is a smaller label focusing mainly on Celtic and English Folk, although they have some American/Bluegrass in there too.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:52 AM on December 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
1. Two he may already have, I admit, are Nick Drake's Pink Moon and Van Morrison's Astral Weeks. (I know Van Morrison isn't "folk" as such. I do not care. That album is glorious.) If he does NOT own those albums, however, BY GOD HE SHOULD.
2. Two entire recording labels to check out -- one big, and one not-so-big -- Real World and Green Linnet. Real World is Peter Gabriel's pet world-music-label, and you can find albums from musicians all over the world, from Sufi Qwawali to Norwegian Sami to the Blind Boys of Alabama. (You can also find Peter Gabriel's own stuff; actually, some of the label "samplers" may be a good bet.) Green Linnet is a smaller label focusing mainly on Celtic and English Folk, although they have some American/Bluegrass in there too.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:52 AM on December 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
Oh my god! I'm your dad!
I recently discovered Pandora and put in a few artists that I enjoyed and Pandora suggested many that I'd never heard of yet also enjoyed. (I was on a folk binge at the time so put in Schooner Fare and let 'er rip.)
While you can't 'buy' him Pandora, you could take the time and put in some of his stuff and see what Pandora suggests - then buy it for your dad.
Good luck - and feel free to send out whatever you buy for him as I'd probably like it, too.
posted by Man with Lantern at 7:15 AM on December 1, 2011
I recently discovered Pandora and put in a few artists that I enjoyed and Pandora suggested many that I'd never heard of yet also enjoyed. (I was on a folk binge at the time so put in Schooner Fare and let 'er rip.)
While you can't 'buy' him Pandora, you could take the time and put in some of his stuff and see what Pandora suggests - then buy it for your dad.
Good luck - and feel free to send out whatever you buy for him as I'd probably like it, too.
posted by Man with Lantern at 7:15 AM on December 1, 2011
Your father sounds just like my father. And the musician my dad was totally excited about before he died a few years ago was Amy Winehouse.
And seconding Buena Vista Social Club soundtrack. Amazing album.
posted by MexicanYenta at 11:15 AM on December 1, 2011
And seconding Buena Vista Social Club soundtrack. Amazing album.
posted by MexicanYenta at 11:15 AM on December 1, 2011
Etihiopiques
The Soul of Cape Verde
Dancing with the Enemy
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:42 PM on December 1, 2011
The Soul of Cape Verde
Dancing with the Enemy
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:42 PM on December 1, 2011
Response by poster: Oh my gosh! Given my embarrassing personal inclination toward thread-sitting, I've kept myself from checking in on this question for 24 hours, and, uh, all I can say is that you guys are seriously the best. I'll start sifting through all of your recommendations this evening, but I am so thankful and excited and impressed with what I've seen so far!
I will absolutely, positively, let you know what I end up buying him this year, although I get the feeling that I probably won't run out of awesome music to give him for a few more years...
Keep the recommendations coming, if you have more!
posted by cimton at 5:09 PM on December 1, 2011
I will absolutely, positively, let you know what I end up buying him this year, although I get the feeling that I probably won't run out of awesome music to give him for a few more years...
Keep the recommendations coming, if you have more!
posted by cimton at 5:09 PM on December 1, 2011
I think the greatest gift you could give him along with the music you choose is a long COPY of this thread! He will love that you went to this trouble!
posted by sleeping beauty at 6:28 AM on December 2, 2011
posted by sleeping beauty at 6:28 AM on December 2, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Think_Long at 5:01 PM on November 30, 2011