This Father’s Day, we wanted to celebrate a defining quality in those we consider fathers or father figures. A Father is someone who shares their knowledge of the world and shares wisdom that will help you be a more well-rounded individual. Often, one of the most lasting influences shared is taste in music. For me, so much of my relationship with music started with the music my dad shared with me. So we thought we would focus on the music we found through the Dads in our life. And since like mothers, a father is someone who shows unconditional love, I am confident that my Dad will find it in his heart to forgive me while I share with all of you the…

ALBUMS I’VE STOLEN FROM MY DAD

As sons and daughters, we live by the unspoken rule that all music, instruments and stereo equipment owned by parents are, by right, also the property of their children. So, when I blew out the speakers on my dad’s JBL L100s when I was 14, I could not be held accountable, since I was the rightful owner. Also, I’m pretty sure my sister or brother did it. Same goes for all the CDs, cassettes and LPs that have ended up in my possession and are now in varying, questionable conditions. But, credit where credit is due, I wouldn’t have these things or this knowledge if not for their original owner. So, let’s give that credit back…without actually returning the albums.

Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney

Now, my guess is this was one of those albums you buy for your kids that parents can enjoy, as well. My parents weren’t particularly that interested in Disney films or the music of those films. But, my dad was very interested in artists like Yma Sumac, Bill Frisell, The Replacements, Sun Ra, Los Lobos and Tom Waits. In fact, this album was my first introduction to Tom Waits, who has become a mainstay in my personal taste. I remember my dad questioning the happy nature of the song “Heigh Ho”, being sung with such glee by men working in a coal mine. I remember him sharing the sentiment that Tom Waits’ version was probably a little closer to what that song would actually sound like.

Talking Heads – Naked

Now, this album was responsible for much of my inability to relate to the taste of my friends in grade school and high school. This is in part due to a conversation I had with my dad about the Talking Heads and why they were considered a punk band. For some reason, this particular album was my favorite talking heads album and I listened to it with the fervor that another kid might have been listening to the Dead Kennedys. So when I got to the age where everyone was ripping their clothes, spiking their hair and talking punk rock, I could only watch in confusion while listening to angsty bar chords and wondering “Where’s the African Percussion and horn section?!”

Charles Mingus – Thirteen Pitures: An Anthology

This album made for one of the quickest dates I’ve ever been on. I was just out of high school, I picked up my date, my 5 disc changer decided it was a good time for Better Get Hit In Your Soul to come on, prompting my date to ask “Uh, what is this?” Which I thought was a genuine interest in my taste in music, so I continued to give my dissertation on the music of Charles Mingus, but was quickly interrupted with “Do you have any dance music?” Yeah, I think some dads give their sons tips on “what the ladies like” and how to be slick on a date. My dad gave me Charles Mingus.

Grateful Dead – Workingman’s Dead

My dad is famously a big Grateful Dead fan…and actually looks a lot like Jerry Garcia. More than any other band, my brother, sister and I will always associate this band with him. I’ve always been a fan of their music, but more so with specific eras. Workingman’s Dead was a big catalyst for my love of folk and old timey music. It also paved the way for a healthier relationship with country music, which didn’t have a huge presence in our household, with the exception of some classic country albums. It warms my heart to see more an more “indie” musicians embracing the music of the Grateful Dead and citing them as an influence. I think because it creates a bridge between so much of the music I love now and the music I loved as a kid. I’ve never been one to hold on to bands, or listen for any sentimental reasons. But, it’s nice to hear those older influences come through in new music.

Anthony Braxton – Five Pieces

My parents recently went out of town for a couple days, which I saw as an opportunity for one more raid on the record collection. There were a lot of the old stand by’s, like the Beatles, Stones etc. But, I skimmed past this gem and quickly snatched it up. Jazz has always been a big part of the family and sometimes a contentious one. I mean, you can’t expect everyone to relate to the joys of listening to Free Jazz. But, maybe that was just for my dad and I. Both my siblings had their interests to share that I wasn’t as able or as interested in. My sister was into sports; my brother was into mechanics and electronics. Me? I like a good, dissonant, atonal sax solo.

Please share with us the albums you’ve stolen from your parents or any person who has influenced your taste.

Of course, Stinkweeds will be open through the weekend to help you find some albums to make up for the one’s you’ve taken or to just show your appreciation for all the love and work your dad has done for you.