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Jun 2010  |  By Mibs  |  Comments

Gift Ideas for a Music-Loving Man

It's Father's Day this weekend and "Get a Present" still hasn't been checked off the "to-do" list.

If you're short on ideas—and time—this week, here's a few suggestions from Val Haller of Valslist that are certain to tickle his musical mojo:

1. Playlists for Dad's iPod: Here's something even younger kids have already mastered—how to purchase and download a playlist onto an iPod. Kids can go to valslist.com and search for any of these Dad-related lists:

• Father Knows Best  (go anywhere tunes)
• Sugar Daddy (go anywhere tunes
• Marathon Man  (running/workout tunes)
• Dad With a Six Pack (running/working tunes)
• Uncle Phil's Dusties (vintage tunes)
• Uncle Phil's Dusties II (vintage tunes)

2. New album releases: Has Dad fallen off the musical bandwagon? Here are some great gift ideas to help him fall in love with music all over again. You can even "gift" an album straight to Dad's music library from iTunes - just click on the gift box icon!

• The Burned by The Burned  (rock)
• Broken Bells by Broken Bells (rock)
• The Big To Do by Drive by Truckers (alt-country rock)
• April Uprising by John Butler Trio (rock/jam band)
• Big Echo by The Morning Benders (indie/alt)
• Stone Temple Pilots by Stone Temple Pilots (rock-vintage)
• Brothers by The Black Keys (alternative)
• This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem (electronic)
• Infinite Arms by Band of Horses (alternative)
• Lux by Disappears (rock with 70's vibe)
• To The Sea by Jack Johnson (alternative)
• Songs Under a Streetlight - EP by Joshua Radin (alternative)
• Raconte-moi...by Stacey Kent (jazz/world/French)
• Dirty Side Down by Widespread Panic (alternative)
• The Family Jewels by Marina and the Diamonds (alternative)
• Destroyer of the Void by Blitzen Trapper (alternative)

3. Concert tickets: Two words for you, Mom—date night! Try any of these Chicago-area options for a day or night on the town:

Festivals
July 16 - 18: Pitchfork Music Fest
Aug 6 - 8:  Lollapalooza

Vintage Rock
June 19: The Eagles with Dixie Chicks & Keith Urban (United Center)
June 20: Jethro Tull (Ravinia)
June 25:  Moody Blues (Ravinia)
June 27: Grateful Dead Covers by Dark Star Orchestra (Park West-arrive early for seats)
June 26: Eric Clapton Crossroads Tour (Toyota Park)
July 10: Cheap Trick / Squeeze (Ravinia)
July 16: Chicago and Doobie Brothers (Charter One Pavilion Northerly Island - city skyline views)
July 17: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Drive by Truckers (United Center)
July 18: REO Speedwagon and Pat Benatar and Keaton Simons (Charter One)
July 23: Hall & Oates (Chicago Theatre)
Aug 22: Crosby Stills Nash (Ravinia)
Aug 26: Leon Russell (SPACE - reserved table or arrive early for seats)

Rock
July 1: John Hiatt and The Levon Helm Band (Ravinia)
July 3: Silversun Pickups (Aragon Theatre - arrive early upstairs seating)
July 9: O.A.R. and Citizen Cope (Charter One - valslist favorite)
July 9: Bob Schneider (Double Door - valslist favorite)
July 17: My Morning Jacket (Charter One - take your teens)

Current
June 21: The Books and Via Tania (Pritzker Pavilion - free concert Monday)
June 28: Thao & Mirah w The Most of All (Lincoln Hall - standing only)
July 12: Caribou and The Budos Band (Pritzker Pavilion - free concert Monday)
July 18: Local Natives (Lincoln Hall - valslist favorite)

Acoustic
August 4: Trevor Hall (SPACE - will sell out, arrive early for seats)
Aug 25: David Gray and Ray LaMontagne (Pritzker Pavilion - valslist favorite, arrive early)

Folk
July 15: Loudon Wainwright (SPACE - will sell out)

World Music
August 29: Rodrigo y Gabriela (Ravinia - valslist favorite)

Blues/Jazz/Martini
June 22 - 23:Harry Connick Jr. (Chicago Theatre)
June 25: Sonny Landreth (SPACE - arrive early for seats)

Bluegrass
June 12: Steve Martin (Ravinia - valslist favorite)

Classical
August 20: Yo Yo Ma (Ravinia)