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This week's mix is for all the fathers out there, inspired by my dad, my friends who are new dads, and the passing of Tim Russert, which had me staring at MSNBC all Friday night in tears. Russert had the utmost respect for his dad, Big Russ, and listening to his words about fatherhood and sacrifice got me thinking about how my dad has sacrificed and contributed to everything I do, have, and am. One of the many things I give him credit for is my love of music. My dad, like me, gets obsessed with music to the point where he's listening to Mannheim Steamroller's A Fresh Aire Christmas on repeat. But his taste--Steamroller excepted--is pretty good. He loves doo-wop, and the soul hits of the '50s above all; he loves good, old country and American Roots music; he loves mild classic rock (as opposed to all-out '70s cock-rock). He loves a funky, low organ; he loves a spray of brass; he loves a four-part harmony. So thanks, Big Ray, for teaching me how to listen. This one's for you. 1. "Sherry" - Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons This was the lead-off track to a "mix" tape (made by my father by recording his favorite songs from his Four Seasons Gold Edition: 29 Gold Hits LP) that, without fail, was played in the car on the way home from family vacations. Dad would crank up the volume, Mom would rouse from her nap, my sister and I would stop fighting, and we'd all sing along. Oh, the healing powers of music! 2. "Green Onions" - Booker T. & The M.G.'s This is still one of the coolest instrumentals ever recorded. When I think of it, I think of my dad standing next to his Corvette convertible in 1963. 3. "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" - Marvin Gaye This was the track that inspired one of the greatest Gilbert Family home videos of all-time: Dad in a sports jacket, lip-synching into a Gene Rayburn-esque microphone while my sister and I ("the Rayettes") dance behind him. 4. "Do You Wanna Dance" - Bobby Freeman This song (featured on one of the most enjoyable and comprehensive oldies compilations ever assembled: the American Graffiti soundtrack, which was played nearly to death in our house) includes one of my dad's favorite parts of any song ever, the part that goes, "Do ya do ya do ya do ya wanna dance." 5. "Little GTO" - The Beach Boys The complex, luscious harmonies, the simple, poppy subject matter...it's like a classic car show dipped in sunshine. (This one's not on iTunes, so here you go.) 6. "Elvira" - The Oak Ridge Boys The "Elvira" 45 was played heavily in our house, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't help but picture the real Elvira, Mistress of the Dark hanging out with the Oak Ridge Boys at some juke joint. 7. "Lady" - Kenny Rogers Poor Kenny. These days, he's looking like a sunburned peach. Let's remember him how he was, a dashing salt & pepper mushroom-head wearing a 3-piece eggshell leisure suit. 8. "These Eyes" - The Guess Who I have to agree with Ray here--the opening of this song is amazing. It sounds like someone's about to tell you a secret. I really, really, hate the chorus though. 9. "Brandy (You're a Fine Girl)" - Looking Glass Weirdly, this 1972 story-song was a recent obsession of my father's. I have no idea why. My guess is that he likes the guy's voice (see track 11). 10. "Rhiannon" - Fleetwood Mac Again, a four-part harmony, a cool organ intro. You're getting the picture. 11. "What a Fool Believes" - The Doobie Brothers Holy hell, does Big Ray love him some Michael McDonald. He watched that PBS Doobie Brothers reunion concert special like 100 times. Funnily enough, Taylor Hicks made no impression on him. 12. "Layla" - Derek & the Dominoes My dad loves a blues guitar jammy-jam. Me, too, but only when performed by rock & roll superstars or ultra-talented people with taste. Unfortunately, in my world, these types are few and far-between. 13. "Forever In Blue Jeans" - Neil Diamond Dad thought the lyrics to this song were "Reverend Blue Jeans." Kind of like my mom thought Robert Palmer's smash hit's refrain was, "My ears wear faces/I'm addicted to love." Kind of like I thought RUN-D.M.C. said, in "My Adidas": "When I step on stage/At my age/All the people gape..." It runs in the family. Bonus Track "Hey Ya!" - Outkast My dad sometimes freaks out about a pop song to the point where he jumps out of his seat and does a little dance for whoever happens to be around. When this song came out in 2003, Ray asked me, "Did you see that video with the dancing jockeys wearing Plus-Fours? I love that!" Me, too, Dad. Me, too. Happy Father's Day! PS: A special thanks to my sister, Kim, for her help with this mix.