Tuned in

Girls' Life, June, 2001 by Kara Wilde

What to get the old man for Dad's Day? They're easy to wrap and don't cost mega money. And there are CDs for any kinda dad out there.

DAD HAS '80s HAIR, AN EARRING AND LIKES TO RAWK...

JEFF BECK * You Had It Coming

He is (arguably, natch) the greatest guitarist of all time. And even if your dad's stuck in an era, Mr. Jeff proves he's forward-thinking. OK, he still cuts the sleeves off his sweatshirts, but who cares? The absolutely brilliant Brit combines classic hard rock guitar with 21st-century electronica for a sound that's sheer genius. The mostly all-instrumental tracks are meant to intrigue, and they do.

BYOC: Imogen Heap does vocals on the Muddy Waters classic "Rollin' and Tumblin'." Very cool.

PAPA'S A BLUES BROTHER...

KELLY BELL BAND

...ain't like it used to be

First off, Kelly's a dude. And KBB kicks some blues butt, but... make no mistake--it's mixed with big doses of swing, hip-hop and good ol' rock 'n' roll. Kelly's thick, rich vocals (think Everlast) backed by his band's mad skills make the tracks killer contagious. Kelly gets a little help from his famous friends--Jimi HaHa of Jimmie's Chicken Shack, SR71's Mitch Allen, G. Love, and Toni Blackman (that's her rappin' on the opener). The best part? It's a phat bargain at $7. Go to phatblues.com to order.

BYOC: Dare ya not to sing along to "Thinking About Tomorrow." And just try to keep from bustin' a move to "Talkin' In Your Sleep."

HE GETS HIS GROOVE ON TO THE SOUNDS OF R&B...

GLADYS KNIGHT - At Last

Can't go wrong with a living legend. She's long been Pip-less, but Gladys is soundin' good as ever. Her singing is smooth and oh-so soulful on this romantic roundup of R&B balladry. 'NSync and Christina combined couldn't do it with this much class.

BYOC: The first track is the best--"Do You Really Want to Know."

YOUR FATHER APPRECIATES THE FINER POINTS OF JAZZ...

BRIAN SILBER * Inspired

In four syllables? Bee-yoo-tee-ful. This is breathtaking stuff here, sister. Brian's a violinist extraordinaire, and Inspired reflects his influences--pop, classical and, most of all, jazz. The coolest part? It's a dad/daughter deal. Brian's kid Kayla created the cover art and does vocals on one track.

BYOC: "Take Your Breath Away" does just that. It's the one Kayla shows her stuff on. So pretty.

DADDY WEARS SNAKESKIN BOOTS AND A BIG OL' BELT BUCKLE...

COWBOY JUNKIES * Open

It may not have the traditional country twang he's used to, but it's about darn time Dad broadened his horizons. So he can't line-dance to it. Still, it has a stranded-in-the-desert-in-the-Southwest dreaminess to it. If Pop despises it, he can always use it for target practice. Yee-ha!

BYOC: "Upon Still Waters" is uplifting and down-to-earth all at once. "Dark Hole Again" is a superb piece of musical artistry for you gals with impeccably good taste.

License to Thrill

BOND * Bond As long as you're CD shopping for Dad, why not fine-tune your own tastes? Not a classical music fan? You will be once you hear this all-girl string quartet. Bond transforms classical by taking it to the dance floor. Haylie and Eos play violin, Tania's on viola, and Gay-Yee plays cello. Their original remixed instrumental blend of salsa, folk and dance music is may hotter than all those other girl bands!