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I had a quiet, introspective night sitting on the couch with Dominick and Hornsby while Feli was catching a few zzzzzs listening to some great live recordings from Wolfgang’s Vault.  I stumbled upon Wolfgang’s Vault through their iPhone application and I an now addicted.  just this evening I was able to take in some james Taylor from 71, 74 and 77, Springsteen from 78 at Winterland and Pink Floyd from 77.  Good times.  I love music, live and studio.  I always wished that I could play an instrument, but I started too late in life and never had the discipline to actually pick up the guitar.I started thinking about what music I could pass along to Dominick and Sofia as they grow older.  I have had some great discussions with Don (Felicia’s dad) about the bands that he witnessed live in the 60 and Tom Berg and I have played the “what albums would you bring with you on a desert island” game a few times.  This was a little different, what playlist would I make for the kids that would be fun and impart some musical history to their lives. I have left out any bootleg or live performances realizing that they already get a healthy dose of the Dead.  With that in mind, here is my playlist, in no particular order.

Billy Joel - The Stranger: Noone that knows me well will find this any bit surprising.  I am a huge fan of rock piano and Billy joel is one of my favorites.  This was my first Billy Joel album, given to me by my Aunt Flo and I still enjoy it, front to back today.  I have been revisiting it quite a bit lately with the recent issuance of the 30th anniversary edition.   It showcases Billy in his prime, before he became too famous. 

Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here: Many folks hold Wish you Were Here in much higher regard, but this is the the quintessential Pink floyd album in my eyes.  If I ever need to zone out, I go right to this album.  The fusion of rock, jazz and blues styles is as much a through-back to the 70s as it feels contemporary today.

Counting Crows - August and Everything After: I could listen to this album straight through over and over and never get board.  The debut showcases the incredible songwriting of Adam Duritz on every single song and includes one of my favorites - Anna Begins.  While I have every one of their albums, none of them have lived up to the debut in my eyes.

Jack’s Mannequin - Everything in Transit: This is a recent album that has had some success on the college circuit.  It is a solo effort from the leader of a SoCal band called something Corporate, a rock piano band that picked up where Ben Folds Five left off.  It is an anthem of teen angst surrounded by catchy piano riffs. 

James Taylor - Sweet Baby James:  Fire and Rain, enough said.

Elton john - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road: Another testament to my love for rock piano, this it the ultimate rock piano album from the Knight (or Queen) himself!

The Allman Brothers Band - Eat a Peach: The last album recording before Duane’s death but finished up posthumously.  It captures some of the final live at the Filmore East sessions (I Know I said no live recordings) and some amazing examples of southern guitar rock.

AC/DC - Back in Black: This is my ultimate heavy metal album. Maybe I can get Dom a little black school boy outfit and teach him to rock out!

Josh Kelley - Almost Honest:  I can’t explain where this one is coming from, but everyone should give it a listen.  Josh Kelley is an amazing singer, songwriter from Atlanta and this is one of my favorites albums from him.  Try 20 miles to Georgia.

Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run: Bruce is the best example of raw rock and roll that came through the 70s.  Born to Run is a classic.

Let me know if I am missing anything! 

Dominick and Feli came home yesterday.  Sofia and Missy were especially excited.  

Here’s a Photoshow of Sofia’s first visit to the hospital to see mom and Dom.

Here are pictures of Sofia and Dominick right after birth.  Do they look alike? 



Dominick 



Sofia

Dominick Clyde Cerbone joined us early this evening.  He is measuring 8 pounds 2 ounces and 19 3/4 inches in length.  Some photos are below.

Here is our 2008 Elf Yourself Disco Video.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

We had a long weekend with Sofia, out and about doing many different things.  On Saturday, we went to the mall in the morning because it was running and did some shopping.  The mall is becoming one of Sofia’s favorite places, my checking account is fearful.  On Saturday night, mommy and daddy went out for our 11th anniversary for some maternity clothes shopping, dinner at jaleo and then some smores at Cosi with people watching.  On Sunday, we went to Glen Echo park and rode the carousel and went out for ice cream.  On labor day, we went to the labor day parade in Kensington, had lunch in bethesda and then walked around - doing some more shopping.  That’s it, no more shopping!  Anyway, here are a few pictures from this weekend.  

Here’s a playlist of some video shorts of Sofia playing in the sand and surf at Bethany Beach, DE.  Thanks to Donna Leonard for the video footage.

Sofia dancing to her new music player during some downtime at the beach.  

Sofia has entered a self conscious phase where she no longer likes to be photographed. She does lots of really funny things, from dance recitals to shakey parties to chasing the cats around the house, but the second you pull out a camera she has a fit. Here is an example.

It’s a shame. I was excited that Lilly Pulitzer came back to CostCo this year and I picked up a few dresses. Today was a beautiful spring day, weather in the 70s, no humidity. We went over to the Azalea Festival at Landon. We had fun even though Sofia wouldn’t let me take many pictures of her in her cute outfit and she refused to go on any of the carnival rides, except the train (of course).Here she is dancing around with some animal balloons to Ms. Belle. Sofia was surprised to see Ms. Belle at the festival, she like to go see her play with the Java Mammas at a variety of coffee houses in the area.