Inflatable Christmas Tree Vol. 7 - 2012
Happy Holidays
Hope that you and yours enjoy a few of the tunes on the seventh installment of the Inflatable Christmas Tree.
Rock With You
Michael Jackson | The Essential Michael Jackson
Sara and I were at a play earlier in the year and this song played before the show and the whole audience was swaying and singing and getting warmed up for a good time. I remember that more than the play itself, so I figured it was a good candidate to kick things off.
Wonderful Christmastime
The Shins | Holidays Rule
Meant to use another song by this band, but went with a more holiday appropriate choice.
Shake It & Break It
Preservation Hall Jazz Band & Andrew Bird | Preservation Hall Benefit
The second biggest event of the year was the wedding of Lauren Mahoney to Matthew Owen down in New Orleans. Stella (Playing the part of Flower Girl), and I rode around town both on a trolley and a horse drawn carriage soaking up all of the great music. Every wedding event was spectacular, especially the main event with an authentic Dixie Jazz band.
Walking On A Dream
Empire of the Sun | Walking On A Dream
Pandora has been a very fertile source of new music for me over the course of the past year. This song caught me immediately, and I suspect that it will hook a few of you.
Heat Wave
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas | Motown 1’s
As a general rule, I have tried to have a Motown track or two each year. Sara is from the Motor city, and third big event in 2012 was that we moved into a new house, and my in-laws, Mike and Blanche moved to Pittsburgh. This is a great song that should help to buffer the coming winter.
One Foundation
Peter Tosh & The Wailers | Burnin
Great tune with a universal message, Mr. Tosh won Jamaica’s Order of Merit this year.
Rocking Around The Christmas Tree
She & Him A Very She & Him | Christmas
Thought this was an excellent cover especially the piano and guitar work.
I’ve Got Your Number
Passion Pit | Chunk of Change-EP
This little number has been in heavy rotation in our household and in the car. Stella likes to let everyone within earshot know that this is a “Stella” song and then she belts out the chorus.
Young Folks
Peter Bjorn & John | Writer’s Block
This one caught my ear earlier this year.
Sir Duke
Stevie Wonder | Number 1’s
This is a song that I hear every year without fail during the annual watching of our wedding video. It is the song before Sara walks off the dance floor to consult with DJ Shine on his musical effort. I heard it again recently while driving home and remembered just how much this song encapsulated the spirit of what Inflatable is all about.
Bend Down Low
Bob Marley & The Wailers | Songs of Freedom (Disc 1)
The tradition continues, Bob and crew have been on every installment of Inflatable.
Time is Tight
Booker T. & The MG’s | The Best of Booker T. & the MG’s
Heard this song on the Saturday soul show, and with subsequent listens have determined that this is a top 10 song to drive too, perhaps you will agree.
Stubborn Love
The Lumineers | The Lumineers
This is a top pick for many music listeners out there in 2012, I generally agree, perhaps you will too.
Fiona
Mason Daring | The Secret of the Roan Inish
The biggest events of the year were the births of Fiona Alice Mahoney Platt and of my niece and nephew, Catherine & Thomas Sweeney. Look forward to all of the cousins causing a ruckus together.
A Kiss to Build a Dream On
Louis Armstrong | Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans
Tried to pick a song that would capture Matt & Lauren’s excellent wedding, as I am pretty sure everyone had a great time. The wedding itself was a really special evening all around, all the best to them as they move forward together.
Attaboy
Goat Rodeo | The Goat Rodeo Sessions
Goat Rodeo is Yo-Yo Ma, and crew. Listened to the entire album quite a few times this year and thought that it would make for a good capper to this year’s collection.
All the best in 2013,
Conor, Sara, Stella, & Fiona