Salif Keita: 'Folon'

For those of you who are skeptical about "world music," listen to Salif Keita. Ketia was born as an albino and was forced out of his village at a young age because he was thought to be bad luck. Since then he has become a world renowned musician. His music is entrancing. I have to remind myself that this clip is just one guy with one guitar. He is my favorite African singer. He totally blows my mind.  I get chills everytime. 

NPR: Live Concerts from All Songs Considered

This is one of my favorite podcasts ever.  If you are a podcast person and like live music its amazing.  The reason I am telling you about this is because NPR recently added a Fleet Foxes concert to their catalog. Check it out on iTunes under NPR. Or got to this link to their website.

Ron Sexsmith: Never Give Up On You, Gold in Them Hills

I first heard Ron Sexsmith when he opened in Birmingham for Coldplay during their Rush of Blood to the Head Tour.  I have been a fan ever since. The first song on this video, "Never Give Up on You," can bring me to tears.  Ron is one of those musician's musicians and doesn't have a face that record companies really want to put on a magazine or an album cover but he is a brilliant song writer. The second video is of another song he wrote and recored a duet with Christ Martin of Coldplay - "Gold in Them  Hills"

Santogold: The Creator

A guilty pleasure. I can't explain to you why I like this song, I just like it. Its really weird ska, rap, electronic mix.

Philip Glass: Violin Concerto, 1st Movement

Nothing like a little classical music in the morning. Philip Glass is one of those modern composers that will one day be thought of as a Mozart or Schubert in my opinion. This piece is one of my all time favorites in classical music. It the profoundly thought provoking. There are a lot of people out there who have never given classical a serious try, this is good place to start. It's good for the soul.