music for a monday: the head and the heart full session on KEXP

Ready for a live acoustic, full of harmony session on Seattle's KEXP? Here's The Head and The Heart.  Enjoy!

music for a monday: feist's "secret heart" live in paris

This video of Feist performing "Secret Heart" at a 2007 show in Paris sums up why I'm a fan of the Canadian songstress. Enjoy!

music for a monday: npr's tiny desk concert - the national

I'm bringing back The National to my Music for a Monday post. Here's The National performing on NPR Music's series Tiny Desk Concerts. Enjoy!

music for a monday: ballaké sissoko and vincent segal's "chamber music"

It's been a busy Monday around here, so the relaxing music of Ballaké Sissoko and Vincent Segal seem like a good fit. Enjoy!

music for a monday: the national's sea of love

One of my favorite bands, The National, recently released a much awaited album. This album, Trouble Will Find Me, is another tour de force. Here's their video for Sea of Love. Enjoy!

music for a monday: of monsters and men - npr's field recording

Here's a little outdoor recording of Iceland's very own "Of Monsters and Men," courtesy of NPR. Enjoy!

music for monday: the lion's roar by first aid kit

In "Lion's Roar," Swedish sister duo, First Aid Kit, showcase their folky sound. Here they perform  on WNYC's Soundcheck. Enjoy!

music for a monday: ludovico einaudi's oltremare

Without a doubt, Ludovico Einaudi's creations are some of the most transportive music out there. Here's his "Oltremarre" set to beautiful scenery of San Luis Obispo, California. Enjoy!

music for a monday: npr's tiny desk series with nicola benedetti

Check out Scottish classical violinist, Nicola Benedetti's performance at NPR's Tiny Desk Series. Here she performs music by John Williams and Bach on her 1717 Strad. Enjoy! 

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music for a monday: the head and the heart's rivers and roads

3 voices plus 1 guitar are all we need from the Head in the Heart in this version of their tune, "Rivers and Roads".  Enjoy!

music for a monday - npr's tiny desk series with rodrigo y gabriela

I felt like bringing back a little more Rodrigo y Gabriela today, this time in the intimate and casual setting that is NPR's Tiny Desk Series. This incredible Mexican duo doesn't disappoint. Enjoy!

music for a monday: phoenix

For Phoenix fans, the 4/22 release of their long awaited new album, Bankrupt! will be a happy day. The French quartet's album, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, released in 2009 was filled with catchy rhythmic tunes. Here's "Entertainment" - a track off of the new album...enjoy!

music for a monday: buena vista social club

I love music that evokes and transports. Buena Vista Social Club's pieces never disappoint. Here's their classic, Chan Chan. Enjoy!

music for a monday: npr's tiny desk concert -- Ballaké Sissoko and Vincent Segal

Two of my favorite instruments, the kora and the cello, here played in a small little NPR office space by the incomparable Ballaké Sissoko and Vincent Segal. Sit back, relax, watch and listen as these two masters perform. Enjoy!

music for a monday: rodrigo y gabriela "hanuman"

If you're like me and tired from the weekend, then a little tunage from Rodrigo y Gabriela might be just what you need to wake up. Here the Mexican duo perform in their usual style - spirited and rhythmic guitars that keep you moving. Enjoy!

music for a monday: afrocubism

What do you get when you combine superstar musicians from Cuba and Mali? Nothing less than musical perfection via the album AfroCubism. 

music for monday: The Touré-Raichel Collective - Le Niger

Led by Malian singer and guitarist, Vieux Farka Touré and Israeli singer and pianist, Idan Raichel, the Touré-Raichel Collective's first album, The Tel Aviv Session is one of the best albums I've heard in awhile. The original recording was made during a 3 hour improvised session. It will transport you with its culturally influenced Malian rhythms and Israeli melodies. Check out this state-side performance of Touré and Raichel. Enjoy!

 this album is worth every penny

music for a monday morning: orpheo looks back by andrew bird

Here's Andrew Bird's "Orpheo Looks Back". I hope you enjoy this performance as much as I do.

music for a monday morning: iron and wine's boy with a coin

I feel like kicking this week off with a little Iron and Wine. Here's "Boy with a Coin". Enjoy!

music for a monday morning: peter, paul, and mary's "if i had a hammer"

Peter, Paul and Mary's songs are not the songs of my generation; however, they are the songs of my childhood as my parents would play their records, and I remember how much I loved this trio back then. And, I still do. This recording of "If I Had a Hammer", to me, exemplifies timeless music. What a beautiful message. Plus, how can you not want to sing along?