04-09-26 Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #663 is an hour of inspired, intrepid, visionary acoustic improvised music by The Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, 4- and 8-string ukulele, acoustic guitar, Celtic harp, dulcimer and mandolin, Bob Sherwood on piano and dulcimer and Craig Harris on congas and Native drum. Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts at the very end of March 2026, today’s show begins with the powerful, affecting immigrant song “Standing Strong In Front Of The World”, a deep, inspiring prayer that features a soaring Native flute and voice dialog from Mariam and rich, imaginative piano from Bob. Mariam’s chiming, evocative 8-string ukulele forms a rich framework for “Oh, The Queen Moon”, a starry, mesmerizing reel with a beautiful vocal from Mariam over slowly unwinding minimalist piano polyrhythms. “Smile” is the band’s favorite raga, a forest rock song by Mariam from the “For The Children” LP driven powerfully by Craig’s throbbing Native drum and Mariam’s racing, ancient-soiunding dulcimer and “Rainbow In The Sky” is a fantastical fantasy lulled by Mariam’s soaring, melancholy vocal and chiming acoustic guitar. Mariam wields her forward, jangling mandolin for the mysterious, twisting, unusual “Bring In The Beauty”, a gorgeous ballad with a deep heartbeat from Craig and druidic dancing mandolin and piano. “Do The Impossible” appropriately features Bob’s debut on the dulcimer as Mariam builds a compelling chordal framework on the mandolin and delivers a tight modal melody. “Ryalia”, from the “Release” LP is given a tight, jazzy rendition with top notch work from the whole ensemble and we conclude today’s show with “How Do You Feel”, a gentle, bittersweet gospel ballad with skipping, childlike piano, a pretty, expressive melody and Mariam’s overtone-producing double flute framing an innovative, touching arrangement.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com
