02-25-26 Gaea Star Crystal #658 is an hour of dynamic, improvised visionary acoustic music played by The Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, double flute, kalimba, ukulele, mandolin, acoustic guitar and Tibetan bowls, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on Native drum and congas. Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts on a cold, mid-winter afternoon in mid-February of 2026, today’s show begins with “Liberation”, a peaceful, prayerful raga that begins with singing bowls and features kalimba, piano and Native drum supporting Mariam’s message of peace and soaring, echoing Native flute fanfares bring in “Oh, Let’s Revel In Our Own Happiness”, a restless, complexly beautiful song with a fine flute-and-voice conversation over galloping Native drum and evocative, modern minor piano figurations. “Embracing The Grace” is an expansive ballad that features a fine vocal and overtone-producing double flute from Mariam with a beautifully emotional coda and “Fire Horse New Year” is a kinetic, energized minor with a powerful lyric from Mariam about new beginnings over skipping, racing piano, chiming ukulele and fundamental Native drum that resolves into a powerful, mysterious coda. “Isis”, a stately song from Mariam’s “Gaea Star Goddesses” LP is rendered with a reverent, classical approach and “Reborn” from the “Gaea Star Crystal” LP is a racing, breathless minor rocker with fine vocals and a powerful instrumental hook. “Burning Ember” from Mariam’s “Smooth Sailin’ Love Songs” album features another powerful vocal from Mariam and we conclude this week’s show with a mandolin-driven re-imagining of “All Life Unfolds” a powerful, fundamental raga with a British Isles feel.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com
