Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #144

12-18-14 “Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #144 begins with “A Blessing To Know You”, a deep, shifting tribute to the late P.D. Midgett, father of often-co-host Dameron Midgett.  Mariam Massaro on vocal and acoustic 12-string and Bob Sherwood on piano.  Next, Mariam reads “Finding Your Way” from “The Teachings Of Ashento” accompanied by her own 12-string and Bob’s piano.  Part Two follows, another hypnotic improvisation swirling around a reading of “Opener Of The Way”.  Percussionist Craig Harris joins us on congas for the second iteration, a driving, assertive, blustery raga featuring a falsetto countermelody vocal and busy gospel piano flourishes from Bob that gather themselves into an uplifting coda before slipping away to India for a climactic end.  Next is “First Contact”, a compelling exposition from Mariam featuring her Celtic harp, Craig’s congas and Bob’s 88s that arrives at a beautiful improvised motif before floating away to the break. The second half opens with “The Temple Within”, a swirling, circular improv featuring Mariam’s native flute atop Craig and Bob’s driving, electronically treated theme.  We close with the beautiful “Indigo Goddess” with Mariam moving to piano and Bob and Craig setting up a rock-steady groove.”