Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #210

04-14-16   Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #210 at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts and features the Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, native flute, sitar and dulcimer, Craig Harris on congas and tables and Bob Sherwood on piano.  Today’s opener is Mariam’s charming character study “Wanda Labelle” featuring her driving dulcimer, rock-steady conga work from Craig and racing, minimalist piano from Bob.  A second, more stately iteration expands the narrative both lyrically and musically.  “Fire, Fire” is an elemental piece with evocative words from Mariam and swirling, hypnotic accompaniment from the band.  Soaring native flute opens the next piece, the ravishing ballad “Always With Grace” featuring a narrative between Mariam’s questing, inspiring lyric and her native flute.  This beautiful and sprawling piece weaves through a series of movements and variations where the only constant is the expression of love.  Mariam picks up her ukelele for the jazzy waltz “Flutterbee” which features bursts of blues and modern classical piano from Bob supported by the driving, solid rhythm section of congas and uke.  Mariam’s beautiful and mysterious raga “Back To The Truth” closes today’s show flowing in the lush languor of Mariam’s sitar, Craig’s very cool tabla track and interstellar piano from Bob.