Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #224

07-21-16   Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #224 was recorded on a warm June day at Singing Brook Studio and features the Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro, Craig Harris, Dameron Midgett and Robert Sherwood.  Today’s first number is Mariam’s “Papaheyo”, a bright folk song that borrows its harmonic shape from a popular children’s melody from which the band wrings several extrapolations as Mariam presents a powerful poem to intention.  Next up is Mariam’s “Gypsy” from her “Songs For The Children” album, played as a hip afro-jazz groove with fine congas from Craig and inventive, angular piano from Bob.  “Gypsy” gradually transforms into the beautiful instrumental “Light As A Feather” which Mariam distinguishes with her lush, evocative flute over a trance-like, mysterious rhythm bed.  “Let Your Soul Sweetly Smile” is another fine piece from Mariam that combines her whispering celtic harp with Dameron’s banjo to create an unusual and austere texture to support this lovely prayer.  “Do You Remember Who You Really Are?” continues the mysterious vibe of today’s summer-slow episode but with a pleasing injection of energy as Mariam picks up her baritone uke and Craig moves to the marimbas, dancing with a series of interesting piano motifs underpinned by Dameron’s droning, rumbling didjeridoo.  “Lead Me Down” s a sprightly, ukulele-driven take of Mariam’s classic and “So Many Veils” is yet another gorgeous, minor-themed song with a lovely incantatory vocal from Mariam and expressive, detailed piano from Bob.