Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #228

08-25-16  Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #228 was recorded at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts on a sultry August afternoon and features Gaea Star Band members Mariam Massaro on vocals, harmonica, acoustic guitar, native flute and sitar and Bob Sherwood on piano and table as well as special guest Jay Lynch on hand drums.  Today’s first piece is the drifting, contemplative “Dedicated To The Starry Night” which features Mariam on vocals, acoustic guitar and chimes and Bob on piano.  “Double Winged Dragonflies” grows from Mariam’s inspired poetry with a mystical melody and flourish-filled, dramatic piano.  Beautiful, full-throated native flute from Mariam and Beatlesque piano motifs from Bob define this pretty summer ballad.  “Papajawigi” and “We Love You Mother Earth (Just The Way You Are)” are summer forest prayers woven into the larger narrative and feature more evocative native flute and simple, open piano motifs.  For Mariam’s “Spirit Of Fire” we are joined by Jay Lynch on hand drums for a beautiful, somber rendering of Mariam’s 2013 “Vision Quest” track.  “Fire In Our Bellies” is another “Vision Quest” track, her rendered as a lovely prayer in minor.  “Amaru Machay” is another great song from Mariam, this one from 2011’s album “Gaea Star Goddesses” which we interpret as a jazzy, open minor blues.  “Goddess, Goddess” another beautiful number from Mariam follows, and for today’s final piece, the mystical, droning “Hummingbird”, Mariam plays the sitar.  Joined by Bob on tabla and piano and Jay on deep pulsing drums, Mariam completes today’s summer journey with lush poetry and mysterious melodies of reverence.