Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #231

09-15-16   Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #231 produced at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts and features the Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, celtic harp, native flute, baritone ukulele and acoustic guitar, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on congas and marimba.  Today’s session of musical improvisations based around Mariam’s lyrics and visionary lyrics begins with Mariam’s airy, elemental gospel song “Cradle Me Deep” which features her harmonica set to a rolling, hymn-like piano figure and tympani-like accents from Craig.  For the sleek “Cool Me Down” Mariam picks up her bari ukulele and Bob adds elegiac piano to complement the pretty, minor melody.  “Comarimaheyo River Dragon” blooms slowly from Mariam’s vocal-and-ukulele motif into a misty, mysterious tone poem about the turqoise and emerald river dragon.  A lush, beautiful extended coda creates space for Mariam’s aching native flute over an austerely lovely piano motif.  For the next piece, “Talk To Me”, Mariam plays her celtic harp to accompany a flowing, bittersweet vocal, buoyed by a dynamic, climactic rhythm section of piano and congas.  “Fields Of Plenty” is a reggae-tinged prayer of new romance which features bass guitar from Bob and today’s last piece is the lovely minor folk ballad “Fresh + Clear”, which features Mariam’s acoustic guitar and Craig’s marimba.