Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #255

03-23-17   Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #255 we feature songs and compelling improvisations from the Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, celtic harp, native flute, acoustic 6- and 12-string guitars and baritone ukulele, Craig Harris on congas and balaphone and Bob Sherwood on piano.  Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts, we begin with the gently swirling and mystical “Oh The Glory Of The Morning” featuring beautiful vocals and harp from Mariam.  “They’re Holding Strong” goes out to the water protectors of North Dakota and is led by Mariam’s powerful ukulele and Craig’s driving congas.  This piece segues neatly into the rocking “Victory”, a visionary, psychedelic extension of the theme of devotion and support to the water protectors.  “Grandmother Regina” praises the grandmother who refused to leave Standing Rock, and is a lovely, gentle, powerful folk meditation led by Mariam on acoustic guitar and effortless, narrative vocal as she tells this story of female grace and courage.  Next up is an imaginative reading of Mariam’s pretty “Burning Ember” from her 2012 cd “Smooth Sailin’ Love Songs” featuring cascading, rain-like piano runs from Bob under Mariam’s yearning vocal.  We then segue into today’s final piece, the psychedelic, electronically enhanced “Can I Be Your Friend Today”, built on a series of chords initiated by Mariam on ukulele and adopted into low, forceful piano figures from Bob.