Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #274

08-17-17  Gaea Star Crystal Radio #274 features songs and acoustic improvisations from The Gaea Star Band as well as special guests Gino Cicchetti on mandolin, flute and 12-string guitar and Gabriel Howearth on shakers and rattles.  Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Mass on a hot July day, Mariam Massaro is featured on vocals, kalimba, celtic harp, acoustic guitar, native flute and chorango, Craig Harris on congas and balaphone and Bob Sherwood on piano.  Today we begin with the lovely, lazy summer ode “Sweet Summertime” which floats in on waves of harp and kalimba from Mariam and expressive slide mandolin from Gino.  “Guided By The Truth Of Love” is a folky ballad with a rich arrangement featuring balaphone from Craig and a gorgeous melody from Mariam.  “This Time” is a beautiful, lilting piece with a characteristically lovely, visionary vocal from Mariam, lithe piano from Bob and swells of slide mandolin from Gino.  A blues vibe forms the framework for the rocking “Growing Into Wonder”, characterizes by driving, strumming rhythm work from Mariam on acoustic guitar and Gino on mandolin,  “I Am The Future” features an interesting arrangement from the band with Gino unleashing jazzy licks from his flute as Mariam drives the rhythm with her lustrous, chugging chorango.  “Rainbows Across The Sky” is introduced by a lone chorango from Mariam, quickly joined by Gino on 12-string over an elemental, steady conga groove from Craig.  The stately minor-leaning piece carries hints of Indian music and drifts unhurriedly away into the mist of the summer evening.