12-01-22 Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #511 is an hour of visionary improvised acoustic music played and recorded live by The Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, 4- and 8-string ukulele, shruti box, acoustic guitar and dulcimer, Bob Sherwood on piano, Craig Harris on Native drums and congas and Cevher Demirel on flute and bongos. Today we feature very special guests Nina Rossi on drums and percussion and Robin Rooney on vocals and percussion. Recorded at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts in November of 2022, today’s show begins with the lush, Mediterranean vibe of “Begin A New Day”, a gorgeous, sunny song driven by Mariam’s chiming ukulele, fine flute work from Cevher and a driving rhythm from Craig and Nina. “Middle Of The Night” comes in as a hushed midnight ballad with minor chords from Mariam’s acoustic guitar and racing runs from Bob on piano and builds slowly into a driving but sparse Native groove beneath Mariam’s inspired vocal. “Calling In Their Beloveds” recalls an ancient forest with Mariam’s fundamental dulcimer and fine echoing vocals from Robin and “Water Tiger Year” is a gorgeous, skipping song defined by Mariam’s silvery 8-string ukulele and imaginative, upbeat accompaniment from the whole ensemble. “Embrace The Silence” tells the story of a walk in the emerald forest as a slow, mystical raga built around the drone of Mariam’s shruti box. The song grows and expands in intensity as Mariam spins her mysterious sacred faery tale.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com
