08-31-23 Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #540 is an hour of improvised, visionary acoustic music played by The Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, acoustic guitar, ukulele, Native flute and kalimba, Bob Sherwood on piano, Craig Harris on congas and Native drums and special guest Nina Rossi on djembe and percussion. Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts in August of 2023, today’s show begins with the upbeat “Pele”, Mariam’s song to the Fire Goddess of Hawaii, sung in solidarity with those affected by the fires in Maui. Given a bright, driving reading with strong percussion from Craig and Nina, “Pele” is followed by another Island song, Mariam’s beautiful “Lead Me Down”, tightly rendered with fine contributions from the whole band. “The Wisdom Way” is a sparse, spacious prayer brought in with a Native flute fanfare from Mariam that resolves into a mysterious, evocative slow rock song with powerful piano from Bob and vocals and flute from Mariam. “It’s The Transformation” is a rich, swirling, upbeat piece of rock minimalism built on driving, tight percussion from Craig and Nina and “Restore” and “Shamiyaya” follow, both classic songs by Mariam, rendered powerfully and elegantly, the latter receiving overdubs including harmonies and more percussion from the ensemble.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com
