11-06-25 Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #644 is an hour of visionary, dynamic acoustic improvised music played live by The Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on acoustic guitar, ukulele, mandolin, Native flute, double flute and Celtic harp, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on congas and Native drum. Tracked live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts in late October of 2025, today’s show begins with the beautiful, understated and deeply peaceful “Sweet Surrender”, a gorgeous acoustic ballad featuring a lovely vocal from Mariam, staid heartbeat drumming from Craig and unrushed, responsive piano from Bob. “Everything Is Changing” is a mid-tempo piece with a touch of the mystical that travels the full dynamic range and “Let’s Make Ourselves Peaceful” evokes Native music with Mariam’s flute fanfares above Craig’s steady drumming, until it grows slowly and relentlessly into modern minimalism with the development of Bob’s austere, tone-cluster piano supporting Mariam’s flute and vocal conversation. “Healing Days Of Wonder” is a piece of great import and drama, built on Mariam’s evocative, chiming mandolin and traveling the whole spectrum of dynamics until it returns home to a peaceful whisper and “Just Walk Away” is a song of Mariam’s from her “Release” album presented as a country rock ballad with a fine vocal that grows in depth and intensity. “Calling Us Home”, another fine piece from the “Release” LP is a swirling, mystical musical poem brought to vibrant life with fine contributions from the whole ensemble in support of the message carried by Mariam’s reverent, life-affirming lyrics. Today’s show concludes with an extended presentation of Mariam’s romantic, sweeping, empowering song “Goddess, Goddess” featuring a fine vocal and tight ensemble work from the band.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com
