05-08-25 Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #618 is an hour of intrepid, dynamic, visionary acoustic improvised music played by The Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, 4- and 8-string ukulele, shruti box, Native flute, nylon-string and steel string guitars, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on congas and Native drum. Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts in late April of 2025, today’s show begins with the languid, relaxed folk of “Let’s all Wander”, a pretty song propelled by Mariam’s nylon string guitar “Leonardo” and moves into the upbeat rock of “Fire”, a driving jam with a fine vocal from Mariam and inspired, fluid piano from Bob. “Sail Away Into Your Dreamtime” is a lovely, meditative, sprawling piece underpinned by Mariam’s sighing shruti box and Craig’s fundamental, heartbeat Native drum with a distinctive classical theme from Bob and “Calling For An Awakening” is a beautiful, softly flowing piece fluid, watery piano and a lush, flowing vocal from Mariam. “Almighty Standing Ones of Peace” is an evocative minor blues filled with distinctive touches from the ensemble and “Arise” is a cut from Mariam’s “Release” LP, rendered here with a beautiful, languid mood defined by Mariam’s dancing 8-string ukulele and Craig’s steadily grooving congas. “Smile” was originally rendered as a raga in its first form on Mariam’s “For The Children” album and is explored at length here as a driving forest adventure song with Native flute and piano braided in a compelling, extended game of musical tag. “Let’s Rise Ever Higher” appears as a coda to “Smile” and completes today’s show with a beautiful vocal from Mariam and diversions into bossa nova and jazz.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com
