07-03-25 Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #626 is an hour of sinuous, dynamic acoustic improvised music played by The Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, dulcimer, harmonica, shruti box, acoustic guitar and ukulele, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on congas and Native drum. Recorded live on a hot June day in 2025 at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts, today’s show begins with the upbeat, shimmering “May The Floodgates of Love Open Wide”, a breathless, energized song driven by Mariam’s chiming dulcimer, imaginative piano and throbbing congas. “All Life Unfolds” is a powerful, mysterious drone song with an ancient British Isles vibe, Mariam’s fundamental message supported by heartbeat Native drum, imaginative piano and tight, racing dulcimer work. “One More Day” is a powerful raga version of the track from Mariam’s “Release” album that features powerful vocals and soaring Native flute lines interspersed over wide-ranging classical piano figurations. “Going Down To The River” is a hallucinogenic summer ballad featuring a fine melody and imaginative, intense work from the ensemble and “Amaru Machay” is a powerful, spiritual song by Mariam about an ancient Andean cave rendered in a funky Afro-Cuban frame. “Painty The Turtle” is another relaxed, summery narrative about a little turtle and her babies at Singing Brook Farm and “Reborn”, a favorite Mariam song of the band’s is a rocking, acoustic-guitar driven requiem with powerful lyrics. “Salamini” is a mystical, delicate ballad with a gorgeous vocal from Mariam and liquid, shimmering piano and “Summer Solstice” is a gently percolating, bluesy summer dream that showcases the ensemble’s laid-back side. Today’s show ends with the dreamy “Make A Difference”, an affecting minor ballad with earthy Native drum, chiming acoustic guitar, circular, imaginative piano and a lilting, gentle melody from Mariam.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com
