Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #164

05-07-15  “Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #164 begins with the hypnotic “All Our Hopes”, featuring Mariam Massaro on lead vocals and tenor ukelele, Sondra Lewis on vocals and percussion, Dameron Midgett on mandolin and Bob Sherwood on piano and percussion.  Next up is “Alabaster White” a lovely, delicate theme that features native flute from Mariam and affecting, drifting vocal from Mariam and Sondra.  The band acknowledges the special, pretty nature of the piece and dive back in with a second, alternate approach to “Alabaster White”, which will surely reappear in the repertoire.  Again featuring native flute, this version explores avenues not yet navigated and the results are compelling, spacious and mystical.  After the break we return with Mariam’s beautiful folk song “Positivity”, with Dameron picking up the 5-string banjo and Sondra weaving an effective, minimal countermelody through this anthemic piece.  “If I Knew The Way” is an improv built on the chassis of a minor folk air and is a drifting, bluesy number featuring Dameron’s mandolin and jazz-reggae piano from Bob. Next up is the stunning “What A Way” driven by Mariam’s celestial melody and Bob’s piano drifting through majors and unsettled minors before finally settling into a haunting, hypnotic progression from which elements are gradually removed until nothing remains.  “Oh Mother Earth” is a classically-leaning vocal showcase from Mariam that builds slowly, never drifting far from the defining 4-note refrain.  A contemplative native flute feature from Mariam accompanies a critical tonal change from Bob and the ensemble drifts away as Dameron adds Tuvan vocals below Mariam and Sondra’s lush harmonies.”