Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #227

08-18-16  Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #227 was recorded at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts and features the Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, celtic harp, acoustic guitar, dulcimer, native flute and baritone ukulele, Craig Harris on congas and marimba and Bob Sherwood on piano.  Today’s lush, summery collection begins with the lovely, solemn “Touchstone”, a beautiful prayer from Mariam rendered with a minimal musical approach with touches of fine native flute and sweeping celtic harp from Mariam.  “In The Beginning” is a fine folk number shot through with gospel piano and sunshine as well as a fine lyric and melody from Mariam. The languid groove is expressed in contrasting ways with Mariam moving to dulcimer and Bob and Craig spinning a varied, imaginative rhythm section.  We pick up after the first break with “The River Of Life” featuring Craig’s dancing marimba and Bob’s myriad harmonizations of Mariam’s lovely, modal dulcimer.  We move seamlessly into Mariam’s mystical meditation on death and rebirth “Make Everything A Place Of Beauty” out of which an epic piano motif is spun and modulated a Mariam picks of the flute for a beautiful, compelling finish.  “Ring Out The Glory Of The Morning” is a hip little folk tune that takes a turn for the minor with Mariam on ukulele and “When You Touch Me”, a song from Mariam’s “Smooth Sailin’ Love Songs” is rendered as a languid waltz.”