Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #320

08-23-18 Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #320 was recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington Massachusetts on a wet, warm August afternoon and features the Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, native flute, celtic harp and sitar, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on congas and native drums.  Today’s show begins with the laid-back, mystical groove of “Almightly Thunderstorm Of Life”, a shifting, evocative piece that features an elegiac, impassioned lyric from Mariam as well as her lyrical native flute over Bob’s powerful piano motif.  “Oh The River Of Love” shifts from a languid, gospel-influenced introduction to a latin-jazz flavored vamp as Bob takes the lead with a series of Brazilian motifs that return continually to a powerful, simple refrain.  “May We Ripen Brightly” is a gorgeous love song built around Mariam’s impassioned, visionary lyric and melody.  Led by Mariam’s acoustic guitar, the piece wafts delicately, gradually gathering intensity, driven by a powerful, sensual lyric.  The last half of the show is taken up by the epic, raga-influenced “May We Reach Out To The Depths Of Our Soul’s Longing”.  Underpinned by Mariam’s floating sitar, the piece moves through movements with both Eastern and Western tonal approaches as Bob tugs and teases harmonic possibilities in the sitar’s steady drone with unfolding piano variations.