02-17-22 Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #479 comes in two parts, the second of which we present today. Recorded live in February 2022 at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts, today’s song cycle features Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, acoustic guitar and 4- and 8-string ukuleles, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on Native drums and congas. We begin with a languid and deeply felt take on Mariam’s “Spirit Of Fire”, a prayer of reverence to Earth’s elements before easing into another Mariam song, the powerful environmental anthem “Restore”. Moving into visionary improv, the band develops the beautiful, peaceful “Crystalline Rainbows”, a gorgeous, drifting piece with an inspired lyric and vocal from Mariam above her chiming acoustic guitar. “Rise Above” is a fine folk song featuring down-home, lyrical blues harmonica from Mariam and “Honoring” is a skipping, light-hearted island song defined by Mariam’s rich 8-string ukulele and Craig’s steady conga work. We finish today with a deeply mystical 2-song cycle, “Break The Ice/Let It Drift”, an unusual and strangely beautiful construction that celebrates complex tonality while Mariam weaves a compelling winter story with an effortless melody and complete presence.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com
