07-13-23 Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #534 is an hour of compelling, energized acoustic improvisational music played by The Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, Celtic harp, dulcimer, mandolin, acoustic guitar and shruti box, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on Native drums and congas. Taped live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts in early June of 2023, we begin today’s session with “Running Clear” an evocation of watery images of rain and rivers with a mystical, jazzy, gypsy feel led by Mariam’s fiery acoustic guitar and continue with the stately “Imagination”, a simple, elegant, regal piece with a beautiful vocal and Native flute dialog from Mariam above swirling Celtic harp and jazz-gospel piano work from Bob over Craig’s deep earthy heartbeat. “In The Early Morning” begins hushed and mysterious over a circular, echoed piano figure and Mariam’s gorgeous morning melody and develops into a beautiful, minimal song built around Mariam’s pretty, chiming mandolin and yearning Native flute passages. This epic piece builds to a chaotic, driving crescendo full of compelling instrumental features, production effects and supercharged rhythm from Craig on congas. “Just Walk Away”, a bittersweet number from the “Release” album is given a wistful reading and “Just Hang On” features Mariam’s dulcimer creating an ancient, evocative drone for this upbeat yet mysterious folk song. Today’s highlight is the deep, earthy, dulcimer-and-Native flute workout “May We All Be Ministers”, a gorgeous raga built on incredibly simple yet affecting elements; the droning chime of the dulcimer, an unusually evocative repeating 8-note figure from the piano, and soaring Native flute from Mariam. We conclude today’s show with the gentle, floating raga “Feeling Deep Inside”, a compelling hybrid of light language, fundamental Native American rhythms, Eastern European folk and Indian and British Isles modes.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com
