06-06-24 Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #576, we feature the Gaea Star Band playing visionary, acoustic improvised music with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, 4- and 8-string ukulele, acoustic guitar shruti box, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on congas and Native drum. Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts in May of 2024, today’s show begins with the beautifully focused and kinetic “Running Pure”, an exhilarating, driving folk song with a fine vocal from Mariam. “Oh The Rain” is piloted by “Oscar”, Mariam’s chiming 8-string baritone ukulele and features gorgeous, celestial piano work from Bob and a solid, driving conga groove from Craig supporting Mariam’s evocative vocal-and-Native-flute conversation. “Open My Heart” is a fine, uplifting folk song from Mariam with sprightly ukulele and bouncing reggae piano and “Your Eyes Shine” is as sultry rocker from the “Smooth Sailin’ Love Songs” LP played with a beautiful vocal from Mariam and controlled passion with fine, incisive playing from the whole band. “Celebrating Feeling Good” is a spacious, pretty, classically-inflected piece again driven by chiming chords from Mariam’s 8-string uke and “Amaru Machay” from Mariam’s “Gaea Star Goddesses” album is presented as smoldering, slowly intensifying rock with a compelling vocal from Mariam and imaginative piano touches from Bob. Continuing with the Peruvian theme, “Pacha Mama”, also from the “Gaea Star Goddesses” LP is given an energized, tight airing featuring percussion, vocal, flute and bass guitar overdubs. The smoldering “When You Touch Me” from Mariam’s 2012 “Smooth Sailin’ Love Songs” album is rendered spaciously and prayerfully with a beguiling vocal from Mariam and we close today’s hour with the scintillating, gently insistent raga of “Happy To Be Alive” a pretty, spacious piece built upon Mariam’s droning shruti box.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com
