Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro: #579 Part Two

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #579 Part Two is an hour of improvised, visionary acoustic music played by the Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, ukulele, marimba, mandolin, Celtic harp, harmonica and acoustic guitar, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on congas and Native drum.  Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington Massachusetts in June of 2024, today’s show begins with a track from Mariam’s “Vision Quest” LP, the inspiring, evocative “Vision Quest” featuring fine percussive marimba from Mariam decorated with Bob’s piano, together suggesting a wide savannah.  “Pot Of Gold” is a fine, dancing folk piece built around Mariam’s chiming mandolin and “Are You My Angel?” is a gorgeous minor ballad with soaring Native flute from Mariam in conversation with her fine vocal.  “Simply Being Rays Of Light” is a powerful ballad with more compelling Native flute passages, a throbbing heartbeat from Craig and granitic, fundamental piano from Bob and “Summertime” is a rollicking blues with top notch work from the whole ensemble supporting Mariam as she rocks on harmonica.  “Solare” is a gorgeous, mysterious prayer to the sun from Mariam’s “Release” LP and the ensemble caresses its graceful contours before rolling into a powerful take of the rocking “Smooth Sailin’ Love Songs” track “Happy With You”.  “Chimes Chinking” is a deeply emotional, evocative ballad with a gorgeous vocal from Mariam.  “Ladies Of The Lake”, a deeply unusual, innovative song from Mariam’s “Gaea Star Goddesses” LP is attempted by the band here for the first time and the results are rich, mysterious and funky with particular praise for Mariam’s Native flute performance.  We finish today with the barrelhouse blues of “A Memory Of Life Divine” featuring fine fat-fingered boogie woogie piano from Bob, rolling, rocking congas from Craig and Mariam’s bluesy vocal and harmonica work.

Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com