The Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #222 showcases the Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, acoustic guitar, native flute and ukulele, Dameron Midgett on didjeridoo, mandolin and nylon string guitar, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on congas and marimba. Today’s first song is a beautifully rendered take on Mariam’s “Shamiyaya” filled with folk and reggae inflections and featuring a deeply expressed vocal from Mariam. “Grateful For It All” grows from a somber reflection for flute and piano into a lush cloud of a piece with dramatic vocals from Mariam and various electronic shimmerings. “Arise” is a folk classic from Mariam’s “Vision Quest” album and receives a tight, driving reading featuring mountain touches from Dameron’s mandolin. Continuing in the folk vein, Mariam’s “Life Is Like A River” features her tight, spirited acoustic guitar and more fine mandolin touches from Dameron. Today’s centerpiece, the hypnotic, summer-soaked “Oh June” features a series of evocative, circular piano figures from Bob with a lovely native flute performance from Mariam as well as rich classical guitar work from Dameron. For today’s final number “Behind Every Moment Is Pure Light” Mariam plays the sitar and spins a sincere prayer to life and to the sacred. Craig’s performance on congas and tablas drives the piece along with dense, hypnotic piano work from Bob. A brief coda is included in the form of a tight little jam performed outside Singing Bridge on a lustrous June day.