Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro: #623

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #623 is a compelling hour of improvised visionary acoustic music played by the Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, 4- ad 8-string ukuleles and acoustic guitar, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on Native drum and congas. Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts in early June of 2025, today’s show begins with the pretty, pastoral “It’s A Brand-New Day To Reach Out”, an upbeat folk song driven by clever, busy piano from Bob and tight, driving rhythmic 8-string ukulele from Mariam supporting her wide-ranging, expressive vocal. “As We Sail Along” is a sparse, spacious folk rock workout featuring another virtuosic improv-heavy vocal from Mariam before morphing into a lengthy, gorgeous art-rock workout with exemplary work from the whole combo. “Rays Of Light” is a pretty, bucolic folk waltz providing a stage for Mariam’s powerful melody and “Back Us Up Oh Angels” is a swinging, eccentric blues with fat-fingered piano from Bob, rolling train congas from Craig supporting Mariam’s hyper-energized blues vocal, “Gather Together” is a stately, formal opera-like peace with throbbing heartbeat drums from Craig, instrumental in creating the modern classical by-way-of-Native vibe of this affecting song. “The Mystery Of Life” is a relaxed, hallucinatory cloud of a song with an evocative, vulnerable, almost child-like melody from Mariam and “May Abundance Keep On Flowing” has an Eastern European feel with an arrangement of ukulele, congas, piano and Mariam’s shaded, minor vocal melody. “Let The Voice Of Creation Sing Through All Nations” is a beautiful, inspired folk song from Mariam with a classic, deeply emotional construction and we finish today’s show with the wide-ranging “Keep On Going Around and Around With Your Floodgates Open”, a folk-rock journey that opens with virtuosic, dancing Native flute and moves through gospel, jazz and soul before closing with a gorgeous extended coda in which Mariam soars free on her Native flute.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro: #622

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #622 is an hour of visionary acoustic improvised music and songs by Mariam Massaro played by The Gaea Star Band with Mariam on vocals, acoustic guitar, 4- and 8-string ukulele, 6- and 12-string guitar, crystal bowl, Native flute and harmonica, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on congas and Native drum. Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts in late May of 2025, today’s show begins with the sweet, legato “Healing Ways Of Peace”, a languid, hallucinogenic song with a powerful vocal from Mariam and “Sail With Me” follows, an austere and meditative prayer lifted on wings of Native flute, crystal bowl, throbbing Native drum and bittersweet piano. “Dancing On This Holy Ground” wafts in on clouds of chiming 12-string guitar, a beautiful, mysterious raga that builds and evolves into a gorgeous classic art song with intense, powerful piano work from Bob and a soaring, declaratory, narrative vocal from Mariam. “Oh The Wind Went Away Today” is a playful, skipping upbeat folk song powered by Mariam’s sweet 8-string ukulele “Oscar”, grooving congas from Craig and imaginative piano from Bob that veers from baroque to blues to country as the piece morphs through contrasting sections. “Restore” is a beautiful prayer to the planet from Mariam’s “Vision Quest” LP and “Shamiyaya” is one of Mariam’s finer island songs given an emotional, rich reading from the band today. Today’s show completes with an inspiring, powerful version of Mariam’s song “Flowers Of Delight” from the “Release” LP, here re-imagined as a flowing ballad in major and featuring a fine, far-ranging, evocative vocal from Mariam.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro: #621

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #621 is an hour of visionary acoustic improv music recorded by the Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, harmonica, shruti box, ukulele and sitar, Bob Sherwood on piano and tabla and Craig Harris on congas and Native drums.  Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington Massachusetts in May 2025, today’s show begins with the grooving rainy spring celebration “For The Cool Down”, a rocking workout driven by Craig and Bob on Native drums and tabla supporting Mariam’s evocative lyric and fine, energized native flute.  Bob moves to the piano to lay down a simple funk left hand as Mariam steps into the space with ever-more assertive flute passages.  Pretty, open piano and bluesy harmonica introduce the lovely “I Am That I Am”, a gorgeous ballad underpinned by Mariam’s droning shruti box and “Wind Whistling Through The Window” is a peaceful study of a drifting day with a lovely vocal from Mariam over a fine backdrop of piano, congas and ukulele.  “Day Lilies Rising High” is another spring celebration, this team featuring rolling, bluesy piano from Bob and a lovely tale of magic realism from Mariam.  “I Am Healed by the Peaceful Morning” is a drifting, psychedelic dream with an insistent gospel motif from Bob underpinning a lovely lyric of praise from Mariam.  Mariam plays her beautiful 8 string ukulele for the dreamy “Golden Sun” is a celebration of Mother Earth in high summer, and drifts along with pretty piano ostinatos under Mariam’s evocative vocal.  We finish today’s show with an expansive raga called “The Mystery Of Life” as Mariam plays her sitar at the center of a percussion-rich dancelike piece.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro: #620

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #620 is an hour of compelling, virtuoso visionary acoustic improvised music play by The Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, acoustic guitar, dulcimer, Native flute and 4- and 8-string ukuleles, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris in congas and Native drum. Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts in mid-May of 2025, today’s show begins with the mystical, mysterious “Misty Love”, a careening rocker with fine work from the ensemble on congas, ukulele and piano and “Woody On The Roof” is a charming folk ballad about the woodpecker on Mariam’s roof. “Calling In The Ones” is a reverent, evocative minor ballad that grows into a rich, soul-influence workout with gorgeous Native flute passages and rich piano and “Calling In The Girls” is a rollicking, ancient-sounding fundamental folk ballad about the frogs in the spring pond shot through with the energy of Mariam’s dancing dulcimer and vocal. “Full Moon Part Two” is a beautiful, strange moon song replete with lunar chords and Mariam’s expressive vocal and “Old Friends” is a pretty, driving folk song with another fine vocal from Mariam and galloping Native drum from Craig. “To The Vision” is fantastical, imaginative, compelling rock song, the fine ensemble work featuring Native drum, exploratory piano and soaring Native flute setting the stage for Mariam’s powerful, narrative lyric. We close today with two covers from Mariam’s albums, the first a spirited, tight take of “I’m The Full Moon” from the “Gaea Star Goddesses” LP and the gorgeous lullaby “Night Is Near” from the “For The Children” LP.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro: #619

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #619 is an hour of visionary, acoustic improvised music played by The Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, acoustic guitar, 4- and 8-string ukulele and harmonica, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on congas and Native drum. Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in early May of 2025, today’s show begins with the bittersweet, bucolic folk of “Welcome May”, a pretty, acoustic guitar-driven song before moving on to peaceful, meditative “As We Sail Along In The Beauty”, another acoustic guitar song with a lovely vocal from Mariam and imaginative piano cadences from Bob. “Remembering To Dream Your Life Into Existence” grows from a plaintive Native flute fanfare into a lovely, stately theme, Mariam’s beautiful Native flute and affecting vocal floating over Craig’s fundamental Native drum heartbeat. “Circle In The Sky” is a skipping blues workout with rocking harmonica from Mariam over Bob’s Ray Charles-esque blues aerobics. “Gather Together” from Mariam’s “Release” LP is reimagined as an energized waltz and “Restore”, also from the same album is reworked into a driving minor rock piece with driving congas, imaginative piano and a fine vocal from Mariam. “Circle Of Light”, also from the “Release” album is given an infusion of live energy as Mariam’s chiming 8-string ukulele creates a mood of lightness and celebration and “Home” completes today’s show with a flourish, fine vocals, dancing piano and chiming 8-string ukulele.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro: #618

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #618 is an hour of intrepid, dynamic, visionary acoustic improvised music played by The Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, 4- and 8-string ukulele, shruti box, Native flute, nylon-string and steel string guitars, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on congas and Native drum. Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts in late April of 2025, today’s show begins with the languid, relaxed folk of “Let’s all Wander”, a pretty song propelled by Mariam’s nylon string guitar “Leonardo” and moves into the upbeat rock of “Fire”, a driving jam with a fine vocal from Mariam and inspired, fluid piano from Bob. “Sail Away Into Your Dreamtime” is a lovely, meditative, sprawling piece underpinned by Mariam’s sighing shruti box and Craig’s fundamental, heartbeat Native drum with a distinctive classical theme from Bob and “Calling For An Awakening” is a beautiful, softly flowing piece fluid, watery piano and a lush, flowing vocal from Mariam. “Almighty Standing Ones of Peace” is an evocative minor blues filled with distinctive touches from the ensemble and “Arise” is a cut from Mariam’s “Release” LP, rendered here with a beautiful, languid mood defined by Mariam’s dancing 8-string ukulele and Craig’s steadily grooving congas. “Smile” was originally rendered as a raga in its first form on Mariam’s “For The Children” album and is explored at length here as a driving forest adventure song with Native flute and piano braided in a compelling, extended game of musical tag. “Let’s Rise Ever Higher” appears as a coda to “Smile” and completes today’s show with a beautiful vocal from Mariam and diversions into bossa nova and jazz.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro: #617

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #617 is an hour of dynamic visionary acoustic improvised music made by The Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, singing bowl, Native flute, 4- and 8-string ukulele, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on congas and Native drum. Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts in April 2025, today’s show eases in on the wave of low, heartbeat drum, crystal bowl and soaring Native flute that is “Silver Rays In The Night”, an affectingly fundamental song with a poetic lyric from Mariam punctuated by percussive Native flute. “To The Mystery Of The Starry Night” is a languid, gently propulsive folk number with beautiful 8-string ukulele, triumphant gospel piano and a fine vocal from Mariam and “Mandavina The Moose” is a gorgeous, psychedelic forest story with the ensemble turning in a nuanced and deeply affecting performance that journeys languidly through alternately lush and alien musical landscapes. “Sail On” is a beautiful waltz from the “Release” LP and receives a relaxed, emotional rendition with a fine vocal from Mariam. “Summer Around The Bend” has a beautifully relaxed air with the interaction of Mariam’s ukulele, Craig’s steady conga work and Bob’s circular, repetitive piano motif. A signature Native flute fanfare from Mariam ushers in the emotional “Filling Each Others’ Hearts”, a lovely, rich, unhurried ballad that ranges through various moods before settling into the “Romance” theme from Prokofiev’s “Lieutenant Kije” suite to close today’s session.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro: #616

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #616 is an hour of creative, visionary improvised music played by The Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, harmonica, Celtic harp, 4- and 8-string ukulele 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 mid-April of 2025, today’s show begins with the somber, meditative “Let’s Go Down Deep” that features dramatic piano and a lovely duet between Mariam’s soaring vocal and Native flute. “One Door Closes” is a pretty, upbeat folk song led by Mariam’s dancing vocal and chiming 8-string ukulele that seeks to make sense of the country’s current climate in a hopeful and uplifting way and Mariam gently strums her whispering acoustic guitar for the gorgeous, widescreen “Let’s Unravel”, an expansive ballad with languid piano and steady congas. The dramatic, powerful “May We Walk Along The River” features another fine, soaring vocal and driving work from the ensemble and “Full Moon Part Two”, an iconic piece featured on the Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour’s “Best Of” compilation from 2013 is a mysterious moon song with a mystical lyric from Mariam and Gershwinesque piano figurations from Bob. The sprawling, anthemic “Sing At Sunrise” grows out of clouds of Mariam’s Celtic harp and sweeping piano into a jazzy, abstract exploration supported by Craig’s foundational heartbeat Native drum and a blues-adjacent piano structure from Bob supporting Mariam’s fine vocal and harmonica work and we complete today’s show with the skipping, bittersweet “May We All Just Relax”, a pretty folk song with chiming 8-string ukulele setting the stage for Mariam’s wise and inspiring lyric.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro: #615

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #615 is an hour of intrepid, creative, compelling live music played by the Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, shruti box, 6- and 12-string acoustic guitars, ukulele and kalimba, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on low Native drum and congas. Recorded at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts in April of 2025, today’s show begins with the hypnotic, mystical “Oh, Radiant Is Our Love”, a gorgeous ballad underpinned by Mariam’s shruti box drone, hushed vocal and soaring Native flute, heartbeat drum and postmodern soul piano figurations. “It’s A Bright Light” begins with hushed piano, chiming kalimba and Mariam’s beautiful, minimalist melody before developing into a Beethovenesque art song and “Sailing Ever Stronger (Because We Can)” is a pretty gospel folk song with an uplifting melody, virtuosic piano, chiming ukulele and dancing, grooving congas from Craig. “Ganesha” is a prayer to the Hindustani Goddess rendered as a beautiful, reverent raga built on Mariam’s suspended-chord shruti box drone. “Codes Of Light”, directed by Mariam’s propulsive acoustic guitar, has a misty, 50s feel as it slowly refines into a beautiful minimalist ballad with a powerful vocal and we complete today’s show with an unusual, gorgeously exotic take of Mariam’s “Sing Down The Walls” from the “Gaea Star Crystal” LP, all chiming 12-string, powerful low drum and mournful, reaching piano.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro: #614

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #614 is an hour of dynamic, visionary acoustic improvised music played by The Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, acoustic guitar, 4- and 8-string ukulele and shruti box, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on congas and Native drum. Recorded live in late March of 2025 at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts, today’s show begins with the beautiful, meditative “Magenta Golden Rose” a languid, rich song with fine vocals and Native flute, throbbing Native drum and imaginative piano. “The Mists Are Rising” is a fast-paced nature travelogue driven by Mariam’s chiming acoustic guitar and Craig’s driving congas and “Morning, Morning” is a pretty folk song with a fine vocal from Mariam above energized piano and congas. “The Last Time” begins with peaceful, dancing ukulele and Mariam’s pretty melody and adds gospel, folk and rock touches as it grows into a powerful, dramatic prayer of peace and “Let’s Begin Again” grows beautifully, mystically from the embers of the preceding song into a rich, powerful raga supporting a languid Native flute and vocal ballet from Mariam. “Spirit Of The Forest”, originally recorded for the “Release” album, is given a stately, unhurried reading featuring tight conga work and a soaring, affection vocal from Mariam. Today’s hour closes with “Returning Back Home”, a meditative, mesmerizing raga underpinned by Mariam’s shruti box drone and enriched by imaginative piano directions and Native drum accents and rolls.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com