Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #558 is an hour of improvised, visionary acoustic music played by The Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, acoustic guitar, ukulele and Celtic harp, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on Native drum and congas.  Today’s show was recorded live in December of 2024 and begins with the fundamental, meditative “I Am A Radiant Soul Of Light” featuring a lovely, unhurried conversation between Mariam’s inspiring vocals and soaring flute.  “Are We Ready To Motivate Beyond” is a dancing, mysterious Gypsy folk song with fine work from the whole ensemble and “Bring In The Beauty” holds the vibe with an evocative harmonic scheme that plays skillfully with suspension and release.  “Inspirations For The New Year” brings in 2024 with a positive, fundamental groove built on Craig’s heartbeat Native drum and “May I Be Guided Every Moment” is lush, sparse, a hushed celebration as the ensemble supports Mariam’s questing vocal and bittersweet acoustic guitar.  “I Am Love Unfolding” is a gorgeous, sparse gospel song with beautiful vocals from Mariam over Bob’s distinctive, classic piano frame.  “Yemanja, Goddess Of The Sea” is a ballad for the Yoruban Ocean Goddess with a Latin ballad feel and today’s show concludes with “Source Of Love”, a driving, upbeat blues rock with powerful piano improvisations and Mariam’s wild, breathless vocal that veers into psychedelic space for a powerful climactic closer. 
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro

This week on the Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #557 we present the Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, native flute, acoustic guitar, Tibetan bowls and ukulele, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on congas and native drums.  Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts in December of 2023, today’s show begins with Mariam’s classic “You’re The One” from the “Gaea Star Crystal:  Awakening The Tribes of Light” album.  Next up is a powerful, kinetic take of Mariam’s song “Reborn” before the band launches into the “To Open The Door To Bliss”, a lovely, hypnotic piece with a compelling narrative from Mariam.  Mariam plays Tibetan bowls for the mysterious, mesmerizing “The Rain, She Is Coming”, a prayer that features fine vocals from Mariam.  Next up is the sprightly, energized “Like A Bolt Of Lightning”, a gorgeous minimalist piece driven along by Mariam’s silvery 8-string ukulele.  Gorgeous native flute liberally decorates today’s last piece, the compelling minor air “This Sacred Ground”, a languid journey from minor folk to majestic gospel.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #556 is an hour of improvised visionary acoustic music played by the Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, shruti box, ukulele, Celtic harp, acoustic guitar and dulcimer, Bob Sherwood on piano and tablas and Craig Harris on congas and Native drum.  Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts in December of 2023, today’s show begins with the whispering intensity of “Life In Balance”, a hushed but driving gypsy blues song with a powerful basis of Native drum and tabla from Craig and Bob supporting Mariam’s midnight reverie.  “Opening In Ways Of Love” is a breathless, jazzy exploration with fine vocals from Mariam and innovative, modern piano work from Bob and “We’re All The Same” is a breathy, spacious anthem that slowly settles into gospel minimalism with ethereal touches from Mariam’s harp.  “Savasana Sailing Star” is a beautiful, anthemic Eastern-inflected drone in praise of yoga underpinned by Mariam’s droning shruti box and exotic piano runs that manages to hold the structure of a classic American blues.  We finish today’s show with the droning forest anthem “Smile”, an ancient-sounding reel driven along by Mariam’s groovy, pagan dulcimer, Craig’s steady, ping-ponging congas and Bob’s ever-shifting piano.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #555 is an hour of improvised visionary acoustic music played live by The Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, mandolin, 6- and 12-string acoustic guitars, ukulele and Celtic harp, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on Native drum and congas.  Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts in December 2023, today’s show begins with the darkly beautiful “Holy Waters”, an evocative song underpinned by Mariam’s chiming mandolin and clever, dancing, eldritch piano from Bob.  “What About The Children?” is a heartbreakingly rendered prayer from Mariam for the children of wars, a beautiful folk song gently propelled by Mariam’s somber, steady acoustic guitar.  “Oh, It’s Just The Wind” is a rich, elegant raga featuring Mariam’s alternate-tuned Martin acoustic 12-string guitar and driving congas from Craig that gently, coyly transmutes into a gorgeous, aching Native flute journey from Mariam.  “There’s No Place Like Home” is a rich, beautifully sung ballad with dramatic piano, Celtic harp touches and another fine, lyrical, expansive flute solo from Mariam.  “So Many Veils” is a languid, almost psychedelic tone poem that builds intensity and groove into a tight Afro Cuban vibe with funky piano from Bob and Craig’s throbbing congas in support of Mariam’s visionary poetry.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #554 is an hour of improvised, visionary acoustic music from the Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, acoustic guitar, Nashville acoustic guitar, mandolin and ukulele, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on Native drum and congas.  Taped live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts in November of 2023, today’s show opens gently with the hushed “Let’s Celebrate Together Every Day, Every Moment”, a somber, unhurried piece that blooms slowly into a pretty folk-classical vibe.  “I Want To Feel The Power Of My Sweet Soul’s Inner Spirit” is a gorgeous, drifting conversation between Mariam’s gentle vocal and her lyrical Native flute that blossoms again into a spacious, meditative air and “Along The Strands Of Life” is a fine, upbeat folk number with a tight, energetic rhythm section of acoustic guitar, Native drum and piano and an inspiring, spot-on vocal from Mariam.  “Sing Sweetly, Slowly” is a hushed, gentle parable set to Mariam’s chiming mandolin that settles into a gorgeous minimalism to set the stage for Mariam’s extended flute-and-vocal conversation.  “Oh, Ra Yay Let The Music Guide You Home” is a beautiful, gently percolating minor with imaginative piano from Bob and “In The Stillness” drifts out of the embers of a floating, meditative groove with delicate congas supporting a keening flute fanfare, the whole of which barely rises above a whisper.  Closing today’s show is the richly mystical “Soldaygo”, an atmospheric parable told to slow, swinging congas, impressionistic jazz piano and Mariam’s Nashville-strung acoustic guitar.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #553 is an hour of improvised, visionary acoustic music recorded live by The Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, acoustic guitar, Celtic harp, ukulele, Native flute and mandolin, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on Native drum and congas.  Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington Massachusetts in November of 2023, today’s show begins with a series of unique musical snippets recorded to be included in Mariam’s upcoming audiobook “Gaea Star Crystal: Awakening The Tribes Of Light”.  “Star Of Water” and “Heya Heya Hey” are drifting tone poems and “Ancient Mother” is a pretty, reverent minor key medicine song.  Returning to regular long-form songs for today’s show, “Amsinia” is a rich ballad with lovely Native flute and vocal work from Mariam and “Grateful” is a powerful mélange of Native and modern sounds that showcases a powerful vocal from Mariam and vibrant, shifting minimalist piano from Bob.  “Underneath It All” is a deep minor prayer with fine ensemble work from the whole band supporting Mariam’s languid vocal; Craig’s steady, mellow congas, Bob’s aching minor cadences and Mariam’s spot-on acoustic rhythm guitar strumming.  “Underneath It All Part 2 (Let’s Become Excited) continues with a delicate, shaded B minor and more lyrical word play from Mariam.  “Grateful For Peace” is a highlight today, a sky-wide, rousing gospel song that begins with a simple framework of mandolin from Mariam, fundamental Native drum from Craig and a piano figure from Bob that recalls classic gospel, then grows patiently into a full-throated epic supporting Mariam’s powerful vocal.  We close today with the impressionistic, appropriately drifting “Water”, a mystical musical puzzle in praise of the almighty H2O.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #552 is an hour of improvised visionary acoustic music recorded live every Monday at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts and features The Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, acoustic guitar, mandolin, ukulele and harmonica, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on Native drum and congas.  Today’s show, recorded in mid-November of 2023, begins with the upbeat folk workout “In The Dark Of The Night” featuring a fine, narrative vocal from Mariam and “You Are At Peace” is a gorgeous, stately, gospel-tinged song with a fine vocal and sensitive, filigreed piano work.  “Let’s Be One” is a gorgeous, shaded piece, spacious and evocative, driven by Mariam’s tight ukulele work against Craig’s fundamental congas and braided through with sophisticated chord journeys from the piano.  Following various movements, “Let’s Be One” settles into a powerful, hypnotic drone as a feature for Mariam’s outstanding voice and flute conversations.  Today’s blues “Every Day Count Your Blessings” carries a Ray Charles influence in rhythm and structure and showcases rocking, astringent blues harp and vocals from Mariam.  “Step On The Button To Change The World” comes in hushed and sweet with Craig’s earth groove a perfect support for Mariam’s chiming mandolin and Bob’s rich, active piano.  “Thistle In The Wind” comes from Mariam’s children’s album and is a charming, naïve folk blues adorned with Mariam’s gorgeous vocal above a soundstage of churning congas, airtight ukulele and spidery Delta blues piano.  “Flowers Of Delight” is a psychedelic, heavy-with-summer devotional song from Mariam’s “Release” album, an intoxicating cloud of August dusk and “Filling My Heart With Peace” closes today’s show as a driving, Dionysian apex coda to the drifting “Flowers Of Delight”.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #551 is an hour of visionary acoustic improvised music played by The Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, acoustic guitar, harmonica and ukulele, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on Native drum and congas.  Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts in early November of 2023, today’s show begins with the drifting, searching ballad “Serenity”, a mystical piece distinguished by a lovely and inspiring vocal from Mariam and Bob’s busy baroque-blues twists on the piano.  “Rays Of Light” is a classic song from Mariam, a languid waltz characterized by beautiful images of dancing light and dancing people with a fine vocal from Mariam and swinging waltz-time congas from Craig.  For the striking, dramatic “Mandalas” Bob deploys a powerful, repetitive piano motif that evokes open spaces and adventure as he and Craig’s powerful, fundamental Native drum and Mariam’s chiming, dead-on ukulele set deep roots for Mariam’s beautiful, subtle vocal.  A gorgeous, filigreed coda that we will call “Perhaps” adds yet another dimension to this standout track with Mariam’s energized Native flute, profound poetry and an innovative, space-jazz piano motif from Bob surfing Craig’s earthen Native drum groove.  A standout.
“Star Ray” is a shuffling, up-town blues with fine harmonica work from Mariam over a somewhat Ray Charles-influenced series of piano figurations from Bob and the band moves east for the elegant raga “Release Me” as Mariam concurrently strums her sitar and plays the shruti box as she weaves tales through the haze of the evocative, psychedelic rhythm section.  Another unusually compelling track during this charmed session, Mariam’s vocal work is particularly assured.  Continuing in an incense haze of droning sitar and steady congas embracing compelling modal piano excursions, “Mighty Are The Wings Of Love” explores a stately tempo to support Mariam’s powerful vocal and the wide, spacious soundstage provides room for Bob’s bittersweet piano journey, a gorgeous, yearning, beautifully doomed attempt at reaching Heaven.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #550 is an hour of visionary acoustic improvisational music played by the Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, 6- and 12-string acoustic guitars, mandolin and ukulele, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on congas and Native drums.  Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts in late October of 2023, today’s show included many “reimaginings” of Mariam’s recorded songs from several of her albums.  The challenge of recasting a song in a completely new framework is an interesting challenge, and today’s first candidate is the folk song “Freedom”.  Far from open folk chords and a major, uplifting melody, today the band recreate the song as a subcontinental drone piece built around Mariam’s chiming DADGAD-tuned 12-string acoustic Martin.  “Full Moon’s Light” continues as a “second chapter” of the D drone with engaging modal piano work from Bob and a mystical, dynamic vocal from Mariam and “Gather Together” reimagines one of Mariam’s folk songs as a driving, powerful minor rock song with fiery piano and a powerful vocal from Mariam.  “I’m Walking” is a hip, bepop-influenced jazz tune with kinetic piano from Bob over Craig’s driving congas supporting a fluid, drifting, poetic lyric from Mariam.  “Sing Down The Walls” from Mariam’s 2009 CD “Gaea Star Crystal:  Awakening The Tribes Of Light” is presented faithfully as a powerful, melodic folk song with a strolling, Verdian opera rhythm.  “Oh Holy Ground” from the “Vision Quest” is dressed up as a powerful, driving folk rock song that medleys seamlessly with “Many Seeds Have Fallen” from the same record and we conclude the show today with “Underneath It All” a beautiful, affecting peace song supported with a deep pulse from Craig and Mariam’s stately ukulele.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #549 is an hour of visionary acoustic improvisational music played by the Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, acoustic guitar, 6- and 12-string ukulele, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on congas and Native drums.  Taped live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts in October of 2023, today’s show begins with a parable called “Koala Care”, a story of a rescued Koala set to a varied, dancing arrangement led by Mariam’s 8-string ukulele.  “Oh The Wind Is Dancing” begins as a Native chant driven by Craig’s foundational Native drum and grows into an unsettled ballad that evokes the autumn wind, here played by Mariam on Native flute.  “Royal Blue Majesty” is a pretty minor ballad with a fine vocal from Mariam and “Beauty In The Eye Of The Beholder” is a sprightly folk song underpinned by Mariam’s precise, rhythmic ukulele and Craig’s skipping congas.  “Let’s Make A Difference” is a multifaceted improvisation supporting Mariam’s poetry that grows into a lovely and distinctly American-sounding motif that evokes a naïve yet elegant facet of ‘50s music.  The rest of today’s show is devoted to a celebration of the anniversary of Mariam’s Gaea Star Goddesses show at Northampton’s Academy Of Music with tight, assured takes of “Pele”, Thunder Queen”, “Queen Of Love” and “Queen Of Heaven”, all originally recorded for Mariam’s 2012 album “Gaea Star Goddesses”.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com