Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro

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

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro

This week on Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #548 The Gaea Star Band presents an hour of visionary acoustic improvisational music featuring Mariam Massaro on vocals, ukulele, dulcimer, Native flute, Celtic harp and acoustic guitar, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on congas and Native drums as well as today’s special guest Paul Ramone on his beautiful vintage Hoener electric bass.  Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts in October of 2023, today’s show begins with the powerful, energized “Mandalas Of Many Designs”, a varied and propulsive waltz-time jam featuring tight ensemble playing and an inspiring lyric from Mariam.  The piece winds out with a beautiful extended conversation between Mariam’s voice and her dancing Native flute before yielding to a tight, passionate take on “I Was Wondering” from the “Smooth Sailin’ Love Songs” album.  The band stays with Mariam’s 2014 album for the driving “Burning Ember” rendered here with a tight rhythm section and busy, bluesy piano from Bob in duet with Mariam’s fine vocal.  “Gypsy” from Mariam’s children’s record is a clever, jazzy gypsy calypso the receives a drum-tight, funky treatment from the band with Mariam’s mysterious, enigmatic vocal presiding.  A quick shift medleys the band into “Distant Star”, a beautiful, hypnotic song that in turn yields to the equally inscrutable, beautiful “This Is The Way” from 2021’s “Release” with the band firing at its’apex around Mariam’s fiery ukulele.  “Gather Together” is a sparse, open, reverent performance built on Craig and Paul’s deep heartbeat and we close today with the gorgeous raga “All Life Unfolds”, a lush, varied folk song with the band building layers around Mariam’s pagan dulcimer drone.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #547 is an hour of improvised, visionary acoustic music featuring The Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, Celtic harp, acoustic guitar, 4- and 8-string ukulele and mandolin, Bob Sherwood on piano and bass guitar and Craig Harris on congas and Native drums.  Today’s show begins with the dramatic, autumnal “Seasons Come and Seasons Go”, an evocative piece featuring an inspired vocal and native flute conversation from Mariam.  “The Melody Of Life” is a pretty, sparse, uplifting piece set to Craig’s crisp, tight congas and electronically treated piano from Bob. Mariam’s light, dancing vocal lifts the piece as it leans further into the realms of modal raga.  “Bluejays Calling” is a deep, driving song enhanced with overdubs from the band; harmonica and vocals from Mariam, bass guitar from Bob and congas from Craig, creating a tight, punchy bottom-heavy mix.  “When You Touch Me” is a gorgeous love song from the “Smooth Sailin’ Love Songs” album as is “Waiting For You” which is completely reimagined as a minor 50’s flavored ballad that burns slowly into an intense, fiery climax.  “Goddess, Goddess” is another complete reboot of one of Mariam’s finer songs, equally languid and patiently, potently sensual.  “The Merkabus Song” is styled as a classic hippie song about a music-powered spaceship and today’s show concludes with “Listen To The Elders”, a story-song that floats in on waves of Celtic harp and fundamental Native drum.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #546 is an hour of visionary, acoustic improvisational music played live by The Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, kalimba, harmonica, mandolin, ukulele and acoustic guitar, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on Native drums and congas.  Taped live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts in early October of 2023, today’s show begins with the whispering, evocative “The Emerald Dragon” featuring Mariam’s breathless vocal and rhythmically driving kalimba wrapping around Bob’s minimalist, hypnotic piano from Bob.  “The Pearl Full Moon” is a charming, ukulele-led folk song in praise of the autumn night sky that spirals upwards with ever more drama and energy and “Did You Forget You Dreamed Yourself Alive?” is a pretty, gospel-inspired piece, a steady rhythm section of congas and piano providing a frame for Mariam’s reverent vocal and bluesy harmonica as it gradually expresses more and more energy.  “Let’s All Become Easy” is a gorgeous, mysterious minor ballad led by Mariam’s tight, chiming acoustic guitar that evokes a deep peace and “I Am The Mother Earth” from the “Visionquest” CD is given a powerful, spiritual outing with energized performances from the whole band and a fine, powerful vocal from Mariam.  Today’s final number, the rambling, ambitious “Celebrating Our Rhythm” is an epic, affecting piece of modern blues music that the band stretches through various feels and configurations, building on Mariam’s driving mandolin and solid, imaginative congas from Craig.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #545 is an hour of live, visionary acoustic improvisational music played by the Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Celtic harp, Native flute, acoustic guitar, mandolin and ukulele, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on Native drums and congas.  Recorded at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington Massachusetts in September of 2023, today’s show begins as a series of striking flute fanfares from Mariam bring in the mystical “Through The Window Of Life”, a drifting, impressionistic piece built on Mariam’s sweeping Celtic harp and affecting lyric.  “Oh The Rain On Equinox” is a rich, beautiful minor waltz led by Mariam’s chiming mandolin and Bob’s bittersweet piano ostinato and “To The Places Of Power” is a fine folk ballad with Mariam’s steady acoustic guitar braiding with Craig’s swinging conga work.  “Living In The Glory” brings in a shaded, minor, rainy day mood and is a beautiful ballad led by Mariam’s affecting vocal and gently strummed acoustic guitar.  The evocative, gently growing “Beckoning Fire” is ushered in with Mariam’s rhythmic ukulele and Bob’s spiraling, weaving piano and explores several paths, alternately gentle and driving.  “I’m So Happy I’m Alive” from the “For The Children” album closes today’s show in a flowing, impressionistic version sweetened by Mariam’s rich 8-string ukulele “Oscar”.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #544 is an hour of visionary, improvised acoustic music played by the Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, Celtic harp, 8- and 4-string ukulele, 6- and 12-string acoustic guitar, harmonica and mandolin, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on Native drums and congas.  Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts, today’s show begins with the languid, peaceful “The Feeling Of Rain”, a meditative piece featuring evocative melodies and Native flute explorations from Mariam.  “In Peaceful Ways” is a powerful rock ballad featuring overdubs of bass guitar, vocals and percussion to create a rich, percolating backdrop for Mariam’s vocals and “Oh The Crickets” is a pretty paean to summer built around Mariam’s charming 8-string ukulele and powerful, open gospel piano from Bob.  “Hurricane” is a tense, unsettled prayer to severe weather, a powerful groove built on Craig’s foundational congas featuring racing piano motifs that peek like sunshine through the low, grey sky.  “Trust” is a track from the “Gaea Star Crystal” album that the band takes in an open, almost African direction with Craig’s steady Native drum and Bob’s Serengeti-evoking piano runs.  “Simple Beauty Calling” is a rich, mystical raga supporting a powerful vocal from Mariam above the rhythm of congas, 12-string Martin acoustic guitar and piano.  Today’s show wraps with another reinterpretation of a song from Mariam’s “Gaea Star Crystal” album, this time the powerful gospel song “Sing Down The Walls” is given a beautiful, bright, open reading with a fine vocal from Mariam.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #543 is an hour of visionary acoustic improvisational music played by the Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, kalimba, mandolin, Native flute, acoustic guitar, shruti box and ukulele, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on Native drums.  Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massachusetts at the beginning of September 2023,  today’s show begins with the languid, unhurried “Reflect Your Light”, a gentle prayer featuring a lovely vocal from Mariam in conversation with her Native flute and detailed baroque piano from Bob.  “Somebody Before You” is a skipping folk song led by Mariam’s chiming mandolin and “Let’s Believe We’ll Rise” is a gorgeous, mystical song energized by Mariam’s driving, tight acoustic guitar work.  “Comtemplation” is an easeful country gospel song featuring a fine, reverent vocal from Mariam above Craig’s heartbeat Native drumming and “Calling Us Home” is a gorgeous song from Mariam’s “Release” album, rendered with power and imagination, with fine playing from the whole band supporting an impassioned vocal from Mariam.  “Rivers Of Peace” is an evocative spacious raga underpinned by Mariam’s shruti box and tense, modal piano from Bob and “To Begin Again With Hope” is a powerful, gorgeous prayer with a soaring, inspired vocal from Mariam and virtuosic, dancing piano from Bob.  Today’s show finishes with the “Gaea Star Goddesses” track “Yemanja”, a mystical ode to the Yoruban ocean goddess rendered with a rhythm and blues twist.  
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro

Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #542 is an hour of compelling, visionary acoustic improv music played by the Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, ukulele, Native flute, harmonica, mandolin, acoustic guitar and Celtic harp, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on Native drums and congas.  Recorded live in September 2023 at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington, Massacusetts, today’s show begins with the languid, spacious “Begin With Love” a gorgeous, affecting ballad with Mariam interspersing a gracious, solemn vocal with Native flute fanfares.  “Come On Now” is a beautiful ballad led by Mariam’s chiming ukulele and harmonica colorings and “Dissolving Into Light” is a mysterious, percolating minor exploration led by Bob’s racing, minimalist piano composition.  “Omajina”, driven by Mariam’s acoustic guitar, is a peaceful, unhurried ballad underpinned by Craig’s throbbing Native drum work and “Super Blue Moon” is a gently driving rock song with Eastern flavors and a fine lyric from Mariam.  “Just Walk Away”, from the “Release” album is presented with a ‘50s rock and roll vibe and “Open Every Day” from the “Gaea Star Crystal” album closes today’s show with a veiled, mysterious, evocative take from the band and a fine vocal from Mariam.
Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com