Friday Sep 29, 2023
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