Thursday Nov 30, 2017
The Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour with Mariam Massaro
Today on Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #283 we feature the Gaea Star Band with Zeke Russell on acoustic guitar. Mariam Massaro sings and plays native flute, piano, harmonica, 12-string acoustic guitar, dulcimer and percussion, Craig Harris is on congas and balaphone, and Bob Sherwood plays piano and bass guitar. Recorded at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington MA on October 30, 2018, today’s show begins with the operatic “From The Crystal Blue Parts 1 and 2” featuring Mariam’s gentle, melodic vocals and lyrical piano and a questing bass line from Bob that resolves into Verdian precision. “I Am The Mother Earth” enters on a cloud of piano and native flute from Mariam before locking into a mesmerizing psychedelic groove featuring Zeke’s textural acoustic guitar and another fine vocal from Mariam. This powerful jam dovetails into the upbeat gospel of “May Everyone Be Loved”, a driving prayer led by Mariam on harmonica as well as Bob’s energized piano. “Happy I Am” is a simple, pretty folk song from Mariam’s 2013 “Songs For The Children” album, featuring a gorgeous melody and imaginative rhythm from the combo following Mariam’s lead on dulcimer. The band goes out this afternoon on the Polynesian groove “Chekokopaiyo”, a song in solidarity to Puerto Rico with a conga-and-ukulele center and a fine lyric from Mariam.