Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #635 is an hour of visionary acoustic improvised music played by The Gaea Star Band with Mariam Massaro on vocals, Native flute, double flute, nylon string guitar, acoustic guitar, kalimba and ukulele, Bob Sherwood on piano and Craig Harris on congas and Native drum. Recorded live at Singing Brook Studio in late August of 2025, today’s show begins with the rocking extended minor blues of “Standing Ones Of Peace”, a powerful prayer to the great trees of the Northeast featuring scorching work from the ensemble with Mariam’s fine vocal supported by her tight ukulele as well as busy, riffing, peppery blues piano from Bob and Craig’s heartbeat Native drum. “Arise” is a beautiful, energetic folk song from the “Release” album with skipping ukulele, dancing piano and groovy congas framing Mariam’s upbeat soprano melody and “Spirit Of The Forest” from the “Vision Quest” album begins as a reverent, open prayer and gradually coalesces into a driving, powerful, melodic ode to the forest. For the spacious, compelling coda Mariam plays her new double flute, an instrument that creates two flute notes and an overtone, resulting in lush, rich harmonies. “The Black Moon” is a hypnotic ballad interspersed with powerful Native flute passages and a languid, beautiful melody from Mariam and “Bestowing Blessings” is as driving, powerful anthem with fine piano soloing work from Bob and tight accompaniment from the ensemble for Mariam’s powerful, expressive vocal. “Twin Flame” from the “Smooth Sailin’ Love Songs” LP is a mystical, reverent song with a classical vibe and another fine vocal from Mariam. The epic “Holding Our Voices” closes today’s show with an extended journey through a summer day featuring Native flute fanfares that cascade through various harmonic tendrils explored and evolved by Bob’s restless piano.

Learn more about Mariam here: http://www.mariammassaro.com