On a bitterly cold January the Gaea Star Band gathers around the stove in the studio at Singing Brook to record Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #605, an hour of emotional, compelling, powerful improvised music and songs by Mariam Massaro with Mariam on vocals, acoustic 6- and 12-string guitars, ukulele, dulcimer, Celtic harp, Native flute and mandolin, Bob Sherwood on piano and backing vocals towards the end and Craig Harris on Native low drum and congas. Recorded live, today’s show begins with the rich, gentle-yet-powerful “So Many Veils”, a gorgeous folk song with a deeply powerful and affecting vocal from Mariam above tight acoustic guitar, imaginative piano and Ringo-esque conga work from Craig. “Here We Are Again” is a flowing raga based around Mariam’s DADGAD tuned 12-string acoustic guitar, a meditation on circles and cycles and “The Snow Queen” is a beautifully classical-sounding winter song with lush, pillowy chording from Bob on piano and Mariam on ukulele and imaginative, range-y vocals and “I Am Bountiful” derives a powerful, rocking primitivism from Mariam’s percussive mandolin, skipping congas and suspended, rhythmic piano. Mariam plugs in her crisp, rich-sounding dulcimer for the driving, throbbing “To The Glory”, a beautiful song with excellent ensemble work and a precise, virtuosic vocal that wraps evocatively and intuitively around the pretty, imaginative cadences. “Solare” continues the Gaea Star Band winter tradition of including a sunny, summery song during particularly cold spells and this version is driving, powerful and decorated in another fine vocal from Mariam. We conclude today’s show with inspired takes on Mariam’s “We Call In The Elements” and “Fire In Our Bellies” from her “Vision Quest” LP.

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