Journey North

How widespread popularity has eluded pianist-composer Michael Gettel is a mystery. Anyone who professes a fondness for upbeat, pop-influenced instrumentals from artists such as John Tesh, Craig Chaquico, or Fred Simon certainly would find much to like in Gettel's music. His consistently likable melodies capture a sun-warmed, top-down frame of mind, and a glow of cheerful sophistication shines through in nearly all of his compositions. On The Journey North, Gettel embellishes his pop-rock instincts with assorted Celtic flourishes (Jerry O'Sullivan contributes Uilleann pipes and whistles), yet the album's orientation is decidedly contemporary, not ancient. Gettel is unafraid of putting a slight edge into some of his works, and you'll hear him stretch his parameters a bit in a piece such as "Celtic Knot." The album's most embraceable track, "Galloway," captures all that is right in Gettel's style: a great tune, interesting variations on the original theme, and a storyteller's sense of resolution that is both reassuring and liberating. If you enjoy this, seek out his best album, Skywatching. --Terry Wood