His earlier new age ensemble work on both Narada and his original label, Miramar, has been impressive, but the picturesque lovely and uplifting
Places in Time rivals the two
David Lanz and
Paul Speer collaborations as top notch genre contributions. The keyboardist has a grand ear for musical imagery, simplicity, orchestration and production, and his melodies stay with you, make you think, and give you spiritual guidance if you let them-much like the music of
David Lanz. In many ways,
Gettel combines the sweetness of Lanz with the sweeping synth energy of
Spencer Brewer. Places begins smoothly, with the lovely "The Old House is Silent" giving way to a rush of "Zuni Rain" and the sprightly "Angel's Landing," which are more contemporary jazz than new age. "River Run" paints a daring journey down the San Juan River, providing twists at every turn. The only tune that cools the momentum is the reflective "The Storyteller Sleeps," but it's still a lush sentiment. Helping
Gettel's masterful keys convey the places he's been (chronicled in the liner notes) are
Nancy Rumbel, Russel Walker, and flugelhornist Dave Mitchell. ~ Jonathan Widran