PURE CELTIC SCHMALTZ

Usually you can judge a record by its cover and its title. In this case, the two conspire to give a vaguely gimmicky impression (Mystical Celtic Music 2 - new from K-Tel!) when the music can, at worst, be faulted for being as predictable as green ties on St. Patrick's Day. Though perhaps more sentimental than mystical, the music is sincere, not gimmicky.

Mystic Harp 2 features the Chieftain's distinguished, sixtysomething harpist, Derek Bell, playing 20 brief instrumentals composed "in the Celtic tradition" by another prolific old coot, Donald Walters, aka Kriyananda. Interestingly, both of the men are mystics who have been friends since the 60s, when they were disciples of Paramhansa Yogananda.

Bell's harp is lushly orchestrated, with some beautiful turns on woodwinds, a throaty cello, and other instruments by uncredited musicians (the gifted Bell could be multitracking them all).

You know where these twenty limpid tunes are going even as you hear them for the first time: this is Celtic schmaltz straight up. And it works every time. Especially, perhaps, on the song that provides the album's one genuine surprise, the last one. "Home is a Green Hill" pulls a delightful rabbit out of the hat: the composer's beautifully aged and cultured singing voice, with a delivery as fine as faery breath.