If you live in North America and have been following the career of (Soviet) Georgian-born Katie Melua since the release of her stunning 2003 debut, Call Off the Search, you would not be mistaken to wonder why the classically-trained pop singer did not make the same impact in the United States that Norah Jones (to whom she is often compared) did.

She possesses a soulful voice, is not afraid to venture into both jazzy and bluesy numbers, and has proven that she can place a hit single on the charts (“Closest Thing to Crazy”). Unmistakably influenced by Eva Cassidy – who is one of Melua’s biggest influences – Melua followed up Call Off the Search with 2005’s Piece By Piece, which showcased a wider musical palette, one heavily influenced by the world music scene. That album also topped the charts across the pond, yet the artist remained relatively unknown in North America.

Though she needs the North American market much more than it needs her, Melua has spent some time in the U.S. over the past several weeks promoting the disc (which hit store shelves overseas in October 2008.) For those who wondered whether the third time would prove the charm vis-à-vis U.S. success, Melua’s latest studio album, Pictures, is another wonderful outing that deserves to earn the attention that her previous releases have not received.

If you’re looking for edgy tunes, you won’t find them here; which is not to say that Melua’s pop is not compelling in its own right. Her singing is effortless, but is also more likely to appeal to the adult-alternative listener than she is to the top-40 crowd. The reason is simple: Her singing is unadorned by the electronic remixing that so many lesser singers need. Melua’s sound is traditional, and while that should not be a curse word, many radio programmers believe that singers with a voice that does not need to be fixed by Pro Tools, and which is backed by real instruments will not appeal to young listeners.

You’re more likely to hear Melua’s music at an art gallery than you are in a club. Her tunes aren’t bangers, they’re songs. Songs that tell a story. Songs that don’t rely on an artificially-catchy chorus that has no meaning. Listen to her music and the word that will come to mind repeatedly is “beautiful.” Her sound is both soothing and uplifting without artificial ornamentation.

Considering the putrid state of the music industry in the United States, it is entirely possible that Melua, who plans to spend the last four months of the year working on her fourth studio album, and who recently released a live album in the U.K., may never have a huge hit in the United States. The only thing that would prove is the depth to which the appreciation of great music in this country has fallen. Don’t cry for Katie Melua. Her talent is already appreciated tremendously. It’s a shame that most North American music fans don’t know what their counterparts across the pond learned six years ago.