“Terra Incognito: The Space Between” by Richard Dillon
Album review by Dyan Garris for New Age CD.com
Richard Dillon has released a total of 11 CDs, with “Terra Incognito: The Space Between” being released in February, 2018. “Terra Incognito” is defined here as: “A place, subject, or situation that you are not familiar with.” In keeping with that, this album is somewhat of departure from his well-known New Age solo piano albums, such as “Irish Mist” and “Land of Nod.”
“Terra Incognito” is a compilation of Richard Dillon’s work from 1984 to the present, which includes his use of various instrumentation and also four vocal tracks he created specifically for music licensing. Guest artists on the album include Julian Catford, one of Seattle’s top guitarists and Seattle area based fiddler, Susan Burke on violin.
The album is lengthy, coming in at well over one hour, and consists of 24 tracks. Interesting, and in juxtaposition to that total album length, some of the tracks themselves are quite short, with, for example, one of my personal favorites, track 8, the beautiful “Leonardo’s Flying Machine,” being only 1:12.
The album opens with “Whalesong Redux,” a soulful instrumental replete with communicative sounds of these resplendent sea creatures. Next up, “Green Flash Redux,” incorporates soothing ocean sounds with a steady, meditative melody line. The title track, “The Space Between,” is spacey and atmospheric as one might expect, albeit a little short at 1:41. However, maybe it says just enough and we can fill in our own spaces as we imagine them.
Some standouts on “Terra Incognito” are: Track 9, “Beside Still Waters Redux,” with its peaceful rainforest sounds and well-constructed piano melody. It’s a lovely piece. And not that there is nothing to enjoy in-between, but track 18, “Light of Peace Redux,” is quite tranquility inducing with its gentle piano and calming synth string vibe flowing underneath. “Ha Long Bay” on track 21, is pretty, uplifting, and angelic, with its ethereal sounding digital voice wrapped around some very nice piano and palliative instrumentation, which all enters into the mix at just the perfect time. Very nicely done.
Buy “Terra Incognito: The Space Between” here: www.richarddillonpiano.com/
