one day in spring is the eleventh album from David Franklin, a self-taught composer as well as a multi-instrumentalist, environmentalist, and psychotherapist in the SF Bay Area. The ten tracks on the album are solo piano improvisations and interpretations created mostly in the early morning hours of a day earlier this year. Quoting David from the liner notes of the album:

"i woke up early and remembered the microphones and recording equipment set up by my piano.

"feeling inspired, i started playing before the sun rose, and improvised one song after another - the elements of rain, birds singing, and sunrise, intermingled into my waking dream-state, and the first 7 pieces emerged, one-by-one; listening back, i was struck by the simplicity and spaciousness of not thinking, but simply being. after tea, i decided to play with a few other musical ideas and this album happened; the vast majority, created and recorded entirely in one day, without any planning. because i believed no one else would ever hear it, this is the most vulnerable album i’ve ever created."

The music on the album is very open and relaxed, but what really strikes me is the heartfelt honesty that comes through the notes and chords - an artist alone with his piano, allowing his deepest thoughts and feelings to be freely expressed through his wonderful instrument.

Appropriately, one day in spring opens with "just before dawn," a piece that beautifully describes the profound calm of the very early morning hours. "the gloaming" is a little bit livelier, but just a little. Still very calm and peaceful, the silences between the notes are almost as important as the notes themselves. "birds start their songs" also has lots of quiet open spaces while using the piano's damper pedal to create a soft echoing effect as more "birds" join the early-morning choir. "another bird in the garden" is more melodic, but continues to be very open, gentle and peaceful. "grieving the dreamscape" is much darker, reflecting inward and expressing deep, thoughtful emotion - a favorite! "as light of mourning finally arrives" begins as delicately as the pastel colors of dawn, conveying the hopes and optimism of a new day. As the piece evolves, it becomes bigger and brighter, much like a sunrise. "night has left us all" continues to build while remaining peaceful and calm, trailing off at the end. "remembering george winston" is a beautiful tribute to one of the best-loved pianist/composers of recent years. Simple yet descriptive, it is a fond farewell. "caffeinated and reconsidering slime molds" is one of the more unusual titles I've seen in awhile! The piece begins slowly and simply, gathering energy as it develops, and becoming quite lively near the end - a fascinating evolution! "trees and silences are living beings" brings this oustanding album to a tranquil, thoughtful close, although keeping it on "repeat" is a great idea since you'll hear new things in the music every time it plays!

one day in spring is excellent from the first note to the last! It is available from Amazon, Apple Music/iTunes, and many of the streaming platforms including Spotify. Very highly recommended!