My new album

MUSIC FOR KETAMINE

will release June 20, 2025!

(The first day of summer just seemed so appropriate…)

BandCamp will release the album on June 13 and you’ll be able to purchase it here.

Music for Ketamine is a collection of 13 songs and soundscapes, created as a full sonic journey for therapeutic ketamine sessions; it includes various instruments and found sounds, for this special, auditory trip.

David has been a multi-instrumentalist & composer for 50 years, creating soundtracks for dance companies and more. He’s also been a psychotherapist for 25 years, specializing in work with men and young adults; he’s received various trainings to become a ketamine clinician in his practice.  He is a graduate of the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics, Psychedelic Facilitation Certificate Program. David’s music has been used for participants of the MAPS MDMA, Phase 2 study, for the online class Drugs and the Mind at UC Berkeley, and he has played live music at various at group ceremonies.  Music for Ketamine is his 12th full-length album and his discography spans 37 years.

Instrumentation: pianos (my Pramberger grand piano, 1940s toy piano), various guitars, flutes, drums, hand-pan, harmonium, synthesizer, bowed psaltry, bells, shakers, my voice and more. Found-sounds that I recorded for this project include: frogs, crickets, different species of birds in different seasons, rain, fire and my cat (Stripes’) purring.  (Full disclosure: I didn’t get his written consent for this, but he DID get some catnip, for payment and inspiration…)

Disclaimer:  whenever taking any drug, please make sure to follow the advice of your healthcare providers. 

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past albums:

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ONE DAY IN SPRING (2024)
APPLE MUSIC · SPOTIFY · BANDCAMP

so, i accidentally recorded a new album this past spring, 2024…

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

inspired, i started playing before the sun rose, and improvised one song after another - elements of rain, birds singing, and sunrise, intermingled into my waking dream-state, and the first 7 pieces emerged. 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. thank you for listening.  

one day in spring (2024)

recorded on march 16, 2024 at my home in oakland, california

on my 6’1” pramberger piano, using 2 akg 414 microphones

mixed & mastered by warren kahn

reviews (2024):

“the best work is created in flashes of inspiration, the language of sound and melody falling from fingers without deep planning - some of my favorite albums have fallen into this camp, and One Day in Spring is now added to that list” - hi-res edition/wesley derbyshire

“a sensory gift of ephemeral beauty: franklin’s piano builds a bridge between the earthly and the fragile” - cyclical magazine

“when you want to break from the monotony of life and get into some kind of introspection to explore your inner world, you will find this album a powerful ally” - new music alert

“single notes and flowing fuller chords that explore and rehearse the story of life” - medium.com

“the sound is emotional, perhaps a melody describing a dream” - contemporary fusion reviews

“you'll hear new things in the music every time it plays - very highly recommended” - kathy parsons, mainlypiano.com

“the music will touch you and leave an impression” - new age music reviews

interviews (2024):

david’s spotify interview about the new album, with keith "MuzikMan" hannaleck

david’s youtube interview about the new album, with jannie rawlinson

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past albums:

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passings (2022)

Passings, my 10th album, is a collection of 15 songs written about the many transitions and endings which have happened in my life over the past few years: the death of both my parents, my children leaving home, changes related to the pandemic, and other profound endings which I won’t mention here.  These soundscapes have given me a sense of peace somehow and my hope is that they may offer something to others…

David Franklin: Acoustic Guitars, Piano & Programable Music Box

Michael Manring: Fretless Bass

Owl Licks - Alex Franklin: Guitar on Another Perspective and The Meeting Tree

Warren Kahn: Mixing, Mastering (and awesome ideas): Banquet Studios, Medford, Oregon.

Reviews:

“poignant, reverent & exploratory”, Bass Musician Magazine

“bright & upbeat…a bit of musical sunshine”, Mainly Piano

“melodic, flowing & upbeat”, New Age CD

“insightful, emotionally impactful & melodically rich”, JW Vibe

“his music emotionally touches the listener, giving way to beauty and grace for the precious gift of life … all songs have been steeped in the best teas of new age and textured with experimental edges”, Mediaversal

“Guitar, piano, and bass feature prominently in this thoughtful, evocative creation, highly recommended for both connoisseurs and for public library collections”, Midwest Book Review

You can listen to it now here! :-)

Listen on Bandcamp Here

Listen on Apple Music Here

Listen on Amazon Music Here

Listen on Spotify Here

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past albums:

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SONGS OF POTENTIAL EMBRACE (2017)

made top 10 On the ZMR music chart in 2017.

Listen on Apple Music

This recording is an eclectic collection of instrumental music featuring 16 songs:

12 new ones and 4 re-mixes from older material.

Ten of the songs comprised the soundtrack for the modern dance performances of Potential Embrace, by Rogelio Lopez and dancers, which opened March, 2017 at the Dance Mission Theater in San Francisco.

I wrote, played and mixed all the music, much of which contains Found Sounds that I've collected over the years...pianos (grands and an 1800's standup) with guitars (baritone, harp and more) with synth, percussion, violin, sometimes mixed with vacuum cleaners, babies cries, telephones and more?  Yum! 

Thanks for listening and for all the support! You can read more about Songs of Potential Embrace here.

REVIEWS:

“A uniquely creative joy to experience; highly recommended”, Midwest Book & Music Review

“Music that pushes your senses and sensibilities…will challenge you perceptions, precepts and priorities”, Buzz Music

“Quite the Adventure!”, Music-forum.org

“Sonic dreams that will stand the test of time”, Improvijazzation Nation

“A ride worth taking and your consciousness will thank you”, Mangle International Music Forums

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past albums:

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PLAYING WITH SHADOWS (2015)

made top 30 albums of 2015 on the ZMR music chart

Listen on Apple Music

18 tracks of instrumental acoustic piano and guitar pieces.  Special guests include Michael Manring (fretless bass), Rick Corrigen & Alex Franklin.  Mixed and mastered by Warren Kahn.

REVIEWS:

"Heartfelt music that touches the listener deeply”, Harmony Central

This music awaits you; holds beauty and elegance at the same time”, Keith Hannaleck, New Age Music Reviews

Blissful…one of the finest albums I have heard this year”, Steve Sheppard, One World Music Radio

"Resonates to the core of your being; you feel this as much as hear it", 8Notes.com

"Expressive and flowing", Michael Diamond, Music & Media Focus