This was originally going to be a solo piano album. The inspiration was partly the purchase of my full-sized grand, and the fact that after 40 years as a musician, I am finally starting to understand the instrument. 　　 　　However, when Michael Manring agreed to record with me, my instrumental guitar pieces became what I wanted to explore. As time continued and my vision clarified, I realized there was a lot of chemistry between my piano and guitar pieces, and that recording with Michael was the perfect glue to hold it all together. 　　 　　I've gone through many phases in my musical life: a keyboardist in a New York rock band, a singer-songwriter touring with my guitar which was never in standard tuning, a drummer supporting myself through college or later, playing with and recording found-sounds (such as on Shadowlands). But even though this is my 8th full-length album, it's the one that feels most natural. 　　 　　The album is entitled Playing With Shadows because I'm playing with my own shadows: historically I've had difficulty allowing my innermost musical tendencies be experienced. But by playing with these energies and doing my homework around these beliefs, I'm allowing my musical feelings to be heard. (It may sound strange, but it makes sense to me somehow...) 　　 　　My hope is that the sounds of these quiet instruments may inspire a few people become more grounded and present, so that they can feel a deeper sense of connection with themselves and others. And I hope that in the most positive of ways, you yourself are inspired to play with your own shadows. 　　 　　Thanks for listening! 　　David Franklin, January, 2015 　　Oakland, CA. 　　 　　Piano sounds captured at home from my 2004 Pramberger grand with 2 AKG 414 microphones. Guitar sounds captured from a 1989 George Lowden S10 and an Avanti baritone guitar, high strung. 　　 　　David Franklin: piano, guitar & percussion. 　　Rick Corrigan: accordion on Shifting Landscapes. 　　Alex Franklin: guitar on Goodbyes. 　　Michael Manring: fretless bass on selected songs. 　　Warren Dennis Kahn: mixing, mastering and additional tracking at The Banquet Studios. 　　Lyubo Bukov: Cover image “Shadows Of The Past”, 　　www.Lyubomir.Bukov.com 　　Cecilia Risquez: CD Design & Layout. 　　 　　Thanks to: 　　Nico, Alex and Cecilia, for your love and support, great ideas in general and for pressing buttons. Rick and Warren for all their invaluable help. Bob Timney, David Egert, Michael Silver and Laura Pilnick for encouragement. 　　Special thanks to Michael Manring for agreeing to record with a mere mortal, such as myself. 　　 　　All songs written by David Franklin.