Tracks with the Talented  Pianist Debra Buesking

This is an extra-special release for two reasons; the song was written for my first granddaughter Lanie about the time this picture was taken(seven years old, she's now nineteen), and this marks my first collaboration with gifted pianist Debra Buesking.  When I approached her with this song, she immediately loved it and the ideas came very quickly to her.  It was emotionally moving to hear her additions giving the song a sense of completion I felt it lacked.  Thank you my friend for sharing your abundant talent that graces this song.  You can hear more of Debra's fine playing and original arrangements:  soundcloud.com/debra_buesking

Cantalanie (special guest Debra Buesking, piano)

It is wonderful when a previously released song has enough potential energy to be released as a new song in a different genre.  So it is with this song first inspired by Thommo last spring in a collaboration with him and Ren Faye called "Dream Catching".  I liked the initial soundscape and guitar parts enough that I wanted to do a separate acoustic release under a different title.  Debra Buesking's definitive artistry entered the picture when we were teasing ideas for another collaboration.  I submitted this to her, she loved it, and now graces it with her superb playing, actually re-inventing the song.  More of her fine music can be heard @debra_buesking 
Imagine a windswept veranda. a couple dancing to distant thunder, passions building and breaking as the storm approaches.  The original is much different, more Celtic and ethereal and can be heard here as well as Thommo's other amazing productions: soundcloud.com/thommo_tunes/dream-catching-feat-david-dunham-and-ren-faye

Dancing On The Veranda (Thommo, Debra Buesking, David Dunham)

Marking my third collaboration with gifted pianist Debra Buesking, what an honor and treat to have her add her piano magic to a tune I wrote some 25 years ago on a warm summer evening in Colorado.  The Godin guitar seemed the perfect voice to express the warmth and intimacy of a summer evening reverie, and Debra's piano the perfect accompaniment, like two friends enjoying a glass of wine.  Hear more of Debra's fine compositions and arrangements @debra_buesking.

One Summer Night, A Reverie, with Debra Buesking, piano

What a privilege to work with Debra Buesking again on Scott Richard's smooth and slightly funky synth track.  Actually, I kind of invited myself to the party when Debra queried me about the keyboard part she had for Scott's original track titled "Ennui".  I became very engaged with her playing to the very chill synth track and could hear some acoustic guitar accents giving a little edge to the piece.  Debra's versatile playing defines the direction of the song front to back, and I'm along for the ride--but what a ride:)  Check out Scott's Cloud at soundcloud.com/the_eyes_of_heisenberg,  and Debra's extraordinary playing @debra_buesking.

Kaleidoscope (Collaboration with Debra Buesking, Scott Richards)

Long before September 11, 2001, there was a September 11, 1950; the birthdate of my wife Terry.  This song started out as a very personal musical portrait of her.  Debra became interested in the track after I sent it to her for collaborative consideration.  The result is something very special for the both of us and we hope you too.  In my playing, I address the intimate side of the song and day. In Debra's playing, she addresses the now much larger meaning of the day for our nation and the world. Ultimately I think what we are saying is that 9/11 is profoundly personal. Each of us, if were old enough to remember, know where we were, what we were doing the day the attacks occurred. The attacks also shook the world, world markets, world travel, and any and all sense of security.   Profound sorrow was draped over our country and any nation that called us friend.  "Stay With Me" is another way of saying "hold me close", "we need each other", and as the track picture suggests "forget me not".    A big "thank you" to Debra for lavishing her talent on this very personal song.    More of her beautiful music can be heard @debra_buesking.

Stay With Me (featuring Debra Buesking, piano)

This song, originally written for my 2nd daughter Joanna, was one of my first ventures into Latin Jazz.  Exceptionally talented pianist Debra Buesking heard it and wanted to add her Latin seasoning to it, and did she ever.  I love the spice she gave it; part Bossa, part Tango, all Debra.
Thank you my friend for the collaborations we have shared this year, and this maybe the most fun.  We hope you think so too:)  Hear more of Debra's fine playing and original arrangements @debra_buesking.

Bossa Nueva (with Debra Buesking, piano)

What a lovely surprise Debra came up with when I asked if she would like to collaborate on an earlier released song "Nice to See You".  She couldn't get past "Ode to Joy" when she first started, and I told her "Let's just run with it and see what other Christmas music might go with the song".  Her genius for counterpoint is full of charm and wit and on full display in this song.  Hear more of her beautiul music @debra_buesking.  We wish you all a very merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years:)

"Nice To See You" Holiday Mashup (with Debra Buesking, piano)

It was a year ago I originally released "Angels", a most unlikely event given that it was a mouse click away from ever seeing the light of day.  I didn't like how it was progressing and wanted to scrap the whole thing.  That's the time you walk away and let it steep, let the idea mature and if it is a good one, let it fly.  Your response showed it was good beyond my hopes, and now made even better with Debra's wonderful playing on this second flight.  I hope you think so too.  Hear more of Debra's wonderful music @debra_buesking.

On Angels' Wings--Second Flight (with Debra Buesking, piano)

So pleased to have Debra Buesking as my ever-capable copilot on piano as we take off in this collaboration.  Hear more of Debra's great music @debra_buesking.

Flight Patterns (with Debbie Buesking, my favorite pianist and co-pilot:)

For my oldest daughter who never likes to say "goodbye" but prefers to say "love ya, see ya".  Thanks to Debbie Buesking for giving this reissue of a song I posted a while back a rejuvenating lift and a whole new feel only she can do.  More of her fine music can be found @debra_buesking.   Also a shoutout to Annie Smart who graced the original with her superb lyrics and vocals; soundcloud.com/annie-smart-1/dont-say-goodbye-by-david-dunham-and-annie-smart.  Jose Castro has also put forth a beautiful vocal interpretation using mine and Debbie's version: https://soundcloud.com/jfcpetruscastrus/dont-say-goodbye/comment-1727452658

Don't Say Goodbye with Debbie Buesking, piano

Even a short perusal of Debra Buesking's profile will convince one of how good a pianist she is.  She also thinks musically which makes her arrangements original and a treat to listen to.  She is also very good at turning lemons into lemonade;) This song is exhibit A, which began its life  as a request for a vocal accompaniment.  The vocalist rejected it thinking it needed more fire.  Being a bit of a tightwad about writing off the considerable time spent on it, I felt it could be repurposed as an instrumental built largely on the strength of Debbie's inventive playing; variations on a theme of sorts.  Please feel free to sample our "lemonade".  I really do hope you like it;) Hear more of Debbie's exquisite playing and arrangements @debra_buesking.

Cantina Tango (Debra Buesking; Piano, David Dunham; Godin Guitar, Bass, and Shaker

Debbie adorns my playing once again in this smooth little jazz number.  The biggest challenge was naming it and we went through a list of possibilities.  The title came at the close of one her notes when she said, "I'm easy to please, unless I'm not".  There it was, the perfect title, which sums up both of us to a tee.
Hope you enjoy:) Hear more of Debbie's superb playing, writing, and arranging @debra_buesking

Easy To Please (Unless I'm Not!) Debra Buesking; piano, David Dunham; classical guitar

It's always an honor to have Debra Buesking ask if she could join me on a previously released song.  My answer goes along the lines of; "well duh, of course":) What a delight she makes of my tribute to the semi-annual time change, in this case "falling back" from Daylight Savings Time.  It also corresponds with southerly migrations of species from birds to butterflies.  We're staying put, however, with snow shovels and ice scrapers at the ready:) Hear more of Debbie's wonderful music @debra_buesking.

Migration (Debra Buesking; piano, David Dunham; Guitar

This is a song about the color Purple which has a fascinating history from ancient times.  It was the color of kings and royal pageantry.  In its purest form it was the rare dye extracted from a particular type of snail, requiring thousands to produce enough dye to color a handkerchief.  It is remembered that Jesus, during his passion, was draped in a purple robe as a means of mockery.
Purple was also the favorite color of Athena Alexandria Brownfield (9/6/2018-12/25/2022) a little girl who tragically died on Christmas day, the victim of extreme neglect. The details are too painful to relate here, but felt compelled to write this song and make a video--my first--to memorialize her life; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z7GZF2BO90
A very special thank you to Debbie Buesking for sharing my vision of the song and for adding some very delicate and poignant phrases.  More of her beautiful composing and playing can be heard @debra_buesking.

Purple Was Her Favorite Color with Debbie Buesking, piano (In Memory of Athena)

Though I have never visited Ireland, Irish blood runs through my veins and I always seem to feel a surge of it this time of year.  Kerry County is considered by many one of the most beautiful places on Earth; the openness of crystal-blue sky reflected in the water, and an eternal green seen from horizon to horizon.  And if one is lucky, a glimpse of the Bog Pony might be caught.
A huge "thank you" to Debbie Buesking for gracing my guitar with her oh so elegant playing.  The beauty would have been lacking without it:)  Hear more of her exquisite playing @debra_buesking.

The Beauty Of County Kerry (Debra Buesking; piano, David; guitar)

Celtic music is a paradox; in a minor key such as this piece, it tends to be melancholy, yet in its melancholia it can lift the spirit to heavenly realms where noble and reflective thoughts reside.  It is Debbie's and mine fondest hope this Lament lifts your spirits:) A huge thank you to Debbie for gracing this piece with her playing. Hear more of her beautiful music @debra_buesking.

Celtic Lament (Debra Buesking; Piano and Synths, David; Guitar)

The first cold winds of Autumn arrived last evening and with them a time of reflection. If Spring is the season of "Hello", surely Autumn is the season of "Goodbye".  The farewells can be bittersweet, whether to a fragrant garden or fragrant friendship, but the bitter lasts only a moment but the sweet remains in our remembering.
A special thank you to Debbie for gracing my efforts with her playing--she makes all things beautiful:) Hear more of her lovely music @debra_buesking.

Bittersweet Goodbye (Debra Buesking; Piano, David; Godin Guitar)

I think of some of the "old timers" that have influenced my life especially when I was a younger man, the stories they shared, the wisdom in those stories if I listened closely, and most sobering, that I'm an old timer myself now.  This song is a bit of a musical portrait of encountering an old timer at a small-town diner and enjoying a bit of food and conversation.  Joining me in this visit is ace pianist and valued collaborator Debra Buesking.  As always, her playing enriches and informs my playing and is totally sympathetic to the theme.  Thank you dear friend for sharing this special musical moment.  Hear more of Debbie's superb composing and playing @debra_buesking. Thanks to George Motz Photography for the track picture.

On a personal note, I appreciate all of you that reached out to me upon hearing about the devastating flood in central Texas that swept away many lives and much property.  It was a worst case scenario happening on one of the busiest weekends of the year.  Amarillo stayed high and dry during the event, but all of us were touched, as was the whole world, upon hearing of the tragedy.  Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Old Timer at the Diner (Debbie Buesking; piano, David; acoustic guitar)

I am a finger-style guitarist living on the Texas high plains.  At the core of my music is melody that is inspired and informed by my Christian faith, family, friends, and countless influences through the years from the great composers, to jazz, folk, rock, Latin, Celtic, and the many fine musicians I have come to love on the Cloud, some I have been privileged to collaborate with.  Thanks for stopping by to have a listen. Comments are always welcome. Feel free to click on the picture of any track to learn more about it.