DAVID BUCKINGHAM RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM - THE VIEW

The View was the name of an estate in the heart of the English countryside that David used to work at when he was a student to fund his way through college. The photo on the album cover is of the Andalusian skyline. These two "views" reflect the crossover of influences and inspiration in David's compositions. Or as Gordon Giltrap put it: "It's good to hear so much Englishness coming through those Spanish influenced pieces".

Views aren't the only form of inspiration that seems to run as a theme throughout these compositions; water also seems to play a big part in inspiring, from Waterscape, a composition for Spanish guitar re-tuned to DADGAD, an Irish tuning; to the composition entitled Chiemsee, inspired by a lake in Southern Germany of the same name; to Agua Clara (Clear Water).

Taking a view across the diverse styles that flavout this album one can hear flamenco, classical, subtle hints of jazz and latin harmonies (particularly in Brisa Flamenca) and minimalism (in the beautiful and reflectional Agua Clara).

Whilst Gordon Giltrap also said of the album "I defy anyone to better the virtuosity displayed in these pieces" Martin Taylor also noted David's sensitivity and said "what I love about David's compositions and arrangements is that he puts the music first". Possessing an impressive technique can sometimes lead to unnecessary embellishments but David knows exactly when to let the music breath and when to inject that special something.

The album opens with Waterscape, David's composition for Spanish guitar tuned to DADGAD. The middle section for this piece is haunting and reflective and the flamenco five-note tremolo is used to wonderful effect. 

After gently bringing us into his musical world with Waterscape David ups the ante and invites a few musician friend to join us in the form of Manuel Berraquero (flamenco guitar), Claire Furley (vocals) and Marco Vargas (taconeo - flamenco footwork). The piece is call Brisa Flamenca which means flamenco breeze in Spanish and, true to word, it washes over you like a welcome Mediterranean breeze on a balmy evening.

  

David's ability to arrange well-known pieces and present a fresh take on them is shown in his re-workings of You Are The Sunshine Of My Life by Stevie Wonder, Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton and Street Life by The Crusaders. 

Nic France, percussionist for Pink Floyd's David Gilmore can be heard on three tracks: You Are The Sunshine Of My Life, The View and Street Life. Nic's ability to lock in with David and catch each and every one of David's subtle expressions makes him the perfect addition to these tracks. 

Chiemsee is perhaps the most classical composition on the album, inspired by the great Bavarian lake in Germany. San Vicente too is classical in style but David sneakily leads us into a jazzy groove before sauntering back to the second section of the song.

  

The View takes us back to David's flamenco roots and has a really energetic feel with Nic helping to drive the  groove forward from beginning to end. Argentine singer Guillermo Rozenthuler also joins in the fun, adding some smooth floating melodies that play perfect compliment to the grittier underlying textures laid down by David and Nic. 

After taking us on a musically eclectic journey many faceted flamenco moods David ties things up with a very reflective, thought provoking composition entitled Agua Clara. This is the perfect end to musically and creatively rich debut album and leaves the listener intrigued as to which direction David will go in next. One feels that the waters that so inspire him could flow in any direction but that they will flow in a beautiful and eclectic manner with ripples of flamenco, classical, jazz and romance.