Don Thompson, aka -donaldo, is professionally multidimensional. He is renowned as a musician, a fine artist, and a culinary legend, most of all dedicated to be a lifelong creator whose work reflects a deep commitment to both artistry and discipline.
His album JUPITER, released in 1976, stands as an early expression of that creative voice - thoughtful, exploratory, and articulate. JUPITER was dynamically shaped into the spirit of its time.
During the following five decades, donaldo has enjoyed a fruitful career of writing, producing, and performing music in theater, club and concert venues. He also has composed scores for broadcast commercials, including an award-winning industrial film, "A Day in Life on the Farm," for Massey-Ferguson (1979).
Interwoven with his music career, donaldo has also been able to follow his fine art calling in the medium of stained glass.
Thompson Stained Glass Studio has designed and produced a multitude of commissioned installations nationally for private residences and public buildings.
Together with his wife, Jean, donaldo is also co-owner of the Door County Bakery, llc in Door County, WI. “Home of the legendary CORSICA LOAF™.”
SUNRISE
- Music For The Nation’s Heartland -
1976 Vol.5, No.1
Thompson Delivers a Pot Pourri
There was a time, not long ago, that midwest music fans had music marketed to them from either coast: perhaps an efficient and profitable means, but one which the people in America’s heartland began to resent and react against.
With his debut album, Jupiter, Don Thompson is reaching for the attention and loyalty of the Midwest and the larger audience that now notices the Midwest music scenes. If a delicate and strong music and delivery is any indication of future success, Thompson’s future is assured.
Don Thompson regards his family background a prominent reason for his present affiliation with music. A son of a well-known Chicago actor and a professional classical musician, “…the attitude of being an entertainer always appealed to me.” Perhaps in part due to his family influence, Thompson was quick to respond to friends’ related assistance, and it was a natural progression that saw Jupiter emerge from an evening’s brainstorming among friends.
“At first, when friends suggested I record an album, I just thought, ‘What are you guys talking about?’ y’know? I previously thought a musician just kind of waited until somebody or other said he had talent," and so, it follows that the entire production of Jupiter is Don Thompson’s original music, recorded at Sunday Studio in Champaign, IL.
Furthermore, professional colleagues played on the album, wrote the storyline, silkscreened the cover, and illustrated the liner portrait & graphics, all according to Thompson’s direction.
However Jupiter hardly comes across as a first effort. In fact, Thompson himself regards it as his “second” album.
“I didn’t want to do a ‘first album’ y’know an Introducing Don Thompson. So I just jumped into a second album first, something to entertain, instead of something to entertain about Don Thompson.”
Jupiter is many things: a concept album that accurately conveys a story without cluttering the premises with pretentious airs; a tight and smooth product of professionalism, and an amalgamation of musical styles and avenues collected and churned into an insoluble new whole.
Don Thompson delivers a pot pourri of Leo Kottke, Deodato-tasteful special effects, and Starcastle’s Scott Richardson’s haunting vocals darting between melodies and lyrics sung with an urgent tranquility. Jupiter is filled with thematic variations of topical lyrics, song suites, and other concept albums, yet sacrifices none of the essences of non-concept records stocked full of singles.
- Bill Knight, Editor
