Don Lampson in the News

Lampson’s last album, “Years & Miles,” featuring just Lampson and his guitar, had a haunting, lonely feel. Here he invites other musicians, whose fiddle, steel guitar and backing vocals help create a backwater blues and country mix. Lampson’s voice, sounding like an amalgam of Willie Nelson and John Prine, tells the stories of his life, including his relationship with partner Peg, a painter who created the cover art. The single “Dead Man Walking” is fitting of a Willie Nelson outlaw song. But most songs here are more subdued, with less attitude. Lampson, who won Best Song at the West Coast Songwriter’s contest at Linnaea’s last spring, has been making music for 50 years.

Don Lampson is a crusty old dog, a former prison guard (among other blue collar jobs) who traded in his rough-and-tumble experiences for a big ol' bag of songs that seem to have grown right out of the dirt. His newest CD, Heart of the Chaparral, will be released to the public during a party on Sunday, Oct. 7, at Porch Cafe in Santa Margarita from 3 to 6 p.m.

The title song from his album was written about the place where he lives, "out in the hills above the Cuesta Grade," and Lampson will be joined for this concert with a few of his "pickin' partners." Hors d'oeuvres will be served, and beer and wine from local vineyards will be available.

Let Lampson take you on a musical travelogue of the places he's seen and the people he's met, who populate his songs to tell their stories through his words. The show is free.

This CD's focal point is Lampson's Travis-style fingerpicking.� Named after the '40s and '50s country singer Merle Travis, Travis style features a melody line played over an independent, alternating bass line. While Lampson's fingerpicking guitar is the lone instrument featured on this CD, his vocals are more focused on storytelling than melody, creating a lonely, longing feel. Lampson, who has worked as a factory hand, lumberjack and prison guard, writes of loves lost, railroad hobos and the big House in this collection of folksy country numbers.

01/17/08

In the News:

Local CD Pick: Don Lampson

		In the News: San Luis Obispo Tribune Thu, Oct. 04, 2007 Local CD Pick: Don Lampson Don Lampson — ‘Heart of the Chaparral’ Lampson’s last album, “Years & Miles,” featuring just Lampson and his guitar, had a haunting, lonely feel. Here he invites other musicians, whose fiddle, steel guitar and backing vocals help create a backwater blues and country mix. Lampson’s voice, sounding like an amalgam of Willie Nelson and John Prine, tells the stories of his life, including his relationship with partner Peg, a painter who created the cover art. The single “Dead Man Walking” is fitting of a Willie Nelson outlaw song. But most songs here are more subdued, with less attitude. Lampson, who won Best Song at the West Coast Songwriter’s contest at Linnaea’s last spring, has been making music for 50 years. — Patrick S. Pemberton http://www.sanluisobispo.com:80/ticket/story/158146.html NewTimes San Luis Obispo 10/02/2007 BY GLEN STARKEY Old dog, new tunes. Don Lampson is a crusty old dog, a former prison guard (among other blue collar jobs) who traded in his rough-and-tumble experiences for a big ol' bag of songs that seem to have grown right out of the dirt. His newest CD, Heart of the Chaparral, will be released to the public during a party on Sunday, Oct. 7, at Porch Cafe in Santa Margarita from 3 to 6 p.m. The title song from his album was written about the place where he lives, "out in the hills above the Cuesta Grade," and Lampson will be joined for this concert with a few of his "pickin' partners." Hors d'oeuvres will be served, and beer and wine from local vineyards will be available. Let Lampson take you on a musical travelogue of the places he's seen and the people he's met, who populate his songs to tell their stories through his words. The show is free. http://www.newtimesslo.com:80/index.php?p=showarticle&id=2797 San Luis Obispo Tribune March 2007 Local CD Pick DON LAMPSON -- 'YEARS & MILES' This CD's focal point is Lampson's Travis-style fingerpicking.� Named after the '40s and '50s country singer Merle Travis, Travis style features a melody line played over an independent, alternating bass line. While Lampson's fingerpicking guitar is the lone instrument featured on this CD, his vocals are more focused on storytelling than melody, creating a lonely, longing feel. Lampson, who has worked as a factory hand, lumberjack and prison guard, writes of loves lost, railroad hobos and the big House in this collection of folksy country numbers. Patrick S. Pemberton Home This site was last updated 11/10/07