LORI YATES...LORI YATES...LORI YATES...
- Songwriter of the Year, Hamilton Musican Awards 2007
- Alternative Country Recording of the Year, Hamilton Music Awards 2007
- Signed to Sony Music Nashville
- Signed to Virgin Music Canada
- Wrote #1 Song for Martine St. Clair w/ David Baxter
- recorded a duet with Greg Allman
- sang in Patrick Swayze movie "Next of Kin"
- recorded with Cowboy Jack Clement
- recorded with Bob Johnston (Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash)
- recorded with David Kershenbaum (Tracy Chapman)
- Rick Danko and Jim Cuddy sang harmony
- Richard Bell played keyboards on Breaking Point
- Molly Johnston and sister Tabby sang harmony
I know this all sounds like bullshit but its true! And there's more!
- Accompanied by guitarists: Colin Linden, David Baxter, Gordie Johnson (yes Big Sugar backed me up when Terry Wilkins was on bass), Brian Griffith, Albert Lee, Marty Stuart, Lee Warren, Jimmy Weider, Jimmy Vapid.
I've always been blessed to play with great musicians in whatever genre. Most recently I sang with the ledgendary punk band Teenage Head!
As one of the pioneers of alt-country/ roots music in Canada, Lori's music can be described as a mixture of: country, cowpunk, folk and bluegrass.
The Book of Minerva - her 6th cd, marks her triumphant return with a stellar collection of acoustic-based, old school country songs.
Born in Oshawa Ontario, raised in the Toronto suburb of Downsview, Lori is a "first generation mall babe" having spent her formative years running wild in the aisles of Yorkdale Mall. Her early influences were: Dolly Parton, Pink Floyd, Tanya Tucker and Suzi Quattro.
Lori began singing and writing at 19 in the punk/new wave band "The Last Resorts". They played legendary T.O. clubs: The Turning Point and Larry's Hideaway. A career highlight was opening for Teenage Head.
Lori then formed Rang Tango. Considered one of the pioneers of alt-country/cowpunk in Canada, they came out of the fertile Queen West music scene of the mid "80's that gave birth to Blue Rodeo, Cowboy Junkies, and Handsome Ned.
Scooped up as a solo artist by Sony Nashville, "Can't Stop the Girl" was released worldwide in 1989. She toured with: Dwight Yoakum, Steve Earle, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Big Sugar. Her first introduction to Nashville was a 2 a.m. demo session at Cowboy Jack Clement's studio, produced by Bob Johnston (Bob Dylan's Nashville Skyline, Johnny Cash - Live at San Quentin). Marty Stuart played mandolin and Roy Husky Jr. played stand-up bass. Bob Johnston used Dylan demos to "tweak" the board.
In Nashville, Lori co-write with legendary writers: Don Schiltz, Guy Clark, Matraca Berg and Wendy Waldman.
Lori recorded a duet in Los Angeles with Gregg Allman (Allman Bros.) for a Patrick Swayze movie "Next of Kin" produced by David Kershenbaum (Tracy Chapman).
In 1993, Lori signed to VirginMusicCanada and released "Breaking Point". Produced by Colin Linden, John Whynot and recorded at Bearsville, Woodstock NY. Legendary Rick Danko (the Band) and Jim Cuddy (Blue Rodeo) added harmony vocals. She toured with Blue Rodeo, Jan Arden, Colin James and Faith Hill. Lori was nominated for a Juno and CCMA award.
In 1996, she released her second VirginMusicCanada CD "Untogether" a complete artistic departure. She teamed up with trip-hop trio Opium Concepts to create an ethereal soundscape.
Returning to her roots, Hey Stella! was formed in 1998. Their debut CD, garnished them #1 band in NOW Magazine's readers poll. The band consists of veteran players: Bazil Donovan, David Baxter and Michelle Josef.
In 2001, Lori moved Hamilton, Ontario and took up a residency at the Corktown Tavern. This inspired a prolific period of songwriting that harkened in the newest chapter of Lori's musical career. She also plays with the trash/pop band: the Evelyn Dicks.
She recently released her 6th cd - The Book of Minerva on September 20, 2007 to rave reviews. She is currently organizing a full gigging schedule for late fall, winter, spring and summer 2008.
Media Quotes
"Heartfelt and touching, "The Book of Minerva" is one humdinger of an album...
After an illustrious career on the Canadian Alt.Country music scene, Lori Yates seems to have departed from her days playing punk-tinged country to produce the luscious, acoustic solo album "The Book of Minerva".
Inspired by the likes of Steve Earle, Bruce Springsteen and Lucinda Williams, Yates' songs tell compassionate and engaging stories about love lost, love rekindled, and of course, "Breaking out of mommy jail" - across the world she echoes the cries of a million mothers: I love my kids but give me a break!!!!
"The Book of Minerva" is a solid collection of great acoustic country numbers. We have everything we could possibly want: plenty of heartache, references to Jesus, gasoline, good/bad girls, factory whistles, great tunes and engaging narrative. We also have guest appearances from musical heavyweights such as Tom Wilson, Justin Rutledge, Dottie Cormier and Bazil Donovan. With all this going for it, you can't go wrong".
Sian Claire Owen AMERICANA UK (October 21/07)
"Two decades ago, Toronto country rock heroine Lori Yates found local success with Rang Tango, then briefly flirted with fame via a Nashville record deal. Her 1994 album Breaking Point showcased her stylistic versatility and deserved a better commercial fate. Since relocating to Hamilton with her family a few years back, Yates has been conspicuous by her absence, but this new disc is a cause for celebration. Her vibrant, passionate voice is in top shape and The Book of Minerva demonstrates serious growth as a songwriter. A sombre, introspective mood pervades the album, enhanced by sparse and generally drum-free instrumentation. The eloquent work of co-producer David Baxter is occasionally complemented by mandolin, banjo and upright bass (from Blue Rodeo's Bazil Donovan and Victor Bateman), while a stellar cast of harmony vocalists is featured. Justin Rutledge appears on compelling opening track "Simcoe" and "Nobody Loves Me," while "You and Me Maria," another highlight, is a duet in which Tom Wilson's trademark gruff vocals nicely contrast with Lori's sweeter tones. The massed Corktown Choir gives a stirring country gospel feel to "Far Away," while the very funny "I'm Breaking Out of Mommy Jail" already sounds like a honky-tonk classic. Those of us who have witnessed Lori's firecracker live performances would have enjoyed a few more up-tempo cuts but there's no denying the power of this coherent and compelling album.
Kerry Doole EXCLAIM MAGAZINE (Nov.07)
"There are few voices of Lori's caliber in country music--or any music for that matter-- that are also gifted with the ability to pen their own poignant lyrics and melodies with which to wrap their voice around. Whether you're two-stepping across "Fire & Gasoline" or weeping in "Simcoe" you will love the torturously beautiful The Book of Minerva."
Amanda Putz - Host CBC Fuse (Sept. 23/07)
"Yates is a stellar country performer with an ache in her voice that leaves strong men weak-kneed, self-possessed women misty-eyed and pretty much everyone on contemporary country radio sounding like Pollyanna."
Rating 4/5 Excellent, Patrick Langston OTTAWA CITIZEN (Sept. 23/07)
"Lori Yates has recorded the best "Acoustic Album" OF THE YEAR, so far. Lori Yates is definitely rising to the top of the musical pot."
Jim Marino - FREEWHEELING FOLK SHOW 93.3 CFMU (Sept. 27/07)
"The Book of Minerva specializes in traditional blue-country country. "I'm Breaking out of Mommy Jail" sounds like one of those housewife anthems that Loretta Lynn might have sung way back when. Minerva is the Roman goddess known as the inventor of music; with this album, Lori Yates does her proud."
Howard Druckman EYE WEEKLY (Oct.4/07)
4/5 rating: Excellent
"The Book of Minerva, is true country, the way Mother Maybelle Carter meant it to be - sparse, almost naked with just a hint of Canadian twang, unhurried and unrocked and unafraid to explore the darker side of life. Soaring above all 13 songs, is Yates' wonderful voice, still one of the finest in country music."
Graham Rockingham HAMILTON SPECTATOR (Sept. 20/07)
"Since relocating with her family to Hamilton a few years back, Yates has been conspicuously absent from the scene here, but she returned as a conquering heroine last week. Great to see her old haunt The Cameron House sold out for her CD launch of The Book of Minerva. The disc showcases Lori's evolution into a mature songwriter, while the gig showed she is as vibrant a performer as ever."
Kerry Doole CORRIERE CANADESE WEEKEND (Oct. 7/07)
"Attributing the pioneer moniker to any performer might sound pretentious, but not when you're talking about Lori Yates. The Book of Minerva offers Yates' voice front and centre and in a stripped down, concentrated and powerful and above all else woeful bliss."
Ric Taylor VIEW MAGAZINE (Sept. 13/07)
"The luminous voice behind Toronto alt-country bands Rang Tango and Hey Stella! makes a long overdue return with the kind of austere, atomspheric ballad you could image being performed by Emmylou Harris or Gillian Welch."
John Sakamoto #4 ANTI-HIT LIST, TORONTO STAR (Sept. 22/07)
"Lori Yates is the BEST Canadian vocalist in this country. THE BOOK OF MINERVA is an example of how a pioneer does not gamble with her God given talent. The States have Lucinda Williams, we have Lori Yates."
Lou Molinaro JAMILTON
Discography
The Book of Minerva 2007 - Independent
Hey Stella! 1999 - Independent
Untogether 1996 - VirginMusicCanada
Breaking Point 1994 - VirginMusicCanada
Can't Stop the Girl 1989 - Sony Music
Rang Tango 1987 - Independent
Out of the Blue - An Acoustic Tribute to Neil Young - Sony Music
Forever Knight - Original Television Soundtrack
The Hanging Garden - Soundtrack
Next of Kin - Original Soundtrack
Leslie Spit Tree-o - Hell's Kitchen
The Lucky Ones - Willlie P. Bennett
South at Eight, North at Nine - Colin Linden
Classic Country - Volume 5. Sony Music
No Stranger To The Darkness - The Best of Greg Allman
The Rhythm of the Lonely Road - David Ramsden
Redneck Lullaby - J.P. Reimens
Matinee - Bazil Donovan