LORI YATES...LORI YATES...LORI YATES...
Lori Yates is true country in a Johnny Cash "middle finger" kind of way, the cowgirl singing her heart out in the punk clubs. Enigmatic, rebellious and hard to pin down, veteran singer/songwriter Yates has been called "alt-country" long before the phrase existed. Funny, honest, gorgeous voice and killer songs.
- Songwriter of the Year, Hamilton Music Awards 2007
- Alternative Country Recording of the Year, Hamilton Music Awards 2007 for "The Book Of Minerva"
- Signed to Sony Music Nashville, released "Can't Stop The Girl"
- Signed to Virgin Music Canada, released "Breaking Point, Untogether"
- Wrote #1 Song for Martine St. Clair w/ David Baxter
- Nominated for a Juno award, CCMA award
- Recorded a duet with Greg Allman for Patrick Swayze movie "Next of Kin"
- Recorded with ledgendary Cowboy Jack Clement, Bob Johnston (Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash), David Kershenbaum (Tracy Chapman)
- Rick Danko, Jim Cuddy, Richard Bell, Molly Johnston, Tabby Johnston, all worked on Breaking Point which was produced by Colin Linden & John Whynot.
Lori has always had the good fortune of being surrounded by the best musicians: David Baxter, Bazil Donovan, Michelle Josef (Hey Stella!), Cleave Anderson, Chris Houston (Evelyn Dicks) Gordie Johnson, Terry Wilkins, Brian Griffith, Albert Lee, Marty Stuart, Lee Warren, Jimmy Weider, Jimmy Vapid to name a few.
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. She was weaned on Dolly Parton, Pink Floyd, Tanya Tucker and Suzi Quattro and cut her teeth at the Turning Point, Larry's Hideaway with her punky new wave band The Last Resorts.
Lori then headed downtown and formed Rang Tango. They were part 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. Her "The Book Of Minerva" won her legions of new fans and awards. She is currently writing for a new cd, and counting the red-winged blackbirds on the QEW.
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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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 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
"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
"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
"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
"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