Lori Yates

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 commerical 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 guitar 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 - Kerry Doole

Another excellent record by a local artist. "Book," especially in its first eight or nine tracks, fills our senses with startling, telling details of the every day that captures both beauty and desperation. All carried across by Yates' impressive voice.
Jeff Mahoney - Hamilton Spectator

"The Book of Minerva" specializes in blue-collar 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
4/5 rating: Excelletn - Eye Weekly

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

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 - 93.3 CFMU

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 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

ON THE BOOK OF MINERVA by LORI YATES:
I tend to feel an affinity for a heart breaking, country infused, dust-on-the-plains tune that transcends even my love of a ass shaking pop number. I have to say I feel like I somehow failed myself by not being familiar with more than the name "Lori Yates" for the five years I've been in music journalism. Lori's voice and songwriting are the stuff my musical dreams are made of. There are few voices of Lori's calibre 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 - CBC
- Amanda Putz

Lori Yates “The Book of Minerva” (SOCAN 2007)


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, Yate’s 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.

Reviewer: Sian Claire Owen
- Americana UK

Ottawa Citizen
COUNTRY
The Book of Minerva
Rating 4/5
Lori Yates (Independent)
If you missed Lori Yates' engaging performance at Library and Archives Canada earlier this month, here's your chance to catch up with the Hamilton musician. Yates, who released her last album eight years ago, has written a clutch of outstanding tunes for this disc; given them classic country, acoustically based arrangements; and rounded up folks like Tom Wilson and Justin Rutledge to help out on vocals. 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. She does get rowdy, too, channeling Loretta Lynn on I'm Breaking Out of Mummy Jail, and walks the gospel road on Far Away. But when Yates ends the album with a tune called Walking Wounded, you know where her heart's mostly at.
Patrick Langston
- Ottawa Citizen