Mark! What a great interview and set of songs from Yata! I'm honored to work with him - and you've captured his smart, funny, kind and insightful heart here in this interview. Thank you!!
It's been a pleasure to record Yata's latest project here at STUDIO 330 in Sturgeon Bay, WI. We just clicked right away, and Yata pured forth his musical genius with such ease, it was delightful. It made it easy for me to add cello and fretless bass tracks and to finish the production with musical mixes all around. I wish Yata and I would live closer together so that we could play concerts, too! He is such a great musician.
It is a rare thing to speak with a stranger and travel to deep places in the heart. It is a rarer thing yet to have a conversation such as this with a radio host. Your vision and gentle intelligence is a pleasure to encounter. Thank you for all you do for us musicians and lovers of the stories behind the songs. Until we meet again!
Thank you for the return of Yata to the show after fifteen years. Not only is Yata a talented musician and composer, but one of the finest people anyone could hope to know. Our circles have crossed numerous times over the years. Initially through our mutual social work profession, at numerous performances, through friends in common, and now as neighbors. We live about a half hour apart, but here in the north woods that qualified as neighbors. My wife Vicky and I truly value Yata and his wife Jean's frienship. Thanks again for showcasing Yata and his diverse musical talent and introducing him to your audience. It is always a treat to hear his music.
Hi Mark Helpsmeet, Thank you for our in-depth and meaningful discussion on songwriting and inspiration. I really enjoyed it and keep on keepin’ on! Peace and Music, Yata
Mac Gimse, I appreciate your kind words and our long friendship. You have inspired me with your poetry and sculpture and by your example of living a meaningful life dedicated to teaching and service of others. Yata
Thank you for featuring Yata's music and for recognizing the spirit connection in his work. Yata is a consummate artist whose extensive catalog of original music is filled with irony, meaning and beauty drawn from his life journey. Interestingly, he also has the rare ability to contribute melodies and arrangements to the work of other artists, such as Yeats, whose poetry is experienced in a novel and profound way on the "Mad As the Mist and Snow" collection.
As a life-long fan of Yata's, I would like to thank the Northern Spirit Radio for featuring his work and for recognizing the spirit connection in his music and lyrics. Yata is not a superficial artist, but one who is driven to express the meaning, irony and beauty of his life journey. Along with his extensive catalog of original material, Yata also has a rare ability of being able to capture the insights of other artists, such as Yeats, with meaningful melodies and arrangements that enhance the experience of that great poetry.
I've known Yata since her was a student and decorated football player at St. Olaf College in the early 1970's. I arrived there to teach in 1970, so he was fresh in my career. He had the capacity to focus on whatever he was doing and was always willing to try new things and to listen to suggestions. Thirty years later he performed his music at the opening of my sculpture exhibit at the Tainter Center for the Arts in Menomonie WI. It's best to say that he was, to my delight, the main attraction. I've attended several of his outdoor concerts, but the crowning piece for me was when he composed music for my poetry, Every Life Matters, written to honor 100 St. Olaf students who died before graduation. There is a 60 ft high tower on campus that holds a chine with each student's name on it. The breeze creates music. He sang his version at my 80th birthday party. It was heavenly. Each year he comes to the St. Olaf campus to see a football game and he arranges to visit me at my home nearby...I'm now 88 years old. He is my inspiration...mac
Mark, you make it so easy to be interviewed about one's songs and life! Your easy and affirming style allowed me to relax and engage conversationally with you, and I so appreciate how you share your own experiences and insights, thereby adding perspective and greater depth to the conversation. Thank you for inviting me to "Song of the Soul" again. I thoroughly enjoyed it!! --- In loving Friendship, Paulette
Mark! What a great interview and set of songs from Yata! I'm honored to work with him - and you've captured his smart, funny, kind and insightful heart here in this interview. Thank you!!
It's been a pleasure to record Yata's latest project here at STUDIO 330 in Sturgeon Bay, WI. We just clicked right away, and Yata pured forth his musical genius with such ease, it was delightful. It made it easy for me to add cello and fretless bass tracks and to finish the production with musical mixes all around. I wish Yata and I would live closer together so that we could play concerts, too! He is such a great musician.
It is a rare thing to speak with a stranger and travel to deep places in the heart. It is a rarer thing yet to have a conversation such as this with a radio host. Your vision and gentle intelligence is a pleasure to encounter. Thank you for all you do for us musicians and lovers of the stories behind the songs. Until we meet again!
Thank you for the return of Yata to the show after fifteen years. Not only is Yata a talented musician and composer, but one of the finest people anyone could hope to know. Our circles have crossed numerous times over the years. Initially through our mutual social work profession, at numerous performances, through friends in common, and now as neighbors. We live about a half hour apart, but here in the north woods that qualified as neighbors. My wife Vicky and I truly value Yata and his wife Jean's frienship. Thanks again for showcasing Yata and his diverse musical talent and introducing him to your audience. It is always a treat to hear his music.
Hi Mark Helpsmeet, Thank you for our in-depth and meaningful discussion on songwriting and inspiration. I really enjoyed it and keep on keepin’ on! Peace and Music, Yata
Mac Gimse, I appreciate your kind words and our long friendship. You have inspired me with your poetry and sculpture and by your example of living a meaningful life dedicated to teaching and service of others. Yata
Thank you for featuring Yata's music and for recognizing the spirit connection in his work. Yata is a consummate artist whose extensive catalog of original music is filled with irony, meaning and beauty drawn from his life journey. Interestingly, he also has the rare ability to contribute melodies and arrangements to the work of other artists, such as Yeats, whose poetry is experienced in a novel and profound way on the "Mad As the Mist and Snow" collection.
As a life-long fan of Yata's, I would like to thank the Northern Spirit Radio for featuring his work and for recognizing the spirit connection in his music and lyrics. Yata is not a superficial artist, but one who is driven to express the meaning, irony and beauty of his life journey. Along with his extensive catalog of original material, Yata also has a rare ability of being able to capture the insights of other artists, such as Yeats, with meaningful melodies and arrangements that enhance the experience of that great poetry.
Dave Ja Vue
I've known Yata since her was a student and decorated football player at St. Olaf College in the early 1970's. I arrived there to teach in 1970, so he was fresh in my career. He had the capacity to focus on whatever he was doing and was always willing to try new things and to listen to suggestions. Thirty years later he performed his music at the opening of my sculpture exhibit at the Tainter Center for the Arts in Menomonie WI. It's best to say that he was, to my delight, the main attraction. I've attended several of his outdoor concerts, but the crowning piece for me was when he composed music for my poetry, Every Life Matters, written to honor 100 St. Olaf students who died before graduation. There is a 60 ft high tower on campus that holds a chine with each student's name on it. The breeze creates music. He sang his version at my 80th birthday party. It was heavenly. Each year he comes to the St. Olaf campus to see a football game and he arranges to visit me at my home nearby...I'm now 88 years old. He is my inspiration...mac
Mark, you make it so easy to be interviewed about one's songs and life! Your easy and affirming style allowed me to relax and engage conversationally with you, and I so appreciate how you share your own experiences and insights, thereby adding perspective and greater depth to the conversation. Thank you for inviting me to "Song of the Soul" again. I thoroughly enjoyed it!! --- In loving Friendship, Paulette