Anyone know of Tom Yates

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST,Jehanbosch
Date: 18 Jul 11 - 09:29 AM

Hi for the last time Mark
This is getting ridiculous.
Earlier this year we acquired 9 acetate discs of Duncan and Tom from 1969, some of unreleased songs. Details can be found on the Duncan Browne Tribute Forum:
http://insyncnet.com/dbforum
under Duncan Browne~unreleased songs.
The collaborations between Duncan and Tom are more extensive and took longer than published. In fact they started in 1967 and lasted till 1973 when Duncan left folkmusic. Their partnership produced some of Duncan's better work and Tom's best album, "Love Comes..".
Best, J.
PS. Do you have any CDs of Duncan Browne? J.

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST,mark
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 11:42 AM

Dear J, Glad you like the cds.I am not as familiar with Duncan B work as Gary and yourself but I think that G is sending me some stuff so I am looking foward to a new musical discovery. Two other local singers who I would point you to, are Mary Asquith and George Borowski.Sadly Mary is no longer with us but her songs are frequently heard around Manchester clubs and her reputation continues to grow.George continues to produce music which both entertains and inspires. Look them up on the web, you will not be disappointed.
Regards Mark

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST,John Constantine
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 01:55 PM

I stumbled across this site while listening to Tom's Love Comes Well Armed.I knew Tom during his residence in Disley,and we spent many a long night talking about celtic myth and philosophy.I was a young singer and song writer and Tom was always encouraging and gave me a gig at The White Horse.Ian Vesty has put all 3 LPs on CD.He borrowed the the vinyls from me.I miss Tom and wish he was still with us.It is good to know so many people remember this great guy and his extraordinary music.

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST,John Constantine
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 02:37 PM

I am happy to send copies of Toms albums to anyone who wants them.Contact me at (email) [e-mail] God Bless Tommy.

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Dec 11 - 02:45 PM

Bob Rowley,
Tom died of Leukemie in the early morning of 10 october 1993 at 00,30 our.


Sonja Van Der Flaes
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST,Mike Caine
Date: 15 Jan 12 - 02:58 PM

I knew Tommy from my time as organiser of Manchester College of Commerce Folk Club, 1966-69. He was booked a number of times, and then again at Leigh Folk Club, which I became secretary of in the early 70's.
He was truly a great singer and composer, and a good guy, not making anything of his disability. Me and my mate, also saw him at the Disley Club. We do ''Bide Awhile'' as a tribute to him. But, we've been racking our brains for years trying to remember the words to ''The River Belongs To Me,'' about his time working on Manchester Docks, ( a crane driver I believe).
I'm wondering if Mark A has this in the live recording he made in '75. We've got the tune, but Tom changed all the words and made it into a new song for Second City Spiritual, calling it 'Nearly St Marie', I think.
If Mark or anyone can help, we'll be grateful.

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Feb 12 - 08:12 AM

Interesting to see this thread is still going. I knew Tom well, back in the 70s/80s. He booked my band REBEC for his club in Disley and I likewise booked him for the club I ran at The Briton's Protection in the centre of Manchester. I still have a photo that I took on the night.
His LPs are rare to come by and aren't available on CD but I am working on a way to obtain license to release, maybe on a label that I have started myself.
I'd like to track down Cindy and if anyone knows of a contact then I'd be grateful to hear.
Mike Billington.
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 29 Mar 12 - 11:07 AM

I first heard Second City spiritual in 1967 and have tried to find it several times since.

I've found it as free mp3 downloads of all tracks on this Russian site - use Goggle translate (if necessary) and then just click through to download the tracks:

http://musicmp3spb.org/album/second_city_spiritual.html

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Apr 12 - 12:42 PM

Hi Mike,
Sorry to say that the song you refer to is not featured on my recordings.Should you like a copy please email me.
[e-mail]
Regards

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST,pete in marazion
Date: 04 Apr 12 - 02:05 PM

Thanks for all the info - I had a promo single on Pye label (I think) of Tommy Yates - Long Time Gone... can't remember the B side but I still have the tune recorded on mini disc somewhere. I could never find out anything about the guy tho' - Long Time Gone is a great song - I learned it and played it out a few times years ago. I'm assuming it's on one of the LP's mentioned ?

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Apr 12 - 02:56 PM

Thanks Mark for taking the time to respond.
All the best, Mike Caine.

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST
Date: 02 May 12 - 06:27 PM

Kevin Gateshead

About 15 years ago I bought Second City Spititual in a Charity shop lovely copy for a pound Great album long gone sadly I have a promo copy of Bye Bye Bohemia Charity shop again no recordplayer now though
2/5/2012

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST,Walter
Date: 05 Jun 12 - 07:18 PM

As a tribute and commemoration a facebook-page has been set up 3 months ago. Find news, pictures, friends an sympathisers on http://www.facebook.com/tomyates44?ref=ts .

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Jul 12 - 01:37 PM

Tom was one of the nicest guys I ever met. We spent many an afternoon looking after my children while he got from under Cindys feet and my partner was off doing his thing, late 70's - we talked for hours and played a bit of guitar and sang some,went to a couple of festivals etc, music nights out altogether - such happy days.... my life was improved simply by knowing him, he was full of wisdom. We lost touch when I moved away but we initially met when a few people were trying to set up a folk club in Stockport.... I still think of him often.

Trish x

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Aug 12 - 04:32 AM

Trish, Sonja has forwarded me your message. Good to make contact. I am in touch with HHO and will be re-releasing "Love Comes Well Armed" and "Song of the Shimmering Way" under license on my EPONA label. But nore exciting, John Constantine has digitally restored and mastered a selection of Tom's unreleased songs (actually some are on the cassettes he made to sell omn gigs in Belgium) to be released on a new CD very soon. The album will be titled "Love is Losing Ground". The songs are excellent and John has done a superb job in getting then to such a good quality bearing in mind the age of the recordings and the fact that they were on cassette originally. Many thanks to Sonja for her help and blessings for this project. Another album "Sursam Corda" will follow next year and will include Tom's songs with a Christian message. For those interested in ordering these albums when they are available please follow the facebook page below.

https://www.facebook.com/tomyates44

Mike Billington.

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST,Dave Gower
Date: 21 Aug 12 - 02:10 PM

https://www.facebook.com/tomyates44?ref=stream

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST,James Bragg
Date: 30 Aug 12 - 12:54 AM

Makes me feel very sad to read all this.
On the one hand it's great to find the thread, and to realise that there are people that remember him - but somehow, I expected to find more!
I discovered Tom Yates back in 1990, through the Second City Spiritual album. I was a young singer/songwriter of 17 at the time. I remember learning Second City Spiritual, Central Station (I'm with the above poster Bryn Pugh on this one, gorgeous song) & Some Early Morning (not sure if the titles are correct).
To discover on this page that he must've been 23 when he made the album is astonishing. I'm guessing he must've been playing at Les Cousins at the time he made the album (second city spiritual) right in that melting pot of creativity - but that takes away, not at all from what he achieved.
By my early 20's, I was performing my own stuff, & these songs were no longer visited. It's funny how stuff pops into your head.
Lying in bed tonight, I found myself thinking of the lyrics to Second City Spiritual - I guess they still have relevance for me.
I reckon I can still remember them!
I'll write them out when i get a moment.
An astute observation of the Dylan phenomenon I'd say!
Dylan called Phil Ochs a journalist, I wonder what he'd have said about Tom Yates?
I'd like to think that Bob would've called him a poet!

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST,Peter Hardie
Date: 30 Aug 12 - 10:41 AM

Re 'This River belongs to me', one of his best loved songs, the chorus goes:
You can keep all your big ships and your little packets too
Your blue jacket captains and their international crew,
For this river belongs to me,
Yes, this river belongs to me.

The tune, as Mike Caine says, was subsequently used on Second City Spiritual on Nearly St Marie, which paled in comparison with the original song.

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Aug 12 - 06:28 PM

I am pleased to tell you that a new album of unpublished songs by Tom Yates is about to be released on Epona Records. www.eponarecords.com The songs have been digitally restored and remastered by John Constantine and the album, "Love is Losing Ground" is set for release on 17th September. Furthermore, talks are ongoing to re-release under license "Love Comes Well Armed" and "Song of the Shimmering Way".

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Nov 12 - 11:35 AM

Re the above posts I can now tell you all thet Tom's fourth album "Love is Losing ground", a selection of twelve unreleased songs, has now been released on Epona Records and can be ordered on line from www.eponarecords.com.

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST,Bob Jones
Date: 14 Dec 12 - 04:37 PM

Great that the new recordings are coming out and that there's so much interest in the musicians from then, Mary Asquith likewise. I remember Davy Morgan well, he encouraged me , taught me some things, clawhammer and hammering and got me and a school mate, Tony Jagus to play at St Pat's Youth Club in Oldham, 1962 ish.

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST,Mike Billington
Date: 05 Feb 13 - 12:19 PM

Tom's 1973 LP "Love Comes Well Armed" is to be released under license from Henry Hadaway's company HHO. The release date is 1st March 2013. Available from www.eponarecords.com
"Song of the Shimmering Way" will follow later this year.

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 05 Feb 13 - 01:39 PM

Just a tad of thread drift, is that Bob Jones who was a history teacherat De La Salle College. If so he is one of the few decent teachers there and nutured my love of history.

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 12 Feb 13 - 06:15 PM

This my third attempt to post a thread on this blog forum thing. I first met Tom in the early 70's when I went to Disley folk club with Neil Hargreaves he lived down the road fron Tom on Leafield road. Many a night we would go back to Toms after the gig stating up listening to his philosophy. He was a hype intelligent beautiful singer and talker. He deliberately irritated people to get them to listen and elucidate some kind of thought provoked reaction, he knew what he was doing. His music and ideas have forever inspired me. I remember one of his lines which has always haunted me Ina positive way, along the lines of " but what will happen when the wealth I have to offer meets the well constructed mind" Anyway I've been searching for references to his albums for ages, I remember going through the last two with him . I can still get in touch with his first wife Cindy if required. I shall definitely check out these CDs

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Feb 13 - 06:25 AM

Good to see the interest in Tom's music above. I released a CD of 12 of Tom's unreleased songs on the album "Love is Losing ground" last November after Tom's widow had sent me the material from Antwerp.
I take delivery next week of the CD version of his 1973 LP "Love Comes Well Armed" which will be available from 1st March on the Epona label. This is being released under license from Henry Hadaway of HHO. Henry has also allowed me the license to release "Song of the Shimmering Way" and I envisage an Autumn/Winter release for this CD.
If you wish to buy copies of these CDs please see the Epona shop at www.eponarecords.com
Mike Billington.

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: maeve
Date: 23 Feb 13 - 06:28 AM

Clickable link to the new releases:
www.eponarecords.com Mike Billington.

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: maeve
Date: 23 Feb 13 - 06:31 AM

That link is bad- sorry, I should have fixed it before posting.

Try this one. It works.
http://www.eponarecords.com

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Mar 13 - 05:50 AM

Thanks Maeve.

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST,Simon Moulds
Date: 25 Sep 13 - 01:15 PM

I knew Tom from when I first met him in Disley in 1974/5 until I last saw him in either the late 80s or early 90s. Like a few people say above, he was a fine person, kind and generous, and sometimes argumentative in an intersting and discussive way. He would sometimes put me up on his settee after sessions in the White Horse (when I was in an unsuitabe state to ride home) and he'd visit my place in Chorlton-cum-Hardy. I last saw him in Stockport when we repaired to a pub for a long natter and he told me he was about to leave for Belgium.

I tried searching on the net about ten years ago but couldn't find anything about what happened to him, so it's a sad thing to find these posts here today but good to see he's well remembered. And a new record? Fabulous. I'll be calling in at King Bee next time I visit Chorlton.

By the way, the poster who used to go to Poynton Folk Club with Neil Hargreaves - I'm wondering who you might be? I was good friends with Neil, too (and Steve Ianson and Simon and Malcolm Lowe, also friends of Tom). Neil's another person I lost touch with long ago. If he's still around, I'd appreciate any news of him (or Steve or Simon too).

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST,Pauline Kelly
Date: 05 Jan 14 - 07:07 PM

Yes I remember Tom Yates!!!   Very fond memories of his early days, even before he moved to Disley!! In fact my elder sister was in the same class as Tom at St Patrick's school in Rochdale. However I didn't come across him till early 60's when I got into folk music & discovered what a greatsinger & a lovely guy he was. I remember well going to see him perform at the Rochdale College, the Ring o' Bells in Middleton &, many, many times at the Shakespeare in Manchester I have original vinyl copies of "Song of the Shimmering Way", "Love Comes Well Armed", Second City Spiritual", & an original vinyl single of "Rattle of A Toy" b/w/ "Long Time Gone" All still in original sleeves, the single sleeve signed by Tom If you would like copies of any of them I will do my best to put themonto discfor you, but it may take me a little while as I'm not very technically orientated, so may have to ask my Grandson to do it for me It was lovely reading through the replies to your thread, seeing how manypeople still remember & appreciate Tom's music. I also remember Davy Morgan (but not to the same extent) & somewhere in the depths I have a signed photo of Davy too   Well I hope you receive this email ok & will look forward to your reply Wishing you all the best x

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: Vin2
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 06:07 AM

Nice to 'Bide Awhile' and read these posts :-)

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST,Beth mounsey
Date: 10 May 14 - 01:31 PM

I knew Tommy when I was a child. It's so wonderful to know that his music is still talked about. He was a friend of my mum and dad's, through Ian Jentle and the Manchester folk scene. I think Tommy's CD's are also available through epona records. I have song of the shimmering way on vinyl and dust it off now and again.

Here's to Tommy xx

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: Bryn Pugh
Date: 18 May 14 - 09:33 AM

Have I got my aged wires crossed, or did Davy Morgan write "Sunshine Superman", with which that Poseur manqué had a No 1. chart success ?

I could, of course, be chasing moonbeams (it wouldn't be the first time . . . ).

I last saw Tom in 1977 at a Steeleye Span concert, the Davenport Theatre.

Beth Mounsey - if, as I think, your parents are Louis and Lynne, I'd love to catch up - [e-mail].

Shalom, Bryn

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST,Andy Mccoll
Date: 29 Jul 14 - 05:00 PM

Does anyone know the exact lyrics to the song 'Lay the Bent to the Bonny Broom' that Tommy used to sing so beautifully in the early 70's?

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 29 Jul 14 - 05:50 PM

Brian Peters' version:

There was a lady in the west
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
She had three daughters of the best
Fa la la la la la la la la la

A strange young knight came to the gate
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
He knocked loud, and he knocked late
Fa la la la la la la la la la

The eldest sister, she let him in
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
And pinned the door with a silver pin
Fa la la la la la la la la la

The second sister, she made his bed
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
Laid soft pillows under his head
Fa la la la la la la la la la

The youngest sister was bold and bright
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
She went to bed to the strange young knight
Fa la la la la la la la la la

"Young woman, since you've lain with me,"
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
"I'll ask you questions three times three;"
Fa la la la la la la la la la

"Answer me these questions nine,"
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
"Or else you surely shall be mine."
Fa la la la la la la la la la

"What is higher than the tree?"
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
"What is deeper than the sea?"
Fa la la la la la la la la la

"What is sharper than the thorn?"
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
"And what is louder than the horn?"
Fa la la la la la la la la la

"What is whiter than the milk?"
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
"What is softer than the silk?"
Fa la la la la la la la la la

"What is greener than the grass?"
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
"And what is worse than woman e'er was?"
Fa la la la la la la la la la

"What is rounder than a ring?"
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
"Now to me your answers bring!"
Fa la la la la la la la la la

"Heaven's higher than the tree,"
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
"Hell is deeper than the sea,"
Fa la la la la la la la la la

"Hunger's sharper than the thorn,"
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
"Thunder's louder than the horn,"
Fa la la la la la la la la la

"Snow is whiter than the milk,"
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
"Love is softer than the silk,"
Fa la la la la la la la la la

"Poison's greener than the grass,"
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
"The devil is worse than woman was,"
Fa la la la la la la la la la

"The world is rounder than a ring,"
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
"And thus to you my answers bring."
Fa la la la la la la la la la

"Now I have answered your questions nine,"
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
"So I never shall be thine!"
Fa la la la la la la la la la

He clapped his wings and aloud did cry
Lay the bent to the bonny broom
In a blazing fire away did fly
Fa la la la la la la la la la


Previous Mudcat discussion of the meaning here


Kitty

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST,Andy McColl
Date: 30 Jul 14 - 04:37 PM

Many thanks Kitty for the lyrics

I seem to remember a slightly different first verse, which may have been:

There was a lord (or King) in the west country (scans better)
and he had daughters, one, two and three.

Having just bought 'Song of the Shimmering Way', I was surprised and delighted to discover that Tommy set the title song to the tune of 'Lay the Bent'

Also so great to hear again 'Sunset on Fair Isle' after a hiatus of what must be a mere 44 years. That was another song I remember him singing now, but had completely forgotten about.

It has been a very emotional couple of days! And I still have the other three CDs to come. Although I do have his first two LPs on vinyl, I don't have a turntable set up and haven't played them for decades.

Some time in the very early 70s I attended a songwriting workshop that Tommy ran. It was a residential weekend in some kind of religious establishment somewhere east of London.

Many thanks to all who have contributed to this thread, enabling many important questions to be answered at last.

Andy

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Aug 14 - 03:24 AM

I am amazed to find so many people writing about Tom Yates, as a young teenager 40 something years ago I was introduced to second city spiritual by "big sister" and through all the years of internet I tried to find something about Tom, but never did and now it seems his records are as available as anyone elses. He was the first person to make me realize that words can be Beautiful if written in the right order.

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: maeve
Date: 10 Aug 14 - 07:26 AM

Welcome to Mudcat Cafe, Guest. Thanks for your post- I always enjoy learning how one person's music can impact others.

Maeve

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST,Victoria B. Berringer
Date: 23 Sep 14 - 03:08 PM

His CD - SECOND CITY SPITITUAL - has been re issued by Epona records. www.emponarecords.com   
Contact Michael Billington of Epona Records

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Sep 14 - 03:11 PM

His CD SECOND CITY SPIRITUAL - has been re issued by
Michael Billington on Epona Records.
www.eponarecords.com

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST,Ian Fairclough
Date: 20 Mar 17 - 02:55 PM

Why haven't I come across this site before?
Playing "Second City Spiritual" for the second time (as I usually do when it comes out of the rack) and thought I'd look for contacts I made years ago when searching for info about Tom: a music journalist 'retired' to Australia, a professor of post (or was it pre) Roman history from New York and a director of a bio-tech firm in Cambridge, UK who sent me a better copy CD than the one I'd sent him.
I first came across Thomas Yates in 1973 when I was 17 and was given a reel-to-reel tape recorder by a brother in law (Japanese, 9 inch, auto reverse not cheap here at the time) and set about filling as many tapes as I could. My other brother in law had some folksy stuff, Pentangle, Fairport, Fotheringay, good stuff but Second City Spiritual ! Different league.
Off to buy the CDs of other recordings I didn't know Tom made.
Ian F

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST,Phil
Date: 10 May 22 - 05:38 PM

I was recently given a CD of Second City Spiritual by a friend who attends Prestwich Folk Club. It was given to him after a fund raising event for Ukraine.
I had never heard of Tom before, but as a big Al Stewart fan I was imprressed by Tom's great songwriting and powerful voice. A lucky discovery.
I'm trying to work out what some of the songs are about eg, Nearly saint Marie, sandpiper, and the last verse of Second City Spiritual. Any suggestions?

Subject: RE: Anyone know of Tom Yates
From: GUEST,Phil Banks
Date: 01 Aug 22 - 07:58 AM

I've had some inspiration and the above songs are probably about:
Nearly Saint Marie - about Buffy St Marie's throat infection and subsequent codiene addiction in 1964.
Sandpiper - the song of the sandpipers - a large family of wading birds, including curlews and snipes.
Second city spiritual - Tom's impressions of London and all its bizarre and colourful characters (manic preachers in St James's park, homeless down and outs in Soho, possibly wealthy arabs secretly buying alcohol) as contemplated from inside the peaceful environment of a cathedral / church.
I would love to have the lyrics of "the river belongs to me" if anyone has them.
Thanks.
Phil