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
Bonnie came to my little wedding reception at my folk's house outside Waterloo and sang IOWA for us - I will never ever forget her lovely presence. Is there a recording of this song somewhere? I want to post!
Wow! Another absolutely beautiful experience talking with you. Masterfully edited as well.
Your presence and compassion make space for such richness and depth. Truly an honor to have participated. Thank you for all of the goodness you lift up in the world!
What a pleasure it was to talk with you Mark. Thank you for inviting me into conversation here. To those listening here- please take a moment to comment if you feel so moved.
Thank you so much for interviewing us! We appreciate your important work without it the BUS-eum tour wouldn't be same. It was a great pleasure to talk to you and spread the word about what we do. We could've talked to you for many more hours (and we did but that's not on record :)) Hope to see you again soon.
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
Mark,
It was so lovely connecting with you through this interview! I will share with my community. Much gratitude!!
Anne
Bonnie came to my little wedding reception at my folk's house outside Waterloo and sang IOWA for us - I will never ever forget her lovely presence. Is there a recording of this song somewhere? I want to post!
THANKS
Nancy Youngblut
blauhorse@gmail.com
It is a very good song that touches the listener's heart.
Wow! Another absolutely beautiful experience talking with you. Masterfully edited as well.
Your presence and compassion make space for such richness and depth. Truly an honor to have participated. Thank you for all of the goodness you lift up in the world!
Excited to share this everywhere.
Until next time!
With gratitude,
Meg
What a pleasure it was to talk with you Mark. Thank you for inviting me into conversation here. To those listening here- please take a moment to comment if you feel so moved.
Love,
Ana
Thank you so much for interviewing us! We appreciate your important work without it the BUS-eum tour wouldn't be same. It was a great pleasure to talk to you and spread the word about what we do. We could've talked to you for many more hours (and we did but that's not on record :)) Hope to see you again soon.