Yak

Following the release of the first album in February 2004, we decided to get back together and have a ‘jam’. Sadly, Sy Snell was unable to join us so we drafted in the services of Max Johnson on bass. We spent a weekend in Nottingham playing at a rehearsal studio and the session was recorded in Lo-Fi - the highlights of which were released in 2005 as the live album ‘Does Your Yak Bite?’

The following year we had another jam at a remote cottage in Rutland with the same line up. A second live album was released with highlights of the weekend’s recording. This one was called ‘The Rutland Chronicles’.

I had planned to record another studio album - the same way as I had recorded the first album with me doing all the music, and whilst doing this I streamed the new pieces on the newly created YAK Myspace page. In the latter half of 2007 I was contacted by a drummer called Dave Speight who had heard the material and wanted to work with me. Dave was already playing in a number of bands - namely ‘Harmony in Diversity’ which is Peter Banks' band. Peter was the original guitarist with YES. Dave was also playing for ‘Whimwise’, the band of Nick May - Nick was the guitarist with ‘The Enid’ for several of their albums. Additionally, Dave was also working with 'Yesterdays' the Hungarian Progressive Rock Band.

So, together with Gary Bennett on Bass (Dave and Gary have worked together for years) we started to record the new album as a three piece.

The 'Journey of the Yak' album was recorded between April and October 2008 and mixed and mastered in October. The album was released on 14th November 2008.

‘Quest for the Stones’ was based on an idea I had initially had in my youth, but it was not until 2005 that I started to work on some of the melodies and themes that would later become the music for the album released in 2015

Recorded between 2012 and 2014 the album again features Dave Speight on drums and Gary Bennett on bass together with an array of keyboards and synthesisers now hosted at the SABRE facility in Essex. There are only two tracks on the album, the title track at around 24 minutes and ‘Veil of Aeternum’ at around 19 minutes.

To get hold of a YAK album, simply hit the ‘Buy a YAK CD’ button below and send a donation to Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary - say in the message which album you want.

Please be aware that only Journey of the Yak and Quest for the Stones were mass produced and available (whilst stocks last) shrunk wrap on CD.

Dark Side of the Duck exists only as ONE master copy - orders are burnt from this copy onto a CDR and artwork printed and prepared Blue Peter style.

Does your Yak Bite and The Rutland Chronicles are again only in existence as master copies and will be burned to CDRs on request - these two albums are literally jam sessions recorded in Lo-Fi.

Best to listen to the sample below before you buy. The suggested donation per album is £10, but if you want to donate more you can. All funds donated go towards the feed costs of the 400 rescued animals - nothing goes on ‘expenses’ or ‘salaries’ as we have no paid staff - it’s just Fiona Oakes and me who look after the rescues.

If you are outside the UK, please add a few pounds to cover the impact of the postage as the postage costs have escalated ludicrously in the past year or so - at least £5 for Europe and USA alike.

If you would rather send a cheque (drawn on a UK bank) that’s fine too - Payee is Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary, Address - Tower Hill Stables, Asheldham, Essex, CM0 7DZ