James Yorkston is a Scottish folk musician. Born in Fife, Yorkston now lives in Edinburgh, recording music with a number of friends and associates credited as The Athletes on his records. None of them, however, are actually athletes, indeed the accordion player - the renowned Scottish musician Reuben Taylor, has been seen smoking a pipe. James Yorkston is an associate of the group of musicians working as the Fence Collective, having worked with members of the group both live and on record.Yorkston is primarily a Singer Songwriter - though he despises the term - "I despise the term" he is quoted as saying, "it puts one in mind of Jack Vettriano". He also tackles a variety of traditional songs, learned from singers such as Anne Briggs, Dick Gaughan, Nic Jones, Martin Carthy, Lal Waterson, John Strachan & Adrian Crowley.His two quoted main influences are Annie Briggs, and the Malagasy ex French international player D'Gary.