Surrender to One of the Very Best Singers to Come Out of Britain. Warm, Folksy, Bluesy, Rich and Delightful

One of the Best Live Female Vocal Performances You Will Ever Hear, Set in a Small Club on a Small Island but Huge of Heart

Mark Carter
Christine Collister must surely be one of the most overlooked vocalists on the planet. The 1st I heard of her was from the 'Warm Love Gone Cold' song culled from the U.K. TV series 'She-Devil'. It evoked such a warm rich feeling within me that I had to find out who sang the song. This must have been back in the late 80's because the only album I could find was 'Home & Away' (on vinyl - unless you want to pay $50.00 for the CD - Happily this has been rectified with a recent re-issue). Anyway since then I've gotten all her CD collaboration's with Greg Gregson, all of which were excellent. I believe this to be her 1st Solo Album & her 1st Live Album and what a brilliant showcase this is for her rich, warm, powerful, emotive voice.

On listening to the album you really get an intimate feel from her performance. It was recorded live in the 'Isle of Man' (not a big place/island) and it doesn't sound like there's more than a few dozen people in the audience. But what a lucky few they are. The occasional breaks allow Christine to display her warm natural charms explaining what's to come in some of the songs. The 1st Song 'Last Chance Texaco' really blows my socks off every time I listen to it. Lucky for me I have many socks as I listen to this on a regular basis. Obviously she has a strong affinity with these songs which I'm supposing she picked herself. Anyway, all the tracks are lyrically sophisticated I find. Her Interpretations of the song's chosen are all uniquely soulful. My personal fave's being 'Ruby' (more soaring vocals - boy can she hold a note) 'Outside Myself' (deeply emotional and heartfelt performance) & of course the opening track 'Last Chance Texaco'. 'Human Nature' seemed an odd choice and took me a few listens to get used to but now it seems a great fit with the other song choices.

For anyone who's enjoyed any of Christine Collister's work either solo or with Gregson this is an absolute must. The musicianship is excellent but it's Christine's perfect pitch voice which makes the album. She could sing anything I swear. Suffice to say, get this album

Published by Mark Carter

I'm a Brit living and working in New York. I enjoy music. Perhaps too much according to my wife and the ever increasing amount of space my CD's & records take up. My aim in life is to be happy and as every...  View profile

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