The Angel With The Big Smoky Voice
PHILIP S WOLF | SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CA. USA | 10/20/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This 1994 release from Green Linnet finds Christine, live on stage at the Gaiety Theatre, Douglas, on the Isle of Man on 7 May 1994. With the backing of Howard Lees on guitars and vocals and the legendary Rory McFarlane on bass guitar and vocals, this record is just strings and voices...but, what strings and voices!
Christine is such a major talent, it is still a shame that she is little known outside of the United Kingdom. With her giant husky voice that is a cross between Sandy Denny & Christine McVie {with a lot of Annie Lennox, thrown in} this artist SHOULD be a huge star, but alas she is not. Christine, can sing the blues with conviction, carry a torch song that will burn you, unleash a country tune that will have you crying in your beer, sing a folk song like silk, and rock out like nobody's business.
There are 15 wonderful selections here on this live CD. With the sparce instrumentation, Christine's voice is front and center on this album, and you the listener are front-row-center, a very good spot to enjoy this amazing performance.
From: "Last Chance Texaco" to "Love Me Like A Man", songs from Willie Dixon are featured right next to tunes by Janis Ian and Randy Newman. Christine has penned some fine songs herself and one of her best songs is on this CD: "Starting Over." The only selection I have ever heard before playing this CD was: "Love Me Like A Man" by the great Chris Smithers, on this record Christine transforms it and takes Command of this gem and makes it her song.
Plenty of great talents still slip under our radar, don't let this fantasic singer and performer get away any longer...Christine Collister, is the lady with the great big voice and the talent to back it up.
Four Stars !!!"
An Intimate Pleasure
Mark A. Carter | New York | 09/08/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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). 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"
In a word...WOW!!!!
Derrick G. Jackson | Los Angeles | 06/12/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I just got this CD today and I can't stop playing it. I bought it only for the song "Warm Love Gone Cold", which was the theme song from the '86 British mini-series The Life and Loves Of A She Devil. I'm shocked to say there are about five songs I like even better than that one!!! She has the most beautiful, rich deep voice, and 20 year after that '86 recording, her voice is just as crystal clear. And the musical arrangements are awesome. I think the first track; "Last Chance Texaco" is the real standout. Her version is better than Rickie Lee Jones'. I will definitely be buying more of her stuff. Thank God I finally bought the DVD of that series and read the credits."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1