BIRMINGHAM: Kitchen Garden Cafe

Wednesday 14th September, 2022

7:30pm

Event information

‘…one of the world’s finest..’ – Q

"...boundary breaking is routine for Collister and makes her one of the finest grown-up vocalists on the planet…’ – Q

Christine’s career now spans an incredible 37 years! Over that bridge of time she has released 24 albums … a DVD celebrating 20 years in the business and a single with the BBC : the theme tune for “The Life and Loves of a She-Devil” in 1984.

Throughout, she has mesmerized and astounded with her unique blend of soul, blues, pop, jazz, country and folk, and today she remains as powerful, subtle and effortless as ever.

Over the course of her career Christine has become a familiar name on the UK ‘live’ scene and at all major festivals from Glastonbury to Winnipeg to Cambridge. With a gravity defying voice, assured and impressive live performances and great personal charm she is a magical live performer.

Solo albums recorded over the past decade or so have seen her convincingly interpret Smoky Robinson, Nick Drake, Robert Wyatt, Tom Waits, Paul Simon, U2 and Lal Waterson, amongst many others – whilst her own self penned or cowritten compositions have developed in depth and expression.

Christine Collister hails from the tiny Celtic nation of the Isle of Man. Her professional recording career began in the mid 1980’s but she first came to national attention singing the 1987 theme for the BBC Television series The Life and Loves Of A She Devil. Following a fruitful association with The Richard Thompson Band, Christine enjoyed a period of critical and commercial success in a seven-year partnership with Clive Gregson. She also toured and recorded with the female super group Daphne’s Flight.

In 2017, 21 years after their first collaboration, they released a highly acclaimed album: "Knows Time, Knows Change" on Fledgling Records. With a hugely successful tour of the UK in the spring of 2017 under their belts and sounding better than ever, they followed on with a release of "Daphne's Flight LIVE" supported by another sell out tour in 2018. 2019 added a range of Festival appearances that elevated their status as the new go-to female super-group! On Arrival their third studio album recorded over the summer of 2019 was released May 1st 2020 and should have been followed by a sell-out run of dates throughout May into June but due to Covid19 ... those exciting shows are now rescheduled to 2022! Onward!

Christine has always enjoyed the collaborative process and has been an integral part of many and varied musical projects over the years. Her most recent collaboration with brilliant Australian guitarist Michael Fix has been a successful and delightful surprise for them both. 2018 saw them return to the Australian Festival scene and their first foray in the UK later that year. There was high excitement and anticipation for their sell-out UK tour in October 2019.

The release of their second studio CD "North&South" launched at a very special concert coinciding with their UK tour, started in Christine's hometown of Douglas in the Isle of Man September 27th at the Villa Arcade!

Christine has also worked closely with Dave Kelly, acclaimed British Blues man and long standing member of the highly acclaimed Blues Band. They have enjoyed several successful tours with a full band and in 2011 with a more acoustic set-up, working with long time friend and collaborator Pete Filleul. After a successful acoustic duo performance.

Hell Bent Heaven Bound, alongside Barb Jungr, Michael Parker and Ian Shaw in 1992 was part of “Pick of the Fringe” series at the South Bank following a great run at the Edinburgh Festival. Helen Watson replaced Ian Shaw for Hell Bent Heaven Bound II in 1993 . Both projects were themed collections of songs given effective and often unusual arrangements and harmonic twists – both shows were highly successful and played to packed houses both in the UK and Canada. A double album of the show (originally on cassette!) was re-released in 2007.

Christine’s natural warmth and intimate connection with audiences coupled with her stunning voice, make her concerts delightfully memorable events.