One of the island’s most successful musical exports is returning home to launch her new album and tour.

Christine Collister is to perform with her Australian musical partner Michael Fix at the Villa Marina Arcade tonight night (Friday), from 8pm, for an acoustic concert that will unveil the duo’s latest album, ’North and South’, and also be the starting point for a three-week UK tour.

The 12-track album features a range of original songs and interpretations of favourite cover songs of music by a diverse group of artists, such as the Moody Blues, Chris Isaac, Nik Kershaw and the Beatles.

This is the second album released under the name Collister and Fix, following their previous release, ’Shadows and Light’, which came out in 2016, and Christine said that the choice of songs, and the diverse range of music points to the many influences each musician brings to the group.

’I’m pretty terrible at describing music in words, as I’m the sort that just prefers to do it,’ said Christine.

’Basically I love singing what I consider great or fun songs, and if it speaks to me, I know it is going to speak to an audience.

’Everything we do is well-known songs that we love, and most of the songs we have been doing for a while.

’There are four of five originals there, including one of mine that I wrote with a guy in LA, called ’Skin and Bone’, and there is one of Michael’s, called ’Song of the Butcherbird’.

’There is a nice, dark song called "Summer Moon", written by a friend of Michael’s, and we also play a song called "Because I Love You", which was a huge hit for a group called the Master’s Apprentices, an Australian rock band. People love it when we play it over there, but no one knows it over here.’

With Michael and Christine living on opposite sides of the world, opportunities are slim to catch them live, even though they grab any opportunity to perform together.

’I do love playing with Michael,’ said Christine.

’He is so good that I don’t have to think about it. I can just fall into the song, which is perfect for me.’

Collister and Fix is just one of many projects Christine has on the go at the moment.

Having spent her career singing with some of the great names of folk, roots and blues music, touring the world many times over and recording countless albums, both with groups and her own solo work, she is due to resume work with her long-time collaborator, blues guitarist Dave Kelly, and will go back on tour with the highly-acclaimed female vocal group Daphne’s Flight.

Although Daphne’s Flight achieved great success with their first album, recorded on the Isle of Man in 1996, touring, recording and family commitments meant that it took another 20 years for the five to regroup.

’Daphne’s Flight consists of myself, Julie Matthews, Chris While, Helen Watson and Melanie Harrold,’ said Christine.

’The Isle of Man has a lot to do with us, actually. We got together again when I joined Chris and Julie on stage at the Peel Centenary Centre. We only realised then how long it had been since we were last together.

’We got back together, and we recorded a second album, "Knows Time Knows Change", which we released in 2016, 20 years after the first. It was easy, it was fun, and the tour we did together was fantastic.’

A live album followed, and the group played a successful series of festival dates this year. They have also recorded a third album, due to be released in May next year, after which they will embark on another tour of the UK.

And, to add to the long list, Christine is currently auditioning for a role in a forthcoming musical, ’Soldier of Orange’.

’I have never done anything like that before,’ she said.

’There is an outside chance I’ll get it, as I have no experience in acting, but I can sell a song. The idea is very exciting.

’You just never know. At my time of life, to have opportunities come, and be able to say "yes I’ll give it a go" is fantastic.’

Tickets for Collister and Fix are £15, available online from villagaiety.com

by Mike Wade

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