As a member of Richard Thompson's band and to a greater extent as half of a duo with Clive Gregson, Christine Collister made her mark on the folk-rock scene from the mid-'80s through the early '90s. Following her split with Gregson in 1992, Collister returned with a live solo album recorded two years later on the Isle of Man, where she was born. Throughout, Collister is supported by bassist Ruari McFarlane and Howard Lees on acoustic guitar, both of whom had worked with her and Gregson in the past. The backing is strong and clean, but at times it can be almost a little too tasteful. Gregson's lone guitar, which seemed to fill more space, while at the same time giving Collister's powerful alto more room, brought a dynamic and energy to their performances that is often missing here. Also, with Gregson Collister was given a wealth of great material that was custom-fit to her, while here she's left with the daunting task of reinventing songs already associated with the likes of Elvis, Bonnie Raitt, Michael Jackson, Rickie Lee Jones, and k.d. lang. Still, while the extended metaphor of Jones' "Last Chance Texaco" is treated a bit too heavy-handedly and the Bonnie Raitt-adapted version of Chris Smither's "Love Me Like a Man" seems unnecessary, Randy Newman's remorseful "Guilty" is given just the right touch of pathos and "Human Nature," lifted from Michael Jackson's Thriller, is exquisite folk-pop. Christine Collister Live is a respectable debut from a terrific singer, but overall this is a hit-and-miss effort.