- Christine Collister -- vocals

- Clive Gregson -- vocals, guitar

- Any Trouble (Clive Gregson)

- Christine Collister (solo efforts)

- Clive Gregson (solo efforts)

Genre: pop

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Home and Away

Company: Cooking Vinyl

Catalog: Cook 003
Year: 1987

Country/State: UK

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: minor warp; no effect on sound

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 920

Price: $20.00

Originally released in 1986, "Home and Away"  was a live set. capturing singer/guitarist Clive Gregson and singer Christine Collister performing at a pair of 1986 club dates (Woolwich Tamshed and the Sandback Folk Club).  Produced by Gregson, the album was recorded on a four track TEAC, reportedly completed for under $200. If true, kudos to Gregson and company since the sound is surprisingly good.  Originally sold at the pair's shows as a cassette ((I read someone talking about having bought a copy out of the back of Gregson's car), in 1986 the English Cooking Vinyl label released the set on vinyl.  Musically this was pretty barebones (just the pair accompanying themselves on guitar), featuring a mixture of originals, cover tunes, and a couple of Any Trouble tunes ('Northern Soul' and 'All the Time in the World').   So, for anyone expecting to hear another set of Any Trouble styled pop/new wave tunes, the album was going to come as a major surprise -- and depending on your perspective, maybe not a pleasant one.  Whereas Gregson's Any Trouble catalog was fun, outgoing, and occasionally wickedly cynical, this album featured a hyper-sensitive set of material that bore more than a passing resemblance to the stuff Richard and Linda Thompson use to churn out.  That kind of makes sense given the pair met while working in Thompson's touring band.  Dark and smoky, Collister had what I thought was a wonderful voice that was well suited for the collection's somber, inward looking aura.  Comparisons to Annie Lennox, Christine McVie, and even Linda Thompson were in order.  Even though he'd largely abandoned his playful side for some very adult oriented themes, Gregson was clearly a talented writer, with a knack for arresting melodies ('All the Time In the World' and 'When My Ship Comes In').  This wasn't exactly the album you were going to slap on at a Saturday night party, which isn't to say it was bad; especially if you liked the Thompsons, or felt the need to have some dark clouds in your life, this had some real potential.   

As far as I know, the album never saw an American release.

"Home and Away" track listing:
(side 1)

1.)  It's All Just Talk   (Clive Gregson)

The album opened up with a pretty ballad that showcased Collister's wonderful voice.  It's funny, but I've occasionally seen her compared to Cher and on this tune I can kind of hear the comparison - though Collister had a stronger, less dramatic voice.   YouTube has a live television performance of the tune at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79AJmOYZVvY    rating: *** stars
2.)  Mama Tried   (Merle Haggard)

Nice showcase for Gregson's impressive finger picking guitar and less impressive voice.   rating: ** stars
3.)  Home Is Where The Heart Is   (Clive Gregson)

One of the prettiest tunes in their repertoire with the kind of break-up lyric that made Richard and Linda Thompson so popular.   In case you've ever wondered what the full band version would have sounded like, there's a YouTube clip of the pair playing the song on the Whistle Test television program.  Interestingly, unlike the album version, Gregson handles lead vocal on this version  - Richard Thompson's seen on lead guitar:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDs9xinQdIM .   rating: ***^ stars
4.)  All The Time In The World   (Clive Gregson)

Another one with Gregson on lead vocals - easy to imagine Harry Chapin taking on this one, though I'll admit it had a pretty melody.  rating: *** stars
5.)  Unlucky In Love   (Clive Gregson)

Pretty enough acoustic ballad that showcased their blended voice, though at this point the seemingly never ending stream of despair started to give the album a sound-alike vibe.   rating:  *** stars
6.)  Matchbox   (Carl Perkins)

Nice change of pace via their Carl Perkins cover.   rating: *** stars
7.)  When My Ship Comes In   (Clive Gregson)

Thanks largely to Gregson's strumming 12 string guitar and a sweet melody, 'When My Ship Comes In' pushed the group to a more mainstream, less navel gazing direction.   Perhaps, side one's most accessible performance.   rating: **** stars
8.)  Grapevine   (Barrett Strong - Norman Whitfield)

Overlooking the abbreviated title, again just the pair accompanied by acoustic guitar, their cover of the Motown classic 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine' was actually pretty good.     rating: *** stars

(side 2)
1.)  Chase the Dragon   (Hancock)

Keith Hancock's 'Chase the Dragon' is one of the more effective anti-drug songs I've ever heard and this version is simply gorgeous.   rating: **** stars

2.)  As Lovers Do    (Clive Gregson)

Say what you will, but Gregson can play him some mean acoustic guitar and Collister seldom sounded as good as on this driving track !!!   rating: **** stars
3.)  All Because Of You   (Clive Gregson)

For some reason Collister's performance on 'All Because Of You' has always reminded me a bit of Annie Lennox.   rating: *** stars.
4.)  Northern Soul   (Clive Gregson)

One of two Any Trouble covers, 'Northern Soul' was given a pretty arrangement, that underscored the pair's wonderful chemistry.   rating: **** stars.
5.)  Touch & Go  (Clive Gregson)

Underscoring her huskier timbre, this time around Collister's voice reminded me of a younger Christine McVie.   Not a bad comparison.   rating: *** stars
6.)  Slow Down   (Larry Williams)

Geez, an up tempo rocker ...  what was Gregson thinking ?    Nice change of pace for the duo.   rating: *** stars
7.)  Blowin' Away   (Eric Kaz)

Geez, this one's been covered by a host of folks including Joan Baez, Cher, Bonnie Raitt, and Linda Ronstadt.  Again, the performance was impressive, but how much inflection and pain can an audience take ?   rating: *** stars

For anyone interested, Gregson has a web presence at: http://www.clivegregson.com/