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A Couple of Swells is the inspired pairing of two unique entertainers – Liza Pulman, songstress, comedienne and one-third of the iconic Fascinating Aida, and virtuoso pianist, songwriter and singer Joe Stilgoe.
Together they combine humour and musicianship at the very highest level, making old songs sound new and new songs feel like you’ve known them all your life.
Both born in the proverbial trunk, their style has been fine-tuned from cradle to stage, and together they have the musical and theatrical chemistry of Dudley Moore and Julie Andrews, or Barbara Cook and Wally Harper.
Prepare to be swept away by Joe’s dazzling piano playing, Liza’s exquisite vocals and their beautiful, tight harmonies as they dig into the true classics and hidden gems of Irving Berlin, Paul McCartney, Jerome Kern, Billy Joel and Leonard Bernstein, mixed with a few new songs specially written for the show.
This is old-fashioned glamour in the company of two, modern-day musical greats.
“Saw this last night. Ooooh it’s SO good.”
Dawn French
“A musical match made in heaven”
All That Dazzles
“Quite simply superb… bewitches us with sheer vocal virtuosity… Liza Pulman is a force of nature.”
BritishTheatre.com
LONDON JAZZ NEWS REVIEW – OCTOBER 2024
After about a year and a half, the duo of Liza Pulman and Joe Stilgoe is gathering momentum.
What stays in the mind is quite how good Liza Pulman’s stagecraft, fabulous vocal control, instinct for/ skill as harmonising singer are – she says singing in harmony was part of her growing up and of the grieving for her father who died when she was a young girl. And also had a stint in the Glyndebourne chorus. Maybe above all, though, I kept marvelling at how completely flawless her diction is.
Every word not just crystal clear, but enjoyed and savoured too. Joe Stilgoe, as pianist/ singer and creator of new, clever and interesting ideas always seems to have another new trick up his sleeve. I enjoyed their take on the hilarious Dudley Moore / Marian Montgomery version of “Close Your Eyes”. It is good on the album, but has developed further, and it is even funnier live. (video below) . Their “double songs” also work well, especially the splicing-together of the Rodgers and Hammerstein songs “People Will Say We’re In Love” and “If I Loved You” Read more….LONDON JAZZ NEWS REVIEW – OCTOBER 2024