Contact: [email protected]
Web: lisetteandtyler.com
Players: Lisette Gagnon, vocals; Tyler Sasso, guitar
Material: As a Canadian duo with extensive performing experience under their belts— both individually and onstage together— Lisette & Tyler (Lisette Gagnon and Tyler Sasso) present an engaging and passionate show, demonstrating a bubbly love for the art of music and sound. For the 12th show in their Friday streaming series, the duo chose to donate the proceeds to two charitable foundations, Doctors Without Borders and Black Lives Matter, and raised over $400 through their 60-minute set. With a lilting, jazz-pop sound in their show of mostly covers, the two made every effort to focus forward from the challenges facing us all during this difficult time.
Musicianship: The Doobie Brothers hit “Listen to the Music” kicked things off and showcased the duo’s confident presence and pleasing balance. Gagnon’s delicate soprano blended beautifully with Sasso’s comfortable guitar sound. Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground” featured solid rhythmic guitar playing and great vocal tension. Their cover of the Al Green classic “Let’s Stay Together” gave a taste of Gagnon’s lower register, and her gentle head voice ending was an interpretive breath of fresh air. The couple’s banter between tunes, together with their warm vocal harmonies and Sasso’s strong playing, provided a comforting and enjoyable experience.
Performance: Not ones to shy away from the classics, Lisette & Tyler also covered songs by Supertramp, Ben E. King, Eric Clapton, and The Beatles, and shared a promotional video of their recent recording of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Giving each song her own interpretation, Gagnon emitted some stunning vocal runs and demonstrated a great use of space and timely embellishments. The finale original “A Beautiful Day” brought more lovely vocals from both musicians and gave tantalizing insight into their original material.
Summary: This young duo packs a powerful musical punch. They clearly enjoy what they do. With an interesting combination of pop sensibility, an R&B feel, and great use of space in their delivery, along with jazz- rooted sounds and vocal interpretations––not to mention terrific songwriting and musical ability on both sides of the partnership––this is a team to watch out for.
