"When Lise Hummel and Gertrud Stenung- at the time relatively unknown - played in Piteå for the first time, Ronny Eriksson promised the audience their money back, should they leave the concert unhappy. The concert sold out, no one left unhappy and the duo's popularity in Piteå was established.
The minimalistic "Blowin' in the wind", perfectly sung by Lise Hummel, is in all it's simplicity one of the highlights. Moments I recall are Gertrud's groovy bow technique, the singing harmonies in "I still haven't found..." and the breath taking crescendo at the end of "Eleanor Rigby". Springsteen's "Fire" is actually fierier than the original. A perfect mix of humor and seriousness - the perfect end of a hard week's work".
Anders Sandlund Piteå -Tidningen 2011-10-01
"The incredibly musical duoLise&Gertrud, celebrates their ten year anniversary with a show titled "Liv är att ta sig ut". The title is ambiguous and refers to an old warnig sign in trains - Danger, do not lean out - the duo encourages us to do just the opposite. Life means taking a chance, inspite risks and obstacles. The music together with the lyrics, bear the stamp of passion and curiosity. Ulla-Carin Nyqvist is the woman behind many of the lyrics, her own and innovative translations.
A cello and two voices,are what the duo themselves call: the perfect set up. True enough, given those voices and that cello. Gertrud Stenung treats the latter as was it a, bass, an orchestra or a serene guitar.
The close and long collaboration is undoubtely one of the reasons the performance is presented with such confidence and ease, yet with genuine passion and lust". /....../.
Jan Bäcklin Kristiansdadsbladet
2011-03-11 <
Kristianstadsteater Liv är att ta sig ut
"Dressed inspangly black trousers the duo Lise&Gertrud enters the stage and sits down on two bar stools, to perform their anniversary show, now in it's second year. One of the first things established is that, you're no bigger Rockstar than you actually think you are. The show sets off, and with seeming simplicity they begin to play a series of hits. The concept of two voices and a cello seem to be durable.
An ambienceof serene sensualism is spreading in the auditorium of the Regina Theatre this cold and windy night in the beginning of April. I don't think anyone in the audience escapes the amazement of the great amount of music these two people on stage are able to create. As soft as velvet, and very tight, their voices weave together exquisite harmonies, not seldom enhanced by a grandiose echo.
The music is playfully arranged and it's as if every possible nuance is dwelled upon before the most original one is chosen. Further more, it's amazing how much accompaniment you can get from a cello, and Gertrud Stenung very rarely touches the bow.
They usenuances and phrasing to reveal hidden secrets in both lyrics and music. Never before has Bowie's "Life on Mars" been presented in such an intense way. Frank Zappa's "Bobby Brown" comes in the shape of a revue like song, due to the Swedish translation and Charles Aznavour's ode to woman, "She" becomes a depiction of friendship through all it's phases, translated into "Vi"(We). Fun and unceasingly surprising. In the company of Lise&Gertrud you're invited to smart and super musical entertainment".
Susanne Sigroth-Lambe Uppsala Nya Tidning 2010-04-12
Liv är att ta sig ut Reginateatern
with a tight, funny and beautiful show at Södra Teatern".
/..../.I have never seen Lise&Gertrud live, but it doesn't matter, because they can never have been as good as they were tonight at Södra Teatern in Stockholm./.../
Cool girls singing harmonies in perfect pitch, charisma beyond belief, and one of them with a cello between her legs.
The show is called "Liv är att ta sig ut", which happens to be an ambiguous paraphrase of an old warning sign.
Lise&Gertrud is making fun of, and taking the edge of, the these days so trendy "fulfill yourself" terminology, by asking the audience to "feel" the title of the song, or " what is it telling YOU". What I feel, is, how groovy and organic this collaboration is, now, when they celebrate their ten years together. /.../
They make other hyped Swedish songbirds appear as cold crashing bores. But of course it is the unusual combination of Gertrud Stenung's cello, that make Lise&Gertrud welcome to both the Nobel festivities as well as ferries who run the archipelago. /.../
The repertoir consistsof Abba, Frank Zappa, Beatles, Alanis Morisette, Dolly Parton, U2 and so forth. How untrendy isn't that? However, it feels smart and new, and some of it brilliantly translated and updated by Ulla-Carin Nyqvist, who also has written some of the songs. Lise&Gertrud do covers in a way they rise again from oblivion into new life forms.
Clever dialogue, lyrics with self-irony and a critical eye on society, combined with breath taking arrangements are what characterize the duo. They do David Bowies magnificent ballad "Life on Mars" so tightly, delicately and beautifully, you almost break down". /.../
Gunilla Brodrej Expressen 2009-01-31
Södra Teatern Stockholm Liv är att ta sig ut
"Lise&Gertrud is a special phenomenon on the Swedish stage. Hard to categorize in their mix of cheeky stand up and excellent concert. They've been at it now for ten years, which they celebrate with an anniversary show at Södra Teatern, the venue where it all began, only now they enter the major stage and not the small one downstairs".
Bo Löfvendahl SvD 2009-02-10
Södra Teatern Stockholm Liv är att ta sig ut
