WHO knew that John Farnham's Take the Pressure Down and Soft Cell's Tainted Love could be re-imagined as swing songs?
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But that's not the most audacious move pulled by Australian stars of stage and screen Michael Falzon, Luke Kennedy, Matt Lee and Ben Mingay in their hit show Swing on This.
No. Even The Proclaimers' song I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) is put through the swing filter.
And what's more, it's a show stopper.
Falzon says the thing about cool swing music is that it keeps coming back.
While it was Frank Sinatra and The Rat Pack that perhaps gave swing music its biggest platform, the genre continues to evolve for new audiences.
"There's been this constant resurgence of swing music in which every decade somebody new introduces it to a new audience," Falzon said.
"That's all we're trying to do."
Falzon's introduction to swing was through Harry Connick Junior.
Michael Buble picked up the baton in more recent times.
"And locally, in Australia, we've had James Morisson, David Campbell and Tom Burlinson."
In Swing on This, timeless swing staples such as Ain't that a Kick in the Head, I've Got You Under My Skin, Mack the Knife, and New York, New York are given a contemporary make-over while still honouring the original recordings.
But it's when songs such as Wonderwall, Jump, Tainted Love and Crazy Little Thing Called Love are put through the swing filter, that audiences can't help but smile.
Falzon said the show drew inevitable comparisons with The Rat Pack's work.
"There are some obvious parallels. I'm a fan of their music. All the boys are. And we do take the piss out of each other mercilessly in this show," he laughed.
What made the Swing on This fun and off-script banter work was the singers' genuine friendship, Falzon said.
"The energy we have on stage is pretty rare," he said.
"And that's because of the rapport we have as mates."
Swing on This is backed by a nine-piece band from the Sydney Jazz Orchestra, featuring five horns.
See Swing on This at The Art House, Wyong, this Saturday night, March 30. Visit thearthousewyong.com.au
