Lennox & Stewart (Eurythmics). Ray & Saliers (Indigo Girls). John & Taupin (Elton John). Lennon &McCartney.

All legendary songwriting teams. What is it about these musical pairings that result in some of the most memorable lyrics and melodies of all time?

It’s an innate ability to match a great voice with original musical arrangements, and to create relatable verse that strikes a chord in everyone -- no matter their lot in life.

Eiswert and Nichols – as in Crystal Eiswert and Jim Nichols of Talisman (the band) -- are another songwriting team that was simply meant to be … a musical match that creates stick-in-your head verse that you’ll find yourself humming for days.

Singer/songwriter and acoustic guitarist Eiswert and lead guitarist Nichols first teamed up in 1996, mixing poignant and relatable lyrics, a solid beat, and great melodies together to create a great rock sound -- building a loyal fan base. After several fun years, life got in the way and the first incarnation of Talisman (the band) decided to take a break that turned into an 11-year stretch.

But even time can’t stop certain forces from occurring. Some things are just meant to happen, no matter what life throws your way. Creative teams can’t deny the energy that comes from their pairing.

So, front woman Eiswert continued writing and performing acoustic solo work and collaborated with Nichols on a project called Kitsch -- a creative revisiting of some of pop music’s most forgotten songs (remember Thunder Island by Jay Ferguson and Shannon by Henry Gross?).

Fast forward to late 2006, when three of Talisman’s original members got together to remix their then signature songs “Burning Bridges” and “Comfortable Love.” This simple remix project lead to a complete reunification of the original line-up, and resulted in their long-awaited, full-length CD, The Wicked World's Come of Age.

Songs like “Daddy’s Girl” and “Shadows” are catchy instant classics that join the already memorable tracks “Burning Bridges” and “Comfortable Love” – and have received airplay on Internet radio station SRRocks.com and Terrestrial radio station WSTW 93.7FM. A Talisman interpretation of the holiday classic, Auld Lang Syne, also has received radio airplay.

The creative backbone of Eiswert and Nichols now boasts a new lineup of revolving local talent, including drummers Dan McCoach and Craig Smith, and bassist Mike "Kurm" Kurman.

You can find Talisman the Band captivating crowds in such venerable Philadelphia-area music venues as Tin Angel, Jon & Peters, Puck Live, Dawson Street Pub, and Canal Street Pub.

The new lineup is putting the final touches on a CD, Caffeine and Lust, slated for release this spring – featuring live tracks recorded at Tin Angel.