Review By Darren McIntyre
Bywater Call are a powerhouse 7 piece southern soul, roots rock band from Toronto, Canada. In 2023 the band played 96 shows in 10 countries, 89 cities, 19 US States & 3 Canadian Provinces and performed a live stream for famed German TV Show Pockpalast. They have performed on Joe Bonamassa’s Keeping The Blues Alive cruise, Meghan & Dave opened for Southern California Rockers Robert Jon & The Wreck on their sold out European Tour.
The band brought us their first new release of 2024 in the form of Holler and follow that with As If, Everybody Knows, & Sweet Maria from their soon to be released new album Shepherd due to drop on August 9th, In am now pleased to tell you that I will now bring you the album for your listening pleasure, please settle in and grab a cold one as I take us on the journey with this celebrated Southern Soul, Roots Rock outfit from Toronto, Canada.
Everybody Knows – A cool sludgy guitar groove flows from the opening salvo as Meghan’s colossal vocals bring this killer track to life with a sweet cool backing vocal that really gives this arrangement a blues soul vibe. The killer keys are littered throughout this foot stomping monster as the rhythm section kicks in the doors with a pounding snare drum beat that lets the cymbal crashes take this track to another level, the tempo changes pace for a bit as a cool bass kick lets the track breathe and let the saxophone notes give this track a nasty cool groove that just lets us know that this band are the real deal as they deliver another show stopping blues tinged groove masterpiece that is just building and building with every rich, cool note that flows effortlessly through this monster composition. The tone is rich, smooth with a real kick that is delivered with precision as Meghan and the boys just kick it up a notch or two for sure, the band are just bubbling under the surface as this track unleashes a cool funky beat that is smothered in delicious vocals that are perfectly complimented by a stellar band that is at the top of their game for sure.
Colours – Sweet lap steel licks flow from the intro as a cool acoustic strumming chords let the soulful vocals light this track up with real ease as Meghan lets her incredible vocals steal the show. The mellow rhythm section rolls in with a punchy snare drum beat as the bass kicks give this almost gospel like track depth, sass, swagger and real groove, the addition of the brass section really lifts this awesome arrangement with ease as the funking bassline wraps itself around this mesmerising number as we lose ourselves in the colossal delicious tones that are hitting us from every angle. The whole track is just building and building as we really get lost in the magnetism of this incredible outfit as they deliver another stunning number.
Sweet Maria – Kicking off this blues infused / americana classic track comes incredible keys that flow effortlessly through the intro before a solid snare drum beat hits us and brings the bass kicks that just light this track up. We have incredible soulful vocals that are steeped in a blues infused tone that works so well in this toe tapping track, there is a colossal brass section that brings a real New Orleans feel to this fantastic arrangement. The bassline is a real cool mellow groove that wraps itself around the intense groove that has washed over us and really brings the swagger to this killer arrangement, the keys are a real standout addition to this punchy groove laden piece. We take the tempo down a little as Meghan chants out and the backing vocals deliver a real soulful vibe that has us slapping our thighs and stamping our feet to this killer track that takes us on the journey with the band as they let us feel the emotion oozing from this incredible piece of music.
Holler – We get sweet guitar picks flowing from the outset as the mesmerising vocals come flooding into this foot stomping blues explosion as Meghan brings the blues to this colossal new offering. The bass kicks are powerful and bring the swagger as this fantastic beast makes itself known to us as sweet slide guitar licks are shuddering through this awesome new offering. The bassline is handing us a deep full on funk groove that works so well in this gritty southern blues composition, the towering vocals are erupting with sheer power as they steer this incredible new track on the road as the band just comes together and delivers a cool funk laden track that has depth, swagger, tone and colossal tones that really grab your attention. The soaring vocals just stop you in your tracks and let us feel the intense groove oozing from every musician as they deliver a real shot in the arm track that leaves us wanting more from this epic 7 piece outfit ftom Toronto, Canada. We have epic Tenor Sax & Trumpet notes littered throughout this fantastic composition that is just sweetening the track as it comes screaming towards us.
For All We Know – Acoustic licks are oozing from the off as Meghan lets her soulful vocals bring this track to life as we get Hammond style keys that are lingering in the background. Bass kicks are hitting us as the groove rises and really lets us feel the blues as this incredible arrangement just brings it, the band are just tight and really know where they need to be for sure. The brass section is just elevating this track to another level with it’s intense, melodic tones that are just delicious with every note that comes our way. The tempo ramps up as the snare drum beats get the rhythm section grooving and really open this monster track up, Meghan’s incredible vocals are just shining through as they deliver a pin point tone that just lets us settle into our favourite chair and feel the intense tones wash over us.
Roll – The funky fresh tones come at us as the snare drum rolls flow effortlessly through the intro as a foot stomping beat hits us from the getgo. The band are just simmering with real intense tones that will certainly propel this band to new heights for sure as they deliver a real hit album that will have us talking for a long time to come. The rhythm section is bringing the funk element to this bluesy, americana arrangement as we just feel the depth oozing from each and every musician as they deliver a faultless groove that is just stopping us in our tracks and letting us feel the incredible tones that are coming at us, Hammond keys, funky bassline with the soulful brass section that is just unleashing hell upon us as the band just climbs to new heights with this stunning rendition.
Turn It Around – The crisp rhythm section kicks in the doors with a real cool funk beat that brings us sensational snare drum kicks that work well with bass kicks that really let you feel the sensual tones oozing from this colossal release. The mesmerising vocals are just delivering to us a real blues fest of tones that work well in this toe tapping beat that just catches our attention, the Hammond keys are just insane as they allow this track to flourish and really let us get emotional about this exciting outfit as each track just springs another surprise upon us. The brass section is pivotal in this track as thet just wrap a real melodic tone around us and let us revel in the groove that is laid before us as Meghan just erupts in a hail of vocals beauty that is just building and building.
Now & Never – Funk laden bassline drops epic tones that just let this incredible track erupt into life as we feel the intense mellow grooves wrap themselves around us. The sweet backing vocals are adding depth to this fantastic track as the band just comes together, rhythm section is commanding the room with a real punchy toe tapping feel that just allows us to get up on our feet and feel this incredible outfit as they just bring their juggernaut sound to all. The brass section is just incredible as they bring depth, intensity and bags of bluesy swagger to this awesome piece of music, basslines are dropping incredible grooves that are just steeped in a colossal tone that is so delicious that we will be putting this incredible album on repeat for sure.
As If – A funky pounding rhythm section gets this colossal track off the ground as we get a fantastic horn section that is wrapping itself around this absolute banger of a track. The Hammond style keys are littered throughout this funk laden foot stomping rock n roll blues assault that allows Meghan to bring her powerhouse vocals to this classy blues laden funkadelic monster as the tempo changes course and lets the horn section take over and let us flow freely through the mid section as a stellar guitar lick kicks in the doors with a crisp, slick swagger that just catches us by surprise. The incredible vocals are building and building as Meghan comes at us in waves and brings delicious tones that wet our appetites for when they visit our shores later this year.
Sign Of Peace – Brass tones linger from the outset as we let this incredible track unleash a real New Orleans style groove that just fills us with real joy for sure. Meghan’s incredible vocals just allow this track to spread the word of Bywater Call to the masses as we feel the intense groove grab a hold of us as we grab our partner and swirl her around the dancefloor to this absolute banger as it just reminds us that the music is just wrapping itself around us and letting us know that this outfit are the real deal. The cool piano tones are really giving this track depth and a gospel feel as the tempo quickly changes direction and bursts into life with real vigour that tells us that Bywater Call are a force to be reckoned with.
Bywater Call –
Meghan Parnell – Vocals
Dave Barnes – Guitar
Mike Meusel – Bass
John Kervin – Keys
Stephen Dyte – Trumpet
Julian Nalli – Tenor Sax
Bruce McCarthy – Drums
Tracklisting –
Everybody Knows
Colours
Sweet Maria
Holler
For All We Know
Roll
Turn It Around
Now & Never
As If
Sign Of Peace
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