Often transcending genres, Bywater Call is known for their dynamic, emotional live shows, featuring powerful vocals and exciting interplay between all band members. Meghan Parnell (vocals) and Dave Barnes (guitar) are the founding members of this powerhouse seven-piece Southern soul, roots rock band from Toronto, Canada. The band is completed by Bruce McCarthy on drums, Mike Meusel on Bass, newest member John Kervin on Keys, Stephen Dyte on trumpet and Julian Nalli on tenor sax.
The band’s music is an exploration of life’s highs and lows. From intimate ballads that lay bare the complexities of human emotion to electrifying anthems that demand to be played at full volume, their catalogue is a journey through the human experience, incorporating influences from the likes of The Band, The Wood Brothers, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Otis Redding, Little Feat, Sly and the Family Stone, among others. The band was UK Blues Award nominated for the 2024 International Blues Artist of the Year.
Bywater have been busy. In 2023 alone, they played a total of 96 shows in 10 countries, 89 cities, 19 US states and 3 Canadian provinces, including Joe Bonamassa’s third Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Mediterranean Cruise. They have toured extensively in Europe where Dutch, German, and UK media praised their shows, with references to Meghan as one of the best female voices in blues and roots today. She reminds me strongly of the wonderful Maria Mckee of the 80’s US country-rock band Lone Justice, Meghan’s range, power and passion is simply phenomenal!
Shepherd features a captivating – and extremely varied – collection of ten original songs, that showcases the Bywater Call’s continual exploration, experimentation, and reach beyond the boundaries of the music genres, further developing their own unique voice. The new songs illustrate their growth, while still paying tribute to their historical and contemporary influences.
The album kicks off with a real slab of southern rock allied to a downright fierce gospel vocal. Everybody Knows starts with an infectious guitar riff and a burst of horns – imagine a cross between the swagger of the Black Crowes and Rolling Stones and the soul of Aretha Franklin, a bit like the first Alabama Shakes album. Luscious slide guitar from Dave Barnes, a massively funky rhythm section and a huge gospel chorus get this album off to a roaring start, I love it!
Next up is a slow bluesy ballad Colours, featuring some tasty licks from Mr. Barnes and Meghan’s signature powerhouse performance. Another gospel-type chorus reinforces the timeless ‘Deep South’ nature of the track – there’s suddenly a whole load of Canadians seemingly able to hit the sweet spot of Southern blues / roots rock (witness The Commoners for example) but Bywater Call are right up there. Sweet Maria follows, this was released in 2023 as a single along with For All We Know (see later). Makes me wonder if Sweet Maria refers to Maria Mckee, it would be massively appropriate if so. Some great keys played on here by John Kervin and the horn section of Stephen Dyte and Julian Nalli render a wonderfully classy, fat sound.
Holler features some great resonator guitar work in a bouncing, up-beat lively stomp-along number that was another single earlier this year. It’s at this point that the sheer variety of this band’s compositions really impresses me. For All We Know is again scarily reminiscent of Maria Mckee in the strength, passion and power of Meghan’s vocal delivery – wonderful stuff. More sumptuous horns and aching guitar work completes a truly lovely song.
Roll is based on an old R&B tune The Dark End of the Street. It features a wonderful bass line from Mike Meusel, soulful piano work and a teasing dose of organ from John Kirvin, atmospheric percussion from drummer Bruce McCarthy, another sumptuous arrangement that builds satisfyingly and gospel-style with more guitar, more horns, all topped with Meghan’s sultry singing – the end result being sheer musical delight from a hugely accomplished group of musicians who know instinctively what each other is about to contribute.
Turn It Around continues this rich vein of timeless bluesy, jazzy, rootsy heritage. Of particular note is the ‘rag-time’ percussion from drummer Bruce and some exuberant trumpet work. Again, the variety on this album is delightful! Now and Never takes another twist, more big-band sound, more cracking rhythms, a punchy arrangement that allows the space for individual instruments and notes to stand out, notably the sax and trumpet again but it feels wrong to highlight individuals within such an organic blend…
As If is more ‘urgent’, another bubbly bassline, another brassy addition, a quite staccato and punchy drumline, then punctuated by warbly keys and dreamy lead guitar work – this feels like a joyous work-out where the band are simply letting rip and having a ball! Needless to say, the vocals soar over all. The last offering on this spicy platter is a traditional negro spiritual type number – Sign of Peace features trumpets, a jaunty deep french horn (or similar), the effect being heightened by the mid-section change of tempo into pure bar-room blues, honky-tonk piano, jazzy horns – it’s a totally exuberant, good-time gospel work-out that defies you to keep still, a wonderful signing-off to this hugely uplifting collection of songs.
Packed with ripping rock tunes, quirky off-beat numbers and beautiful ballads, Shepherd is exuberant, rootsy, funky, joyful, and heart-breaking all at once. This album truly takes the listener on a journey; Shepherd is Bywater Call’s first fully self-produced and self-recorded album and long may they reign!
Bywater Call’s new album “Shepherd” is out now. They tour the UK from October 16 – 27th. Album and tickets available from www.bywatercall.com
