BYWATER CALL // SHEPHERD // ALBUM REVIEW

‘Everybody Knows’ begins this quite astonishing record, there is an immediate connection, it is impossible to ignore the feel of the Black Crowes, then Meghan Parnell’s voice comes in and takes the song to a higher plane. The feel of the Crowes remains through the swathes of guitar and the musical ambience.

Now to the closing number ‘Signs Of Peace’ which is something else entirely, the brass section taking us on a Ragtime romp! With elements of Jazz at the mid-point it transcends before becoming fused with Soul and Blues, then with the ivories being tinkled it explodes into a Rockabilly hoedown, phew, is there anything this band don’t do?

Before the opening and closing numbers, there is so much in between, as Bywater Call take us on a musical adventure and journey that simply blows your mind. My job is to convey the magnitude and pure joy that this Canadian 7-piece emits through mere words!

On ‘Colours’ Parnell sounds vulnerable and exposed, it has a lilting acoustic opening, it is gentler and bluesier than the opener, preparing the listener for the vast variation of styles and musical avenues we are about to go down, as we journey through ‘Shepherd’. The Keys add a delightful delicacy to this. As the song stretches out and reaches its climax Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin come to mind.

‘Sweet Maria’ is both gospel and funky at the same time, who is Sweet Maria? The brass section adds a twist and nice dynamic, I really like the breakdown as Parnell sings almost unaccompanied from the 4.10 mark, what a voice!

While listening I get the feeling that anything could happen and on ‘For All We Know’ that turns out to be the case. It has a subtle opening as Countrified Blues vocals sit on top of a sprinkling of Keys and acoustic notes, at the halfway mark the song explodes as the band throw everything thing they have got at it, Parnell’s voice still shining as it ebbs away with the final notes.

I am going to move on to ‘Turn It Around’ which is funky and jazz-fused, throw in some Sax appeal and some gospel as this song is propelled to the finish line, wow! Can things get any better? ‘As If’ proves they can and will, starting with a funk workout, it is then showered with a dusting of everything, it could be the finest track on the album, and what do I know, it transports you to a 70’s nightclub as it moves and grooves.

This album is magnificent it is Roots Rock and mixed with everything else, with so much crossover appeal it almost defies description, suffice to say,

Stephen Dyte – Trumpet and Valve Trombone
John Kervin – Keyboards, Background Vocals
Bruce McCarthy – Drums and Percussion
Mike Meusel – Bass Guitar, Background Vocals
Julian Nalli – Saxophone have all contributed and created some amazing music, but top honours go to Meghan Parnell – Lead Vocals and Dave Barnes – Guitars

Simply exhilarating from start to finish. Just how they create and blend all the music I will never know. What I do know is I can’t wait to see them on the 24^th and 25^th of October.

Bywater Call’s new album “Shepherd” is released Friday August 9^th.  The band tours the UK from October 16 – 27^th. Album and tickets available from www.bywatercall.com. 

NEW ALBUM – “SHEPHERD”
RELEASED 9 AUGUST 2024
NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER HERE

Review: Paul Mace

SHEPHERD – ALBUM TRACK LISTING

EVERYBODY KNOWS (3:53)

COLOURS (4:54)

SWEET MARIA (5:16)

HOLLER (3:57)

FOR ALL WE KNOW (4:05)

ROLL (4:33)

TURN IT AROUND (4:02)

NOW AND NEVER (4:02)

AS IF (3:45)

SIGN OF PEACE (5:07)