|
Bywater
Call
Bywater Call
Gypsy Soul Records |
Publisher's Note: I was listening to
some recent work from the Canadian band Bywater
Call, and decided to dig deeper into the band's
discography, using some online credit to
download their debut album. I was floored by
what I heard --- an incredible set of music with a
wonderful lead singer and a very tight band. In
scanning our Blues Bytes archives, I found that
we posted a review in January 2020 at the very
bottom of that month's What's New section. This
album deserves to be featured in a more
prominent spot on the site, so here it is as
this month's Flashback selection.
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This seven-piece band from Canada, Bywater Call was only
formed two years ago and has already been nominated as Best New
Artist in the 2020 Maple Blues Awards. The first track on Bywater
Call (Gypsy Soul Records), “Arizona,” sets the scene as lead
vocalist Meghan Parnell’s country and western style voice with
its slight drawl immediately captivates the listener. The
infectious rhythms, superb sax solo from Julian Nalli and
background wash of Alan Zemaitis’ keys add to the feeling that
this band has something special, and that is before Dave Barnes
chips in with searing guitar work.
The vibe continues with the equally upbeat “Forgive,” with its
swirling keys, subtle changes of pace and Stephen Dyte’s
audacious trumpet solo. “Talking Backwards” confirms Meghan’s
versatility and energy with her piercing, powerful vocals
maintaining the relentless drive of another carefully layered
song culminating in jazz infused screaming brass.
A slow burning blues, “Bring Me Down”, with its ethereal
introduction is overlaid by Meghan’s sultry tones representing a
chameleon quality of sounding distinctive on every song. Once
again the layers of mood and instrumentation from guitar to
brass create a series of crescendos. The mesmeric, balladic
“Nightmare,” with its atmospheric sax and trumpet complemented
by understated keys, provides the perfect platform for a voice
that seems to be floating on thin air.
Funky and quirky rhythms courtesy of bassist Mike Meusel and
drummer Bruce McCarthy underpin another spectacular vocal
performance from Meghan on “Over and Over.” The slow nostalgic
“Home Town” has a more country feel whilst the Parnell swagger
returns on “Silver Lining.” All seven musicians stretch their
chops on “Walk On” before the fitting finale, a sumptuously
arranged and mainly acoustic rendition of “Swing Low” that
leaves the listener feeling exhilarated.
The musicality and innovation of Bywater Call suggest that the
band will become a major force, a forthcoming tour of Europe
providing the opportunity to achieve international acclaim.
--- Dave Scott
