Review: Bywater Call – Sunshine (Live 2024)
Bywater Call – Sunshine (Live 2024)
Format: CD – Vinyl LP – Digital / Label: Continental Record Services
Release: 2025
Text: Bert van Kessel
After three enchanting studio albums and some relentless touring on either side of the pond, in which they invariably brought the roofs down, here is Bywater Call’s much-awaited live album, preceding their European tour this autumn.
This seven-piece powerhouse outfit proves with this astonishing display of joy, energy and camaraderie that they are without a doubt one of the most exciting bands of the moment. It is a showcase of great songs, an extraordinary singer in Meghan Parnell and sublime musicianship implemented for intriguing collaboration and interaction.
“The opening and title track is a funky new song; Sly Stone would certainly approve of Mike Meusel’s propulsive bass lines and there is a driving organ by John Kervin. It is followed by the extended Bring Me Down from their 2019 eponymous debut. This touching and emotional track kicks off with some atmospherics from guitar virtuoso Dave Barnes. Meghan Parnell bursts in with some gripping vocals supported by the exquisite organ. The restrained contributions from the horns add to the emotional power of the vocals. Dave Barnes contributes a searing solo.
As If Is the first of the three tracks culled from their most recent studio album ‘Shepherd.’ On it they take the term ‘energy’ to a new level. The song is built up carefully, leading up to some great interplay between the electric guitar and Stephen Dyte’s trumpet, driven on by the pulsating bass. Drive and energy characterise their most recent single Love The One You’re With. It is a truly buoyant performance of that great Stephen Stills song. It culminates in an extended jam, in which the musicians joyously improvise off each other. Led out by John Kervin’s rollicking piano Sign Of Peace takes us to a New Orleans party; time to dance! It will leave your sound system dripping with sweat.
The closing track ( alas! already?) is Everybody Knows; This captivating fan favourite showcases all musicians at their very best with Dave Barnes excelling in another fiery solo.
These six tracks clock at three quarters of an hour. I am longing for the live double albums of the seventies, because “WE WANT MORE!”
Tracks:
01. Sunshine
02. Bring Me Down
03. As If
04. Love The One You’re With
05. Sign Of Peace
06. Everybody Knows
Website: https://bywatercall.com/
In October/November 2025, they will return to Europe for their second tour of the year.
Tickets available at BYWATER CALL
EUROPE: JULY
7. 11 Oberhausen | DE | Static Roots Festival
7. 12 Krefeld | DE | Kulturrampe
7. 13 Weert | NL | Bospop
7. 18 Lichtenvoorde | NL | Zwarte Cross Festival
EU/UK: OCTOBER/ NOVEMBER
25.10 | Erfurt, DE | Winter Blues Festival
26.10 | Weert, NL | De Bosuil
27.10 | Utrecht, NL | Tivoli
28.10 | Verviers, BE | Spirit of 66
29.10 | Zwickau, DE | St. Barbara
30.10 Isernhagen, DE | Blues Garage
31.10 Joldelund, DE | Gerd’s Juke Joint
1.11 | Joldelund, DE | Gerd’s Juke Joint
2.11 | Bonn, DE | Harmonie
3.11 | Solothurn, CH | Kofmehl
5.11 | Barcelona, ES | Sala Wolf
6.11 | Zaragoza, ES | Rock and Blues Cafe
7.11 | Valencia, ES | Loco Club
8.11 | Granada, ES | Sala Tren
9.11 | Jerez, ES | La Guarida del Angel
11.11 | A Coruña, ES | Sala Mardi Gras
12.11 | Madrid, ES | Sala Copernico
14.11 | Landerneau, FR | Centre Culturel Le Family
15.11 | Penmarch, FR | Cap Caval
19.11 | London, UK | The Garage
20.11 | Southend, UK | Chinney’s
21.11 | Gloucester, UK | Guild Hall
22.11 | Newcastle, UK | Anarchy Brew Co
23.11 | Glasgow, UK | Oran Mor
25.11 | Leeds, UK | Nath Brudenell
26.11 | Manchester, UK | Band on the Wall
27.11 | Porthcawl, UK | Planet Rockstock
28.11 | Southampton, UK | The Brook
29.11 | Faversham, UK | The Old Brewery Store