Bywater Call – Shepherd: Album Review

Howard King

2 years ago

With a handful of singles currently on release, Canada based Bywater Call give us their latest studio album, Shepherd.

Release Date: August 9th 2024

Label: Independent

Format: CD / Vinyl / Digital

UPLIFTING BLUES

Those who remember the blues powerhouse years of Vinegar Joe back in the 70’s, will adore this stunning collection of tracks. Blues can uplift you and support you in those downtimes. This album does the trick.

Meghan Parnell’s vocals tear into you from the outset with Everybody Knows. It immediately lets you know why many in the European music media regard her as one the best blues and roots female vocalists. The tight unit supporting her include other founder member, guitarist Dave Barnes, who clearly works on the ‘less is more’ principal.

Colours shows their more soulful side. The slower tempo maintains the dynamic with some interesting quivering effects. The pedal steel guitar fills on Sweet Maria highlight the full on sound created by the band with honky-tonk keyboards from John Kevin and Bruce McCarthy with succinctly sculpted percussive rhythms.

HOLLER

Holler is another foot stomper. There is brassy accompaniment from Stephen Dyte on trumpet and Julian Nalli on tenor sax. If this doesn’t get you up on your feet then nothing will. Meghan’s vocals do exactly what it says on the tin but perfectly controlled.

For All We Know’s country acoustic tones show Bywater Call’s gentler side more akin to the southern States. It builds to an interesting change in tempo, and a gospel like Roll show their versatility. Shepherd ends with brass to the fore and a trad jazz feel adding to the eclectic variations of soulful blues to their already extensive repertoire. Their dramatic songs energise you when upbeat and ease your soul when they are more sombre.

Bywater Call have performed alongside blues royalty and At The Barrier favourites Joe Bonamassa , ’Kingfish’ and Jimmy Vivino. They have toured extensively through Europe and North America with their bright exciting sounds making them festival favourites.

Shepherd is released Friday August 9^th. The band tours the UK from October 16 – 27^th. Album and tickets are available here. You can check out the dates below, and check out Everybody Knows.