Bywater Call: Sunshine Review

Since hearing the great live recordings from the Allman Brothers, Deep Purple, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Peter Frampton, and Joe Cocker, I’ve become a lover of live concert albums. I can now add Bywater Call to that list. Sunshine is one of those live albums you just have to turn up loud, or at least play through quality headphones or earbuds, to get the full concert experience. Bywater Call is a seven-piece powerhouse band from Toronto, Canada, formed in 2017. They are fronted by dynamic vocalist Meghan Parnell, who fits the band perfectly. The other members are all outstanding musicians in their own right and complement each other seamlessly. As a group, Bywater Call has earned multiple blues music award nominations. In 2023, they played 96 shows in 10 different countries, proving they’re a band best experienced live as well as on record.

Sunshine opens with its title track, and it’s the perfect way to kick off the concert atmosphere. The organ and horns lock in beautifully with the rest of the band, and the line “We’re all searching for miracles out in the sunshine” sticks with you. The official video of this recording really captures what Bywater Call is all about. It’s worth a watch on YouTube. Track four is “Love the One You’re With,” the beloved Stephen Stills song from 1970. I’m sure Stills himself would appreciate this version, as the band adds extra energy while still honoring the original. The next track, “Sign of Peace,” opens with gorgeous piano and carries a soulful, gospel-like feel with its refrain, “If you see me way down low, give me a sign of peace.” You can also find a video of the band performing this song live, and it’s electrifying. Although Sunshine contains only six songs, it’s packed with magical moments and extended instrumental jams that showcase the band’s exceptional talent.

Sunshine has left me eager to dive deeper into their music, and I haven’t been let down. This band has something truly special, and their sound defies easy categorization. Trying to compare them to other groups would only miss the point. Instead, I recommend listening to Sunshine yourself and deciding what Bywater Call means to you. They’re currently touring the U.S. and Canada and will head to the U.K. later this year. Just remember: turn that volume up loud. You won’t be disappointed.

The Review: 9/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Sunshine
– Love The One You’re With
– Sign Of Peace

The Big Hit

– Sunshine