Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Remain , from Bywater Call and it's a cool, modern, southern flavored, funk fused rocker. Opening with Falls Away , Meghan Parnell on lead vocal, shows clear command of the track with Dave Barns on guitar, Stephen Dyte on trumpet and trombone, Bruce McCarthy on drums, Mike Meusel on bass, Julian Nalli on sax and Alan Zemaitis on keys. I particularly like the stiff drum rhythm by McCarthy played against the lush slide work of Barnes. Great opener. Title track, Remain , has all of the components of a top radio track with it's sweet, memorable melody, strong vocals and instrumental arrangement with just the right amount of guitar. Let Me Be Wrong has a lot of sting with it's R&B beat and excellent vocals by Parnell and warm keyboard / vocal backing. Meusel sets a great bass posture on Sea We Swim and with McCarthy on drums, Zemaitis on keys and full horn support of Dyte. Parnell really swings it vocally making t...

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent self titled release by Bywater Call and it's very nice. Opening with thick, Derek Trucks like slide tone from Dave Barnes, Arizona is a soulful, funky pop rocker. Meghan Parnell has a smooth, soulful lead voice and backed by Samantha Martin, Stacie Tabb, Sherie Marshall and Chantal Williams, this is almost angelic.  A nice sax solo by Jullian Nalli, tight trumpet by Stephen Dyte, a firm hand on bass by Mike Meusel, nicely worked keys by Alan Zemaitis and rhythmic drumming by Bruce McCarthy, this is a super opener. A super rock guitar riff by Barnes sets Talking Backwards on a straight ahead groove and again Parnell has a firm hand on the lead. Punchy horns, a hot sax solo by Nalli and just the right tough of organ and piano by Zemaitis make this a solid rocker. R&B ballad, Nightmare is really a great track with a super melody and lead vocals by Parnell. Backing vocals by Carleigh Aikins and Chantal Williams over a ligh...