Bandcamp [Release date 29.07.26]

Diversity is definitely this Bywater Call’s strength. From Al Green type soul to stark americana acoustic Davey Graham style guitar picking with a vocal, to almost goth style moods, and the glue sticking this all together is the vocal prowess of Meghan Parnell, who can lift you with righteous joy, send shivers down your spine or bring a tear to your eye.

This seven piece band from Toronto really gel as a unit when they are all playing, they leave space for each others contribution. The line up is Meghan on vocal, Dave Barnes guitar, Bruce McCarthy drums Mike Meusel bass, Andrew Moljgun keyboards, Stephen Dyte trumpet, and Julian Nalli Tenor sax.

Dave Barnes guitar work throughout the album is so humble but so effective. He switches from acoustic picking, to slide to electric licks and stabs, but never screams make way, I am the guitar player. He just sits in the pocket offering the right amount of economic and effective playing, seemingly content with his gargantuan talent.

This is the bands fourth album, and my delicious introduction to them. It features three already critically acclaimed singles No One Else, Only And Hold Me Down, as well as current single Is This Thing On, and I can already hear the next one in Sally.

They really are genre transcending. Take track five, Way To Go, which starts out as an acoustic delta blues and ends up full blown gospel! – absolutely stunning The two piece brass section really add an extra dimension, which is really needed to achieve their style hopping. But then jump to track seven Clutter which features some delightful banjo picking from John Kervin, and then aforementioned Sally which is kind of gospel, kind of Tamla Motown, and very infectious.

After the emotionally charged How Long, which just builds and builds with some beautiful brass stabs A la Amy Winehouse, comes a rockabilly piece of vitriol in Ain’t No Friend Of Mine, which just gets you jigging in the aisles with a big grin on your face playing air trumpet.

Finishing on the low key Yardsale which is always a good place to finish an album, I just want to go back to the beginning, which is the Al Green infused single Hold Me Down. This is followed by the stark single Is This Thing On, then the gothic flavoured No One Else, which you could imagine popping up in a Serge Leone spaghetti western. And then fourth track is fourth single Only, with another Green soul groove. Four singles in four tracks what a way to start an album. But the rest of album just doesn’t falter at all.

This album is a real smorgasbord of everything good in American music. So many influences, but so much originality. I hope they are mightily pleased when they listen back to it. After multiple award nominations they really deserve to actually receive one for this album. ****

Review Andy Sharrocks

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 28 June 2026.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 30 June 2026

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 20 July 2026

BAD PRESS Old Hatchback (indie)
MARYLANE Seven (indie)
WOOD BURNT RED Fire Me Up (indie)
EMERGENCY RULE Hollow Gold (Wormholedeath Records)
SOME DAYS ARE DARKER Dead Romance (indie)
SWEET GORILLA Feels Like I’m Still In Love (5000 Records)

Featured Albums w/c 20 July 2026

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.