I had two agendas when attending Hudson River Park’s 26th Annual Blues BBQ Festival. Barbecue, obviously, and a band with a female front singer. The half-slab from Dinosaur Bar-B-Que was a no-brainer. And a quick scan of the musical line-up left me with one option on the main stage: Bywater Call.
To be transparent, I’m a festival novice, but love a belter regardless of genre. I became a Jennifer Nettles fan after seeing her Off-Broadway musical. (Even though the show was mediocre, that voice could bring down the house.) The same can be said for Meghan Parnell on lead vocals.
Passing cruise ships & the waft of BBQ are no match for Bywater Call
An open-air stage competing with passing cruise ships along the Hudson River, wafts of sweet and savory barbecue, and free admission, which makes for an enthusiastic if transient crowd, is no easy feat.
Bywater Call brought their A game to Pier 76. Perhaps it was pent-up energy: Parnell admitted early in the set that the band was eager to perform after a handful of rainouts. The seven-piece band originates from Toronto and includes, in addition to Parnell, Dave Barnes (guitar), Bruce McCarthy (drums), Mike Meusel (bass), Andrew Moljgun (keys), Stephen Dyte (trumpet), and Julian Nalli (tenor sax).
Collectively, Bywater Call delivers a momentous tribute to Southern soul, roots, and Americana, citing Otis Redding and The Band as influences. But with a growing catalog of original music, including its fourth studio album, Broken Souvenirs, released this summer, the band has established itself as a formidable songwriting force.
Parnell has the power of Janis Joplin, the ache of early Carly Simon, and the belty chest voice of Shoshana Bean—a trifecta that musical theater lovers will grab onto. The band’s musicianship is equally compelling, with Barnes’ guitar licks and Dyte and Nalli’s brass offering their own pulsating momentum.
With concert dates scheduled through 2027, including the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Europe, there will be plenty of chances to see Bywater Call regardless of where you live. A word to the wise: don’t take as long to discover them as I did.
It wants better content.
Have another minute?
Books – ‘Blitz and Beyond’ captures the 80s fashion and music scene that dressed a generation
Music – These 10 LA live music venues prove the show starts before anyone takes the stage
Opinion – Broadway’s favorite new trick is showing you the trick
Leave a Reply