This is a new live album by Bywater Call, the rock-soul-funk band that had been a touring sensation over the last few years. They have been releasing albums of new songs, and this is your chance to hear how they play those songs live.

Sunshine is the band’s first live album. If you have ever seen the group play live, then you know why they need a live album. They are a smoking hot unit, and people need to hear how good they are on stage.

Sunshine is also the name of the first song on the album. It is a tour de force of songwriting, interpretation and full-band greatness. The song is about people looking for a miracle. Julian Nall burns down the house on a saxophone solo that is a searing, explorative and as thoughtful as it is sweaty. The whole band seems to be playing at the height of their considerable powers. The recording quality is impeccable. You can hear every note that the seven-piece band plays in a song that is a torrent of sound and musical ambition. On top of all that, it’s a banger.

Bring Me Down is from their eponymous 2019 album. It features a spacious arrangement to showcase Meghan Parnell. Her hint-of-grit voice is one of the greatest rock-soul voices since Bonnie Bramlett. Horns and organ create a lush bed for her to sing from. Dave Barnes comes in with a slide guitar solo that remains as hushed and unobtrusive as everybody else until he takes the time to slowly build to a fever-pitch, and then Meghan and the horns pitch in. Everything is pushed so hard you can’t believe you’re hearing it. It’s a great moment in rock and roll, the likes of which we don’t see often enough.

I could go on. Every performance here is spectacular. Every single member of the band excels. You might not have known that you needed a ten-minute version of Love the One You’re With. Now you know better. Just like the people in 1961 who didn’t know they needed a thirteen-minute version of My Favorite Things until John Coltrane let them know. Bywater Call’s version of this old Steven Stills chestnut is a magic carpet ride of improvisation, and it all works.

They perform other songs from their repertoire, and every tune is a performance of joy and top-notch musicianship. The improvisational sections are well thought out, and they always remember to take the audience along for the ride.

I’ve enjoyed the in-person Bywater Call experience a number of times. I’m a fan. You may not have had the pleasure yet. Audiences in Canada, the U.S., and all over Europe agree with me: Bywater Call delivers! I’m glad that this album shows them off so well. Production is excellent throughout.

Bywater Call is Meghan Parnell on vocals, Dave Barnes on guitar and slide guitar, Mike Meusel on bass, Bruce McCarthy on drums, John Kervin on keys, Julian Nalli on sax, and Stephen Dyte on trumpet. (John Mulligan)