JT

Squeezeboxing scores 9 of 10

J.T.Lauritsen & the Buckshot Hunters

- Squeezeboxing Hunters Records - HRC 00107

August issue 2007

For J.T. Lauritsen's fifth album, he took the Buckshot Hunters to the Severn Records studios in Maryland. Augmented by several of the labels regulars--Benji Porecki (keys), Steve Gomes (bass), and Robb Stupka (drums)--they laid the groundwork for "Squeezeboxing" before adding the finishing touches back home in Norway.

Lauritsen has always been a soulful singer, but this time around, the music really brings out the best in him (think Van Morrison at his peak). All the right ingredients are in evidence on the opening track "The Bug"--great keyboards, horns, and harmonising vocals--and Lauritsen puts the together in a pretty near perfect way to get the album off to a fine rocking start. From there, the quality never wavers, as the band deliver their own mix of soulful southern blues with a hint of Zydeco (thanks to Lauritsen's accordion). The pace is nicely varied too, with the slower tracks, like the excellent "How I got To Memphis" and "10pmSingapore Time" being interspersed with more uptempo numbers like the opener and "Time 4 Bed". The blend of originals and covers (six of each) shows off the band in their very best light, with Lauritsen's own "I Just Love You Like I Said" being one of the finest pieces of swamp-pop you could wish to hear.

The band's previous albums have all been well-received, but going to Maryland looks like a very shrewd move, because "Squeezeboxing" takes J.T. Lauritsen and the Buckshot Hunters to the next level. Right now,the band are at their peak, and the only problem that seems likely to face them, is how they can top their latest album. "Squeezeboxing" iscertain to feature in my top 10 blues albums of 2007.

Rating: 9 - Gordon Baxter

(Blues in Britain).