Norway may not seen the most likeliest place for a blues band to come from, but that is exactly where J.T.Lauritsen & the Buckshot Hunters come from. "Make A Better World" is the third album to come from this good sounding five piece band.
The album starts off with "Me and My Babe" written by J.T. and it's a semi restrained rolling piece of work with Jan Tore playing accordion and on lead vocal, Paul Wagnberg pops up with a good solo on the Hammond B3 organ. The title song "Make A Better World" written by Earl King is handled well with a nice looping rhythm set to a driving beat. "Red Hot" has a kind of Rock 'n' Roll feel to it with drummer Jon Grimsby pushing the pace well. The band take the pace down on the lovely "I Hope She Know", which has a very good melodic feel to it, there is also some inspired solo's from J.T. on accordion
and Arnfinn Torrisen on guitar. "It Only Hurts When I Cry" also shows the melodic side to the band, I like the big build up's in this song with a horn section that is not to over powering and Paul Wagenberg on B3 organ sounding so masterful. The band also do an excellent version of Dwight Yoakam's "Buenos Nochas" which has a dream like quality as it floats along effortlessly in a Tex-Mex style. "I Guess I'm Tired" is a 12 bar blues
style which sees Atle Rakvag on bass shinning with a couple of short solo's, before Arnfinn's guitar takes over to show us how good he is.
It seems to me that this band have a good future. The material on this album is mostly written by the band and the quality is very good. The playing is faultless and if there is a criticism it is that they could have had a couple more up-tempo songs on it. I'll defiantly give it the thumbs up.
J.T.& The Buckshothunters website is at www.buckshothunters.com
This review is copyright © 2001 by Dave Thomas, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.