J.T. Lauritsen & The Buckshot Hunters - Still Be Friends (2025)

Jan Tore Lauritsen hails from Lillestrøm, Norway. He began playing piano at an early age but soon switched to the Hammond B-3 organ. His early influences included B.B. King, Charles Brown, and Ray Charles. Because the B-3 was too large to haul from gig to gig, JT decided to learn the accordion. Since 1989 his main instruments have been both the accordion and harmonica.

JT formed The Buckshot Hunters in 1991 and released their self-titled debut album in 1995, followed by 1999’s My Kind of Blues. He describes his music as a mix of blues, soul, and rock, with a touch of country-styled Tex-Mex. In 2007 he recorded his fifth album, Squeezeboxing, at Severn Studios in Maryland with guests Steve Gomes, Robb Stupka, and Benjie Porecki. His LIVE album followed in 2009, featuring special guest Billy Gibson. Later releases include 2013’s Play By The Rules, 2018’s Blue Eyed Soul Vol. 1, and 2020’s Blue Eyed Soul Vol. 2.

2025 marks JT’s 30th anniversary of making great music, and Still Be Friends celebrates that milestone with an outstanding collection of musicians backing the soulful vocalist and bandleader.

The opening track, “How Come My Bulldog Don’t Bark,” is a playful number that was later covered by Dr. John. JT is joined by guitarists Ian Frederick Johannessen and Arnfinn Torrisen; Paul Wagnberg on Hammond B-3; Morten Nordskaug on bass; and Jon Grimsby on drums and percussion. Lauritsen delivers with humor and grit: “How come my bulldog don’t bark, baby, when Big Jim comes around, well alright… when everybody knows I got the meanest bulldog in town, well I can’t put my fingers on it.”

The title track, “Still Be Friends,” written by Larry Fulscher and Riley Osborn, finds JT accompanied by Christoffer “Kid” Andersen on electric and acoustic guitars, Wagnberg again on B-3, Nordskaug on bass, June Core on drums, and Grimsby on percussion. JT sings, “This will be the last time I see you for a while, might be the last time I see you smile, but for all time, we will still be friends.” Wagnberg’s Hammond adds warmth and soul to the heartfelt delivery.

“Friction,” written by Gary Nicholson, features JT sharing vocals with Curtis Salgado. The lineup includes James Pennebaker on guitar, Kevin McKendree on keyboards, Michael Joyce on bass, Jack Bruno on drums, and Grimsby on percussion. Together they bring life to the lyric: “Ain’t no need in you causing me so much friction in my life… you’re criticizing everything I do, analyzing my every move, pushin’ my buttons, riling me up—you never know when enough is enough.”

“I Oughta Know,” written by Clay McClinton, Rob Roy Parnell, and Bruce Channel, includes the same stellar band, with backing vocals by Ronny Ågren. Originally recorded by Delbert McClinton on Delbert and Glen: Blind, Crippled and Crazy, JT adds his own flair: “Same situation, I didn’t learn a thing, too much temptation, and I don’t know restraint… still sometimes I say yes, when I oughta know.”

On the Tex-Mex flavored “When Rita Leaves,” written by Delbert McClinton and Gary Nicholson, JT shares the vocal with Delbert himself. They trade lines with heartache and humor: “She left a lipstick letter on the mirror, shattered on the bathroom floor… took all her clothes but one red dress, the one she knows I like the best.”

“More Days Like This,” by Seth Walker and Gary Nicholson, pairs JT with Mike Farris on vocals, Dana Robbins on saxophone, McKendree on keyboards, Pennebaker on guitar, and backing vocals from Trez Gregory and Nordskaug. Together they sing: “I woke up this morning with you in my arms and realized I wasn’t dreaming… you opened your eyes and smiled at me—I want to have more days like this.”

“Stronger Than You Need To Be,” written by Nicholson and Bruce McCabe, features JT delivering one of his most soulful performances: “Somebody must have hurt you bad for you to hurt me so… you built a wall so high, the way you feel never shows… sooner or later you’ve got to let somebody in—don’t be stronger than you need to be.”

“Hold What I Got,” another Nicholson tune, reunites JT and Curtis Salgado for an upbeat, good-natured duet: “Watchin’ me, watchin’ all the pretty young women, I have to laugh at myself when they got me grinnin’… but I don’t want no one else, I’m gonna hold what I got.”

“No Good Place To Cry,” written by Nicholson and Randy Houser, features Pennebaker, Robbins, and background singer Stina Stenerud. JT sings with conviction: “Sunday morning came without warning after a sad Saturday night… strangers’ faces in the crowded street turn away when they look at me—but there ain’t no good place to cry.”

“Soulshine,” another Nicholson composition, is pure joy as JT exclaims, “My goodness gracious girl, look at the light coming through your smiling eyes… you sure got a soul shine.”

“Easy Kind of Living,” written by Joe Russo and Christoffer “Kid” Andersen, features Andersen on guitar, June Core on drums, and Lisa Leuschner on backing vocals. JT belts, “Ain’t no easy kind of living trying to play these here blues… hotels kick you out at noon, ain’t no easy kind of living trying to make a living playing the blues.”

The closing track, “Taking Time,” by Andrew Duncanson of the Kilborn Alley Blues Band, brings everything full circle. Duncanson shares vocals with JT and plays rhythm guitar alongside JW Jones on lead, with backing vocals from Michael Wallace and Stenerud. JT croons, “Been in the fast lane a long time… stepping off the gas, putting on the brake, my steady wheel started to shake—taking time makes me feel alive.”

Since 2003, Norway has hosted The Dark Season Festival, marking the beginning of the long polar night when daylight leaves Svalbard for four months each winter. Naturally, it’s not unusual to see The Buckshot Hunters performing there. Halfway around the world, JT has kept American blues and soul music alive and well. And what else is there to do on those long, dark nights? As JT says — they’re for making love and music. ~Richard Ludmerer