This trio plays old-school hill country and Delta blues, even though the members range in age from 26 to 33. There's a satisfying mix of acoustic and electric numbers, and when the band plugs in, sometimes it veers off into '50s Chicago-style blues.
Although the sound covers most of the blues bases, geographically the group hails from the non-blues hotbed of Kansas. (The title, "1861," refers to the year Kansas became a state.)

Guitarist Aaron Moreland, who plays everything from the National steel to "cigar box guitars," and gritty vocalist and harmonica player Dustin Arbuckle share writing duties, with Brad Horner supplying the requisite primitive beats.

The well-chosen covers include Hound Dog Taylor's "Gonna Send You Back to Georgia" and R.L. Burnside's "See My Jumper." and

the Moreland-Arbuckle originals share the raw energy of Burnside and Junior Kimbrough's music. The band sometimes rocks out like the North Mississippi Allstars, another obvious influence. It's yet another fine signing for NorthernBlues. - Jeff Johnson