At first impression, this Staunton, Virginia, acoustic blues duo looks like they are trying a little too hard with attempts at self-authentication. Yet, once they get going with their show, you will look past the silly blues names these guys assigned to themselves, like “Mojo” and “Hambone”. This up and coming duo may have figured that this stepped up their game, but they really don’t need pretentious marketing trappings to be accepted. Lots of people do that when they first get out the gate. Once they emerge from out of the shadows, which will be soon, they can just be two regular guys, excellent musicians, Daniel and Scott, and still sound good. All they have to do is play and everyone will know they are the real deal, and then some.
Chances are that you don’t know them yet, because they are still playing the local scene around Virginia, but they pack enough musical prowess to make you look up with pleasant surprise. They can really play and they offer a great repertoire of old and new blues. Their obscurity won’t last long.
So far, they are getting noticed in the right places. They made it as semi-finalists in the very competitive 33rd and 34th International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee for 2017 and 2018. That’s no small feat because people come from all over the world, as far away as Australia. They took first place in the 2017 River City Blues Society Challenge and in the 2016 Central Virginia Blues Society Challenge. So far so good, and they are clearly ready for more.
This writer had a chance to hear the illustrious duo shine at the 2018 Piedmont Blues Festival Tribute to John Cephas in Bowling Green, Virginia. Daniel Parker (Mojo) is a truly superb singer with a full, rich, deep tenor and also a superb guitar player. Scott Gray (Hambone) is a fine harmonica player who is also a surprisingly skilled fingerpicking guitarist in the Piedmont style. There is a lot to these guys. They fit together wonderfully, complementing each other. They know how to make a duo act work, playing passionately and energetically, with homage to the deep blues-roots. In three seconds flat, they get raucous with thunderous hard driving, funky, foot-stomping blues. Parker and Gray are excellent instrumentalists who put on a compelling show that makes you want for more because they get down deep and they have all the chops. One of the best aspects of the duo is their impressively strong songwriting. There is depth and substance to their original songs. It’s good, entertaining fun to hear them play. Most importantly, they will touch your soul because their heartfelt blues is as emotive and moving, but fierce.
This duo has it all. Nothing is missing, except fame. As we know, that is fleeting in the acoustic blues, but if the stars align, these guys will hopefully be able to quit their day jobs and get into the national concert and club circuit, because they are every bit good enough. For now, they are doing what they need to do to keep the blues alive ; and, those who had the pleasure to get to know them will tip their hats.
Check out their fine debut CD The Blues Look Good On You is now available for digital downloads at CD Baby, Apple iTunes, Google Play Store, Amazon Music.
