Blues is the Truth

**Blues is the Truth #823**

It’s time for another two hours of stunning blues with your host Ian McHugh, brought to you in association with our friends and sponsors at the Crawdaddy Club Richmond.

The music selection this week is packed with a huge variety of tunes, as well as the regular features, The Title Track Tango and the Song Remains the Same, and a chance to hear who’s up next at the Crawdaddy, in the shape of a song from the legend Papa George.

The Show begins with a classic Freddie King inst...

Blues is the Truth #822
We are back for another two hours of brilliant blues, brought to you in association with our friends at the Crawdaddy Club Richmond.

The music selection this week is brilliant from start to finish. We begin with Nick Curran and it doesn’t stop there, moving into the Chris Corcoran Band, The Reverend Shawn Amos, John Lee Hooker, and Mississippi MacDonald and the Cottonmouth Kings. You will also hear Anson Funderburgh, Debbie Davies, and Otis Grand, alongside Joe Louis Walker, Alice Armstrong, BB and the Bullets, and Son Henry and T Rogers.

Blues is the Truth #821
We are back for another two hours of blues, brought to you with our generous sponsors the Crawdaddy Club Richmond.

The music this week is a special themed show, digging out tracks entirely from that classic nineties partwork magazine series, The Blues Collection. We are getting underway with Otis Spann, Lightnin' Hopkins, Albert King, Koko Taylor, and Howlin' Wolf. You will also hear classics from T-Bone Walker, BB King, Leadbelly, and astounding Memphis Minnie.

The middle stretch keeps the magazine archive spinning with Clifton Chenier, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Earl Hooker and...

Blues is the Truth #820
We are back for another full two hours of blues, brought to you in association with our friends at the Crawdaddy Club Richmond.
The music selection this week is stacked from beginning to end with great tunes and all your regular features. We are getting straight underway with Buddy Whittington, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, The Steady Rollin’ Revue, Elmore James, and Buddy Guy. You will also hear Melvin Taylor, Papa George, Connolly Hayes, The Hoax, and JJ Grey and Mofro.
The middle stretch brings you Roomful of Blues, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Ol...

Blues is the Truth #819
We are back for another two hours of blues, brought to you with our good friends at the Crawdaddy Club.
The music this week is a great collection from start to finish. We are getting going with Big Joe Turner, Edgar Winter, Jimmy Regal and the Royals, Andy Fairweather Low, and Vaneese Thomas. You will also hear Oli "Mississippi" MacDonald, Jeff Healey, Larkin Poe, the Gerry Hundt Trio, and the mandolin blues of Yank Rachell.
We keep things moving along with Manfred Mann, the legendary Albert King, Mockingbird Hill, Ray Charles, and Reverend...

Blues is the Truth #818
We are back for another two hours full of blues, proudly brought to you in association with our good friends at the Crawdaddy Club Richmond. We have got all the latest news on the superb live gigs coming up at the historic home of the blues in Richmond Upon Thames.
The music this week is a proper masterclass from across the spectrum. We are getting straight into the groove with Memphis vocalist Singa B, followed by Doyle Bramhall II, the raw Chicago sound of Taildragger, and Belgian bluesman Guy Verlinde. We also have firm...

We are back for another two hours of top-tier blues, brought to you in association with our good friends at the Crawdaddy Club Richmond.
The music on offer this week is an absolute triumph. We are getting underway with the soulful power of Vaneese Thomas, a double dose of classic Texan boogie from ZZ Top, paying tribute to the late Frank Beard, a track from Lucky Peterson, and another from Eric Clapton. We also have live favourites The Mustangs, who’ll be on stage at the Crawdaddy later this month, the foundational British blues of John Mayall and the Bl...

We are back with another two hours of wonderful blues, brought to you in association with our good friends at the Crawdaddy Club.
The music this week is a celebration of the blues in all its forms. We are getting straight down to business with Emanuele Fizotti, Dustin Arbuckle and the Damnations, the acoustic roots of Mulebone, and the fabulous harmonica work of Michael Rubin and Junior Wells with a track from each. We then move on to Oli Mississippi MacDonald, the historic acoustic cuts of Tommy McLennan, and the powerhouse vocals of Kaitlyn Krisko and the Broadcast with...

We are back this week with another two hours of blues, proudly presented alongside our friends at the Crawdaddy Club Richmond. We have got tracks from the fantastic artists performing at their upcoming live dates. The regular features, The Song Remains the Same and The Title Track Tango, are all present and correct, and Ian McHugh is behind the mic, just as you’d expect!

The playlist this week is an absolute triumph. We are setting off with the living legend Buddy Guy, followed by West London's own The Guv’nors, the deep vocals of Oscar Wilson, and Miss...

We are right back in the studio for another full two hours of brilliant music, proudly working alongside our good friends at the Crawdaddy Club. We have got news on all the fantastic gigs coming up at the club, so keep an ear out for a sneak peek at who's hitting the stage soon!

The music selection this week is an absolute joy from start to finish. We are kicking off with the timeless funk groove of The Meters, before sliding into the brilliant Steady Rolling Revue, Blues is Truth, and the absolute harmonica mastery of Giles Robson...

Blues is the Truth #813
We are rolling right along into another packed two hour session, proudly supported by our friends at the Crawdaddy Club Richmond. As always, we have got fresh updates on all the top tier live music hitting the stage at their home in The Turks Head in Twickenham, so keep an eye on those calendars as we run through the news.

The lineup this week is a beautiful mix of sharp contemporary sounds and deep rooted classics. We are setting the tone early with the master Bob Corritore, Murali Coryell, and another selection from...

We are giving West London some serious spotlight this week as we gear up for the iconic Ealing Blues Festival over at Walpole Park. There is a stacked lineup coming to the park, including a very special homage to festival founder Robert Hokum on The Hokum stage, so we are spotlighting plenty of the stellar artists hitting the boards. On top of that, we have got fresh live dates and news straight out of our home base with the Crawdaddy Club Richmond at The Turks Head in Twickenham, plus all of our regular weekly spin features.
The music for...

We are locking in another solid two hours of blues this week, proudly supported by our sponsors at Crawdaddy Club Richmond. We have got updates on all the superb live gigs coming up there over the next few months.
Musically, the selection is absolutely massive. We are jumping right into the groove with the legendary Andy Fairweather Low, alongside Ryan Bluwrath Newman, the grit of The Bad Day, and the sharp sounds of Chicago Nola. We have also got the brilliant Thomas Heppell with his new single, followed closely by another piece of history from my old band, Blues...

Blues is the Truth #810
We are keeping the engine running hot this week, and we are proud to be flying the flag for the legendary Crawdaddy Club Richmond. We have got news of some brilliant live music coming up at their home base at The Turks Head in Twickenham, so make sure you keep your ears open during the show for the full breakdown of who is hitting the stage next.
The music for this two hour stretch is an absolute masterclass in dynamics. We are setting the tone with the foundational greatness of BB King and the...

Blues is the Truth #809
We are keeping that momentum rolling this week with our brilliant partners at the Crawdaddy Club Richmond. Following on from our sponsorship news, I have got some fantastic upcoming gig details for you in this edition. We are looking forward to the return of The Terraplanes Blues Band to the club at The Turks Head in Twickenham on Friday July 17th, so make sure you lock that into your calendars.
The playlist for this two hour stretch is an absolute dream for anyone who loves their blues with real feel and conviction. We are...

Blues is the Truth #808
I have got some massive news to kick off the show this week. We have officially partnered up with the legendary Crawdaddy Club Richmond. If you know your music history, you know this is the absolute birthplace of the British R&B boom, the place where The Rolling Stones and The Yardbirds cut their teeth. They are doing incredible work keeping live music alive at The Turks Head in Twickenham, and I will be sharing all the news on their upcoming brilliant gigs throughout the episode, so make sure you grab your diaries.
The...

## Blues is the Truth #807

The crate digging has been particularly good this week. We have got a fair amount of brand new music making its way into the show alongside a massive milestone for yours truly. I am incredibly proud to be sharing another exclusive track from the upcoming Blues is Truth album, giving you another taste of what we cooked up in the studio 16 years ago.

The new music on rotation is top tier. We are diving into fresh sounds from Colin James, Samantha Fish, and the brilliant Monster Mike Welch alongside the raw energy...

Welcome back. This week we have got some fantastic news to share from the local scene. First up, the legendary Tim Staffell, the man who fronted Smile before it evolved into Queen, is heading to the Turks Head in Twickenham with his band this coming Friday, June 19th. It is always a special night when Tim is on the bill, so if you are in West London, that is the place to be.
I have also got some news closer to home. My old band, Blues is Truth, has some fresh release news on the horizon. We have been...

Blues is the Truth #805
We have got an absolutely packed edition for you this week. The tracklist is bursting at the seams, and we are flying through some of the finest guitar work, biggest grooves, and deepest vocals across the entire scene.
We are firing things up with the legendary Derek and the Dominos and keeping the standard sky-high with Harrell Davenport, the brilliant Grainne Duffy, and the razor-sharp guitar of Kai Strauss. The energy stays completely locked in with Iowa's own The Fabulous Trutones, the king Buddy Guy, and the powerhouse sound of the Andreas Diehlmann Band.<...

Blues is the Truth #804
We are straight back to business this week with a massive stack of tunes that needs absolutely no introduction. No requests, no fluff, just two full hours of pure, unadulterated groove from some of the best to ever do it.
We are setting the mood early with the legendary Taj Mahal and the hypnotic blues-rock vibe of Medicine Head, before dipping into some classic vocal harmony from The 5 Royales. The temperature rises quickly from there with The Cashbox Kings, Blues Messenger, and the searing guitar work of Tinsley Ellis.
For the deep, historic...

Blues is the Truth #803
The requests have been landing in the inbox thick and fast lately, so for this episode, I’ve dusted off a couple of your personal choices and dropped them straight into the mix alongside all our usual weekly features.
We are starting off in style with the smooth, laid-back groove of Keb’Mo’ and keeping the energy high with tracks from Burning Rope, Dave Thomas, and The Four Flames. We’ve also got the undisputed pioneer T-Bone Walker and the classic New Orleans piano roll of Al Broussard showing everyone how it is done, flowing...

We’ve got a massive show lined up for you this week. My partner in crime Paul Michael is back in the studio to present his legendary Blues Driver segment, and he is not alone. We’ve got a cameo from someone very special indeed, so you’ll want to keep your ears pinned back for that one. Along with the guest spot, we’ve got all your regular favourite features locked in.

The music is top tier from start to finish. We are kicking off with the heavyweights, bringing you tracks from Eric Clapton, Joe Bonamassa, and Buddy Gu...

The dust has settled on the big 800, but the momentum isn't slowing down. We are straight back into the thick of it this week with a selection that proves exactly why this genre never gets old. It is all about that raw, unfiltered energy that hits you right in the chest.

We are opening up the throttle with the Dirty Weather Blues Review and the heavy hitters like Joe Bonamassa and the Altered 5 Blues Band. There is a massive amount of soul in this mix too, with Vanese Thomas and Jennifer Lynn and the Groove Revival bringing that...

It’s a big milestone this week. We’ve hit show 800, and I’ve decided to do something a bit different. No themes, no guest takeovers, just a selection of music that means the world to me. These are the tracks that move me, the ones I find important, and the ones that remind me why I started this show in the first place.

We’re kicking off with the absolute masters of the pocket, The Meters, and keeping that heavy groove alive with Blues is Truth, Karena K, and Paul Michael. This episode feels personal because it is—we’re...

The latest Blues is the Truth is live and this week we’re shifting gears. There are no awards or trophies this time around, just a deep dive into the kind of music that keeps the pulse of this scene beating.

We’ve got a massive lineup that spans the full spectrum of the craft. You’ll hear the raw energy of The Milkmen, The South Island Rhythm Kings, and The Paul Michael Band alongside the world class talent of Geoff Achison and harmonica ace Giles Robson. The vibe stays heavy and authentic with tracks from John Cee Stanna...

The latest Blues is the Truth just dropped, and honestly? The energy in the room for this one was something else. We’re taking you straight to the heart of the 2026 UK Blues Awards—no fluff, just the raw news from the night and the incredible music that defined it.

When you see names like Alice Armstrong, Connor Selby, Will Wilde, and The Cinelli Brothers all in the mix, you realize just how much fire is in the scene right now. We’ve packed the episode with the winners and the heavy hitters like Mississippi Macdonald, Zac Schulze Gang...

The new episode of Blues is the Truth is live, and Ian McHugh is not messing around this week. It kicks off with a fantastic, high-energy mix that hits the ground running. It is one of those shows that just flows, keeping you hooked from the first track to the last.

Ian has done a great job balancing the legends with the modern scene. You have the deep-rooted classics from Pinetop Perkins and Mississippi Fred McDowell, B.B. King’s effortless class, and that signature, laid-back vibe from Taj Mahal and the Phantom Blues Band. Then, he brings it...

The new episode of Blues is the Truth is up now, with Ian McHugh straight into it from the off.

Junior Wells, Little Walter and Freddie King set the tone early, with Ry Cooder and Elvin Bishop not far behind. It keeps moving with Gary Clark Jr, Mike Zito, Tinsley Ellis and Shemekia Copeland, alongside Will Johns, Nick Curran and Gabe Stillman.

There is a strong band feel running through it as well. The Robert Fossen Band, The Steady Rollin Revue and The Cadillac Kings all in the mix, plus Peter Vekesta and Blues Train, Doc...

New Blues is the Truth is up now, with Ian McHugh bringing another show that just rolls along nice and naturally.

Plenty to get into this week. You’ve got John Lee Hooker in there, Will Johns, Thørbjørn Risager and The Black Tornado, Tommy Castro and the Painkillers, Bernie Marsden and The Hoax, plus The Paul Michael Band keeping things right where they should be.

There is also Hans Theesink and Terry Evans, Ian Siegal Meets Johnny Maestro, Buddy Guy with Eric Clapton, The Dirty Aces, Frank Bey, Albert King and The Paul Butterfield Blue...

The new episode of Blues is the Truth is out now. Ian McHugh back in the chair, and as ever it is supported by the Tuesday night Blues Jam at the Rising Sun in Isleworth.

This one feels like a proper wander through the blues. You dip into one corner, then another, and before long you are somewhere completely different but it all still hangs together. That is the joy of it.

There is real pedigree running through the show this week. Bob Margolin brings that deep connection to the Muddy Waters sound, and you will...

The new episode of Blues is the Truth is up now. Ian McHugh is back at the helm and, as always, the show is supported by the Tuesday night Blues Jam at the Rising Sun in Isleworth.

It is one of those weeks where the playlist just seemed to fall into place. You start with a couple of tracks and before long the whole thing takes on a life of its own. There is some proper heavyweight blues in the mix too. Stevie Ray Vaughan turns up in fine form, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers take things right...

A new episode of Blues is the Truth is ready to go, and this one carries a real sense of connection, past and present. Hosted by Ian McHugh and supported by the Tuesday Night Blues Jam at the Rising Sun in Isleworth, the show brings together legends, rising stars and some very special tributes.

There is beautiful, heartfelt music from the album With a Little Help from my Friends, a Tribute to Matt Long, celebrating a musician who meant so much to so many. Alongside that, you will hear the unmistakable voices and guitars of John Lee Hooker...

The new episode of Blues is the Truth is now live, hosted by Ian McHugh and supported by the wonderful Tuesday night Blues Jam at the Rising Sun in Isleworth. This week’s show is a beautiful journey through the heart and soul of the blues, bringing together legends, pioneers, and artists who are carrying the music forward today.

You will hear the unmistakable partnership of Smokin’ Joe Kubeck and Bnois King, the raw energy of Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials, and the timeless brilliance of Savoy Brown and Traffic. There is deep blues feeling from BB King a...

The new episode of Blues is the Truth is up now, hosted as always by Ian McHugh and kindly supported by the Tuesday night Blues Jam at the Rising Sun in Isleworth. This week there is something genuinely special, with not one but two world exclusive first plays from the Paul Michael Band. Brand new music, heard here first, and a real privilege to share it with you.

Alongside those exclusives, the show travels through the roots and branches of the blues, from the unmistakable sound of Junior Wells and Big Bill Broonzy, through to the modern fire...

This week’s Blues is the Truth is one of those shows that gently pulls you along, track by track, without ever feeling rushed. Hosted by Ian McHugh, it is built around the music, letting different voices and styles sit side by side and speak for themselves.

The playlist opens out across a wide stretch of blues and soul, with music from The Reverend Shaun Amos bringing his deep rooted storytelling, alongside the unmistakable sound of Snooks Eaglin and the raw influence of Robert Johnson. There is modern British blues in the mix too, with Mick Clarke, Mississippi Ma...

This week on Blues is the Truth the show has a real easy going feel, the kind you can sink into and just enjoy from start to finish. Hosted by Ian McHugh, it is one of those episodes where the playlist does a lot of the talking, moving smoothly between big names, deep roots and a few lovely surprises along the way.

The music this time comes from Gary Clark Jr, Gregg Allman, James Brown, Derek Trucks Band, The Steady Rollin’ Revue, Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters 100 with James Cotton, Paul Garner Trio, Taj Mahal, Billy Price, Albert Castiglia, RL...

This week on Blues is the Truth the show rolls along in its usual relaxed way, with all the regular features and a playlist that takes a few unexpected turns while staying rooted firmly in the blues. Hosted by Ian McHugh, it is one of those episodes that feels easy to sink into, letting the music do the talking.

The tracks this week come from a rich and varied lineup including Tim Penn and the Second Line, Jimi Barbiani, Thørbjørn Risager and the Black Tornado, Hans Theesink and Terry Evans, Joe Houston and his Rockets, Paul Co...

This week Blues is the Truth settles back into its usual groove, with all the regular features in place and a proper spread of blues to ease you through the show. Hosted by Ian McHugh, it is one of those episodes that feels like a good conversation, familiar voices, trusted picks and plenty of moments that remind you why you keep coming back.

The music this week comes from a wide and wonderfully varied lineup, taking in Junior Watson, Adam Norsworthy, John Hammond, Hubert Dorrigatti, Alex Lopez, BB King, Sean Taylor, Buddy Guy, Clarence Jolly, Gary Grainger, Errol...

This week on Blues is the Truth we take a step back and look across the last twelve months with a sort of best of 2025 show. It is not about charts or hype, just a chance to spend time with some of the music that really stood out and stayed with us over the year. The records that got replayed, the tracks that made us stop what we were doing and listen properly, and the artists who reminded us why this music still matters so much.

Hosted as ever by Ian McHugh, the show brings together a rich...

The 2025 Christmas Special of Blues is the Truth is here and it really does feel like one to settle into with a cup of something warm and the lights turned down low. Hosted by Ian McHugh, this is a full length festive edition packed with great music, familiar voices and that sense of shared celebration that comes with the end of the year.

There is Christmas spirit running right through the show, with seasonal gems and blues classics from Charles Brown, Christopher Waze and the Tellers with Emma Wilson, Big Harp George, Albert King, Lil Red and the...