Blues is the Truth

Ian McHugh
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Music
  • Updated Weekly

Blues is the Truth is a weekly 2 hour radio show, featuring some of the very best new Blues Music alongside some classic tracks that define the genre. Presented for a decade by Ian McHugh, frontman and guitarist with the band Blues is Truth and compere of the Ealing Blues Festival main stage, The show is informative, entertaining and sometimes a little different....

  1. Blues is the Truth 807

    11h ago

    Blues is the Truth 807

    ## 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 of Harrell Davenport, PK Harrell, and the excellent Oli Mac and Hi Rhythm. The contemporary scene is sounding absolutely massive with tracks from Nicky T and the Snake Charmers, The Shaelin Band, Trevor B Power Band, Sherri Harding, and The 251s all showing us how much fire is in the tank right now. As always, we keep our feet firmly rooted in the tradition. We have got the legendary John Primer, Eddie Boyd, and the hypnotic groove of Magic Sam keeping us company alongside the master Otis Grand and the unmistakable piano work of Pinetop Perkins. Rounding out this packed two hour session, we have got another stellar segment from The Paul Michael Band, the timeless guitar work of Junior Watson, and deep acoustic cuts from Graham Hine, Paul Jones, and Jason Ricci and the Bad Kind. We are finishing up in style with the wonderful Maria Muldaur, the clever songwriting of Mark Harrison, and the foundational groove of Lowell Fulson. New music, a sneak peek at what we did all those years ago, and two hours of pure bliss.

    2 hr
  2. Blues is the Truth 806

    Jun 13

    Blues is the Truth 806

    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 digging back into the archives and the studio lately, so stay tuned for updates on what is coming next from our corner. The music this week is a proper cross section of the greats and the new guard. We are kicking off with BB and the Blues Shacks and a track from my own Blues is Truth before sliding into the beautiful collaboration of Staffell and Stewart. You will also hear the Louisiana soul of Tab Benoit, The Knickerbocker All Stars, and the Papa George Band. Because no show is complete without the icons, we have got The Rolling Stones, Freddie King, and Big Mama Thornton keeping things grounded. We are also featuring the brilliant harmonica work of Paul Lamb and the Kingsnakes, the fire of Coco Montoya, and a classic pairing of Buddy Guy and Junior Wells. The energy keeps rising with Garry Burnside, GA 20, Big Harp George, and Monster Mike Welch. We have also locked in the Walter Trout Band, Paul Garner Band, Shawn Pitman, and Little Mac. Wrapping up this two hour session, you will hear the legendary Taj Mahal, the powerhouse Kyla Brox, the king Muddy Waters, and the master of the slide, Steve Dawson. It is a packed show with a lot of history and plenty of future.

    2 hr
  3. Blues is the Truth 805

    Jun 6

    Blues is the Truth 805

    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. As always, we are representing the home turf with West London's finest, The Guv’nors, alongside Jumping Matt and his Combo and another stellar segment from The Paul Michael Band. The quality keeps rolling with PK Mayo, Burning Rope, the gritty sax-led blues of Eddie Shaw, and the heavy vibes of the Blind Dog Mayer Group. We are diving into some serious soul territory too, featuring the irreplaceable Etta James and the incredible Yuri Apsy. Wrapping up a proper two-hour marathon of world-class music, you will hear harmonica heat from Russ Green, the raw rhythm of Fife and Drom, another look at Carl Carlton and Melanie Wiegmann, the Buca Blues Trio, the legendary Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues, and the explosive British blues-rock of The Hoax. It is a massive lineup with absolutely no fillers.

    2 hr
  4. Blues is the Truth 804

    May 31

    Blues is the Truth 804

    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 roots, we’ve got the delta giant Bukka White in the building, alongside a brilliant collaboration from Carl Carlton and Melanie Wiegmann, and the godfather himself, John Mayall. We are keeping that classic energy high with soulful runs from Curtis Salgado, the king Buddy Guy, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and the vintage jazz-blues vocals of Helen Humes. The second half is a masterclass in harmonica-driven heat and modern grit. You will hear Russ Green, The Four Flames, and the swampy fire of Ghalia and Mama’s Boys, right alongside KAT Blue and the True Believers. We’ve also locked in the powerhouse pairing of the Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling, Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames, and the brilliant Dave Thomas. Rounding off an absolute powerhouse of a show, we are clearing the runway for Freddie King, the gritty rock-blues of Mississippi Shakedown, Dixie Peach, and the beautifully expressive guitar of Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters, before finishing up with the mighty Tedeschi Trucks Band. It is a serious lineup from top to bottom.

    2 hr
  5. Blues is the Truth 803

    May 23

    Blues is the Truth 803

    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 beautifully into the sharp guitar work of Kai Strauss and Gary Dranow. For the roots and acoustic heads, we are diving deep into the sounds of Reverend Freakchild, the legendary pairing of Ry Cooder and Taj Mahal, and the vintage vocals of Blue Lu Barker. Then we shift gears into the heavy hitters, featuring a stellar run of Buddy Guy, Red Red, and the absolute master of the Telecaster, Albert Collins. The quality just doesn't drop this week. You will also hear the Quintus McCormick Blues Band, the gritty brilliance of Ian Siegal, and the unstoppable force of Gabe Stillman. Wrapping up a proper session of the good stuff, we’ve got Little Steve and the Big Beat, Bad Temper Joe, Sunjay, the powerhouse vocals of Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar, and the brilliant Guto Konrad. Your tracks, our regular features, and a whole lot of great music.

    2 hr
  6. Blues is the Truth 802

    May 16

    Blues is the Truth 802

    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 Guy, alongside the soulful brilliance of Mike Finnegan and Boz Scaggs. The groove stays tight with the Chris Corcoran band, Jump 66, and the legendary tone of Otis Grand. We are also diving into some classic territory with Traffic, before sliding into a fantastic run of modern masters. You will hear The Paul Michael Band doing their thing, the brilliant guitar work of Will Johns, and the deep pocket of Pat McDougall. We keep the energy climbing with Eugene Hideaway Bridges, the powerhouse Tedeschi Trucks Band, and a killer collaboration featuring the Stevie Watts Organ Trio with Alice Armstrong. Rounding out an absolute belter of an episode, we’ve got the gritty sounds of Mike Zito, the old-school cool of Golden ‘Big’ Wheeler, and the beautiful acoustic touch of Dove and BoWeevil. It is a packed house, a special guest, and two hours of the finest music on the planet.

    2 hr
  7. Blues is the Truth 801

    May 10

    Blues is the Truth 801

    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 undeniable spark, while Beth Hart and The Reverend Shawn Amos show us exactly how much heart you can pour into a single track. I’ve made sure we pay our respects to the masters who built the house. You will hear the pure genius of Howling Wolf, Ray Charles, and John Lee Hooker, alongside the legendary harmonica work of Sonny Boy Williamson II and Junior Wells. We are also digging into the craft with Rory Block, Eddy Clearwater, and the acoustic mastery of Brooks Williams and Corey Harris. The scene stays fresh with Thomas Heppell, Big Harp George, and Reverend Freakchild all making their mark, while Erroll Linton, Guto Konrad, and the powerhouse duo of Smokin’ Joe Kubeck and Bnois King keep the gears turning. It is just great music, played because it deserves to be heard. No gimmicks, just the good stuff.

    2 hr
  8. Blues is the Truth 800

    May 2

    Blues is the Truth 800

    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 traveling from the delta grit of Leadbelly to the singular genius of Tom Waits, through to the West London soul of Robert Hokum and the Guv'nors and The Geoff Garbow Band. I've made sure the heavyweights are present too. You’ll hear Freddie King, BB King, and Buddy Guy showing us how it's done, alongside the pure fire of Derek and the Dominos and Nick Curran. There is space for the deep, soulful moments from Percy Sledge and the early magic of Fleetwood Mac, while Rob Millis, Yuri Apsy, and Bruce Mississippi Johnson keep the story moving forward. We’re also checking in with The Steady Rollin' Revue, the funk-infused mastery of John Cleary, and the legendary Sly and the Family Stone. It’s a real journey through the sounds that have shaped my ears over the years. It’s show 800. It’s special. And more than anything, it’s the truth.

    2 hr
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Blues is the Truth is a weekly 2 hour radio show, featuring some of the very best new Blues Music alongside some classic tracks that define the genre. Presented for a decade by Ian McHugh, frontman and guitarist with the band Blues is Truth and compere of the Ealing Blues Festival main stage, The show is informative, entertaining and sometimes a little different....

Information

  • Creator
    Ian McHugh
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    301
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Blues is the Truth

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