Al Hughes plays Backstage In Kinross

Rooted in the blues and soul tradition like so many Scottish singers, Al Hughes writes from his own perspective on topics which are very much of today. His influences can be clearly heard, but make no mistake, this music is modern, relevant, and gathering praise from a growing number of well-respected figured on the British music scene.

Comparisons have already been made, by more than one reviewer, to the acoustic playing of Rory Gallagher, and also to Chris Smither, Townes Van Zandt, and Martin Simpson. His haunting, smoky voice is complimented by a variety of guitars, including a huge-sounding custom built 12-string resonator. His music conjures a variety of moods, from forceful and raucous, to gentle and wistful; indeed, one reviewer called his slide playing ‘eerily atmospheric’, while another said his voice sounded ‘as if it has been aged in oak casks’.

Al’s album ‘Sad Songs and Tall Stories’ was included in Blues in Britain’s Pick of The Year 2010, and the song ‘Count Your Blessings’ was among the nominees for Best Song at the British Blues Awards 2011. His album ‘Dancing in the Minefield’ built on this reputation, as did his 3-CD set set ‘Feel Like Robert Johnson’ which was released in 2013 to glowing reviews. Al’s music is regularly played on both local and national radio, and two Lights Out By Nine albums, for which he wrote many of the songs, made top 4 in BB King’s Blues Chart on American Radio. The band also featured his song ‘Laughing on the Other Side’ on their recent television appearance. His latest album ‘Bottleneck Serenade’ was released in January 2016 and has been hailed as his ‘best yet’.