John Allair has been playing keyboards in rock & roll bands for almost 70 years, starting in the 50s. Huey Lewis calls him "The Godfather of Marin County rock", while Van Morrison, who has continued to employ him for nearly 50 years says “Nobody plays organ like that”. Heavily influenced by Fats Domino and New Orleans R&B, he also plays his hands in Boogie Woogie, Jazz, Classical, and of course Rock & Roll - all represented on this eclectic album. It features the local hit, "High Place (In Your Mind)" along with originals "Detoxify" and "Dadio" among the 24 cuts with Bonus Tracks from throughout his career.
Includes Bonus DVD of seven highlighted songs from concert video.
Van Morrison "Nobody plays organ like that"
Elvin Bishop "If I played piano I'd like to play like John"
Mark Isham "The best B3 player I've ever heard"
Huey Lewis "The godfather of rock in Marin County"
Phil Lesh “John Allair is a master of all styles, and swings like mad, to boot.”
Review: Van Morrison ‘Somebody Tried to Sell Me a Bridge’
John joins Van on a duet of "(Go To The) High Place In Your Mind"
Review: Van Morrison ‘Somebody Tried to Sell Me a Bridge’
By Hal Horowitz (and Van Morrison Website)
Van Morrison is back with a bold new release. His upcoming album, Somebody Tried To Sell Me A Bridge, marks a confident return to the sounds and traditions that shaped much of his musical identity, paying homage to the legends who defined the blues genre with fresh interpretations of classics made famous by B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Leadbelly and more.
A standout feature of the album is its extraordinary roster of collaborators. Morrison is joined by some of the most respected figures in modern blues, including Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy, Elvin Bishop, and long-time musical collaborator John Allair, along with other long-standing collaborators, David Hayes, Bobby Ruggerio, “Friends Along The Way” associate Mitch Woods, Anthony Paule, leader of the Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra and the renowned Larry Vann on drums. Their combined contributions bring depth, character and authenticity to the record, each adding their own distinctive twist to Morrison’s vision. Recorded at Studio D in Sausalito, California, and engineered by long term associate Jim Stern with Ben McAuley.
For ‘Somebody Tried to Sell Me a Bridge,’ out January 23, he greets the New Year with a sprawling 20-track exploration dedicated to blues, the music that has always been a major ingredient in his extensive history. Older fans remember that Morrison started as a blues-based rock and soul singer with the group Them. Even if he has since veered into jazz, rockabilly, R&B, folk, pop, Celtic, country and skiffle over the decades, blues was often incorporated in his sound… if you listened hard enough.
But this 75 minute set hones in on those blues roots. While there are a few originals (A Duet on John Allair's "Go To The High Place In Your Mind") sprinkled in, Morrison primarily excavates often obscure selections from Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson (an opening double shot of rollicking big band versions of “Kidney Stew Blues” and “King for a Day Blues”), Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee (“Can’t Help Myself” and a snappy shuffle “When It’s Love Time”), as well as BB King (a closing, surprisingly stirring “Rock Me Baby” crackles with extra heat from Guy’s stinging lead).
Fats Domino’s classic “Ain’t That a Shame” receives a radical makeover. Morrison slows it to ballad tempo, pumps the tune with one of his most emotional vocals, and adds female gospel singers, making it almost unrecognizable in this new and remarkably fresh guise.
John Lee Hooker has always been a touch point (Morrison guested on a few of his albums) so it’s no surprise to hear an overhaul of Hook’s “Deep Blue Sea.” This version speeds the beat, adds Bishop’s guitar, makes room for Van’s harmonica and brings a more boogie approach to the folk blues gem.
We go back even further to Leadbelly for a spirited “On a Monday,” adding Taj Mahal on dueting vocals, harmonica and banjo, for another album highlight. Morrison displays his deep blues knowledge with a cover of Blind Blake’s “Delia’s Gone,” a jaunty murder ballad again featuring Mahal’s harmonica. Morrison’s original “Monte Carlo Blues” takes us to Texas for a greasy shuffle featuring pianist Mitch Woods.
Bobby “Blue” Bland has been a consistent influence, which explains the presence of his “You’re the One (That I Adore),” performed with Bland’s renowned grace and class. Guy gets another credit, this time for vocals and guitar, on Willie Dixon’s “I’m Ready,” one of this set’s more recognizable choices.
Van’s title track is another shot at politics that, while bluesy enough, feels lyrically incongruous in the midst of this heartfelt tribute to some of music’s most revered artists. But his slow blues composition “Loving Memories,” while self-reflective is energized by a searing vocal and Bishop’s tough guitar solo. It shows the singer’s passion hasn’t abated since his earliest work.
At over 90 minutes, there is a lot here, and Morrison appears invigorated by all of it; uncovering seldom heard rarities, revitalizing classics and providing impressive performances seemingly emerging from someone half his age.
Regardless of how many more albums he has left, the level of intensity and talent exhibited on ‘Somebody Tried to Sell Me a Bridge’ shows that Van Morrison will go down swinging.