Van Morrison returns to his blues roots with new album Somebody Tried to Sell Me a Bridge
Van Morrison is back with a new album, Somebody Tried to Sell Me a Bridge, set for release on 23rd January 2026 via Orangefield Records. The 20-track collection sees the legendary Northern Irish singer-songwriter lean fully into his blues influences, offering new takes on songs made famous by the likes of BB King, Buddy Guy and Leadbelly, alongside original tracks and deep cuts.
The new release follows last year’s Moving on Skiffle and Accentuate the Positive, as well as Remembering Now, which earned strong reviews and marked another top ten entry in his ever-expanding discography. With Somebody Tried to Sell Me a Bridge, Morrison strips things back with raw, no-frills arrangements and a clear reverence for the genre’s deep emotional and musical traditions.
Recorded in Sausalito, California, at Studio D with long-time engineer Jim Stern and Ben McAuley, the album features a wide-ranging cast of collaborators. Blues luminaries Taj Mahal, Buddy Guy, Elvin Bishop and Mitch Woods lend their talents, alongside Morrison’s trusted regulars, including John Allair, David Hayes, and Anthony Paule. The result is a rich, characterful record that brings together old-school authenticity with Morrison’s distinctive phrasing and lyrical edge.
Tracks like Kidney Stew Blues, Betty and Dupree, and Rock Me Baby sit alongside new compositions such as Somebody Tried to Sell Me a Bridge and Social Climbing Scene, showcasing Morrison’s flair for storytelling and ability to infuse the blues with his own signature tone.
To mark the release, Morrison has announced a run of live dates in San Francisco in February, followed by a one-off UK show at The Bath Forum in April. The performances will see him joined on stage by many of the same musicians featured on the album, including John Allair, Mitch Woods, and Anthony Paule.
Still prolific as he enters his ninth decade, Morrison shows no signs of slowing down. Somebody Tried to Sell Me a Bridge is another chapter in a long and varied career, one that continues to explore – and expand – the roots of his musical identity.
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Image: Courtesy of Van Morrison
Somebody Tried to Sell Me a Bridge is released on 23rd January 2026. For further information or to order the album, visit Van Morrison’s website here.
Watch the video for Down to Joy here:
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