Album Review: Van Morrison, Somebody Tried To Sell Me A Bridge

The Man’s sure been busy lately, with this sumptuous new 20-track album of songs steeped in the blues following hot on the trail of last year’s equally beguiling and chartbusting Remembering Now, which scored an 8.5 rating on these here pages.

This time around Van Morrison effortlessly applies his trademark style to injecting fresh life into – for the most part – familiar tunes covered or written by numerous blues luminaries, as well as unveiling some compelling new originals.

Most impressive among the covers, to these ears, is his raw and gospel-inflected reinterpretation of Fats Domino’s ‘50s classic ‘Ain’t That A Shame’, and how he revs up the tempo on Lead Belly’s ‘On A Monday’ to thrilling effect.

That his own songs, most notably ‘Monte Carlo Blues’, which spotlights Van’s vital harp playing, and the enigmatic title track – possibly a shot at scammers – can sit confidently alongside such blues staples and R&B gems is a testament to Van as a genuine original, 80 years a-growin’.

Equally, only an artist of real status in the blues world would attract an A-list of talents, including guitarist Elvin Bishop, who brilliantly invigorates John Lee Hooker’s ‘Deep Blue Sea’; Taj Mahal, whose vocals and harp on ‘Can’t Help Myself’, written by Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, are matched by Van’s earthy presence; and Buddy Guy, whose contributions to ‘I’m Ready’ are outstanding.

Van himself delivers the goods, and then some, on the album closer ‘Rock Me Baby’. After which there’s little more you can do but head back to track one and start all over again. A great blues album from one of the enduring greats of contemporary music...

8/10

Van Morrison will be part of the star-studded line-up at Hot Press’s ‘History In The Making: The Concert’ – a major event at Dublin’s 3Arena on February 6, kicking off our 50th anniversary celebrations…