Somebody Tried to Sell Me a Bridge

Somebody Tried to Sell Me a Bridge represents a significant pivot in Van Morrison's 2020s output, moving away from the sprawling jazz-inflected meditations of his mid-career toward a lean, 20-track exploration of country and electric blues. Recorded with a live-in-studio ethos, the album showcases Morrison's enduring vocal power, characterized here by a gravelly, authoritative rasp that suits the material's rugged themes. The tracklist is a curated mix of traditional standards like 'Betty and Dupree' and 'Delia’s Gone' alongside sharp originals that critique modern social dynamics. Critics from AllMusic and Plattentests noted the album's impressive stamina and its rejection of over-production, highlighting the chemistry between Morrison and his rhythm section. It stands as a testament to his roots in the Belfast R&B scene, proving that his connection to the blues remains his most potent creative wellspring.