Somebody Tried To Sell Me A Bridge, Van Morrison’s 48th studio album, sees the Northern Irish singer, instrumentalist, songwriter, and icon scaling across blues standards, backed by players well up to the task. Leading off the 20 selections here is two upbeat movers from Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, “Kidney Stew Blues” and “King for a Day Blues,” the former features popping horn bleats, the ladder slip sliding electric guitar and light piano tickling. And both showcase Morrison’s voice as expressive as ever.
Elvin Bishop guests on a raucous “Deep Blue Sea” and “Ain’t That a Shame” gets a work out next. It’s slowed down with female gospel singers, a crying guitar lead and Morrison delivering what might be his best vocal on the album. This odd ballad version of the Fats Domino classic might just be the gem of this whole collection. Taj Mahal guests all over Somebody Tried To Sell Me A Bridge, but I feel it’s his banjo, vocals and harmonica that best alight the flicky fun of Leadbelly’s “On A Monday.”
Along with Taj Mahal and Elvin Bishop, the musicians here include Morrison’s long-time musical collaborator John Allair, plus others he has played with for years like David Hayes, Bobby Ruggerio, “Friends Along The Way” associate Mitch Woods, Anthony Paule and the Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra, and the renowned Larry Vann on drums. And what a grouping it is!
Buddy Guy, present throughout, is truly featured on the last two tunes — Willie Dixon’s “I’m Ready” and “Rock Me Baby”. On “I’m Ready,” he and Van trade off vocals, in a barrage of singing that sounds like the men are having more fun than anybody should be allowed! On the B.B. King classic that ends the album, Guy talks a vocal a bit, but he is mostly playing smoking electric guitar lead. He’s another 80-something that can still deliver. Somebody Tried To Sell Me A Bridge proves that some musicians don’t really see a lessening of their talents and still have something to say. Let’s hope Van Morrison continues to say whatever he needs to for a long time to come.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
Purchase Somebody Tried To Sell Me A Bridge
