Van Morrison - Somebody Tried To Sell Me A Bridge (2026)
This feels like Van Morrison settling comfortably into a lane he knows inside out. There’s real craft here, real feeling too, but very little surprise. The blues framework suits his voice and instincts, and when the band locks in, the record has warmth and authority. Still, over the full runtime, it starts to feel more like a well-curated session than a statement — solid, respectful, occasionally gripping, but rarely urgent. I enjoy it while it’s on, yet it doesn’t quite demand my attention in the way his best late-career moments sometimes can.
Pros
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Convincing blues delivery – Morrison’s voice still carries grit and character; he sounds at home in this material.
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Strong musicianship and guests – The playing is relaxed but assured, with collaborators adding genuine weight rather than name value.
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Consistent mood – It holds together as a roots-blues record without obvious missteps.
Cons
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Too long for its own good – The tracklist blurs together, and trimming would have sharpened the impact.
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Low risk factor – It rarely steps outside familiar blues territory or challenges its own comfort zone.
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Few standout peaks – Pleasant throughout, but short on moments that truly stick after the listen ends.
Genre: Blues
Country: UK
Final Verdict: 71% (Very Good Album)
Yearly Ranking: 5th / 69
Highlight: Play The Honky Tonks (added to my 2026 best of)
Made me think of:
Gary Moore
John Lee Hooker
BB King
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