The Welcome Wagon - Welcome to the Welcome Wagon
[Asthmatic Kitty / Inertia: 2008]
The inimitable touch of Sufjan Stevens is impossible to miss on this lovely album of sacred folk songs by husband and wife duo The Welcome Wagon.
Produced by Sufjan himself and released by his label Asthmatic Kitty Records, you would be correct in assuming that this little record might have something special to offer.
Gorgeous two-part harmonies sung by the sweet voices of Rev. Vito Aiuto and his wife Monique are accompanied by beautifully-arranged horns, lilting banjo lines and sweeping piano parts. The bands’ influences of folk music, theology and popular culture consolidates a vast history of “sacred” song traditions – ranging from Old Testament psalms (‘Hail To The Lord’s Anointed) to pop covers (including songs by The Velvet Underground and The Smiths) to gentle folksy originals.
Don’t let the “church music” tag dispel you - this is gospel at its most simple, intimate and refreshingly plain. The Welcome Wagon avoid making any preachy assertions and they steer clear of the false emotion, the drama and the excessive reverence that is customary of most contemporary gospel music.
A lovely collection of understated folk songs – hallelujah.
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