A few weeks ago I listened to "Welcome to the Welcome Wagon" on the excellent VPRO Luisterpaal (http://3voor12.vpro.nl/luisterpaal/). I ordered the CD and today it has been delivered by mail.

The reason I happily pay a few extra bucks for a CD is that there is artwork included and in this case the artwork provides a little background about the work.

This album was recorded and produced by Sufjan Steven and his musical touch stands out. What I did not know is that the music was composed and performed by Pastor Vito Aiuto and his Monique Aiuto. The music classifies itself as folk/gospel.

I do not regularly look at music in the Gospel category. The reason is twofold. First the message does not appeal to me, and second, and more important, is that Gospel music is often stereotypical and not inspired.

This album is different. Although it clearly has a religious message it is inspired, made with the appropriate lower belly feelings, and sometimes has a touch of humor. The album is cleanly produced, lighthearted but still has balls. Proof? At the moment I wrote this paragraph the tune "American Legion" is played, it brings tears to my eyes...

While I do not believe in God there are emotions that one could classify as religious. Sometimes they are communicated through music. And while not true for all tracks this album contains such an examples.

Read more about "Welcome to the Welcome Wagon" at Asthmatic Kitty Records. 

B: I hate your guts
D: Why? Do I remind you of yourself?
B: Nah... you murdering sonofabitch. I only scare them, break their legs, and occasionally cause a cardiac arrest --frighten them to death-- while you continue to cross the line.
D: Which line, your line?
I never cross my line. Harry's code helps me to ...
B: Henry's fucking code. You working on my nerves, damned. It never takes more than 20 seconds before you bring up Henry's code. Its a damned lame excuse for your nocturnal cutting-a-psychopath tours.
D: And how are those different from your nocturnal scaring-a-psychopath tour?
... [silence]...
D: and his name is Harry, not Henry, you fuckface
B: You sound like your sister now
.. [silence]...
D: According to the code I should kill you
B: And I should make you relive your worst nightmare a dozen times... That kind of terror worked with others.
D: Not with me, not with me, thanks to Harry.
B: Fuck Harry.
D: Fuck you, Bruce
B: Not today Dexter, sleep well.
D: sleep well, sweet dreams