And when you write a poem

Welcome Wagon’s Welcome to the Welcome Wagon is a tremendous listen. The Brooklyn pastor and his spousal companion that comprise this duo have concocted a soaringly lovely long player although it is fair to state that is the guiding hand of the young prince of popular music Sufjan Stevens that renders this recording so pleasurable. The haunting arrangements are trademark Stevens from the joyful banjo twanging to the imperious brass interventions. The aforementioned pastor, Vito Aiuto*, possesses a subtle and mellow voice akin to his producer and musical mentor and, if one attempts the aural equivalent of squinting, one could merrily believe that a new Sufjan Stevens album was playing ebulliently on one’s radiogram. The lyrical content is defiantly religious and seems dominated by the more dramatic tracts within The Bible; there are more mentions of blood, wounds and nails than are usually expected in a popular music product but non-believers, non-conformists, nom-de-plumed nonentities and non-committal nonagenarians can emphatically dig this scene too. Trust me. A surprise version of The Smiths’ Half A Person sneaks into he second half o’ proceedings, a glorious Frank ‘n’ Nancy styled two-part harmony adding distinction and tenderness to some of Stephen Morrissey’s most quirky words. This whole album is a sweet melodic trip allowing toes to tap to splendid orchestration and lush tunefulness. I’m enjoying this greatly. It’s different. Well done.

*One of my favourite Sufjan Stevens tracks (among dozens and dozens) is the jaw-droppingly sumptuous Vito’s Ordination Song from the remarkable Greeting From Michigan long player. I wondered if it might be about the Welcome Wagon fellow. I think it might be and I may be right looking at this page.