This variety-show, mixed from rare vinyl and cassettes, highlights the strange and salvific sounds of American religion. Selections include bible-thumping hair metal; warbling New Age mantras; slide guitar from a demon exorcist; Mormon folk ballads; square-dancing Sufis; smooth R&B by a jailed cult leader; Jesus Freak psychedelia; ethereal tunes for UFOs; country crooning from televangelists; and more.

Sam Kestenbaum is a journalist who covers religious life in America for The New York Times, the Washington Post and elsewhere. In 2023, he was the recipient of the Wilbur Award for magazine-writing and prizes from the American Academy of Religion and the Los Angeles Press Club.

Listen Here:

➚https://radio.montezpress.com/#/show/3157