by Dave Levine

Some of these songs are definitely satire, but when I squinch my ears and listen real hard it almost sounds like some classic country songs have been laid down here. I have no idea why Dean and Gene Ween decided to make a country record. (Ween: 12 Golden Country Greats. Elektra Records) In fact, it's been bothering me. Why would two Jersey boys decide to go to Nashville, hire a bunch of country studio veterans and make a country record? I don't understand it. I love it, but I don't understand it. I listened to Chocolate And Cheese their previous record to find some hints and it only vaguely pointed me in the right direction. I next looked to the Ween home page and found what I think might be an explanation in Gene and Dean's manifesto:

When you dip your spleen in cream this is what it means to be Ween When you soak your bean in Afrosheen, this is what it means to be Ween When you go into detox to try to get clean Dumping Clorox into a trout stream Always bein' there to support the team, this is what it means to be Ween. Erasing the new demo by Primal Scream, this is what it means to be Ween Givin' it your all and workin' toward your dream, this is what it mean to be Ween Flyin' down to Rio to chill with Jobim When you hang upside down for an hour on an oak beam When you avenge the dark knight who slayeth the queen When you buy incense from a dude named Akeem, this is what it means to be Ween A millennium of tradition culminat- ing in one glorious supernova inside my mind.

This clears everything up for me. How about you? They pull out almost every country style; two step, hippie country a la C.S.N., Dixieland swing, and stylistic bows to country greats like Willie Nelson and Glen Campbell. The single, hardy har har, is called Piss Up A Rope [255k .wav | 255k .au]. This song is a country tour de force with lyrics that are offensively (to some) hilarious. You better listen to this sound clip 'cause I ain't puttin' the words up on the page. I want you to have to wait to be offended. You won't be disappointed whether you want to laugh or be offended. I Don't Want To Leave You On The Farm [357k .wav | 357k .au] is a love song and is done without a touch of sarcasm. The title tells you what it's all about but in Weens' country world he is gettin high instead of drinking his sorrows away. Mr. Richard Smoker [255k .wav | 255k .au] is a whacked out ragtime country dissertation on a middle-aged uptown gay lifestyle. I guess this song could be offensive... okay it is offensive, but it's so goofy in its juxtaposition of cheesy music to ridiculous lyrics like... well once again you will have to go to the clip. Your computer can't do that? Buy the record. The other major bonus on this record is the players. They have backed up the likes of Elvis, Roy Orbison, Willie Nelson and Dylan. They are:

Buddy Spicher-fiddle/ mandolin Pete Wade- dobro Russ Hicks- pedal steel Hargis "Pig" Robbins- piano Bobby Ogden- piano Charlie McCoy- horns, percussion, bass, harmonica, organ, vibes etc.

Denis Solee- clarinet Buddy Blackman- banjo Bob Wray-bass Kip Paxton-bass Buddy Harmon- drums Gene Chrisman-drums