In 1997 Ween went to Nashville and hired that town's legendary session musicians (Charlie McCoy, Bobby Ogdin, The Jordanaires etc.) to make
12 Golden Country Greats, an album that captures the sound of the golden age of country music while still including Ween's usual trademark collection of lyrical themes ranging from gay pool parties ("you were the fool"to drug abuse "Help me scrape the Mucous off my brain", and more. The finest moment on the album comes in "Powder Blue" when the band gives an old-fashioned vocal introduction to each musician, followed by a short solo from each. The last introduction is for none other than Muhammad Ali, which is followed by a lengthy rant from the boxer recorder earlier in his career. Apparently, Ween was denied permission to use the clip, but Elektra accidentally released it anyway in the first pressing, then deleted it from all future versions. I had that version in my collection at one time, but alas, I've misplaced it and cannot find it anywhere on the web. If any of you have it, please send it to me, I'm dying to have it!

Instead, please enjoy "Japanese Cowboy" until we have the Ali clip for your listening pleasure.


Japanese Cowboy