Ween's Most Mystical Recorded Moments...
When one thinks of the epic rock duo known as Ween, there is no question that a Simon & Garfunkle comparison DOES NOT come to mind. With that, I present to you what I feel are Ween's most mystical recorded moments, specifically three. I am observing those moments in which the endless sniffing of paint fumes and gasoline paid off in the creativity department. As we all know, Gene Ween is known primarily as the vocal guru of the group, as where Dean Ween is in charge of performing the guitar heroics for the most part.
The first song that transcends space and time, was originally included on their major label 1992 epic with Elektra Records entitled "Pure Guava." The song in question is "The Stallion Part Three," which was a continuation in the epic Stallion Series that started on 1991's "The Pod." What "The Stallion Part Three" has to offer is a painfully high pitched vocal that would no doubt make Geddy Lee blush, and no doubt this is a vocal enhanced by a good old fashioned analog four-track pitch shifter. The lyrical flow, which almost feels improvised, falls out of Papa Gener's mouth like Syd Barrett at his deranged finest, and top it all off with a fractured lead by Deaner that somehow manages to keep the bizarre emotional appeal of the song intact.
"The Stallion Part Three" presented in a live setting:
Song number two, is so mystical that it includes a vague lyrical reference to a talking pig begging some woman to get a dog back on the porch and off the path. I am of course talking about "12 Golden Country Greats" epic album closer "Fluffy." As many Ween fans know, Dean and Gene look back on this record with great fondness. Interesting to note that "12 Golden Country Greats" was recorded in Nashville with top notch and well known session musicians who have worked with many of the greats of Country Music. Even though "12 Golden Country Greats" was released a full eleven years ago, it still very much sustains an air of timelessness to it and is surprisingly light on novelty on the whole.
Observe "Fluffy" in fully realized Progressive Rock glory:
Finally, this brings me to "Mutilated Lips" which was one of the better cuts on one of Ween's very best records, of course I am referring to 1997's "The Mollusk." Dean Ween has been quoted as saying that this very well may be his favorite of all Ween albums, at least thus far. "Mutilated Lips" gives me a warm feeling inside, it lets me know that it is very well possible for Psychedelic Rock to still be a contemporary form of music, and free of any ridiculous retro appeal. The lyrics are gloomy, and Gene's dramatic prose is in full effect. There is a beautiful almost Jazz Rock quality that almost gives the song a gentle feel. Lyrically, all three songs mentioned are pure imagination, almost like a Salvador Dali painting set to words and music.
Enjoy "Mutilated Lips" on a short-lived MTV show before they moved their studio operations to Time Square:
...But what are your most mystical moments by Ween? Do you happen to have a favorite mind blowing cut?
The first song that transcends space and time, was originally included on their major label 1992 epic with Elektra Records entitled "Pure Guava." The song in question is "The Stallion Part Three," which was a continuation in the epic Stallion Series that started on 1991's "The Pod." What "The Stallion Part Three" has to offer is a painfully high pitched vocal that would no doubt make Geddy Lee blush, and no doubt this is a vocal enhanced by a good old fashioned analog four-track pitch shifter. The lyrical flow, which almost feels improvised, falls out of Papa Gener's mouth like Syd Barrett at his deranged finest, and top it all off with a fractured lead by Deaner that somehow manages to keep the bizarre emotional appeal of the song intact.
"The Stallion Part Three" presented in a live setting:
Song number two, is so mystical that it includes a vague lyrical reference to a talking pig begging some woman to get a dog back on the porch and off the path. I am of course talking about "12 Golden Country Greats" epic album closer "Fluffy." As many Ween fans know, Dean and Gene look back on this record with great fondness. Interesting to note that "12 Golden Country Greats" was recorded in Nashville with top notch and well known session musicians who have worked with many of the greats of Country Music. Even though "12 Golden Country Greats" was released a full eleven years ago, it still very much sustains an air of timelessness to it and is surprisingly light on novelty on the whole.
Observe "Fluffy" in fully realized Progressive Rock glory:
Finally, this brings me to "Mutilated Lips" which was one of the better cuts on one of Ween's very best records, of course I am referring to 1997's "The Mollusk." Dean Ween has been quoted as saying that this very well may be his favorite of all Ween albums, at least thus far. "Mutilated Lips" gives me a warm feeling inside, it lets me know that it is very well possible for Psychedelic Rock to still be a contemporary form of music, and free of any ridiculous retro appeal. The lyrics are gloomy, and Gene's dramatic prose is in full effect. There is a beautiful almost Jazz Rock quality that almost gives the song a gentle feel. Lyrically, all three songs mentioned are pure imagination, almost like a Salvador Dali painting set to words and music.
Enjoy "Mutilated Lips" on a short-lived MTV show before they moved their studio operations to Time Square:
...But what are your most mystical moments by Ween? Do you happen to have a favorite mind blowing cut?
Labels: ween
1 Comments:
Rock on Mozart Breath. I'm a huge Ween fan myself - I'm partial to Multilated Lips myself. I dig Ice Castles from White Pepper a lot too and find it quite mystical. Like what you said about psychedelic without the "retro" deal. I'm a bit anti the whole retro scene in general - it sort of takes the edge off of everything. Makes it seem like playing dress up.
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