Ween’s Iconic “12 Golden Country Greats” Gets New Deluxe Edition

If you know, then you know. If you don’t know, then you should get wise to the genius that is Ween’s 12 Golden Country Greats. The fifth album from the wild, experimental rock band released in July of 1996 was a complete sea change into a somewhat sarcastic form of country that has gone on to become one of the band’s and country music’s most cherished titles. Make no mistake, this is where many non-country fans found their love for country music.

Completely unhinged and inappropriate, with songs like “Piss Up A Rope” and “Mister Richard Smoker,” it’s questionable if even Wheeler Walker Jr. could release an album like this today. At the same time, parts of the albums were downright poignant and touching, and well-written.

To make the album right, Dean and Gene Ween (Mickey Melchiondo and Aaron Freeman) traveled down to Nashville, and recorded at the legendary Bradley’s Barn studio with likes of Country Music Hall of Famers Charlie McCoy, Hargus “Pig” Robbins, The Jordanaires, and legendary session players like Pete Wade and Buddy Spicher. Even when the songs got weird, the music was authentic to country. The backing band was coined “The Shit Creek Boys.”

Even though 12 songs were referenced in the album’s title, only 10 made the final cut. Ween at times claimed the “12 greats” were actually the 12 legendary country musicians who played on the album. Along with the two song omissions, many other demos and others recordings came out of the sessions, and that era of Ween overall that were never released. Now they’re all seeing the light of day in an expanded Deluxe Edition of the album to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of its release.

The Deluxe Edition’s bonus material includes “I’ve Got No Darkside” and the Jerry Garcia tribute “So Long, Jerry” (listen below) that were the two songs cut from the original album, and appear as both four-track demos and fully produced Nashville session outtakes. The 36 total tracks also include some songs done on 4-track Ween style that don’t really fit with the rest of the country tracks, including two tracks released already, “Boston Chicken,” and “Bad Day in Brownsville.”

Even if you have to do some digging for the best stuff, news of a Deluxe Edition of this album is music to the ears of Ween fans, and country fans that are fans of the original 12 Golden Country Greats. The set will officially be available on July 31st via 3 CDs, 3 LPs, a limited-edition color variant, as well as digitally.

12 Golden Country Greats (Deluxe Edition) is now available for pre-save/pre-order.

CD1: Original Album Remastered