Ween - White Pepper : who is the steel player?

[David Hall]

I’ve seen discussions on here about Ween and their Country Album (featuring killer playing by Russ Hicks) but the Ween album “White Pepper” also makes use of Pedal Steel.

“Stay Forever” and “Pandy Fackler” and “Falling Out” in particular have some great Pedal Steel licks.

Does anyone know who the player is, can’t seem to find credits anywhere.

A Ween tab book with the Pedal Steel tracks from 12 Country Greats and White Pepper sure would be something special to behold...anyone want a challenge?

[Ian Worley]

It's Stu Basore.

[David Hall]

Thanks! It’s super tasty playing.

[scott murray]

check out their Live in Toronto album if you haven't already. Stu was their steel man on the '96 tour and definitely a crowd favorite. there's several bootleg recordings from that tour too

12 Golden Country Greats was one of the albums that helped me learn to play. alongside all the Buck, Loretta, Merle, etc... there was Ween

[David Hall]

I love that album and am still pissed to this day I missed that show (I live near Toronto).

Ween’s consummate musicianship and songwriting gets overlooked a lot due to some of their lyrical content but gosh they are good song writers and musicians and their band is basically a modern-day wrecking crew.

Last live show I saw before Covid was Ween playing Chocolate and Cheese in the desert near Perris, California. It was mind-blowing.

[scott murray]

I got a couple stories out of Russ Hicks concerning the 12GCG sessions. he said a few of the musicians refused to do the sessions after hearing how "blue" some of the material was. he also told a story about one of his daughters calling him to ask, "did you play with Ween? the radio station is praying for them on the air!" I played a small part in getting Russ back on board when Ween played the Ryman a couple years ago with The Shit Creek Boys and performed the album live.

I live in Asheville NC which is the adopted hometown of Claude Coleman Jr (Ween's drummer). we've become good friends and he's played in several projects with me over the last several years, including a weekly live band classic country karaoke gig that was a lot of fun.

I also got to sit in with the Dean Ween Group a couple times, doing my best Russ/Stu impression. fun times for sure

[David Hall]

That is so amazing! Claude is a killer drummer...I love how he is in the group pic on the back of Pure Guava and still plays with those dudes to this day. Wish I could have seen those Nashville shows.

I really do think a tab book or digital book of all Ween pedal steel would be amazing. Niche for sure, but it’d be great. I guess seasoned players could just pick out the parts by ear but anyway...thanks for sharing...I could talk about Ween all day.

[scott murray]

I tried to talk Russ into recording something Ween-related. their fans are diehard and would eat it up. he's done a bunch of excellent tribute albums, from Cash and Merle to the Beatles and Eagles. why not Ween? so many great songs to choose from.

and Russ is a workhorse. check out his extensive catalog: https://russhicksmusic.com/music#russ-hicks-albums

I don't know if Russ makes tab, but he'd obviously be the best guy for that job as well

[Anthony Campbell]

Oh man - I would love a country cover album of non-12GC tunes.

I've played in a few all Ween Tribute shows. They are one of my favorite bands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UbOLYAKQok