The Woes

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Woes are a band based out of New York City, formed in 2002 by frontman Osei Essed and his long-time collaborator Cicero Jones. Their sound is a mix of blues, country, and folk, topped off with Essed's gruff voice, often compared to that of Tom Waits. They are often associated with New York's anti-folk scene. Other than Jones, all members are or have been students at SUNY Purchase's Conservatory of Music.

First appearing on a sampler from Essed's own label, Blacksand, they since have released an EP, Coalmine, recorded in 2004 with Dan Romer of the Fire Flies. They are currently finishing up their first full-length album, That Coke Oven March, again working with Romer, with artwork by Karin Bumiller. They are also working on film music for Spirit of '79, a documentary about the American agricultural movement, made by Keith Maitland for Illegalfilms. The documentary also features interviews and songs by Willie Nelson and Arlo Guthrie.

Contents

[edit] Line up

[edit] Current

joined not infrequently by:

  • Joe Keady-Tuba
  • Charlie Burnham- violin
  • Andrew Platt- Upright Bass
  • Michael Irwin- Trumpet
  • David Ludman- Alto, Soprano Saxophone
  • Maria Eisen- Baritone Saxophone
  • Craig Flannigan-Drums
  • Dan Romer-Accordion

[edit] Former

  • Jesse Newman- bass
  • Oscar Chebebe- drums, percussion, melodica
  • Ronen Ben Codor-Accordion, Harmonica
  • Dave Corman-Drums

They are often joined by Dan Romer playing various instruments; the line-up is somewhat flexible, and musicians such as Fred Thomas (James Brown's bass player) have been known to fill in.

[edit] Partial discography

  • Blacksand 001: Saints Under the Atlantic (compilation) Blacksand records
    • All Assurances
    • Maureen (Osei Essed w/ Langhorne Slim)
    • Four Headed Gecko
    • Interlude
    • On This Sun
    • Pity (Osei Essed)
  • Coalmine
    • Pity
    • That's All, Goodnight
    • Song for Children's Nightmares
    • Blackbird
    • Tacoma
    • Maureen
    • Most of All
    • Timmerman
  • That Coke Oven March
    • Alleluh
    • Sunset
    • Quiet Faith
    • Stay the Night
    • Oh Theodore
    • About You
    • Tomcat
    • Arlene
    • The Visitor
    • When the Bed
    • The Best is Yet to Come

[edit] External links

This article on a United States folk music band is a stub. You can help by expanding it.