- The Woes
The Woes are a band based out of
New York City , formed in2002 by frontmanOsei Essed and his long-time collaboratorCicero Jones . Their sound is a mix ofblues ,country , and folk, topped off with Essed's gruff voice, often compared to that ofTom Waits . They are often associated with New York'santi-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 withDan 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 byKeith Maitland forIllegalfilms . The documentary also features interviews and songs byWillie Nelson andArlo Guthrie .Line up
Current
*Osei Essed- vocals, guitar,
banjo ,banjolin
*Cicero Jones- organ,french horn , pianojoined 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-AccordionFormer
*Jesse Newman- bass
*Oscar Chebebe- drums, percussion,melodica
*Ronen Ben Codor-Accordion, Harmonica
*Dave Corman-DrumsThey 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.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 ComeExternal links
* [http://www.thewoes.com The Woes' official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/thewoes The Woes on myspace]
* [http://www.zooomr.com/photos/529pixs/3729445/ Osei Essed -The Woes] - Photo of Osei Essed performing (posted on zooomr.com).
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