The Woes

The Woes 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. Other than Jones, 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.

joined not infrequently by:

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.

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