The music of The Woes is a stew of Delta blues and early Country, of bluegrass and New Orleans marching band music, dished out by banjo, harmonica, accordion, French Horn and organ. The five piece hails from New York City.
At the center of their distinctive sound is frontman Osei Essed’s inimitable voice and expert songwriting. The songs are alternately chant-like, rhythmically driving, lyrical, haunting; his voice is sweetly controlled or as frightening as (the early blues preacher) Blind Willie Johnson.
Alongside Essed is his longtime musical collaborator, Cicero Jones, a French Horn player and gospel organist. The two formed The Woes in 2002, inspired by a love of traditional American music. Their idiosyncratic approach to those roots, however, is what defines The Woes sound, which Essed tellingly terms “Post-Apocalyptic traditional music.” The addition of Ronen Ben, an accordionist and blues harpist, completed the frontline, and also allowed Essed and Jones more drink tickets…READ MORE
The Woes – “Let Me Ride” 4/21/09 Brooklyn, NY Part 1 of 4
