Arts & Entertainment

New London Tube: The Wiyos At Hygienic Art

Trio plays "Dyin' Crapshooter's Blues" at annual Americana Festival

During the more temperate months, the Hygienic Art Park is regularly used for movie screenings, musical performances, and more. Since 2008, one of the last shows to take the stage has been the Americana Fest. This video takes in a song by one of the bands participating in the event last October.

The Wiyos put their spin on "Dyin' Crapshooter's Blues" during their set. The group makes use of the guitar, bass, and snare drum with what looks like a table of other instruments close at hand to add to the sound. In particular, the lead singer brings in a classic blues touch with a horn I can't quite identify.

The song dates back to 1929 and is the product of Blind Willie McTell, according to Georgia Music Magazine. After the Jesse Williams of the song was shot in Atlanta during a dispute with police, McTell paid for him to be brought home to New York and wrote the song in his honor. The magazine says "Dyin' Crapshooter's Blues" can be traced back even farther, as it bears a resemblance to the 18th century song "The Unfortunate Rake."

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At the time of the Americana Fest, The Wiyos were celebrating their 10th year in existence. According to the band's website, the group formed almost on a whim when Michael Farkas met guitarist Parrish Ellis in a Manhattan bar and joined in on harmonica. Joseph "Joebass" Dejarnette and Teddy Webber also joined on bass and other instrumentals, respectively. The present trio came about after Ellis and Dejarnette left the band in 2010, with "Sauerkraut" Seth Travins joining to bring a bass element back in. The band has released six albums.

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