Diary Of A Busker Day 57 Wednesday March 9th Winchester High Street (1. opposite Whittard, Time: 12-1:15pm, 2. opposite WH Smiths, Time: 1:25-3:30pm.)
Came into town at 11:30 but spent, or wasted rather, half an hour deciding where to set up. Had a chat with two young buskers – a guitarist and banjo(ist?) who were set up opposite the jewellers – a spot I avoid during the day as I’m not sure they like me.. or maybe I’m paranoid…or suffering from a kind of persecution complex… The banjo man had a very authentic, what I would call a Three Musketeers moustache – curled up at the sides and augmented (nearby) with a goatee. They’d come from Andover and have been busking in Salisbury – “We had a great time – didn’t make much, though.” They haven’t busked in Winchester before and it’s not going well, money-wise. The guitar player is need of a low E string, which he has broken. He’s in luck – I have one, a steel one alas – however it’ll do for his acoustic guitar. It’s unusual to break a big, fat low E – the last one to break on me was, if memory serves, in the summer of 1983.
Where to set up camp…not at the top opposite WH Smiths, as there is a saxophonist/backing track/loudspeaker situation nearby at The Buttercross. Not down at Marks And Spencer -the ‘noisy corner’ – it’s market day, and I’m a bit self-consious about blasting out a few feet from the stalls. I decide to set up camp opposite Whittard and leave in disgust over an hour later with not even a fiver. I walk around a bit and have my snack of small sponge covered with chocolate and small apple and see what’s happening at the top… I’m in luck – the saxophonist has gone and I’m a ‘goin there! I’ve not been playing long when what’s known as a ‘real character’ turns up to brighten all of our day. A man with a rugged, lived-in face, raggedly attired, mid-fifties I think but he could be ten years older or younger. He rolls up to me – “Hey son, ye know Smooke On The Water do ye?” It’s a Deep Purple-loving Scotsman. I remember the guitar riff which opens this song was so famous/infamous that at one point, long ago, it was banned from being played in some guitar shops. Later on, the same power crazed egomaniacs or 99.9% of those who ‘work’ in guitar shops – banned other famous riffs such as Van Halen’s Jump and most Led Zeppelin ones from being played by budding young guitar players. I remember learning the Smoke On The Water riff – once learned never forgotten – and so, because I like this guy, he gets the riff, executed in the correct way – with the fingers – not a flatpick, to pluck the strings, just like how that strange, temperamental Mr. Blackmore used to do it. My man loves it! He really does – “WE ALL CAME DOWN TE MONTREUX…!” he belts out. He’s bouncing around and playing an ‘air’ guitar. This causes great mirth amongst the two workers in the shop across the pavement who were bored out of their minds a minute ago. I play the riff a few times, then he says something unintelligable and rolls into the bakery behind me. I play something else. He reappears – “HEY! Wha’ aboot SMOOKE ON THE WATER?!” “Oh, I thought you’d gone.” I think I better play something else for him, but what? “Do you like Led Zeppelin?” “STAIRWAY TA HEAVEN?” he shouts without a pause. I start playing the intro. He goes nuts – completely nuts. He practically grabs an innocent man walking by – “Jes’ LESSEN te this guiy!”
Later on…an elderly couple walk past, the lady pops a coin in my hat then suddenly lurches towards me, saying aggresively “I only like GOOD music!” Later…another woman, in her 60s stops for a chat – “Do you know who you remind me of?” she asks. “No, who?” “Bert Weedon.” “Oh…um, physically or musically?” She doesn’t answer this and starts talking about Eddie Calvert. “I’ve heard the name, but I don’t know any of his music, sorry.” I say. She carries on – “I like Radio Two, you know. David Jacobs.” “Oh yes, he’s been around ages” I say. “Hmm, yes, but I do wish he’d change his dentures – you can hear them when he speaks.”
As I’m packing up to go, my Ragtime chum, Phillip turns up just in time for me to give him my photocopied guitar tablature of Mr. Sandman which he asked me to do the other day. He’s grateful. It’s no problem, I don’t mind – he’s a nice bloke. It’s my good deed for the day – actually my second. My first was handing over my guitar string to the bloke earlier on – no charge.
Earnings: £25.10p