Diary Of A Busker Day 65 Tuesday March 22nd Winchester High Street (1. corner of Marks And Spencer, Time: 1:21-3:43pm, 5:15-6:05pm, 2. opposite WH Smiths, Time: 4:20-5:10pm.)
Had a pre performance chat with Bertie the flowerman. He now greets me with “Hey, guitar man!” then does the Third Man tune – “do do do do do…”. Says Bertie – “I had Frank here earlier. I was quite impressed – he did Brain Damage.” I knew the song title but couldn’t place it. “You know, Pink Floyd. From Dark Side Of The Moon.” “Oh yeah – the lunatic is” “on the grass”, Bertie finishes the line. Yes, now I remember it. All added up, I must have spent weeks listening to that album when I was 13. “Wow, that IS impressive – I’d like to hear that.” I would – I must request it when I see Frank play next.
I look up during my session and see Delia “from St. Cross” across the pavement, waving to me. She is wearing her woollen hat and has her shopping trolley – the type all ladys over seventy have.
I premier a freshly learnt tune – Deve Ser Amor (It Had To Be Love) by the Brazillian composer Roberto Badden-Powell. It’s a Samba, and my first – and possibly last – attempt at this musical form. However it goes down well – the money pouring in – all £1.75. After more than two hours I decide to move up the road but after half an hour I’ve only got £2 and am about to give up and return to the noisy corner when one of my regulars, Marcus, turns up with his sister or wife or cousin or something or other. She’s one of these – hopefully she’s just one!…but I can’t remember which. Marcus asks me if I do anything else. I say I also do my own music, mainly using the 12 string guitar. I give him my ‘original music hard luck story’ which is a bit of airplay, some (mostly) really great reviews. But it doesn’t pay. I inform him there is a copy of my album down at the HMV Shop, available for £7. Then I remember I have a copy in the bag I carry my amplifier and camping stool in. “Here it is, see!” Then something incredible happens – Marcus wants to buy it from me – and for £7. “Have you got change for a tenner?” I sure do. I’m pleased he didn’t go and buy it from the shop – they might not re-stock the shelf and the bit of card with my name on will be chucked away. Like I remember thinking before – I’m sure my album has been there longer than any other cd!
…a suited man comes up. he wants to know if I can play at the drinks bit at his sister’s wedding in the summer. Good, I need some more of these.
I return to the first spot for a short, end of the day session Just before I finish, the charity shop manager comes up to me – the same one who got me to play for two hours for her re-opening awhile back, for no fee and a burger I practically had to beg for. “How are you today, how’s it going?” she says, looking down at my hat. “OK today, the weather’s fine, although my hands are starting to go a bit.” Even though the temperature is definately warming up, after four hours outside, my hands are slowly chilling. “Oh well, you ARE our favourite busker, you know!” That’s very nice of her to say so, but try coughing up some change now and again, love!
Earnings: £44.14p
2 comments for “Diary Of A Busker ~ Day 65”