Diary Of A Busker Day 121 Tuesday June 28th Winchester High Street (outside Debenhams, Time: 11:35-1:40pm, 2:10-4:24pm).
I return to the High Street after a five day break, the reason being I was offered (and accepted) a “gig” playing in a covers band at a wedding at Beaulieu on Saturday. For playing a set of just over an hour, I was paid the same amount it would have taken me about 20 hours “hard” busking to earn, so I decided to give myself – and the High Street, a break.
It’s a fairly uneventful opening set of two hours, but the money is good – I’ve collected £25 – well above the hourly average. Perhaps absence has indeed made the collective heart of this town fonder. Fortunately it does not reflect the quality of my playing, which is “rusty” and my ailment (Focal Dystonia) is causing frustration. It starts to rain so I pack up – then it stops but I need a break. I walk up the road and chat with Frank who’s sitting on the bench near Marks And Spencer. He has his accordion and cart with him so I ask if he’s going to do some playing. He’s not sure, he’s “people watching” at the moment but he might go on up to his favourite spot – The Buttercross, when an acoustic trio (who are there now) are gone. There are a few other buskers out today, but I’ve noticed tha there are never any at the spot outside Debenhams. I can always go there unless there’s a loud bunch with amplifiers nearby.
Walking back down to set up for the second time, I encounter Delia, my friendly old Italian regular, on her way home with a load of bags hanging off her trolley. She’s bought a present for her GP, who’s leaving Winchester for Yorkshire. It’s an inflatable cushion which has KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON written on it and it’s in a vacuum sealed bag which inflates immediately on opening. “Do you think she’ll like it?” Delia says. “Yes”, I say. “Oh good, I didn’t want to buy her another cup – people have so many.” “I agree, people seem to have lots of cups with things written on these days. At least she can use the cushion – and think of you!” Delia’s quite upset her GP is leaving – she’s the only GP who shakes her hand when she meets her. I suggest she might like to move up to Yorkshire herself – and the people – most, though not all, are much friendlier than here. I think Delia might agree, “You know, I’ve never felt really at home here in Winchester – you know when you’ve been away and then you come back you get that feeling that you’re home? – I’ve never felt that here. You know if I could live my life again, you know what I’d be?” “No, what?” “A gypsy, travelling the world – I’d go everywhere.” Yes, I say, it’s an appealing notion but life gets complicated – you just can’t pack up one day and leave everything, especially if you’ve got a child – unless your name’s Paul Gaugin. Delia insists on giving me some money from her sweet tin and I know it’s useless protesting but I say I’ll accept it on the condition she doesn’t give me anything next time she sees me, probably on Friday – her next day in town. OK, she agrees.
During my second set here the money’s noticably down from the first set – perhaps my playing has got even worse. A couple watch me from across the street and clap as I end a song. Unusual – most people don’t clap however much they might like something, I reckon they’re from out of town. They come over and I’m proved right – it’s Kevin and Liz, down from Liverpool. They’re very friendly and appreciative and like my style, it’s a bit like Richard Hawley says Kevin. he must be referring to the reverb and tremelo. We have a discussion about Mr. Hawley’s music – Kevin doesn’t like his lyrics much, I comment on his guitarist, Shez Sheridan, who favours a Burns Double Six 12 string guitar. I’m trying to think of the name of a song on his album, Coles Corner which I like but can’t think of the name. I decide it’s called Born Under A Bad Sign – no, that’s a Cream song, Kevin says. I’m sure it’s called that, or something like it*. They tell me about a busker up in Liverpool who plays only on Saturdays and just Shadows stuff and always gets a big crowd around him. “You don’t get that down here, except for maybe a military band, not for someone like me, though – apart from you two!”
Earnings: £44.54p.
* It was indeed Born Under A Bad Sign.