Diary Of A Busker Day 240 Wednesday May 30th 2012 Winchester High Street Opposite Vodafone, Time: 1:52-3:05pm
At the top end of the High Street, Carol insists, despite my protestations, that I accept two pound coins, so the day gets off to a good start before I’ve even started playing. There’s no one else out today so, where to set up…opposite WH Smiths or the other end?I go back and forth…and back again, then decide on my favourite – the Vodafone spot.
Dangerous Dave’s brother, wearing a football shirt just a bit too tight, turns up and stands next to me. At least he waits until I’ve finished playing before he speaks. And what does he say when he speaks? -‘Batman.’ This always amuses me, when someone says something out of the blue, especially if it’s just one word. Batman – what, is he here? Did you just see him? Do you think I’M him? Do you think YOU’RE him? Of course, I know what he means – I’ve played it for him before. I suppose I’ll have to do it again. During the rendition he tries to get passers-by to sing, or rather “na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na…BATMAN!” along with him…with complete failure. Then he holds his phone out in front of me for a minute – ‘I’ll tell Dave, he’ll come along.’ ‘Oh, you don’t have to do that,’ I say, and I mean it. ‘Can you play The Third Man?’ Yes, I’ll do that one.
After Albatross, an American woman runs up – ‘Oh my GAAAAAWWWWD! Oh my GAWWD – that’s SO fantastic! Peter Green! Oh WOW! The guitarists in the States would LOVE that SO much! OH MY GAWD! I can’t believe that!’ Believe it, my over-the-top, crazy American friend AND just to prove to your probably as equally crazy Stateside friends, you may purchase an almost identical performance of that exact piece on one of these here rootin’ tootin’ CDs, recorded live, in this very street, complete with barking of dogs, screaming of children, shouting of market people and distant rumble of the X66 bus (to Romsey, on the hour). But NO overdubs. ‘Oh WOW, how much?’ ‘Five pounds, they are.’ She hands me a £10 note thinking it’s a fiver, and is surprised when I give her £5 back, the crazy American.
Earnings: £16.48
