Diary Of A Busker Day 2424 Friday August 23rd 2024 Winchester.
The first time out for a few days due to inclement weather. The Buttercross is free…and who appears straight away as if she was hiding behind the monument just waiting for me to arrive? It’s Claire, the old lady who can dance for England. She was about the last time I was out but not Marcus. I haven’t seen him in ages but he turns up a minute later so I introduce them – ‘Claire, Marcus…Marcus, Claire – who loves dancing, and I’ll do your favourite once I tune this thing up.’ I’m talking to Marcus and I’m talking about the Gymnopedie – the piece I’ve played too many times when he’s suddenly appeared, for it to be mere coincidence.
It’s not a fast piece so I’m able to start the session with it – the same with Albatross; they’re both good starters in that they’re both so famous and not too difficult to play. Good warm-ups. After the Gymnopedie, Marcus gets up, begins walking up towards Jewry Street, turns round and waves, revealing a huge rip in the underarm of his jumper.
There are many people about but the coinage is slow, although a great moment came when a tenner was dropped in the case by a boy out with his family. I needn’t state how profuse my gratitude was.
I now have another riff to play – Ricky Gardiner’s great guitar bit to Iggy Pop’s The Passenger. This joins the small but elite group of songettes that serve as inter-song interludes when I’m trying to think of what to play next. So I’ve got Tubular Bells, the Crossroads TV theme (originally played by Vic Flick, who also did the James Bond theme riff) and the riff to When You Walk In The Room – the last two sound better with a 12-string guitar, obviously.
Speaking of Bond, Dangerous Dave’s brother and his wife turned up, plonked themselves on the bench opposite and he shouted across – “Marvin, Bond!” So he got Bond and in return he came over and donated a pound coin, which is 98p more than his usual donation.
I was starting to get cold near the end of the two hours. So was Claire but she kept up the dancing until the bitter end. Thinking about it, it probably kept her warm. As always, there were loads of people smiling away at her, a few danced with her and she certainly enjoyed herself. I played her favourite – the Elvis number, twice; once near the start and at the very end.
On packing up, Claire asked if I would be about tomorrow. I said I would if it’s not raining, and it looks like it will be until mid/late afternoon. ‘So I might see you here, then?’ I said to Claire. ‘You will, I’m always here.’ Yes she is, but I know one day she won’t, like so many.