Buskers

[mattp]

Whilst coming from from seeing Russel and Richard last night there was a busker at Leicester Square station. Nothing new there, except for what he was doing. He was playing the drums, but had about 4 or 5 sticks. He was juggling and playing at the same time, with an extra flare on every catch. Incredible, and mesmerising to watch.

Ages ago in Manchester I remember passing under the covered area at Market St (where Shouty Raster Man plays his guitar) and there was a band playing brass arrangements of well known classical piaces such as The Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheeba.

What buskers of note have you encountered?

Comments

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

That is cool. I love people who go out of their way like that.

I've certainly seen some impressive buskers in my day but can't currently think of one...

[gyre.livejournal.com]

I've seen all sorts of classical musicians in that stretch of Market St. I started thinking maybe it was something for the music school (or just a way to make extra money for the students).

[xlerb.livejournal.com]

In no particular order: a hurdy-gurdy, a bowed saw, and a bagpipe. (Is that the correct singular?)

[nocturnia.livejournal.com]

Do you mean outside boots?
And by shouty raster man, is it the guy who can just about play a guitar, but who just shouts on the same note... and by note, I don't really mean a note, because he appears to be tone deaf?

Oh and RNCM students used to get together there and play quite a lot, especially around christmas.

[mattp.livejournal.com]

Yeah, outside boots. He can't play though - his guitar sounds hiddeously detuned and the strings appear way too slack. He'll also occasionally throw his guitar into the air and catch it. Entertaining to watch. He shows classic signs of tourettes, but that's incidental.

Who are you, btw? I don't recognise your LJ name, though we share a number of friends.

[nocturnia.livejournal.com]

Yeah him.
Wow!
He was there when I was living up north, and that was 4 years ago!

I'm Nicola, we met at Rhona's dinnerparty, and I randomly friended people who were there.

[phuturatica.livejournal.com]

the one man band dude who plays like every instrument all at once...kinda like burt from mary poppins at the beginning. =)

[mattp.livejournal.com]

Oh, yeah. I'd forgotten about him. He likes doing Oasis covers.

[mandrake91.livejournal.com]

Hi Matthew.

Are you in London at the moment. Fancy meeting up?

[mattp.livejournal.com]

I am yes. It'd be good to meet up. Benginning of January is manic (due to work), but mid-late Jan should be fine.