Buskers - the gift of music, or just a nuisance?

[Backdrifter]

I don't care how talented a busker is, I find them a nuisance. I don't distinguish between them and any other form of intrusive music in public places. If I want music, I'll choose it and when / where to listen to it. My guess is that I'll be in a minority on this one; in my experience, people seem to get a bit soppy about buskers.

I've thought this for years, but was reminded of it recently in Edinburgh when a very loud busker using an amplifier was in Rose Street more or less all day, right up until midnight, audible even on the rear top floor of the hotel I was in.

[joggerjayne]

I love street musicians. I have a decent collection of CDs that I've bought from people playing in the street.

You hear some really good musicians. Way better that these idiot wannabees you get on X Factor and Britain's Got Talent.

[tenrec]

Agree with you. One used to sit outside our office all day. Felt like paying him to go away!

[tenrec]

Sorry should have said agree with Backdrifter.

[joggerjayne]

I think the rest of your post probably made that fairly clear, tenrec, LOL

[tenrec]

Well, you never know JJ.

[vulcan]

It depends on what's being played. In my local town there's a chap who plays classical guitar and he's very good but there is also another guitarist who uses a battery for his amp and speaker, and plays rock music very loud and very badly. However I still prefer him to the holy Joes who spout religion at me on a Saturday afternoon.

[Old_Geezer]

In an agreed designated place for buskers, then fine, keeps the tourists interested. But elsewhere, no they're a bit of a pain.

[ummmm]

If they're good I like listening to them.

We have a crazy cat lady busk in town. She plays an organ, and I use the word 'play' very loosely!! She has a note saying 'donate a tin of cat food'

Like we walk about town with cat food in our pockets!!

[Old_Geezer]

Doesn't everyone ?

[Booldawg]

I like those people that pretend to be a statue. One scared the living daylights out of my daughter when she was 4 whilst the Edinburgh Fringe was on. I nearly died laughing!

[craft1948]

I always feel sorry for the nearby shop workers who are doomed to listen to their 'repertoire' for hours on end..........

[mazie]

I love Rose Street. I don't even mind Buskers in small doses

[joggerjayne]

Is there any parallel universe in which you can't enjoy this ... ??



You can't see it in this clip, but the sun shades are outside a pub called The Sussex. Buy a bottle of wine, order a salad, sit outside, and listen to the busker.

If I see someone like this, I'll happily stick a tenner in their tin, cos I love it.

[redman41]

The bad ones are a pain in the neck
There are a handful of very good ones in Birmingham City Centre and I don't mind giving to those who entertain

[jackthehat]

I've been listening to the 'Cat Woman' of Northampton for about 30 years...........and she has *never* learnt to play a tune in all that time.

She just plinky-plunks over an electronic 'beat'......
She must have paid out far more in batteries for her infernal machine than has ever gone to the cats.

[tamborine]

How else does new talent make a break. On JJ site is a youngun appreciating trad jazz - fab music.......if it were near me nowt would get done.

Stick your MP3 in your lugs & live in your own world !!

[Backdrifter]

joggerjayne - I inhabit that parallel universe. As I said, I'm not contesting a busker's ability. However good they may be, I'll choose to listen to them when I want to. For me, music is a strange, abstract and wonderfully personal thing. I find it devalued when plonked in front of me, unbidden, on a pavement. I like the idea of nursing a long drink on a nice day in a good pub or bar, but am happy to leave the music out of the picture.

[joggerjayne]

Here are the same people again. Brilliant.

At one point, the person filming zooms in on the CDs she's selling ... Copenhagen to Brighton With Love, and Logjammin'. I've bought both of those from these guys, and they are absolutely fantastic.

Just for the authentic Brighton sound, note the seagull at 2:29 ...

>>>

[joggerjayne]

Come on, backdrifter ... am I winning you over ?

=0)

[tamborine]

Street music is social, gives us an opportunity to communicate with strangers.