More musical and dancing treats today. The world is full of music if you can be bothered to stop and listen.
I was on the tube coming back from a fun gig at the Red Rose in grotty, cold Finsbury Park when I became aware of a busker coming on to our carriage. Usually this would be a source of dismay (
especially if it had been the guy from Thursday) as being in a confined space with a musician that you have not requested the pleasure of can be tedious and unpleasant.
But this guy wasn't too offensive at all. He sang unaccompanied, except by the tapping of his shoes on the floor as he tap-danced along. He wasn't a bad dancer or a bad singer and was smiley and pleasant, though I think it would be fair to say that he was a little touched in the head. In a charming and liberating way which meant he wasn't ashamed to chat to complete strangers and hope they would pay him for his unsolicited skills. But there was little desperation in his requests for cash and nothing threatening or cajoling. He wanted to share his talents and hoped to make a little money into the bargain. Closer to tramp than busker, but still more competent than most of the buskers who had homes to go to and should really think about getting a proper job. At least he had the self-resepct not
to paint himself silver and hope that people would pay him for standing still.
He chatted amiably with the passengers as he shook a big woolly hat full of coins at them. No-one really spoke back, but people smiled or laughed along and though that possibly wasn't payment enough for him, he seemed to take it all very well.
He started talking about how much he liked food and how important it was. "I studied foodology," he claimed, before adding almost immediately (perhaps sensing that people were somehow sceptical of such a claim), "Not at college. Just by eating."
It's hard not to love a man like that, especially if he can sing and tap dance as well. He got to our middle row of seats and said "I am sorry I can't do too much for you. I've got all the carriages to get through," and then proceeded to sing "Do the Twist" whilst he somewhat contrarily did a soft shoe shuffle tap dance. Alas I knew I had no change as I had given it all away as the tip at my pre-gig meal, so his payment from me was a smile. I wish I could say he punched me in the face for this.
He moved on leaving people smiling, both at this performance and his harmless mental illness and treated the next row of people to an Elvis song, which alas I can no longer remember.
I hope he fared better for money in the other carriages. He deserved more than lifted hearts and friendly laughter.
