Busky Busky Busking...
I've decided that when I move house (to a different city - & seeing as I don't have a job to go to when I get there) I'm going to busk for a little while.

Having never done so before, I've approached it with my business head and thought about how to make the most of it. I'm going to go out at peak times (Weekday lunchtimes/finishing work times and after kicking out time at the weekend when everyone is beered up and the purse-strings are loosened somewhat).

I want to stand out from your average *strum, strum, strum* Oasis-esque busker and I'm also aiming to play to my demographic - i.e the Xfactor/celebrity obsessed office crowd and play the sort of things more commonly heard as ringtones etc.

Having said that, if you were to encounter a 'Busker with a difference' whilst on your lunchbreak from work/in the taxi queue on a Saturday night, what would YOU like to hear?

Some ideas sugested so far include; The Noisettes (Don't upset the Rhythm), Amy Winehouse's version of Valerie, Lily Allen (The Fear) etc. Can you think of any others, or any decent 'male' songs? - I'm open to any suggestions, however random!

Mucho Gracias!
(Colonel Santiago Introduced surprised kitty to the world., Tue 10 Mar 2009, 12:09, 54 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

Buskers don't play enough Daniel O'Donnell for my liking
Get a load of this guy:


( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 12:17, Reply)

I'm normally not a fan of buskers but once heard a guy playing
aloneagainor by Love and Arthur Lee, one of my favourite songs ever. As he even managed to do a decent rendition I made sure to give him a decent donation and let him know why.
(bill, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 12:21, Reply)

Excellent ideas - the pair of you!
Bill - that's exactly the sort of reaction I'm after! Pleasant surprise = healthy donation!
(Colonel Santiago Introduced surprised kitty to the world., Tue 10 Mar 2009, 12:27, Reply)

I already gave this suggestion to Pooflake and he ran with it, cos it's an awesome song:
Stan Ridgeway's Camouflage. Minty fresh.
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 12:31, Reply)

Well CHCB,
seeing as it's your home town I'll be busking in, that may indeed be a possibility!
(Colonel Santiago Introduced surprised kitty to the world., Tue 10 Mar 2009, 12:33, Reply)

...
"Pounding" by Doves. That'd work.
"500 Miles" by the Proclaimers seems like an obvious busker choice to me - but it doesn't seem to get done often.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 12:42, Reply)

Ooo!
Where are you going to busk? Can I come along and throw bottles? (Empty Blue Nun ones, naturally.)

Don't busk in the Bear Pit by the 'Mead though - it smells of piss so I refuse to stand there and encourage you.
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 12:46, Reply)

@ Enzyme - I've got the proclaimers one nailed already, it's good to go...
@ CHCB - Not sure yet, I'm gonna alternate so I don't saturate the market but I'm thinking Temple Quay complex, Aztec West perhaps, 'The centre' (i.e Baldwin Street/The waterfront), Broadmead, maybe even Cribbs Causeway? The taxi rank on the centre late at night... Any other ideas?
(Colonel Santiago Introduced surprised kitty to the world., Tue 10 Mar 2009, 12:57, Reply)

Glos Rd on a Saturday. It's rammed.
I'll even make you a cup of tea.

I was duetting with a lovely young fella at 5.30am the other morning. We were belting out a variety of 80s power ballads including Total Eclipse of the Heart, probably to the dismay of my neighbours, and I reckon that'd sound great as a no-frills acoustic cover.
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 13:01, Reply)

David Bowie - Andy Warhol
There's quite a bit of strumming though I suppose.
(oneinthepink is at your cervix m'lady, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 13:01, Reply)

CHCB - Fucking YES! That HAS to be done. I'll learn it tonight!
OITP - Bowie - good call my man...
(Colonel Santiago Introduced surprised kitty to the world., Tue 10 Mar 2009, 13:04, Reply)

I wouldn't busk by the taxi rank at night

You'll only be paid in other peoples teeth!

Try the studently places, they might appreciate some music whilst in a que for a club/bar.

I was a student in brizzle and I gave a guy a quid just bescause he had a ferret!
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 13:06, Reply)

Good call actually -
I bet I'd make a killing outside the lizard lounge! (If I wasn't pepper sprayed by the bouncers AGAIN.)
(Colonel Santiago Introduced surprised kitty to the world., Tue 10 Mar 2009, 13:08, Reply)

OK so no Daniel O'Dee, but heres a few others:
(possibly a tad too cliché busker but awesome nonetheless)

Echo and the Bunnymen: Nothing Ever Lasts Forever (bit melancholy but everyone likes this song)

CCR: Have you ever seen the rain? (Cracking tune - Sounds amazing acoustic)

The Kinks: Death of a Clown (the chorus kicks fucking arse, a true singalongathon)

Perhaps even try Rod Stewart: Maggie May, especially if you can pull off the intro!

Thats 3 or 4 of my festival singalong secrets.
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 13:23, Reply)

Chesney Hakwes
I Am The One And Only

;)
( t0ria has forgotten how this all works, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 13:37, Reply)

"Fumbling With The Blues" by Tom Waits.
Actually, Tom Waits did a number of songs that would translate well- "Jersey Girl" would be another good one, as would "The Heart of Saturday Night". Also "New Coat Of Paint".

I used to get good results playing Melissa Etheridge's "Don't You Need". Pink Floyd's "Granchester Meadows" is unusual and very pretty.

If you're looking for something lighter, try some Tom Lehrer. "Poisoning Pigeons In The Park" is easy and gets them fast, "Pollution" works well, "The Irish Ballad" is simple to play... yet no one ever sings them.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Tue 10 Mar 2009, 13:37, Reply)

This is fantastic!
I'll see if I can get tab for some of these as there's a few I've not heard of...

t0ria - I'm sure Chesney would go down well! :D

EDIT: On the cheesy 90's pop thing - I reckon an East 17 medley could be good...

*sings* Steam, STEAM! There's no need to be afraid!
(Colonel Santiago Introduced surprised kitty to the world., Tue 10 Mar 2009, 13:52, Reply)

Frankie Valli
You're just too good to be true.

Bloody brilliant busking tune. I've a few others too - Plug In Baby by Muse... Erm... I'll have a look through my tab when I get in.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 13:54, Reply)

No3l - Perfect!
Both great suggestions!
(Colonel Santiago Introduced surprised kitty to the world., Tue 10 Mar 2009, 13:57, Reply)

Stairway

( fuck shit up the best you never had, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 13:59, Reply)

Bonzo dog do-dah band.
I'm the urban spaceman.

It was on the tv last night and it made me smile.
( girlinthehole, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 14:01, Reply)

*frowns*
Bad Becky...

;)
(Colonel Santiago Introduced surprised kitty to the world., Tue 10 Mar 2009, 14:01, Reply)

*holds up a sign saying "No Stairway"*
Edit: Ooh, I once saw someone do an acoustic cover of Puretone's Totally Addicted To Bass - that was pure ecstatic filth :)
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 14:02, Reply)

Things to avoid
would be things that everyone else plays when they pick up a guitar. No Stairway, no Simon & Garfunkel, no Beatles... you get the drift.

I used to do coffeehouses periodically and found that the more obscure stuff was what caught at people. "Mr. Soul" by Neil Young, done as he did it on his Unplugged performance, would definitely get attention. Clapton did "San Francisco Bay Blues" on his Unplugged performance, and that's also very easy to do. If you can finger pick, "Landslide" is a good one to catch the attention of women. So is "Wonderful Tonight".

...shit, maybe I should get practicing and start busking downtown in the evenings myself.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Tue 10 Mar 2009, 14:08, Reply)

No3L - you coming up with some great ones!
This is the sort of thing I'm after! Keep it up!

EDIT: @ Loon - You've got the idea mate, nothing that's been done to death by every Tom, Dick and Harry...
(Colonel Santiago Introduced surprised kitty to the world., Tue 10 Mar 2009, 14:10, Reply)

Not bad Becky at all
I'd love to hear someone do a decent version of it, but it just doesn't happen.
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 14:11, Reply)

Hey Ya
As an acoustic song really goes down well. Look up Matt Weddle on youtube, it's awesome.
(Captain Placid 24/7 ball gags, brownie mix and clown porn, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 14:14, Reply)

The reason for no Stairway
is that in the 70s, if someone picked up a guitar it was about 2:1 odds that they would start picking out that song and butcher it terribly. It was the first song everyone wanted to learn to play, and only the first part of it translates well- the end where they start really rocking it out cannot be played by one person on a guitar, really. It just sounds lame.

Stairway got to be a terrible cliche. Remember "Wayne's World" where he picked up the Stratocaster in the guitar store? Remember the sign over the guitar?

Yeah.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Tue 10 Mar 2009, 14:16, Reply)

I'll look through my tab
when I get in and gaz you. If I don't, remind me :)

I much prefer to play good obscure album tracks than the hits everyone knows. Occasionally someone'll go 'I bloody love that tune, and I've never heard anyone play it like that before.' Which is nice.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 14:17, Reply)

@ Becky - I agree, but I'm certainly not the man to do it!
I'm relying on some comedy delivery, and 'breath of fresh air' tunes to get me through. I'm not the best guitarist in the world by any means!

Although, I did learn to play the snooker music the other day. That's bloody fantastic and makes anyone sounds better than they actually are when played! :D

EDIT:

@ Captain - Another great idea!

@ No3l - that'd be frickin awesome!
(Colonel Santiago Introduced surprised kitty to the world., Tue 10 Mar 2009, 14:18, Reply)

I can't help with tabs
as I've never used them- I've always picked up songs by ear. If one really stumped me I would look up the sheet music to see what chords they listed, but that was pretty rare.

I used to infuriate people who read sheet music. I would have them play a song through a couple of times for me, then I would play it along with them- without looking at the sheet music. To the formally trained musicians this was a red cape waved in their eyes.

I spent a lot of time apologizing.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Tue 10 Mar 2009, 14:26, Reply)

Hips don't lie
Preferrably performed while under the influence of something or another. Marvellous.

Or a very laid back cover of Fight for Your Right To Party.
(porkylips looks better as the sun goes down., Tue 10 Mar 2009, 14:28, Reply)

@ Loon - I'm the same to be honest
what winds people up more is that I'm a drummer. They hate being told by a drummer that they should be playing an augmented 9th...

@ Porky - Another great idea! Thanks!
(Colonel Santiago Introduced surprised kitty to the world., Tue 10 Mar 2009, 14:32, Reply)

Near the Cancer Research shop
just up from The Prom on the Gloucester Road - Saturdays are always heaving along there. Better still, there's always a captive audience queuing outside The Bread Store, but you'd be competing with the resident Big Issue seller.
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 14:49, Reply)

Sounds like a plan...
I can get a liquid lunch in the Hobgoblin whilst I'm there :D
(Colonel Santiago Introduced surprised kitty to the world., Tue 10 Mar 2009, 15:21, Reply)

Acid brass.
My mate used to do acid/dance tracks using just an accoustic guitar and his own vocal sound effects. His version of 'Pacific' 808 State and 'The Sun Rising' by The Beloved used to earn him lots of credit and mucho lucre in downtown Manchester.

Maybe somthing along those lines?
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 15:43, Reply)

Ooooo!
I loooooove The sun rising by Beloved.



*Digs out cassette*
( girlinthehole, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 15:45, Reply)

How about...
...4'33" by John Cale?

That should bring down the house!
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 15:46, Reply)

^biggirlsblouse
"love, love love..."
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 15:47, Reply)

One bourbon, one Scotch, one beer
by George Thorogood and the Destroyers.


a) what a fucking TUNE
b) it's about drinking and is funny - both a good move if you're going for the pub crowd, non?
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 15:54, Reply)

Nice variation on a theme there Monty
- appeal to the drinkers by singing about drink!
(Colonel Santiago Introduced surprised kitty to the world., Tue 10 Mar 2009, 16:24, Reply)

Here we go then
Don't Know Why - Norah Jones - if you can pick and sing, there's a couple of brilliant tabs online for this tune.
Digsy's Diner - Oasis - old album track that's more fun than most Oasis
A Little Respect - Erasure - great fun if you can find the right key for your voice :)
Stronger - Sugababes - mash this up any old way, it'll sound ok.
Outtathaway - The Vines - plenty of energy
Old Red Eyes - Beautiful South - piece of piss to play.
Everlong - Foo Fighters
End of a Century - Blur - one of my old staple tunes
Unbelievable - EMF - another old fave
Perfect Day - Lou Reed
Ain't No Sunshine - Bill Withers
Foxy Lady - Jimi - I love playing this on an acoustic
Bittersweet Bundle of Misery - Graham Coxon
Whippin' Picadilly - Gomez
Landed - Ben Folds
I Try - Macie Gray
Gotta Get Through This - Daniel Bedingfield - I don't play this myself but one of my mates used to and it was fab

That's about it for now. Hope that helps :)
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 17:04, Reply)

Dude - Brilliant!
That's really helpful! I've got an entire set just from this thread, not to mention the things I've come up with.

Brilliant brilliant brilliant! Thanks all!

and not one bit of abuse! ...yet!

(Colonel Santiago Introduced surprised kitty to the world., Tue 10 Mar 2009, 17:37, Reply)

Glouscester Road is a good call

I used to live there and it's less chavvy than the centre and less twaty than the other side. (Clifton etc)

Bristol B3tans - Do any of you drink in the Cadbury off Cheltenham Road, sucha great pub, full of freaks, stoners, casulties and one of my favourites in town, also the Farm. But that's in a secret valley!
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 17:52, Reply)

The Cadbury!
Woo!

I've spent many an evening hanging out with the tragic old hippies there! I used to work at the Croft and in the summer we'd head there before work for a few* jars. I also heartily endorse The Farm AND the organic fried breakfasts from the farm cafe are unbeatable.

BREKKIE - CLIMB - FARM - BEER - STAGGER - AWESOME!

*may have been a LOT
(Colonel Santiago Introduced surprised kitty to the world., Tue 10 Mar 2009, 18:32, Reply)

Top shout
From Monty Boyce although it'd take a LOT of bollocks to busk it.

Depeche Mode and Jesus and Mary Chain both came up with some beautiful "pop-songs" but in extremely dark production.

I'd happily lay down money to anybody interpreting something like Personal Jesus or Never Understand on unaccompanied acoustic.

Edit - For a crowd pleaser (subjective as I'm an unreconstructed Ska boy)-Message To You Rudi, or possibly The Mighty Mighty Bosstones - The Impression That I Get. Both relatively easy if you translate the brass section into rythym.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 18:39, Reply)

I've got a couple of mates
That do an acoustic Personal Jesus as part of their set.

And Just Can't Get Enough, which is just odd.

I love Depeche Mode, me. And JAMC.

Erm, Starsailor did an excellent cover of S Club Seven's 'Don't Stop Moving' a few years ago. It was awesome! Maybe you could try that?
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Tue 10 Mar 2009, 19:37, Reply)

hmm
Throw Your Arms around Me - Hunters and Collectors.

Amazing brilliant song
(Poppet some assembly required., Tue 10 Mar 2009, 20:30, Reply)

Ooh ooh
A personal request would be Special Brew by Bad Manners (and it would also appeal to the drinkers :))... It's a happy bouncy song, it's about beer, and it'd cheer me right up if I heard it being played. You could accompany yourself on kazoo.

Alone Again Or by The Damned. If I walked past a busker playing that I'd... well I wouldn't walk past. I'd stay and listen to the end and then I'd applaud and give them lots of money.

That's just the start... I'll be thinking of great busking tunes now all night...
( warmfuzzies Isn't here, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 20:40, Reply)

I once saw
a couple of guys do Groove is in the Heart, live acoustic. It rocked. Doitdoit :-)

Even more impressive was the bassist in question had been borrowed from another band to do it cos the lead had been stood up, and he learned to play it in about 5 mins at the back of the stage with some headphones while the other chap belted out a couple of his own.
(MrOli is ugly, but in the morning you will be sober, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 21:41, Reply)

I'll give
a tenner to the first busker I hear playing anything off Operation Mindcrime by Queensryche. Or Blitzkrieg by Metallica.
( I have run out of coke is a little sweaty, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 22:11, Reply)

Can i suggest
that you dont dress like a student or hippy. No one likes them. A suit with trainers like Dr Who would be good. And a dog. Also, put a hat down with some cash in it already - some decent coins, none of yer brass shite, get some goldy looking ones in there. If I see a 2p in there, I'm more likely to add another one.
( I have run out of coke is a little sweaty, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 22:13, Reply)

Well I'm tired of all the bullshit they keep selling me on tv
about the communist plan.
( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 22:26, Reply)

Sounds like a revolutions calling to me

(Bazongaloid, Tue 10 Mar 2009, 22:36, Reply)