January 20, 2011

• Market Street Performers

  This evening we saw an advanced screening of “No Strings Attached”. The movie is predictable and isn’t overly original, but it was terrible either. I expected an easy going movie with funny moments, and the movie met those expectations. The stereotypical roles of the leads were switched, with Natalie wanting no emotions in the relationship and Ashton wanting more. And the side characters weren’t bland, which helped keep me focused on the movie.

  Wednesday must be a special evening on Market street, because in a one block stretch I encountered three different sets of street musicians. First I encountered two pianists, one piano. They alternated improvising songs, and I stayed long enough to listen to each pianist. The songs had a solid sound and held up well. Overall, quite a nice performance to stumble on to. Dedication is pushing a piano around the streets of San Francisco to earn meager tips from passers-bye. I can picture these guys riding on top of the piano as they speed down the hill of California street, sparks flying from under the piano, and their jackets swept back in the wind.

  I’m always thankful to find a street musician who isn’t bucket drummer. The first time you see a bucket drummer, you’re interested. The second time, you’re bored. After that you’re ready for a pterodactyl to swoop down and devour the drummer. On my hierarchy of important people, bucket drummers rank last. The next time I see a bucket drummer, I’m going to offer him alcohol in return for his buckets because in the battle of who is better, an alcoholic or a bucket drummer, alcoholic is the way to bet.

  

  Next I encountered Nellie Fitzgerald–solo, female guitarist. I recorded a minute of her performance, but the abundance of street sound ruined the audio of the video clip I took, so instead you’re getting a picture of her. Her sound reminded me of a toned down, sweeter PJ Harvey without the same vocal range. That is another way of saying “She’s got a unique sound.”

  

  After the movie, I passed Nellie again and had to give her credit for still performing 3 hours later. The other musicians had long since vanished. That is either dedication or desperation, but I wish her the best of luck either way. At home I went to her website (http://nelliefitzgerald.bandcamp.com/) and discovered that you can download three of her tracks for free. Some people sound better live than in studio, and I think she sounded better live.

  Lastly, I came across an odd band. I think there had been a real band here, but then vagabonds destroyed them in an epic street fight and stole their instruments. Shortly before I arrived the street must have been covered in spilled blood from the violent bindle fights. Then the victors took their spoils of war and formed a street band.

  I didn’t have much concern for whether they were a legitimate group or not. They were obviously enjoying themselves, and they didn’t have a bucket drummer playing. One existed off to the side, but he must have been recovering from a pterodactyl attack. What do bucket drummers do when they’re not drumming? I imagine they go in to the city libraries and try to help people get books from high shelves.

  

   

  • 3:11 am
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