There's a street musician that I often see at the Davis Square T station. Unlike that guy at Park Street that just moans along to a cassette tape, the Davis Square crooner has people smiling, and not tuning in to their Ipods to drown him out.
His voice is downright angelic. Usually there in the morning, he eases people into their days with a repetoire that includes hits from Joni Mitchell, The Beatles, and even some of the score from Disney's Aladdin. Today, he had attracted an enthusiastic crowd of young students, and in front of such a lively audience, he was really shining.
Often, I hear him play The Beatles' "In My Life," which you may remember was the theme song to the show "Providence" which was on NBC at the turn of the century (I love being able to use that phrase here). The show was on when I was making my decision to attend Providence College. "Blackbird" is another favorite of his, and so it was for my roommate freshman year. His performances invoke memories of my four glorious years at PC, and I can't help but feel happily nostalgic when I listen to this guy.
There's real talent in this guy, and in lots of other street performers. Check out this link to see what I mean. It's a feature story written by Gene Weingarten of The Washington Post, and it won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize.
Also, check out this video below of a young boy street drumming in Chicago. Pretty impressive.
Leave a comment