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I'm wondering if I'm the only one getting annoyed at not just the breakdancers but the would be bands or one man show musicians that seem to be popping up in every freaking train station.
Once in a great long while, some of those guys are not only legitimate, but actually have official permission from MTA to be there! The catch, of course, is that you have to apply for a permit (and that application must be approved). Anyone "performing" without one is subject to being arrested and removed from the station.
And the catch there, of course, is that hardly anyone makes the complaint that gets them removed. When I was a conductor and I saw someone "performing" in a station, I used to call it in. But I think I was one of the very few who did.
I love the Mariachis on the subway. Their music always makes me feel more light-hearted and I open my wallet to them. As for the break dancing kids, I'm amazed at their dexterity and balance on a moving train.
So you guys are seeing actual mariachis on the train? Like with the the mariachi suit and sombrero, the whole nine yards? I have yet to see that. I do see mexican guys playing Norteño music all the time though...
Some of these subway musicians aren't bad at all. There is a duo that I catch sometimes on the A/C platform in Fulton street in Manhattan. They are an R&B/funk duo. One guy on bass the other sax. Very good.
there used to be a blind mariachi guy who carried an accordion. he had a stick with a wheel on it forming a sort of tripod (his legs being the other legs to the tripod) and he'd walk thru the trains. i think the locking of the doors between subway cars after 01 put an end to his career.
then there was that dude with the busted up keyboard and cracked out girlfriend doing the 'im broke - its no joke' song.
but my favorite was the comedian dude who would say things like his rent is 2$ and closed up with asking us all to leave now as he had company coming over soon.
I think some of you are confusing genres. Ranchera music which is what mariachis play does not have accordions...
This is what mariachi look like,
Last edited by NooYowkur81; 08-08-2012 at 01:16 PM..
I'm wondering if I'm the only one getting annoyed at not just the breakdancers but the would be bands or one man show musicians that seem to be popping up in every freaking train station.
hasn't this been going on forever? i remember the same thing riding in the early 90's. i think maybe it gets more frequent in the summer
i do agree its usually annoying. sometimes though you get a real treat. years ago when i was a teenager there was an old asian guy who would play western canon stuff on one of those uncommon (here at least) old stringed instruments from traditional chinese music. it was really quite amazing, he was very talented and probably had been playing all his life. that guy could busk for my money all day long and it wouldn't get old
a few weeks back someone was doing instrumental sinatra on strings. a really good arrangement. i had to ask what the piece was since i knew it but couldn't place it in context. totally brightened up my day. another old asian guy. for some reason i tend to like their performances i guess. 59th st columbus circle at the front of the downtown abcd
occasionally the dancers are good but usually annoying as hell, its just too crowded to want some dude's foot near your face
i usually dislike the mariachi guys, poorly tuned guitars are a pet peeve of mine
The only act I've seen on the train I can recognize over years is the " I'm broke and it ain't no joke" lady , I would give her money if she at least put effort into some new lyrics.
So you guys are seeing actual mariachis on the train? Like with the the mariachi suit and sombrero, the whole nine yards? I have yet to see that. I do see mexican guys playing Norteño music all the time though...
i've 100% seen quartets in costume on the subway. generally two guitars, plus some smaller number of vox, brass, violin/fiddle. often a 6 8 meter, lyrics are usually romantic (even gringos with broken spanish like me know "amor" y "corazon" )
whether they were technically ranchero vs norteno... it just seems like splitting hairs to me to get that genre specific about buskers... if someone here knows the distinction well I'm happy to go by his/her opinion
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You got it Miss J. I'll be PM'ing both you guys soon!
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