The Brian Lehrer Show

My favorite musician is the guy who sings and whistles to a left-handed guitar on the platform at 96th street of the downtown 1 train in the mornings. His guitar is strung upside down, and he tells me that's how he learned to string it from a manual when he was a kid. (He learned to string for a righty, but he's a lefty, so he literally plays upside down!) I like his whistling and his voice is very old school spanish. Reminds me of my grandmother, or Gardel. (Gardel reminds me of my grandmother, and vice versa). :)

I enjoy the classical guitarist at the 6th Ave F and V stop in the am.

Also at the Metropolitan stop on the G in the mornings was this South American man who played guitar and pan flute thru a amp with some echo and reverb, it sounds bad but is really nice in the morning.

William Ruiz, the guy who often plays percussion at Grand Central, on the 7 line platform is fantastic!

I also like the blind violinist who sometimes plays on the 7 train, even though he plays the same piece over and over again.

The man with the upright bass in Washington Sq. park who also sings is fantastic.

I also love the 3 piece mariachi band who plays on the Q train. So delightful!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYQGsWqs7lU

to see William play

The guy with the bucket the caller was talking about is great. Haven't seen him in years. Is he still around?

I just caught a caller discussing the Ebony Hillbillies. When I walked by this morning, they were warming up before being taped for a Channel 13 piece. They were at the Grand Central-end of the S, where they are located every Friday morning. Wonderful music, and as the caller mentioned, just a bit interesting as they are a group of four African American men playing bluegrass. They are playing Joe's Pub on May 20th.

I also quite enjoy the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble when they show up in Grand Central while they are in town. They have never failed to leave a smile on my face on my way home. Hopefully I will get a chance to see them play a real concert sometime soon . . .

There is a very releavent film playing at the Tribeca Film Festival called "Playing For Change", a documentary that goes around the world and delves into the lives of street musicians and they're music. IT IS INCREDIBLE!!! There is a showing tonight at the AMC Village VII (66 Third at 11th St.) at 9pm. If you appreciated this segment, you'll really love this film.

Here is the link to the trailer:

http://www.playingforchange.com/

Also, some proceeds go to building music schools in developing countries.

Both my husband and I have played as street musicians. For me, it was to try out songs every time I wrote a new one -- quicker feedback than open mics. For him, it was to supplement his musician income. He played lots of "old-timey" songs.

The old-timey songs made more money. He even financed a stay in Amsterdam by playing "You are My Sunshine" on the streets of Amsterdam!

While playing, it's wonderful to see the psychology of people as they pass. Lots of smiles, lots of avoidance. It gave me a new perspective on life in the city.

It's exhausting, though. And the quickness of subway turnover traffic is less than satisfying -- every musician loves an audience, but a 30 second audience requires both an engagement and a detachment on the part of the musician.

By the way, it's not limited to the city subway tryouts -- it's legal to play unamplified music in the subways without a permit.

I'm writing from Albany. I had to move here three years ago from NYC (alas). But I will never forget happening upon Susan Cagle and her band several times, in the subway station in Grand Central and, I think, in Times Square. I just checked the MTA Arts for Transit list, and she and her family band are on it. Try to find them! Susan Cagle and her band have brought tears to my eyes, just because they're so good, and that's so rare.

My favorite subway musician is the 'Saw Lady' (aka Natalia Paruz) whom I see at the Union Sqwuare subway station a lot.

In answer to the first comment above, the man playing guitar and whistling is Frank. I only know this from the 'Saw Lady's blog - she tells what happens when she plays in the subway and she featurs lots of subway musicians there (with photos, so you can recognize them): http://www.SawLady.com/blog

In answer to the comment by Jeremy above - Chanell 13 was filming the 'Saw Lady' yesterday at Union Square as I walked by!