Saturday, October 09, 2010

The art of busking badly; "There's brass in codology."

Wilfred Pickles as "Owd Thatcher" in the BBC
Northern Regional radio programme 'Under
the Barber's Pole' written by Tommy Thompson
In 'The Trumpeter', another story from Lancashire Pride, the Lancashire dialect writer Tommy Thompson tells the story of Joe Slater "the highly esteemed cornet player of the Beesham Temperance Silver Band" and his encounter with a pavement artist on the same instrument whose playing puts his teeth on edge. Joe demonstrates to the busker just how the cornet ought to be played, but is then thoroughly disconcerted when the street "hartist" completely outplays him;-

"Ah axed thee afore," said the player. "Han' we getten any brass wi' thi good playin'?"
"Not a sausage," said Joe.
"There's no money in good playin'," said the player. "Thee ax th' Hallé lot."
"There's no money in bad playin' either," said Joe lamely "Is there?"
"There's brass in codology," said the player. "Tha has to get sympathy."
"Tha didn't get mine," said Joe.
"Ah worn't playin' for thee," said the player. "Ah have me own public. Sithee...we'll go up this narrer street an' Ah'll show thee. Thee stop on th' flags."
He went into the middle of the street and blew "Home Sweet Home" as though it was the first time he had heard it. Joe covered his ears with his hands and watched the hat fill with coppers.
"What did Ah tell thee," said the player as he filled his pockets. "Codology! Tha con keep thi art for art's sake. What about slippin' in for a quick un?"
"Ah could do wi' one," said Joe. "Ah'm stunned."

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