Voice of an Angel

[i-custard.livejournal.com]

I noticed some dissing in a post about some of our hardworking Davis subway musicians, and I thought I would throw a little love towards my favorite.

Any weekday morning that I go to the Davis T, there is a man there playing guitar and singing in what I think is either Portuguese or French. It is truly lovely. Does anyone know the person of whom I speak? Any info on him?

I am always touched by his performances because he truly seems like the happiest subway performer ever. It definitely helps set the tone for my day.

Comments

[glowroper.livejournal.com]

His website is on a sign in his case. He is good, although I think he forgets that people may hear him all the time (not just between trains) and that more songs need to get into the rotation.

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

Yes! I love his energy and the sound of his voice, but after a few consecutive days, I start dreaming of, "aaahh-wee! aaah-wee!"

[glowroper.livejournal.com]

Yeah, and after about five hours, well, everybody starts singing out of tune then....

[fanw.livejournal.com]

Is it the Haitian man who sings there often? He is really excellent and I've bought his CD.

[i-custard.livejournal.com]

That must be him. I thought it was Portuguese, but I am usually wrong about these things. He has a cd? I will definitely inquire about that.

[cowgrrl.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing you're referring to the man who sings the Haitian songs. Just wonderful! I once missed a train (on purpose) to listen to him.

[oakenguy.livejournal.com]

Gifrants! Oh, he's excellent!

[tanpiover2.livejournal.com]

http://www.gifrants.com/

I bought one of his CD's out of his case, and it's good.

[ayalanya.livejournal.com]

gifrants. yay! i'm glad he's still at davis frequently - i don't get there in the morning, usually, so i haven't seen him in a while.

[i-custard.livejournal.com]

Wow, he's quite famous. I just found his website. Check it out: http://gifrants.com/hom.php

He may have moved because his website says something about living in Florida now. I have not been to Davis in the morning in awhile, but I hope next time I go he is still there...

[leenah.livejournal.com]

i swear, he's been at harvard a couple mornings this week.

unless he has a clone, or a twin.

[yangelina.livejournal.com]

i used to frequent harvard prior my move to davis sq and he does play there frequently, as well.
it was really nice to see him in davis, now that i frequent davis.

[hauntmeister.livejournal.com]

He can't be the happiest subway performer ever! That dubious honor, I think, should go to the older banjo-picking guy who works Park St and South Station. He's always grinning, always cheerful...

It kinda creeps me out.

[leenah.livejournal.com]

now see, the haitian guy's music doesn't please me at all, but the old banjo guy who can actually PLAY (as opposed to the old guy who can't play, and has a tape backup rhythm section) makes me very happy. when i was commuting thru park all the time (taking classes) i was always hopeful he'd be there so i'd have something cheerful while i waited for my train.

yeah, that guy i like alot. the haitian guy, eh, not so much.

[i-custard.livejournal.com]

I think the thing I like most about Givrants is that you can just tell he really likes being alive and performing for commuters. That is saying something.

I'll have to check out the banjo guy.

Speaking of South Station, anyone noticed that keyboard guy? Wow, is he ever horrible and intriguing. He totally cannot play, but tries really hard and sings horrid R&B. The best thing ever was when some guy requested Purple Rain and he sang while the keyboard guy attempted the cover. Frightening and Brilliant.

[ceo]

Then there's the guy I saw a couple times in Davis, playing harmonica... badly... with sheet music. I mean, he could barely manage "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star".

[julishka.livejournal.com]

i kinda like him, in the he's really trying to learn something sort of way. but yeah, it is painful to hear.

[on-reserve.livejournal.com]

I have both Gifrantis CDs. I often buy "subway music" that I like b/c I never know if I will see that person again -- what if their performance was a one-shot deal? I LOVE subway music even when it's terrible because I like the idea of art imposing in public spaces *even if it is not universally popular art*

I love that guy who sings karaoke at Harvard Square to old Steve Wonder songs and I am always, always a sucker for accordion players -- I try to toss them a $5 if I can.

In this day and age when everyone is so casual about stealing music online from huge performers (myself included) I like to at least vote with my cash when I can and I vote early and often for subway music.

[on-reserve.livejournal.com]

Other performers I love:

Last summer there was that guy in the striped knit hat at Park Street who used to sing funny improv Arlo Guthrie-type songs.

That guy who does magic tricks at Park Street -- I think magic tricks takes more guts.

That guy who plays awesome bass guitar in Davis. Sweet music and I kinda once had a little crush on him too :)

The cello guy. He's also a "looker" and he sometimes plays with a violinist. Classical music in stations rocks!

Almost all percussion/rhythm artists (y'know, the guys with sticks and paint buckets).

Definitely the banjo guy. He always cheers me up. Just something about a happy older guy singing and playing his banjo makes me feel better about the world.

I'll even give props to that lady who sometimes sings opera at Davis, the harmonica guy, et al.

[yangelina.livejournal.com]

bass: tom bianchi? http://24hourtom.com/
he's fantastic, check him out at local bars for full shows if you can.
cello: is he the dude with long curly hair? i saw him in harvard once, i really appreciate the classical tunes.
have you seen a classical guitarist? i really dig his style, as well.

[on-reserve.livejournal.com]

No, the bass player I'm thinking of is black and has dreads (or he did at the time) though I'm sure Tom is great too :)

The cello player definitely has longish, curlyish hair. I always used to think, "man, that's one sexy cellist."

[on-reserve.livejournal.com]

Altho -- WAIT -- Tom is the "Arlo-Guthrie-improv-song" guy. He used to wear a red/white stripe knitted hat (like Waldo of Where's Waldo) and sing these really funny tunes about riding the red line. Awesome. What a cool guy.