Music in The City

London's cloudy and grimy today, but from the neighbouring building Buena Vista Social Club drums through the air and I remember summer 1997, when BVSC came out (I think) and I discovered it. I was living in Hull, or better, moving away from Hull, cleaning my beloved flat for the last time, packing my things and listening to Buena Vista on an old cassette player. I felt like a real proletarian.

Last night, a reaggae band was playing in Covent Garden, 'Stir it Up', by Mr Marley, and there was a big crowd of tourists dancing around them. In a corner, a bunch of tramps, the homeless guys who sleep in front of the church on the piazza, were dancing too. It was a balmy night, they had a bit of booze and were having a great time, with the tourists. Ah, the music.

There was supposed to be a concert of Venezuelan bands, organised by Ken and Chavez, a red collaboration. We went at 9pm, to see how it was all working out, but the concert had finished an hour early because two of the bands were missing. We offered to play and sing for free, but they refused.

There was a concert of the Argentine singer Juana Molina at the Brixton Ritzy a few weeks ago. This woman is a genius - she uses a guitar and her voice, aided by some strange machines that she twiddles with, and produces amazing music. Plus she's funny. And they keep comparing her to Bjork, which is really annoying.

So, music, eh? What a lovely thing. The Buena Vista song's finished, the neighbour has retired. I wish they'd blast the clouds with the songs a bit more.