He is one of the musicians who wander up and down Ave Hidalgo, singing to the crowds for tips. He is best known for his signature song, The Little Black Dog. While singing it, he alternately imitates a bird, a dog and a cat. Very well too. I have seen him stop street dogs in their tracks when he does his dog imitation. I don't know his real name but I call him Bird Dog Cat Man.
Even though he is a very good singer, I rarely tip him. Why? Because his whole attitude pisses me off. Unlike the other wandering musicians on the street, he never solicits your approval before he starts singing away and making conversation very difficult. When he is done, he goes around with a little bag and acts totally disgusted if anybody dares not drop money into it. I didn't ask him to sing, he didn't ask to sing, he takes his chances then.
I do enjoy it though when his hugest drunken fan follows him around (pictured above), irritating him to no end by singing along and dancing. Now that is fun!
9 comments:
Wayne - his name is Gregorio, and he's one of my favorite Isla "fixtures"....
You have not mentioned Angel lately. Is he still firing up?
Joanne: thanks for the reminder. I knew his name but promptly forgot it! I know that he is worshipped and adored by many tourists. And I think he is a very good singer. Just to don't push yourself on me uninvited. I like him better during low season. He sings more Mexican folk songs and ballads and less of La Bamba!
Steve: alas, he has moved to Sweden to be with his sweetie. Can you imagine how he must stand out there! Isla has a serious lack of talent nowadays.
I agree with the assessment of his desirability (from a musical/entertainment standpoint)....
He's always around when I don't want him to be.
O Robert
I vote him the "least pushy" and "most talented" of all the local singers. He is a trued gentleman and an asset to the island. Could you imagine if he'd had the opportunity for classical voice training? He is a gift. I tip 20 pesos every time I see him.
o robert: that about sums it up.
zina: he is the least pushy because he doesn't interrupt you to ask permission to sing for you. Instead he plops down and makes it difficult to talk. Talented? Absolutely. I think he probably could have gone professional, given the chance.
Fireboy Angel is in Costa Rica...Said he make be on the island next week.
I think you should rename yourself GrumpIslaGringo~
Your blog entries are incredibly negative. Yes I know, I do not have to read them and has of today (if I can stand it) am no longer going too! The first grump blog I noticed was the one where you had pictures of how people dressed. I thought, eh,, what ever. Since then though I've noticed much more grumpyness. The kind of grumpiness that doesnt make the reader feel good. Guess I'm a different kind of grump cause let me tell ya, I know about grumpy, just not in such an objective way. Anyway,, Enjoyed your blog till I'd had enough.
Thanks for the pictures. They were Swell.....
anonymous: sorry to hear that you are abandoning me. My goal here is to tell the truth...as I see it. Which is my right to do. Even if I only one reader I would continue to do that. I never promised a "hearts and flowers" kind of blog. If you want to read the sugar coated accounts that depict Mexico or la Isla as always being a paradise, then please, do go visit other blogs. Here you will only get my take on what it is really like. Grumpy or not.
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