лабух

11:58 Feb 13, 2009 

Hi Misha,
Just spotted your note about the character in question being Argentinian. I wonder if there is an Argentinian version of the Mexican mariachi. I
can't think of one off the top of my head. All that comes to mind at the moment is: tango and Piazzolla.
Might be worth a bit of research up on the internet - if the connection fits in with your story.
But just an idea.

11:51 Feb 13, 2009 

They sound a bit more appealing than 'a classy accompaniment to an elegant dinner'.

11:48 Feb 13, 2009 

If you find "jobbing/freewheeling musician/guitarist"

Freewheeling or if you prefer, freewheelin', has certain Bob Dylanesque connotations, which might suit your purpose here.

You could also possibly try "modern day troubadour". Troubadour has medieval connotations and therefore needs a modern adjective to catapault it into your 21st century context. Try mixing and matching the above to suit the context of your text. Good luck.

10:19 Feb 13, 2009 

Jobbing Musician/guitarist - is fairly accurate but might be a bit dry.

Possibly "Jobbing/modern day troubadour". Troubadour has medieval connotations. So requires an adjective that will catapault it into your 21st century context. Play around with the above and see what fits best into your context. Good luck.

22:08 Feb 12, 2009 

Nor am I Jewish-fortunately for the Jews:would've been a disgrace due to my eating and drinking habits.Nevertheless,I think the educated anglophone middle classes would recognize the term for what it is.Heard it in London,together with "schlep"!

20:49 Feb 12, 2009 

"лабух был керной и вырубился" - задрушлял, потому что берлять надо было больше, когда кирял :)

20:45 Feb 12, 2009 

Yeah, все лабали как положено, а этот чувак прокочумал весь третий мотет: лабух был керной и вырубился.

20:40 Feb 12, 2009 

and the entire idea of live entertainment is much more widespread in restaurants in Russia - and other places, I hear - than it is in the US. Suffice it to say, every Russian restaurant at Brighton Beach worth its mettle features live bands on most nights. Some of the musicians I heard there were true virtuosos, with repertoires ranging from flamenco classics to Led Zeppelin and Mark Knopfler, I kid you not. There's a lot of drivel too, of course. As to the connotations of лaбух, no, it has nothing to do with idiot, you may have mixed that up with лох. And no, "musings" won't do, I need a straight, honest noun here. Thanks for your input, folks.

20:19 Feb 12, 2009 

More context needed. That could be a background tinkler on the piano.

20:16 Feb 12, 2009 

Do you specifically need a slangy word? Nothing much comes to mind except 'busker', which is associated mainly with street musicians, and the rather impersonal 'act', as in 'this evening's act was ...' (a solo guitarist, or whatever).

20:10 Feb 12, 2009 

doesn't labukh have the connotation of 'idiot'?

20:05 Feb 12, 2009 

Maybe you could vary the vocab by using guitarist/pianist etc and add an adjective? More context would be helpful...