Best awkward compliment you've gotten

[bigdaddybass12]

I made all-state jazz band. A guy came all the way out to see me play (a 6-hour drive for him). Not a fan, a critic. He wanted to see who got "his" gig. He basically told me I sounded good but I shouldn't be there because I'm not black.

mmmm, he should have been glad you are in the Praise & Worship Bassists Club!
(RayJay gets it,,,rest of you will get it in a second!)

 

[Rayjay]

mmmm, he should have been glad you are in the Praise & Worship Bassists Club!
(RayJay gets it,,,rest of you will get it in a second!)

This was WAY before TalkBass.com or any .com for that matter

 

[Pedullist]

You sound like a singing Hitler!

 

[Matt O]

can't quite think of a response for that one without being a &^%$#!

Haha right?

I think I said something like “surprised you can hear me”. He played a stack loud af.

It became something of a joke in the band. “Sounds like you’ve been practicing” was a go-to comment, especially in the studio. Saying that deadpan into the control room talkback after a blistering overdub always got a laugh.

 

[micguy]

I played in a band in college - there was a rather attractive young lady in our band. A few times, at parties, I had people (OK, guys) describe to me this cool new band that they'd seen (it was my band they were describing) - they had no clue I was in the band. It meant I got honest feedback, but it was a bit odd.

 

[logdrum]

You're quiet the stud, pot belly man.

 

[smurfco]

Several times upon informing people that I am in a band they have said "you must be the bass player."

I am 6'6" and 275 lbs. so I guess that screams bass player to people.

 

[brianrost]

“I really liked your white bread approach on that reggae tune!"

 

[MultiScaleMale]

This is a weird one. At a previous playing experience, I had to go to HR to be talked to about the list of complaints that were leveled at me by the drummer. The drummer was afraid that we were going to get rid of him, so he made an HR complaint against me so that we couldn't get rid of him or it would be considered "retaliation". Anyways, the drummer had a five page front and back list of complaints. The HR rep had to read them to me and try to keep a straight face. That was very difficult for her and her attempt at remaining impartial was my greatest awkward compliment.

 

[MARVIN MECKLER]

This is a weird one. At a previous playing experience, I had to go to HR to be talked to about the list of complaints that were leveled at me by the drummer. The drummer was afraid that we were going to get rid of him, so he made an HR complaint against me so that we couldn't get rid of him or it would be considered "retaliation". Anyways, the drummer had a five page front and back list of complaints. The HR rep had to read them to me and try to keep a straight face. That was very difficult for her and her attempt at remaining impartial was my greatest awkward compliment.

I would never play music again if I had to deal with HR.

 

[fishdreams]

"Of everyone in that band, you weren't the worst." Thanks!
"Your playing reminds me of Jaco Pastorius when I heard him live in 82" Well, wielding a fretless is the only thing I can have possibly in common with JP, musically and otherwise, but thanks

 

[Tim Skaggs]

A guitarist & friend of the guitarist in my band wanted to sit in and play a few songs at a live gig several years ago. The guest asked if I knew a few different songs, and before I could answer, the guitarist in my band answered for me and said, “he can catch on quick to about anything and he’s really good at not playing when he doesn’t know what to play.” Now, my answer to anyone who asks anything at all about my playing is “I’m really good at knowing when & what not to play.”

 

[getBAK]

"... I usually don't do that, but you played that bass so well tonight..."
- redhead at Stanford University circa 2001.

 

[Freekmagnet]

“Dude yer like half black and half Mexican!”

For the record, I am neither black nor Mexican, but I’m pretty sure in context that he meant it as a compliment.

 

[Pet Sounds]

My personal favorite is "You guys were actually pretty good."

I always interpreted that as, "Our expectations were pretty low, but you've managed to exceed them."

And then there's the ever-popular variation: "You guys sound pretty good tonight."

 

[EddiePlaysBass]

Back in 1972 when I still had a lot of hair over my forehead, Vera, our female vocalist, suggested I come it all straight back. So I did one night. I have to admit it looked a little like a lion's mane surrounding my head. I usually parted it on the side. I had to use a little bit of hair spray to keep it in place, which Vera was happy to supply.

At the first break these two women in their 30's (I was 22 at the time so thought of them as "older women"). Came up to me and asked me to settle a bet for them. The one asking said, "Is that your own hair? We have a bet going. My girlfriend thinks that's a wig and I think it's really your hair." I kind of chuckled and said, "No, it's not a wig. It's my real hair." Then she asked if she could pull on it to show her it's real, and without even thinking about it I said "Sure."

She then reached up on the left side of my head and yanked on my hair....HARD! If I'd been wearing a wig, it would have gone sailing across the room. I was surprised she didn't pull some of my hair out. Then her eyes got huge and she said, "Oh my GOD!! That is your real hair. It looks so perfect." That was the last night I wore my hair brushed straight back like that.

Here's what I "normally" looked like back then - a mere 52-years ago.
View attachment 5419375

Now-days, I pull my hair back in a pony-tail and I wear a hat so the front of my head doesn't get cold. "That's my story and I'm skickin' with it!"
View attachment 5419374

You're as good looking now as you were back in the days!

“Dude yer like half black and half Mexican!”

For the record, I am neither black nor Mexican, but I’m pretty sure in context that he meant it as a compliment.

Does that make you Blaxican?

 

[Dasgre0g]

You sound like a singing Hitler!

Best ever

 

[MegaSwing]

‘That’s such a sexy guitar!’

 

[Cyberhippo]

You’ve got purdy hands!

(She wore glasses and her tone wasn’t clear if she meant “to look at” or “to eat” but I’ll take it)

 

[JohnnyChatter]

My band that played originals covered Anything Anything by Buckcherry… A good friend of mine came up after the set and was like dang! That one song was awesome. You should write like that more often…