Best compliment you got after a gig......

[Nine lives]

It was 7 years ago this week, we hosted the IBC wrap up jam at BB Kings, saxophonist Pat Pepin was invited on stage, after the first tune she turned around to me and said "your good" ... that was kinda cool.

And about 2 years ago at a club down the street from BBs the wife of a pro photographer who was in town photo shooting various artists on the street said " I don't usually notice bass players, but your different, great job" ... maybe my favorite compliment ever!

 

[david barnes]

it was last year during a gig in april . I had played my set , and was unloading and keep in mind I was 30 at the time and a guy around 45 or so comes up and said man. I normally don't like heavy metal. but watching you play today inspired me to get back in to playing, your way of playing is unlike any other,. and your energy was amazin. made me feel really good.

 

[alembicguy]

Nice truck

 

[Bodeanly]

"I don't usually go home with the bassist, but..."

Oh wait! Are you talking "real life?"

 

[buldog5151bass]

I recently joined a band, and had to learn a night's worth of music quickly (modern/classic rock covers). Second rehearsal, we went through a song with a tough groove. I knew I had shucked a few clams, but BL just said it was the first time the band had done the song where he didn't want to drop it from the setlist.

 

[two fingers]

Sat in with an old friend's band for a few songs not long ago. After the set the drummer offered to put me up in his lake house if I would move to the area and join the band.

Thirty years of playing and I have to say that's the first time I ever got offered a house......from a guy anyway.

 

[Wandering Bass]

Bartender years ago told us we're his favourite band and he'll push the owner to call us more...because our tear down and loading are so efficient he gets home a half hour earlier.

But the best was when I did a sub for a fairly big jazz saxophonist. During the break many regular fans kept telling him he was on fire that night, really ripping it up. As we headed in for set two he thanked me for the solid groove that allowed him to be on fire.

 

[Spidey2112]

After a gig: First time my dad saw me play live. He told me he was glad I didn't listen to him and give up on music.

Awesome!

 

[Dark Red Moon]

Bassist for a respected tribute act told me after a show, "sounds better than the way I play it".

 

[baxter_x]

When people aks me about my rig 'cause they heard and it sounds "freaking awesome"
When People tell I remind them James hetfield, in the mid 90s, on bass when onstage (I really like that one actually)

 

[StraffordMike]

Bandleader in my current band, who's been doing it a lot longer than I have, just told me last night that the drummer and myself are the tightest rhythm section he's played with. I do pride myself on driving the beat.

 

[viper4000]

Awesome!

There's a pretty deep story behind that. Too much to go into really. Suffice to say, we had a tough relationship that has mended as we both aged and matured. Thinking of that night when he said that gets me right in the feels. It is now a positive motivator to keep playing.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

A memory popped into my head today. One I wished to share. While this tale has nothing to do with playing bass it is music related and you my bass playing brothers will likely understand and maybe identify with. Best compliment I ever got after a gig: Many years ago Labor Day weekend of 1975 I went to Crescent Beach. My Gainesville Brothers and Sisters will know the place. My then girlfriend and I spent a weekend at a small motel in Crescent Beach Florida. A friend owned the place. Eight or ten small cottages on the beach. We shared our cottage with a group. Such a blast it was lots of tasty adult beverages and other organic intoxicants. I played "at" guitar in those days and had found a religion behind many hours of Exile on Main Street. Learned every song. My girlfriend, Dodie, and I went to a liquor store for a bottle. We scored a bottle of Old Grandad 100 proof bottled in bond. Pretty much everybody at the motel was hanging on the patio enhancing an intense communal buzz. I dragged out my guitar, harp, and one of those neck brace apparatisi one employs to play harp and guitar. I began to recite the poetry that is "Exile on Main Street" fueled by the bourbon and the state of my love life. I poured my heart and soul into those tunes. I left all I had on that patio that night. I didn't see Miss Dodie again for more than thirty years after that night on the patio and only briefly. Oh, I nearly forgot, the best compliment. When I finished a friend said to me: " I never knew you were a blues man".

What happened to your girlfriend?

 

[Darkhorse1962]

I had a friend who brought out his adult aged daughter. She had been discharged from the military and was suffering from severe PTSD. She hadn't been in a social surrounding for over a year. During our set she broke out of her spell and not only danced...she danced with her father.

Brought tears to everyone's eyes.

 

[lbbc]

After a gig a few weeks ago, a local prominent musician told me my bass playing was awesome and I sing like Michael Anthony.

 

[Darkhorse1962]

Here's my other "big compliment" story.

I was at a Beatles festival where I had a chance to meet and talk with Ken Scott, the producer of the Beatles White Album. We talked about him being there while the Beatles wrote and recorded songs for the album including Back In The USSR.

Later that night I'm sitting with my band and we're playing Back In The USSR. I look up at the crowd and see none other than Ken Scott staring right at me. Humility hit me hard as I realized I'm a pretender while this guy actually worked with Paul McCartney.

Near the end of the song he catches my eye, smiles at me and gives me a thumbs up before walking away.

That was all it took for me.

 

[NortyFiner]

Random person: "Hey, I know that song!"
My thought: "Cool, if they can recognize it, that means I didn't completely blow the cover."

I keep my compliment bar low. It's safer that way.

 

[Ewo]

Adam Hall from Another Lost Year was in the crowd at one of our festival shows last summer. Came up and introduced himself after the show. Said he liked what I was doing, and asked to play my bass.

 

[dbase]

After the last set... "Take your time, and hurry back"

 

[MPGold]

About 10 years ago I was subbing for a well known "live" hip hop group. Between sets a rather large (and inebriated) guy sits down next and says with a very serious look on his face "you are the blackest white man I've ever heard." It made my year!!!