Got a Complement last night

I'm laid up with pneumonia. Have been for a few days. Kept my guitarist informed and the plan was I would play rehearsal by ear last night. If I fealt up to it, I'd go. If not, they'd practice anyway. I don't sing or anything, so I figure missing bass parts wouldn't matter for one night. Anyway, I get a broadcast text message last night that practice was canceled at the last minute. I figured, oh no, it's my fault and we'll have to pay for canceling so late. I ring up the guitarist(notice I don't call him a gui****), and tell him I'll be there. So, we don't lose the money. He tells me no worries and that they were talking about why I should be there for every practice. Here's what he told me each of my band mates said.

Drummer said he listens to me for time. Guitarist needs me for arrangement ques. I usually help the keyboardist figure out his parts, as he's comiong back after a 15+ year layoff, and the lady singer needs to feel my bass notes to put her into the groove. It's just simple covers, and I don't play anything earth shaking or innovative. But my steady, solid approach seems to have struck a chord with these guys. I was ordered to take care of myself and get well, by the band as a whole.

I've expressed in other threads how refreshing it's been to play with these folks. they're all longtime friends and bandmates, reuniting after almost 15 yrs apart. The old bassist is deceased, and I'm the replacement. They've never once made me to feel like an outsider/new guy, and I'm pretty appreciative of that. Ask me, I'll tell you I'm mediocre @ best. But these guys see me in a whole different way. It feels kind of cool. It's even making me feel a bit better today. I feel lucky to be playing with these guys, they actually appreciate a "real bass player". Their quote, not mine.

 

yes, restraint is definitely an ingredient in our recipe. that old band guy was the very definition of the term gui****.

 

I concur, this is the 1st gig in many years that has been this cool. I'll probably get booted next week. LOL

 

That's always been my goal, I don't need to be Jaco. Not that I ever could be

 

they really are, same peer groups(age wise), similar musical tastes and goals. yeah, I hope this project sticks and becomes successful. If for any other reason, that only becaus ethese folks are so cool. You come across so many a-holes out there. you know ?