BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment

Subject: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 06:42 PM

As a newcomer to singing in in public, I've felt really encouraged by positive feedback, but one comment stumped me.
My singing was compared to a well known & respected traditional (femle) singer, & it definitely was meant as a compiment - but I don't like the way that person sings. No criticism - just personal choice.
So I smiled & thanked them for their words which were kindly meant , but it's left me perplexed, as I had a compltely different 'sound' in my head/imagination. & I don't want to sound like 'her'.
Having acquired some home recording equipment, it should be interesting to hear what I actually sound like.
So what compliments don't you want to hear ????

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 06:45 PM

I have been told a couple of times I sound "just like Neil Young." Oh, thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: mooman
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 06:46 PM

Don't worry Guest! At least you weren't compared to various farmyard animals like me....!

Go for your own sound and don't worry too much about comparisons.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 06:55 PM

I was once told by a guy in a pub that when I sang I reminded him of Roger Whittaker. And he meant it as a compliment. Well, Roger Whittaker's ok in his way, but I'd never have thought that was my way.

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: Rapparee
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 06:56 PM

Guest, I hope that you're a woman. It might not have been a compliment otherwise....

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 07:13 PM

Not necessarily. For example, any male singer who was compared to Norma Waterson would be entitled to feel complimented.

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 07:13 PM

OK, here's mine. And I'm not making this up!

Years ago when my band Cyderman's Fancy did the Renaissance Faire circuit, the owner (I'll call her Phyllis) came up to me one September day and said "I really like your sound. You have a creative use of dissonance."

The following September, Phyllis strolled up to me and said, "I really like you guys; you're right on the edge of bad taste."

The third year, Phyllis honestly came up to me and said "I don't know what it is I like about you guys . . ."

(I said "Could it be our creative use of dissonance?" and she replied, "That's it!")

We quit after that year.

Claire

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: alanww
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 07:14 PM

"You have a real Bing Crosby voice." Ohhh. Thanks!!!

"I'm dreaming of a white ...!"
Alan

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: Callie
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 07:42 PM

I don't think one should 100% trust vocal comparisons. I mean - how many times has someone said to you "oh look at that woman - she's the splitting image of your sister". And you look and think "huh? one of us is crazy." Well I reckon the same goes for music.

Callie

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: open mike
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 07:57 PM

isn't rtoger whittaker mostly known for his whistling??
do you whistle, perhaps that is why you reminded them of him.
i used to whistle in the house, but was told by my (former)
husband and children to quit. now i live alone :-(
but can whistle whenever i want :-)

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 09:05 PM

One of my favorite "compliments" was made by a good friend. He said that I should really have a record out. He said, "There are a lot of people worse than you who have records out."

Gee, thanks...

I also love the "compliments" that say, "Your'e not nearly as good as..." but you're pretty good..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 09:07 PM

Getting another gig at the same place is the only really sincere compliment

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: *daylia*
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 09:37 PM

I remember being told after a couple days at a new school that I looked like Mick Jagger. As a 15yr old girl I just KNEW that couldn't be a compliment ...

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: mg
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 09:53 PM

well I wrote a song once and someone said it sounds like somebody wrote it..mg

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: leprechaun
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 11:00 PM

Nobody's ever complimented my singing.

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: Cornflake
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 11:14 PM

My group plays originals. More than once, someone has come up after we played a set and talked about how a particular song really got to the heart of some subject, and the explanation makes it clear that the person didn't understand the song at all. Usually I just nod affably and say thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: Bill D
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 12:00 AM

hmmmm...I have been told TWICE that I sound like Jimmy Stewart....kinda scary. Must be the twang I picked up from 25 years in Kansas.

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: JennyO
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 01:31 AM

I remember many years ago being told by a guy who was obviously trying to let me down easy, that I'm a nice, genuine person, but.... The 'but' said it all. Normally that would have been a compliment, but not in that context. I think they call that 'damning with faint praise'.

My mother used to joke about someone telling her she had a kind face, like a cow.

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: Little Hawk
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 02:27 AM

My God, daylia...there...there is a distinct resemblance there! And I never noticed or thought of it before! You should try dying your hair brown, acting really f**king arrogant, swearing a lot in a working class British accent, getting a sex change (or not), and going out with famous models, and stuff like that. Getting sued for paternity by a number of women helps too. Really good Jagger impersonators can make a decent living fronting bands in places like Barrie and Blind River and Timmins, eh? You might even meet BDiBR if you play Blind River! You don't have to sing all that well, just use the LIPS, baby, use the LIPS!!! Call Walsh for tips...he's been imitating Jagger for years, but he just hasn't got "the look".

Several people have bugged me by telling me I sound like John Denver (Yech!). When they tell me I sound like Bob Dylan I am much happier. One guy said I sounded like Sinatra, but he also thought there was a green gorilla behind the bar, so I didn't take him seriously.

The fact is, people, if they like you, tend to think you sound like some musician they already know about and like a lot, so if they know next to nothing about Dylan, then they may think you sound like...John Denver or Neil Diamond or Garth Brooks or whoever they do know about. Don't worry about it.

One thing though...If they say you sound...or look...like Jerry Lewis... Worry about it! Ditto for Tony Clifton.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: alanabit
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 02:56 AM

I think this is all part of a conundrum which will always be with performers and critics. How do you describe your music? I got flattered by comparisons with Richard Thompson, Neil Innes and Billy Bragg - less so by comparisons with John Denver. One record company exec described my music as "country rock" - which probably meant that it pissed him off that we failed to mix out the acoustic guitar. My reaction to that one was, "Oh Hell - I didn't realise my lyrics were that bad!" I think the problem will always be with us. Most of us struggle to describe ourselves in a way which means something to a potential booker or audience.

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 03:47 AM

Were you improvising that last bit?... (yes)... I thought so!
Was that you? I thought it was the radio...
No, I like your music... but if anyone complains, I'm going to ave to ask you to leave...
Could you sing that again, but without the guitar this time?
How long have you been playing guitar?
Play 'free bird'!
Did you write that?
Nice playing.... Do you do any Kottke? I do ...(goes on to list all the songs and guitar specs for ten or 15 impossibly hard to play Kottke tunes)
ttr

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: Larkin
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 06:16 AM

Pete Bellamy once told me after our set that I had patrician ears.?????

Still not sure whether what the hell he meant.
Martin

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: Declan
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 06:45 AM

I really enjoy your session. You don't have amplification, so it doesn't interfere with our conversation.

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: Ralphie
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 06:57 AM

My favourite was a chap who came up and said.
"You were almost worth getting out of bed for....!"
I think I understood what he meant?
Ralphie

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: The_one_and_only_Dai
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 07:00 AM

McGrath, I wonder if you'd have had the same comparison if your beard wasn't oh-so-snowy white?

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: Hamish
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 07:04 AM

I was once compared to Howard Jones which should have been a compliment (I liked Howard Jones) but it was definitely meant as a criticism.

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 07:07 AM

When Sandra Kerr was at our club several years ago, what I was trying to say was that we both have the same name, but hers has been known all over the world for more years than I have been known in my small circle.

What I said 3 times (using different words each time) was that she was older than me. Finally I gave up & curled up in a ball moaning.

When I meet her again at Easter I will not claim acquaintance - tho if Nancy or someone else says we have met before ...

sandra (still feeling silly)

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 07:16 AM

"That song really suits your voice"
I know its a compliment - but it always sounds like I've had no input to the performance........

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: JennyO
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 08:16 AM

"Your voices are so different, but they sound good together"

   - comment about our singing duo, Lemon Tart.

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: Bullfrog Jones
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 08:34 AM

Claire -- dissonance rules! Dana Robinson complimented me and the Beloved on our use of dissonance after hearing us do Gillian Welch's 'Dear Someone'. I'm sure he meant it nicely!
My favourite definite compliment was Liz Simcock comparing my songs to Guy Clark ('have you ever heard of him?' She said. 'Oh yes!' I said.)

BJ

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: Sam L
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 09:08 AM

My kids said a John Mellencamp song I hate sounded like me.

My favorite was not my singing, or playing, but dancing. Somebody said "good job".

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: GUEST,jimlad
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 09:33 AM

In a local Workingmens Club the Compere was heard thanking an 'Artiste' in his prescence thus...

"Well thanks to Johnny Diamond and don't forget folks next week we have got someone even better"

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: *daylia*
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 09:56 AM

Gads LH that sounds like a lot of work eh? I could maybe handle the brown hair, the British accent and the arrogant swagger. Possibly a lip job too (you know, they blow up your lips with little bits of fat so that you look more like a blowfish).

But I'm sure I have what it takes to attract gorgeous models - they're usually much too bony for my taste anyway! And those paternity suits - I'll need to order in a couple new parts for sure ... maybe you could be a real bud and make regular testosterone donations to this worthy cause!

Hey - we could even make this a 'double bill' - you as Bob Dylan and me as Mick Jagger!! That would give a whole new meaning to "Like a Rolling Stone!" And even if we weren't very convincing, they're probably too frozen to care much up in Blind River these days ...

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: *daylia*
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 10:00 AM

Oops that shoulda been "But I'm sure I DON'T have what it takes to attract gorgeous models..."

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: Hamish
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 11:00 AM

The MC who mixed up "Who never fails to entertain" with "Who never disappoints" and came up with "Who never fails to disappoint". At least that's what he claimed afterwards. And, no it wasn't about me.

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: GUEST,jimlad
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 12:13 PM

I was once told by a mate that " You have a lovely voice,I could listen to you talk all day,it's your singing thats crap"

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: C-flat
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 01:14 PM

Last Friday night, after a successful gig, I was approached by a portly guy in his forties who said to me,
"I've seen you play dozens of times and I wanted to tell you that YOU'RE the reason I bought a guitar and started lessons"
I was naturally very flattered and was in the process of thanking him for his kind words when he added,
"When I saw the size of your fingers, (they're short and fat),I thought to myself, Well if this guy can play, ANYONE can!"
That sort of took the gloss of the compliment!
C-flat.(aka Fat-Fingers)

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: C-flat
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 01:16 PM

The evidence is in the "members photos"!

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: Susanl
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 03:19 PM

I play a lot of bars. I have been told hundreds of times how much I sound like Janis Joplin. It used to drive me crazy because I don't really SOUND like Janis Joplin and I don't really LIKE Janis Joplin. I eventually realized that most people meant it in a nice way. They meant that they liked me. A lot of people I've met in bars don't have a lot of musical references, especially of non-pop girl singers. After a while, it stopped bugging me being told that I could sing Me and Bobby McGee JUST like Janis if I tried. I never HAVE tried, for the record. In bars, any niceness from the crowd is a good thing. It beats getting, "Do you know anything good?" which has also happened.

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: Little Hawk
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 03:53 PM

"Do you know anything good?"

"Yeah. But I save it for when I play the good places."

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: UB Ed
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 04:15 PM

I really liked the way you played that song. Come on over to the stereo, and you can listen to a copy of it played right.

Subject: RE: BS: ok...it was MEANT as a compliment
From: Cluin
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 04:40 PM

--"I wanna hear I'm An Asshole!"

Okay. You're an asshole. We get some strange requests, folks...


--"Do some Iron Maiden, man!"

No thanks. I did one once. Turns out she was no maiden and I needed a penicillin shot.


--"You guys suck!"

Yeah, but we're getting paid to be here and you paid a cover charge to buy overpriced beer.