Adam Clayton Does Not Suck.

[bass_study]

If he play like John entwistle, the music of U2 will change and the may not become as popular as now.
Bassist don't need to show off any time but to provide what the music need.

 

[BogeyBass]

Like I said before simple yes they are bassline...sorta.

Edge is a endless jangle of delay, sometimes that bass is the melody. then they trade back in forth. But hey it might be simple but it makes the song. we all hear sunday bloody sunday.
that song is the bassline.

96tbird Gloria is good reminder 80's chorus bath , surrender...two hearts.
heck 2 hearts has a little grind going. again that melody is him.
the guitar is jang ga janga gah....

 

[Grabow]

one of the most important parts of playing bass is knowing what to play and when to play it, supporting the song is what it's all about.
so, before you slag off Adam Clayton, just remember, he is a multi Millionaire playing in one of the worlds most popular bands, who are you?

 

[Worldeeeter]

I don't know, to me Claypool needs a thread defending him too. I don't see what all the fuss is about. Clayton blows him away IMO.

I assume this post was meant to get under people's skin. Typical of TB.
If you're serious, there are many other hobbies that you can enjoy, as music is obviously not for the tone-deaf.

 

[Worldeeeter]

one of the most important parts of playing bass is knowing what to play and when to play it, supporting the song is what it's all about.
so, before you slag off Adam Clayton, just remember, he is a multi Millionaire playing in one of the worlds most popular bands, who are you?

Here we go again...
No one disputes the fact that U2 is successful. Many bands have been wildly successful by playing music that is, at best, pedestrian.
This is no reflection on their talent level; many people enjoy awful music, and pay big $$$ for it. We all know that there is no money in "keeping it real".
No one has really heard Adam Clayton play anything except U2 songs; we don't know if he sucks. I don't think other bassists could step in and do much better (no one would want to anyway).
My hat's off to the guy for making a zillion bucks doing what he enjoys. That's way cool. I'm unsubscribing from this thread now; it's getting ridiculous.

 

[WoodyG3]

No one has really heard Adam Clayton play anything except U2 songs; we don't know if he sucks.

SINCE I've heard him play U2 songs I know he DOES NOT suck. I get so freaking tired of people thinking music is a technical exercise or some sort of contest of speed and complexity.

Worldeeeter, I know you were basically defending Clayton. I guess I just didn't like the way you were doing it. LOL.

 

[lfmn16]

If he play like John entwistle, the music of U2 will change and the may not become as popular as now.

We'll never know. By that logic you could say, "think how popular the Who would have been if Entwistle hadn't played so much!! they have have been bigger than the beatles!"

 

[Willie Dizon]

Nobody sounds like U2(I've been a fan since the early 80s).Adam Clayton is perfect for the band.His playing has matured over the years and no one else could really take his place.

 

[bass_study]

We'll never know. By that logic you could say, "think how popular the Who would have been if Entwistle hadn't played so much!! they have have been bigger than the beatles!"

No that's not my logic. What I mean is people like the vibe that now U2 has and Adam bass playing contributes a lot to the sound. If someone like John play in U2, that vibe will change and people may not like it. The same applies if Adams play in the Who.

 

[lfmn16]

If someone like John play in U2, that vibe will change and people may not like it.

Or they may like it better. That's the problem with saying that the way a player played the songs is the best way; we just don't know. If you hear a song with a specific bass line hundreds of times over the years, of course your ears are going to tell you something is wrong if you suddenly hear it with a different bass line. There is no way to know if it would have been better, worse or just different if you had also been listening to it with a different bass line the whole time.

This thread has really gone from "Adam Clayton does not suck" (which I don't think anyone said anyway) to "Is simpler better" and that argument will never be settled.

 

[bass_study]

Or they may like it better. That's the problem with saying that the way a player played the songs is the best way; we just don't know. If you hear a song with a specific bass line hundreds of times over the years, of course your ears are going to tell you something is wrong if you suddenly hear it with a different bass line. There is no way to know if it would have been better, worse or just different if you had also been listening to it with a different bass line the whole time.

This thread has really gone from "Adam Clayton does not suck" (which I don't think anyone said anyway) to "Is simpler better" and that argument will never be settled.

It is someone mentioned Enwinstle before and I just use him as and example. His bassline and tone fits the songs, with his thoughts he put in his playing, he is definitely not suck. I think it is pretty obvious.

 

[Wasim]

one of the most important parts of playing bass is knowing what to play and when to play it, supporting the song is what it's all about.
so, before you slag off Adam Clayton, just remember, he is a multi Millionaire playing in one of the worlds most popular bands, who are you?

What? That makes no sense. So you can't have an opinion on music unless you're a millionaire?

Adam Calyton would have got nowhere if he had that attitude, I'm sure.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

one of the most important parts of playing bass is knowing what to play and when to play it, supporting the song is what it's all about.
so, before you slag off Adam Clayton, just remember, he is a multi Millionaire playing in one of the worlds most popular bands, who are you?

Making millions doesn't equal being good. Vast majority of people prefer to listen to some junk music that require no talent over something that require more of a active listening.

And by that reasoning a guy like Alain Caron or Victor Wooten are worst than Adam Clayton because they don't make as much money ? They put to much effort in their craft ?

 

[Stick_Player]

Way too much defending of this Adam Clayton guy.

Makes me wonder...

 

[WoodyG3]

Way too much defending of this Adam Clayton guy.

Makes me wonder...

Makes you wonder what?

 

[Nakedfish]

Oh gawd, not this dead horse again. While he may not be everyone's cup of tea, I have always admired AC's playing. He gets the job done.

I suspect he gives not a toss what any of us think of his abilities as a bassist. Jealousy manifests itself in many ways, not the least of which is sniping at those whom we perceive to be undeserving of their wealth and fame.

 

[willbassyeah]

i think the worst bassist will be playing jacko style in u2 and playing adam style on weather report

 

[PlungerModerno]

Yup Still bubbling away....

Seriously though, AC needs no defending in the bass community nor as a musician. He never claims to be a revolutionary bassist, and nobody is saying he can't play at all. Between those extremes is the facts, and they are interpreted as each sees fit... i.e. opinions.

He gets paid well. And money can be implied to equal artistic success but most musicians, from what I hear, rich and poor, will say the music business doesn't work that way.

It takes all sorts. We all hear & feel differently when we hear the same performance / recording. We can all be correct. I think we are. .

 

[RexNFX79]

I'd be willing to bet that there are waaay more Adam Claytons that are members of Talkbass than John Entwistles but the anonymity of the internet seems to heighten people's interpretation of their skills.

 

[PlungerModerno]

I'd be willing to bet that there are waaay more Adam Claytons that are members of Talkbass than John Entwistles but the anonymity of the internet seems to heighten people's interpretation of their skills.

No doubt. But that's one of the reasons so many bassists aren't floored by ACalikes but are by the Entwhistlians. AC doesn't do the flashiness vibe so it's natural, when compared to those that do (ability aside), he can't stand out like they can.

This is from somebody who would be flattering themselves unjustly to call themselves at AC's level.
Still don't need to be Vic Wooten to have an opinion though.

Victor Wooten Now there's a man that DEFINATELY doesn't suck. I'm not a huge fan but sometimes those grooves get exceptionally groovy.