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Adam Clayton Does Not Suck.
- Thread starter spasepeepole026
- Start date
I enjoyed the music very much. Much more than anything U2 has ever done.
I still can't refer to Adam's work (or U2) as art. This is too close to the "every kid gets a trophy" just for participating attitude. Though he works in "The Arts", he merely participates. A dictionary definition typically is broad. I feel the Oxford one is a little closer: "The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination". Skill AND Imagination. I'm not interested in co-opting Art for people who happen to be in the business of music.
It seams this thread has its share of for and against. Until a couple of weeks ago I didn't even know who the bass player was for U2. Heard them on the radio since the 80's, but they just don't do it for me.
I still can't refer to Adam's work (or U2) as art. This is too close to the "every kid gets a trophy" just for participating attitude. Though he works in "The Arts", he merely participates. A dictionary definition typically is broad. I feel the Oxford one is a little closer: "The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination". Skill AND Imagination. I'm not interested in co-opting Art for people who happen to be in the business of music.
It seams this thread has its share of for and against. Until a couple of weeks ago I didn't even know who the bass player was for U2. Heard them on the radio since the 80's, but they just don't do it for me.
So you go on about SKILL. AC can play, the majority of humans can't. Looks like he has a skill to me. He made his lines up out of his own brainwaves: imagination.
Your logic is water and your argument is a paper bag.
Consider a prolific painter whose works are reviled by everyone yet she continues to paint. She's not an artist merely because no one likes it? Horse hockey.
Your logic is water and your argument is a paper bag.
Consider a prolific painter whose works are reviled by everyone yet she continues to paint. She's not an artist merely because no one likes it? Horse hockey.
Really this thread is now about what consitutes art? I mean we had this argument in another thread already (musician as artists i think it was called?), the general opinion shared by most (but not all...) was that everytime you create some art, you are an artist. I agree too. Now there is bad art and good art, but thats a matter of tastes. Music is an art. U2 makes music. U2 are artists (all of them since they all have a hand in writing the songs). Whether you think this is good or bad art, valid or not valid, thats another debate entirely.
By your own post: Adam Clayton is an artist, he uses his skills and imagination to create music.
I think you are misunderstanding the definition of artist with virtuoso.
A virtuoso (from Italian virtuoso, Late Latin virtuosos, Latin virtus meaning: skill, manliness, or excellence) is an individual who possesses outstanding technical ability in a particular field. James Jamerson was a virtuoso, same Jaco. We know that AC is not a virtuoso but you don't have to be a virtuoso to be an artist.
I'll kinda go along with Milk in that this thread has gotten twisted and that AC has become the face of something he shouldn't have.
To each his/her own.
Enjoy!
To each his/her own.
Enjoy!
Has anyone ever tried to play "Where the Streets Have No Name"? I think it's pretty much all 16th notes.
No, I cannot play it. I think I would go crazy if I even tried.
I think the reason he could do it was because he had played "Sunday Bloody Sunday" so many times (between 1982 and 1987) that it sort of prepared him for it. Since SBS has a series of 16th notes played 5 at a time throughout certain sections of the song.
No, I cannot play it. I think I would go crazy if I even tried.
I think the reason he could do it was because he had played "Sunday Bloody Sunday" so many times (between 1982 and 1987) that it sort of prepared him for it. Since SBS has a series of 16th notes played 5 at a time throughout certain sections of the song.
So, I'm sure not many bassists say this, but I first got interested in playing bass after seeing ... Adam Clayton play live.
In the early 90s, U2 came to Houston and I somehow managed to get floor tickets in the Astrodome. Of course Bono was terrific. Of course the Edge was impressive. Of course Mullen kept the train running on time.
But it was Adam Clayton whose instrument made the stadium shake. I still remember the reverberations coming through the floor.
I bought my first bass guitar a week later.
In the early 90s, U2 came to Houston and I somehow managed to get floor tickets in the Astrodome. Of course Bono was terrific. Of course the Edge was impressive. Of course Mullen kept the train running on time.
But it was Adam Clayton whose instrument made the stadium shake. I still remember the reverberations coming through the floor.
I bought my first bass guitar a week later.
Adam Clayton is a great example of an effective and successful bassist. He’s as essential to U2’s sound as the other three guys in the band.
On their version of Father Christmas he plays so *minimally*. And his choice of rhythm completely mystifies me. It sounds really good, but when I listen I'm wondering, "Why did he put the note on that particular beat? Is it all done by feel?" It makes me want to give up playing bass.
I have to admit that I’m not a U2 fan. I don’t hate the music, but I never bought any of their albums. The only one I own is the one Apple have us for free and everyone was all up-in-arms about it.....but I digress.
anyway, I have to say that Adam Clayton is probably who made me decide to, or maybe become more aware, that I am happier as a bass player.
I played guitar, metal guitar, from about ‘86/‘87 until late ‘93. In around October ‘93 is when I picked up bass and never looked back.
It was in the Summer of ‘93 that I was driving a car (don’t remember if it was my car or my girlfriend’s car), but “Even Better than the Real Thing” from Achtung Baby came on the radio, and I remember thinking, “That bass line is awesome. I feel like I’d rather play that than play Slayer guitar riffs...”
anyway, I have to say that Adam Clayton is probably who made me decide to, or maybe become more aware, that I am happier as a bass player.
I played guitar, metal guitar, from about ‘86/‘87 until late ‘93. In around October ‘93 is when I picked up bass and never looked back.
It was in the Summer of ‘93 that I was driving a car (don’t remember if it was my car or my girlfriend’s car), but “Even Better than the Real Thing” from Achtung Baby came on the radio, and I remember thinking, “That bass line is awesome. I feel like I’d rather play that than play Slayer guitar riffs...”
I don’t understand why we keep having these discussions. Adam Clayton does not suck. Nor does Michael Anthony. Nor do I, but AC and MA have been tremendously more successful than me, and you can’t argue with success. While I don’t listen to a lot of Van Halen or U2, their bass lines are precisely what is called for in their music, and that, my friends, is the essence of playing ensemble.
40 years ago I saw U2 live on their first tour of the US at a small venue. I stood a few feet away from them as they played their early material. I knew immediately that they were going to be big. Huge.
40 years ago I saw U2 live on their first tour of the US at a small venue. I stood a few feet away from them as they played their early material. I knew immediately that they were going to be big. Huge.
Years ago, i met Larry Mullen on a shoot for a video in downtown Kansas City by accident...he came over and hung out with me and 1 other dude for maybe 15 minutes watching the video crew...couldnt have been more kind and cordial as well, signed a 5 dollar bill for me which i still have.
If folks would remember, U2 was a band from a very young age and most had no musical training (Larry Mullen put the band together) and their style was formed partly because they had NOT played with others, had very little schooling etc.
You have to be able to FIT into a musical situation and mostly be a compatible band mate for the long haul unlike many jazz and blues players that tend to constantly work with other musicians.
Doesnt matter if folks like U2 or not, they have become icons....heavily influencing christian rock music...still playing stadiums...it seems to me the majority of U2 haters are other musicians.
If folks would remember, U2 was a band from a very young age and most had no musical training (Larry Mullen put the band together) and their style was formed partly because they had NOT played with others, had very little schooling etc.
You have to be able to FIT into a musical situation and mostly be a compatible band mate for the long haul unlike many jazz and blues players that tend to constantly work with other musicians.
Doesnt matter if folks like U2 or not, they have become icons....heavily influencing christian rock music...still playing stadiums...it seems to me the majority of U2 haters are other musicians.
Michael Anthony....the dude is an outstanding backup singer that played his role very well...i think he did improve as a bassist over the years but he knew where he fit...overall a great bandmate, fit the 'party image' very well....you can bet David Lee Roth missed Michael Anthonys backing vocals when he went solo!
