Adam Clayton

[the low one]

What Adam does is perfect for U2. His bass lines complement what Edge is doing and really drive the songs along. Songs like “until the end of the world”, “ the fly”, "mysterious ways”, “new years day” etc etc are driving without being just simple single note lines.

His tone is so good too. The P bass throughout the 80’s and 90’s, and the vintage Jazz and Lakland basses now just sound so good.

 

[ccyork]

just because a bass line line does not have a million notes does not mean that it doesn't take a LOT of skill to pull it off. quite the opposite in fact

for example i've said this before on TB and been loudly scoffed at but i'll say it again because it's true

"With or Without You" is NOT, i repeat: NOT an easy bassline to play

yes this song is more or less just four notes, the infamous pulsing eighths

it is frequently listed whenever those threads on the "easiest" basslines come up. hogwash

yes it's just 4 notes. yes i could have played those 4 notes on the very first day i ever picked up a bass, and indeed i did

but i've been playing now for about 7 years, and i'm by no means a master of the bass, but i get by

but "With or Without You" still eludes me. i cannot play it anywhere near as well as Adam Clayton, and i would never attempt it in a live setting

i guess i'm just a terrible bassist...

no i'm not that bad...mr. clayton is just way better than me, and that song requires someone who plays way better than me

"1,000,000 notes" does not equal "great"

"serving the music" equals "great"

 

[KPAX]

His lines make many U2 songs great. He always has great tone and feel. Back in the days of New Wave, his bass lines and tone immediately grabbed my attention. They were melodic and always in the pocket. Their newer stiff (like Vertigo) - same thing. Clayton always got it - damn good player.

Now, I know this man is no Claypool, but I wanna know your oppinions. What do you think of him? His tone? Style?

 

[LilMissStrange]

I think he's a great bass player, good groove, very solid, fits well with the band. U2 is a decent band, but in my opinion, I think theyre a bit overrated.

 

[barbarbass]

The guy is really, really good at what he does. Plus, listen to the chorus of "Mysterious Ways." That groove is enormous -- he lays out on the "one" of each measure, coming on one-and-a-half. That is pretty sophisticated, in my book. Really pushes the groove forward.

I'm not a big Larry Mullen fan, so I think AC is what makes that rhythm section work as well as it does.

 

[Jubey Monster]

Saw them the year before last, really amazing mixture there. Adam's basslines may not be the most technical stuff you'll come across, but he certainly does his job and he does it well. Check out the bass part to pride in the name of love. Normally I HATE playing root note basslines but this one has real feel to it.

New Year's Day is also a staple favourite.

 

[joelc1319]

just because a bass line line does not have a million notes does not mean that it doesn't take a LOT of skill to pull it off. quite the opposite in fact

for example i've said this before on TB and been loudly scoffed at but i'll say it again because it's true

"With or Without You" is NOT, i repeat: NOT an easy bassline to play

yes this song is more or less just four notes, the infamous pulsing eighths

it is frequently listed whenever those threads on the "easiest" basslines come up. hogwash

yes it's just 4 notes. yes i could have played those 4 notes on the very first day i ever picked up a bass, and indeed i did

but i've been playing now for about 7 years, and i'm by no means a master of the bass, but i get by

but "With or Without You" still eludes me. i cannot play it anywhere near as well as Adam Clayton, and i would never attempt it in a live setting

i guess i'm just a terrible bassist...

no i'm not that bad...mr. clayton is just way better than me, and that song requires someone who plays way better than me

"1,000,000 notes" does not equal "great"

"serving the music" equals "great"

man this is totally the truth. as a wise drummer once told me: consistency = professionalism!

 

[dannster]

I'm not a big Larry Mullen fan...

I'd give my left testicle to have Larry Mullen by my side. Solid players like that are Extremely rare! I'll throw Jon Farriss in there as well.

"serving the music" equals "great"

It is infinitely harder to not play a note than to play one. That has always been my greatest battle as a bass player.

I've heard what a crappy player AC is since the first album came out. I still don't see it. He is solid in my opinion and one of my fav players. I bet if John Myung filled in for a show he'd be jumping out of his skin trying not to play an extra note or two.