Does anyone like Cliff Williams?

[JMacBass65]

What do I think?
It's a shame, but if we were to make a list of bass players that seem to be doing the bare minimum in every song, it would be a very very long list.
The fact that many of these bands have seriously made it seems to have no bearing.

When I've mentioned this sort of things to friends they dismiss it, claiming they listen to the songs as a whole & a boring bass arrangement shouldn't matter.

Similar to the O.P., I found AC/DC arrangement snooze-worthy, except a few of the really old ones where Cliff hadn't even joined the band yet.

Obviously most people here appreciate Cliff and his approach. For those who do not, I think maybe the missing context here is Malcom Young. Seriously, I think the job of the bassist is a little different when you’re in a band with one of the best rhythm guitarists in rock. If Cliff had been flashier he would have been stepping on Malcom, and it just would not have worked as well. Also, I do think there’s a difference between early and late Cliff. I think as AC/DC got more successful, they got more formulaic, and that affected what Cliff was asked to do. I think they peaked with Back in Black (which is a masterpiece) and that album is full of great bass lines.

Exactly. There is a difference between early and late Cliff d like you said, once they became more formulatic, it became less groovy.

There is not a singer point that I'd disagree with you.
Maybe with the flashier part.

He's not non-flashy because of Malcolm, playing more simply just wouldn't work as a whole. If he'd been more flasher that obviously wouldn't work out and either the Youngs or the producer would delete his part and had someone overdub it overnight.

Or another approach: He's very flashy because he knows what not to play, even if he technically can.
I think it require a certain level of musicianship to chose what not to play, but max out your grooves at the same time. (I'm talking about Back In Black mostly because there are some serious grooves on that album).
The basslines are just perfect on it in context with the drums.
No overplay but also no underplay. Just the right notes and rhythm at the right time.

These two comments are spot on.

Did anybody mention that Cliff played a fretless

when he started to play with AC/DC?

That is as cool as cool can get!


Wise(b)ass

So far in this thread, you're the first, but I have seen it elsewhere and have raised the point myself on occasion. This was after he joined but before he ever recorded with them. But yeah, that's super cool, and the reason I like using my Precision fretless while playing their stuff.

 

[Harper]

A band that has sold 200 million albums and filled stadiums for 40 years and we are arguing about the bass tone.

This is the most talkbass thing ever

 

[Squittolo]

You got two out of four right. Lots of money and no songwriting skills are accurate. But if you don’t think technical skills are needed for AC/DC, then you obviously never heard live boots with Mark Evans. To be dead on nearly 100% of the time the way he is sounds a lot easier than it is. Mark couldn’t do it. It’s not a virtuoso gig but you still need someone who’s really good to nail it at the level Cliff does. He and Colin Hodgkinson from Manfred Mann’s Earth Band were their two top choices and that’s because they were both really good.

And while he wasn’t exactly Angus up there, he and Malcolm had the coolest background singer move of all time, so it contributes to the presentation and counts as showmanship

Maybe I should have said: no VIRTUOSO skills required

 

[E2942]

we are arguing about the bass tone

We are?
I wasn't.

 

[Harper]

We are?
I wasn't.

Congrats, dude. I owe you a cookie.

 

[E2942]

Let me guess: Oatmeal Raisin?

 

[Harper]

Let me guess: Oatmeal Raisin?

Carrot.

 

[E2942]

derided by people who can't do it well themselves

I think the envy stems from the idea that they could do it, but he's the one doing it for loads of dosh.

 

[perfektspace6]

I love AC/DC. But the bass playing is forgettable and bland. It just exists. Which is what they want. Does nothing for me.

 

[JazznFunk]

I think the envy stems from the idea that they could do it, but he's the one doing it for loads of dosh.

The bars are full of envious and jaded players.

 

[r_bnks]

I love AC/DC. But the bass playing is forgettable and bland. It just exists. Which is what they want. Does nothing for me.

Lol. Now listen the bass work on Back in Black, or read this thread and think it over.

 

[E2942]

The bars are full of envious and jaded players.

The patrons probably outnumber them.

I'd guess there's a better envy ratio right here.

 

[Hot Rats]

For those interested in what Cliff has to say about his role in AC/DC.

Cliff Williams: “AC/DC’s songs are very guitar-driven, so I don’t need to be noodling around underneath. I just need to be driving it“

 

[Heiwa]

Lol. Now listen Back in Black, or read this thread and think it over.

I agree with him, but I think Cliff was too good for the band, he was having fun and he didn’t have to play better.

I like AC/DC but the songs are too long and too repetitive

 

[r_bnks]

I agree with him, but I think Cliff was too good for the band, he was having fun and he didn’t have to play better.

I like AC/DC but the songs are too long and too repetitive

Ok, I missed: listen the bass on the entire Back In Black Album. Nothing dull and uninteresting there. It's full of well written grooves.

 

[iTzPrime]

Funny that Cliff's first three almbus with AC/DC has the finest AC/DC bass lines. The bass on the full Back In Black album is golden from start to finish.

People just can't be bothered listening tonthe bass.

I know the albums and I know the bass lines. They are still boring and repetitive. That doesn't make them bad tho. They are exactly what the music needs and makes it groove super hard.

I'd wager those critical of his playing would fail at recreating any of his tunes accurately, timing and palm muting.

It's not as simple as you think.

It is simple, and I have even played in an AC/DC cover band for a bit. Just because something is easy, doesn't mean it is bad.

 

[Michedelic]

I agree with him, but I think Cliff was too good for the band, he was having fun and he didn’t have to play better.

I like AC/DC but the songs are too long and too repetitive

Too long? What? It ain’t Close To The Edge

 

[Micha84]

By the way, because "professionalism" is always a great value in TB discussions, I think that point should be accredited to Cliff Williams in a big way.

As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I had no idea who he was. But I got curious, listened to a bunch of songs and read up in the guy. His basslines are nothing to get excited about, but he is a rock solid groove monstrosity. I stand by my previous, then uninformed statement: A great example of leaving your ego at the door.

And that is his professionalism, that he should be commended for. First, he sees the big picture. Second, being a successful musician is only partly about your musical abilities, and Williams has all the other stuff nailed down. Despite playing in one of the biggest bands in history, the pressure and the excitement that comes with it, he stayed grounded. No major drug problems, no screwing around in his personal life. He stayed fit, showed up and delivered, constantly, for roughly 40 years. There are way too many examples of musicians who might have been more talented, but who couldn't deliver on the other front.

 

[JazznFunk]

By the way, because "professionalism" is always a great value in TB discussions, I think that point should be accredited to Cliff Williams in a big way.

As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I had no idea who he was. But I got curious, listened to a bunch of songs and read up in the guy. His basslines are nothing to get excited about, but he is a rock solid groove monstrosity. I stand by my previous, then uninformed statement: A great example of leaving your ego at the door.

And that is his professionalism, that he should be commended for. First, he sees the big picture. Second, being a successful musician is only partly about your musical abilities, and Williams has all the other stuff nailed down. Despite playing in one of the biggest bands in history, the pressure and the excitement that comes with it, he stayed grounded. No major drug problems, no screwing around in his personal life. He stayed fit, showed up and delivered, constantly, for roughly 40 years. There are way too many examples of musicians who might have been more talented, but who couldn't deliver on the other front.

Cliff has connections (and family I think) in my city, and although he keeps a low profile, he pops up here and there when he's in town. He works with young musicians at a local music academy and even performed with them here a few times. He even did a collaboration with one of our breweries a while back. Super genuine guy who indeed does have his collective STUFF together in more ways than just in music.... far more than most musicians (many on this thread) who like to talk smack about his playing. Take an example from Cliff. Be genuine, be humble, and see how far it takes you.

Rock Academy and Cliff Williams- Bassist for AC/DC – IamAvl

ACDCfans.net | AC/DC News and Forum

 

[Root 5]

It’s funny to me listening to ‘bass players’ critical of Williams because he doesn’t fly all over the fingerboard/over-playing but instead perfectly performs the function of a top-tier bassist.