I can't believe I have gotten into an arguement over Cliff Williams. The man is a good bass player, no doubt, but there is no evidence of him ever doing more than the most basic job of a bassist. Almost zero creativity but fits AC/DC well.
So you're saying "it's easy" but you can't do it? How can something be easy if it's difficult to do it? That's a total contradiction - or plain nonsense (no offense meant!).
It is not important WHAT a bass player plays, it's important HOW he does it. Cliff Williams is f*cking brilliant at delivering a solid stream of 8ths, something very few bass players can do. People like him have my biggest respect.
I don't think I said I couldn't do it. I said I had never bothered to learn his stuff. I am an amatuer with some nice ideas for basslines but ultimately too lazy to become as accomplished as I could have. therefore I would be a lot sloppier than a pro like cliff.
I would say that it is important both what AND how a bassist plays.
I was a bit pissed last night when i posted, by the way. Probably a bit defensive as well.
How about we move this discussion to its own thread, where I will liekly do some backtracking.