Tal Wilkenfeld...maybe I'm missing something...

natselection · #1 01-23-2010, 03:16 PM

I've been watching as many youtube videos of this girl as I can...

Forgive me if I come off as sour,

[rant]

Maybe it's just the nature of what people like to record, but I don't see how she's anything special/adding anything new to bass playing. This isn't to say she's an awful good for nothing player...but I don't see how people can claim that she's 'one of the greatest' or going down in history...solely based on her playing.

She can play with a real nice Jaco-esque technique...but her lines honestly do nothing for me. They aren't original and honestly are (to me) very typical to the jazz genre. I also don't see a lot of variety to how she solos.

Also her grooves are pretty typical / what I would expect from someone playing on the solo bridge. I know a ton of players from various music programs my age (19 and younger even) who nailed that style of playing and soloing. (PS I even think her tone is anything to die for. For a Sadowsky that bass sounds so thin...)

Am I missing something, or am I just being completely ignorant? I know the "to each his own" reply works well but can someone give me a good argument as to how she's anything special? Please no "she's a chick" haha

Thanks,

[/rant]

John Wentzien · #2 01-23-2010, 03:19 PM

Mamalian Protruberences...Get used to it!

Jazz Ad · #3 01-23-2010, 03:41 PM

Do your friends play with Jeff Beck?
There are dozens of topics about her. Just read to get the idea.

Greevus · #4 01-23-2010, 03:45 PM

She's a good player and she looks pleasing enough to my eye, but I'm with Nat. Sounds like a bazillion jazz players with that jazzy tone. And no my friends don't play with Jeff Beck. Or live in France. I do love some Mammaries though.

Dr. Cheese · #5 01-23-2010, 04:06 PM

Here we go again....

St Drogo · #6 01-23-2010, 04:17 PM

What John said. It's the boob.

And yes, that's sexist. But I think the OP has a point; she's a really good bassplayer, but there are a lot of really good bassplayers out there not getting noticed. Call me shallow or cynical, but I do think it has something to do with her being a "her" and not a "him". That gets you noticed.

lowstrung5 · #7 01-23-2010, 04:18 PM

She came to Jeff Beck through Vinnie Caliuta's recommendation. That alone would be enough to rank her with other great players. She has also performed with other luminaries in the jazz field. Obviously some iconic musicians know something you do not. Is she a pioneer of some new technique? No. Maybe that says alot about what is more important as a player. I've met a ton of bass phenoms myself who have fantastic abilities, crazy technique, can play the phonebook so to speak. It's the ability to connect musically to other musicians and provide a framework for the musical dialog that I feel is most important. Technique?.........pushing some new boundary in bass?.........nobody really cares about that. Making a musical connection?.........having a great personal vibe?.........playing what needs to be played and NOT overplaying?........Priceless.

OneMoreRobot · #8 01-23-2010, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by St Drogo

What John said. It's the boob.

Just one? Please let it not be so...

baddarryl · #9 01-23-2010, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by St Drogo

What John said. It's the boob.

And yes, that's sexist. But I think the OP has a point; she's a really good bassplayer, but there are a lot of really good bassplayers out there not getting noticed. Call me shallow or cynical, but I do think it has something to do with her being a "her" and not a "him". That gets you noticed.

Same reason my blond bombshell girl friend makes twice what all the other dudes make in her work for tips business. And no, she doesn't do 'that'!

24hplayer · #10 01-23-2010, 04:28 PM

I think that we can sum it to her being a good player overall (not the best) w/ lovely appearance.

in the end that's more than show-biz requires

that's all

24hplayer · #11 01-23-2010, 04:31 PM

& I forgot to say

HELL YEAH

Rocky · #12 01-23-2010, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowstrung5

She came to Jeff Beck through Vinnie Caliuta's recommendation. That alone would be enough to rank her with other great players. She has also performed with other luminaries in the jazz field. Obviously some iconic musicians know something you do not. Is she a pioneer of some new technique? No. Maybe that says alot about what is more important as a player. I've met a ton of bass phenoms myself who have fantastic abilities, crazy technique, can play the phonebook so to speak. It's the ability to connect musically to other musicians and provide a framework for the musical dialog that I feel is most important. Technique?.........pushing some new boundary in bass?.........nobody really cares about that. Making a musical connection?.........having a great personal vibe?.........playing what needs to be played and NOT overplaying?........Priceless.

I totally agree with you. Additionally she's only 23 and has many years to develop her playing to even higher levels. I'm a meat and potatoes bassist, but I admire her abilities immensely, and yes shes nice to look at.

**WoodyG3** · #13 01-23-2010, 04:45 PM

I'm convinced that some people don't want to like her because she's female. Close your eyes and listen to her play.

neobassman · #14 01-23-2010, 04:46 PM

She's no Jaco, but to be so good so young I think she will be worth watching in the future (and not just 'cause she looks good). Not revolutionary but a damn sight better than just competent.

pbass6811 · #15 01-23-2010, 04:48 PM

IBTL!

**woolysock** · #16 01-23-2010, 04:48 PM

Geeeeze you guys are harsh. She plays in a wonderfully melodic-supportive way and gets a lovely warm tone, nothing thin about it. The fact that she's female and young has nothing to do with anything. She just does her job really really well. Two thumbs up!

**pacojas** · #17 01-23-2010, 04:55 PM

i think she's great!!! that said,.. i like Ida Funkhouser and that Lisa girl a whole lot better!!!

Kwesi · #18 01-23-2010, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

Here we go again....

+1. She can play and she plays well. I don't remember hearing much more than that said about her.

**pacojas** · #19 01-23-2010, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woolysock

The fact that she's female and young has nothing to do with anything.

EPIC FAIL!!!!!!

(so wrong you could never be right)

GKevinK · #20 01-23-2010, 05:04 PM

Ultimately it's gonna come down to how she improves and changes over time. The skill level she demonstrated at 16 (plus the other aesthetic considerations...) got her lots of attention. At 23, she is still solid, but to my mind not quite the 'phenom' that she was earlier. At 30, will she stand out at all? She's got to start breaking new ground soon if she's going to fall back to the (admittedly skilled and working) pack.