Tal Wilkenfeld Redux...her CD

Roy Vogt · #1 01-31-2010, 01:54 PM

With the recent (sometimes controversial) thread about Tal's abilities/musical prowess via her Youtube clips in my mind I took the time I spent riding in the band van back from my out of town gig to listen to her project Transformation from beginning to end. As I had just hosted guitarist Wayne Krantz here at Belmont University for a clinic/workshop, it didn't hurt that I had just had a 2 hour lesson in his concept as well as hearing his trio with Tim Lefevbre and Keith Carlock the night before....
This is a very profound work-a grown-up wrote this. The solos are very mature and well-developed, not just "hey check out this double-thumb, triple tap, sweep picking combination on a Blues/Minor Pentatonic Scale" for the entire project. She gave room for her excellent band to shine and in general behaved like an adult and excellent composer, bandleader, and musician.
The problem with Youtube is that the clips can range from totally random cell-phone bootlegs to excerpts from what players are doing on other gigs. All of this just reminds me that to judge a player by their Youtube clips is like the old story of the Blind Men and the Elephant...

Phil Smith · #2 01-31-2010, 03:29 PM

What is your point here? And do we need yet another thread on this????

jjk2007 · #3 01-31-2010, 05:07 PM

I think Roy was just chiming in as a seasoned and professional bassist/instructor on what he heard from Tal's disk, which seems to be in the minority from what many on TB have to say. His point is she's pretty good.

seamus bass · #4 01-31-2010, 05:09 PM

so if tal played sx basses this would be enough for its own website!!
jk i thnk its hilarious when people bicker and make drama over things that really dont affect there day to day lives.

John Wentzien · #5 01-31-2010, 05:10 PM

Clips? please.

Roy Vogt · #6 01-31-2010, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Smith

What is your point here? And do we need yet another thread on this????

My point is the one I made at the last of my post-Youtube clips do not an accurate representation make. Few people if any mentioned her solo CD, it was all about whether she was getting that attention because she was young/a girl/hot/playing on a Jeff Beck tour. That's like someone who has never heard Jaco's first album in it's entirety relying on Youtube clips from "Saturday Night Special" and that DCI video shot in 1985 to get an opinion.
I decided to listen again to her project and get an opinion. As my grandmother said, we've all been given two ears but only one mouth for a reason, so I thought I'd use mine before posting, Since the thread was shut down, I just started a new one to speak my peace.
I'll check on the legality of what I can and can't post, John, and I'll see what I can do within reason....

John Wentzien · #7 01-31-2010, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy Vogt

My point is the one I made at the last of my post-Youtube clips do not an accurate representation make. Few people if any mentioned her solo CD, it was all about whether she was getting that attention because she was young/a girl/hot/playing on a Jeff Beck tour. That's like someone who has never heard Jaco's first album in it's entirety relying on Youtube clips from "Saturday Night Special" and that DCI video shot in 1985 to get an opinion.
I decided to listen again to her project and get an opinion. As my grandmother said, we've all been given two ears but only one mouth for a reason, so I thought I'd use mine before posting, Since the thread was shut down, I just started a new one to speak my peace.
I'll check on the legality of what I can and can't post, John, and I'll see what I can do within reason....

I'd appreciate it.
If I like it ...I'll buy it!
Are there any sample clips?
They usually have them on CDs for sale?

Roy Vogt · #8 01-31-2010, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Wentzien

I'd appreciate it.
If I like it ...I'll buy it!
Are there any sample clips?
They usually have them on CDs for sale?

They'll probably have some on Itunes and CD Baby, but the problem with that is that it's a 30 second to one minute snapshot. Nonetheless, that's a good place to start....
Here's Abstract Logix site
http://www.abstractlogix.com/xcart/p...8&cat=0&page=1
There are also clips on her MySpace page

www.myspace.com/TalWilkenfeld

EddieG · #9 01-31-2010, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Smith

What is your point here? And do we need yet another thread on this????

Wow! Some people are really huffy over nothing on these boards!

Simple solution; if you dont think the topic is valid for you, don't take part, or read it. Not so hard, is it?

John Wentzien · #10 01-31-2010, 05:57 PM

There are 3 cuts on her myspace..
Don't know if this is new..
http://www.myspace.com/talwilkenfeld

SlingBass4 · #11 01-31-2010, 05:59 PM

I, for one, thank you Roy for a simple but intelligent observation/post. I find it especially too easy on this site to have the obvious overrun by the hype. Those that are serious in their mature pursuit of furthering their understanding and insite through that of varied players and genres appreciate a reasonably short, succinct, and unbiased rendering of the facts

John Wentzien · #12 01-31-2010, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy Vogt

They'll probably have some on Itunes and CD Baby, but the problem with that is that it's a 30 second to one minute snapshot. Nonetheless, that's a good place to start....
Here's Abstract Logix site
http://www.abstractlogix.com/xcart/p...8&cat=0&page=1
There are also clips on her MySpace page

www.myspace.com/TalWilkenfeld

Thanks!

ProfGumby · #13 01-31-2010, 06:30 PM

All I can say is unless one really listens to a recording in high fidelity a lot of the performance is lost. Sure someone who really really stinks is easy to spot, even on youtube. But to really judge subtleties and nuances on the web or even most folks computer speakers is silly.

As for Tal, some folks just can't get past her boobs.

As for me, playing Tal's stuff and Jeff Beck on my home stereo was all I needed to hear. So, my opinion of Tal as a player and musician is pretty well stated here, and I can understand not everyone will share my opinion. But I think too many folks don't really give the young lady a chance.

One can truly appreciate someones talent and contribution to a piece and still not care for their particular style of music. Also for me, my Heresy is the soulful bass soloist recordings are played to death. And the "Jaco is better than...." is getting old. I like Tals solo stuff, but really think she shines in the context of someone else's band.

Again to each their own, but I do marvel at the folks who seem to start the most posts about any bassist, Tal or otherwise, are those with an axe to grind.

Peace

John Wentzien · #14 01-31-2010, 06:38 PM

I listen on "high dollar" JBL studio monitors.

John Wentzien · #15 01-31-2010, 06:41 PM

The myspace cuts actually sound decent...I know they cut the MP3's down to about 128.

Tahoe_Ed · #16 01-31-2010, 07:10 PM

I just purchased on ITunes and will listen critically as you did tomorrow on my flight to vegas. Thanks for some sanity in the debate.

John Wentzien · #17 01-31-2010, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tahoe_Ed

I just purchased on ITunes and will listen critically as you did tomorrow on my flight to vegas. Thanks for some sanity in the debate.

Please tell us your take on it!

camiloochoa · #18 01-31-2010, 07:27 PM

i own Tal´s album, and at this moment it´s one of my favorites albums (i´m also diggin The Philadelphia Experiment), i´ve never heard anything from his work with jeff beck (cause i don´t like jeff beck) but this album is truly awesome.

Gintaras · #19 01-31-2010, 07:35 PM

I must agree that you don't really get to hear her maturity on YouTube. I downloaded her album on Itunes and has become one of my favorite. It took about 3 listens to really appreciate her playing. Looking forward to her future work.

jerry · #20 01-31-2010, 07:49 PM

Tal's disc has been near the top of my CD heap since it was released, I agree with Roy's assessment!