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The Tal Wilkenfeld Thread
- Thread starter ibanezcollector
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+1. That pretty much sums up what I think about Ms. Wilkenfeld. The more I listen to her, the more I'm impessed with her talent.
I met her last year when I went to one of Jeff Berlin's clinics. I had no idea who she was, but he was saying to her "I hear you are really good.." I was thinking "who's kid is this?" She looks so young.
We took turns playing Jeff's bass and then I showed her mine, she said "wow, that's really heavy" and handed it back to me without playing it! lol I guess she doesn't like 12 pound basses...
She seemed very nice. It wasn't until I saw her in BP that I knew who she was.
She's talented, but you can hear all of her influences. But she's young and she'll get her own voice eventually.
We took turns playing Jeff's bass and then I showed her mine, she said "wow, that's really heavy" and handed it back to me without playing it! lol I guess she doesn't like 12 pound basses...
She seemed very nice. It wasn't until I saw her in BP that I knew who she was.
She's talented, but you can hear all of her influences. But she's young and she'll get her own voice eventually.
Was curious if there would be thread on her - Crossroads was just run on my local PBS channel.
For the people on the thread that say the streets are littered with young bassists that are as good as her - um, no. She belonged on that stage as much as anyone did.
Most 21 yr old bassists that I see are playing down picked 8th notes.
js
For the people on the thread that say the streets are littered with young bassists that are as good as her - um, no. She belonged on that stage as much as anyone did.
Most 21 yr old bassists that I see are playing down picked 8th notes.
js
I just saw that as well and it was my introduction to her playing, and boy was I sure impressed. I'll definitely look into more of her work. In all honesty I'm surprised she is 21 due to the fact her playing was leagues above many ten years older than her, and also she looked a bit younger to me (not THAT much younger, but I would have guessed 16-18).
just got an email from Wayne Krantz, Tal and Cliff Almond are doing this Thursday's 55 Bar gig with him... Man, I wish I was back up in that neck of the woods again!
I've seen this picture before. I'd have to say that many of us on this thread, self included, are quick to defend an analysis of Wilkenfeld based only on her playing and not on her gender. This photo, however, seems to emphasize the fact that Tal is a woman - so either she or at least this photographer chooses to use that fact to her advantage.Here's another.
It would be interesting to hear her opinion - does she post here? I think of Danica Patrick, who actually encourages the use of her image in a sensual way, so long as it results in more attention paid to her sport.
New member here: I wish I had enough vacation to go up from NJ to listen to her Thursday but I don't. I'll catch her in the near future hopefully.
This is a case of beauty being in the eye of the beholder because this pic doesn't seem especially hot to me.
Notice I didn't use the words "beautiful" or "hot" either...This is a case of beauty being in the eye of the beholder because this pic doesn't seem especially hot to me.
Then what do you mean by saying the photo emphasizing that she is a woman? Every photo I have ever seen of her, she clearly looks female; it not like she has an androgynous look.
For that matter every picture I have ever seen of Marcus Miller or Tony Levin looks very male, so what?
Man, just saw that Jeff Beck video....that´s some crazy playing for a 21 year old! She´s just my age, but years better And it´s so cool that she´s a girl too, we need more of them in this male buisness.
And it´s so cool that she´s a girl too, we need more of them in this male buisness.
MikeBass
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- Nov 4, 2003
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Everyone likes to have "good" pictures of them taken.
The second pic (the one where she's wearring the blus shirt) is IMO a very feminine picture.
Not like the first one. Which is still feminine, but much less so. IMO naturally.
Yes, they both clearly show that she is a young woman, well, because she is.
It's the diference between a picture with a "come hither" look and one where she's eating a steak.
Unless you're into some strange things, I think most would choose to look at a "come hither" look than a dinner shot.
I know I would.
The second picture is a more alluring picture. Nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all.
The next time any of you guys do promo shots or something, just show up in the close that you worked in your yard with and don't comb your hair too much. Looked just like you don't want to be there etc......
I just had some pics done, I dressed "nice" for it and to be honest, was happy with the shots (wish the weather was better that day though!).
Had I showed up sloppy and didn't care about my appearence, then they would show it.
The bottom line (for me anyway), is we use a LOT of things to forward our careers, and weather we like it or not, appearence does make a difference.
How much weight you place in that will depend on you, but when you reach the level she's working at, it comes into play more heavily than it does when you're playing at the local bar downtown.
Playing being equal between her and a total slob walking in, they're not going to flip a coin, they know who they're taking.
I watched Clapton's Crossroads festival last night on PBS. I had read the Bass Player article on Tal, but I hadn't heard her playing since I'm on dial-up and can't listen to sound clips. I was simply blown away by Tal's playing. She uses the bass in such a melodic, interesting way and uses interesting technique (I was very intrigued with her vibrato technique.) Most bassists her age are seen just pounding away on the root.
I can't wait to see what she comes up with as she continues to grow and mature with her playing. Phenomenal.
I can't wait to see what she comes up with as she continues to grow and mature with her playing. Phenomenal.
I see your point. My point was, and still is, that her looks, or the fact that she is a young woman, probably play a very small part in her success. I am not a great bassist by any definition, but I have played music and been around music long enough to know a great talent when I hear one. Tal Wilkenfeld is a great talent, anything else is secondary.
MikeBass
Supporting Member
- Nov 4, 2003
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- Endorsing artist- Suhr basses, PedalTrain, GHS, Ultimate Ears
I see your point. My point was and still is that her looks, or the fact that she is a young woman probably play a very small part in her success. I am not a great bassist by any definition, but I have played music and been arouond music long enough to know a great talent when I hear one. Tal Wilkenfeld is a great talent, anything else is secondary.
I never said anything to the contrary.
I totally agree. In the other thread I said she was a smokin' player. I have her solo CD. It's pretty sweet.
I was just mearly makeing a statement regarding on how appearence does play a role.
Being a young woman, and IMO an attractive one- your mileage may vary on that- does play a role. Maybe a small one, but I'll tell you what, he could have picked from a list of "A" players and he picked her.
Now, again, all things being equal on the "playing" field, having a young woman playing bass creates more of a buzz than say Randy Hope-Tailor who played with him for a while (who is a killer player and NOT taking a thing from him).
How much, if any does that draw more people to see him??
Who knows, but it has us talking about it/her.
And I'm sure a few of us are/has/would go see him now as opposed to before who may not have placed much weight in the show.
Again, at the end of the day how much does impact does it have?
Speculation.
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