The Tal Wilkenfeld Thread

[realdeal]

In the business end of pursuing a careeer as a musician, its going to be a necessity sooner or later to have photos shot for promotion, either as part of a group or as an individual player.
The only exception I can think of would be players who perform mainly in the role of session players, and do their performance work primarily in the studio.
Anyone ever see Neil Stubenhaus? We've probably heard him though, and even he probably has a promo pic floating around.

Tal (Ms. Wilkenfeld) is an extraordinarily talented bassist, even more impressive for her age. If she digs in, its scary to think about her chops when she turns 40!!

As far as the pics, anyone with her abilities, promoting their career, would most likely want a good photographer to take flattering shots, male or female. If they seem provocative to some viewers, well, then... I don't think that was the intent.
They were simply shot to be flattering, and they were.
Not like she's posing in a bikini, ya know!

Tal looks like she looks, I'm sure like most people, she wants to look her best.

If an average looking 40/50-something guy, or whomever, performed with the same skills as she does, and did in the PBS show with Beck, he would (or should) get props based on the playing alone. To quote Paris Hilton: "That was HOT!"

The fact that she's a young, petite, nice-appearing woman certainly does add some flavor and interest to her work, but bottom line is: She's a good player.

 

[Ed Goode]

All things being equal, her gender will play a part in getting the cool gigs. But so will her personality, as will her propensity to drink and take drugs (or not do those things, such as the case may be), her timeliness (is she always late or not), her personal home life (boyfriends/parents/siblings constantly needing her for something ... or not), and any of a bunch of other factors.

Bottom line, you have to be able to play in order to even get in the running. From that point forward, each one of us should use whatever is available to our maximum advantage to get the gig. And if gender and overall attractiveness are on your side, then by all means use it and flaunt it

This young woman can play, no doubt in my mind. Everything else is just icing on the cake, and she'd be a fool not to use whatever she's got to her maximum advantage ...

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I never said anything to the contrary.

I didn't say you did. I know you have defended her ever since the threads on her picked up steam. I think we agree on this subject.

 

[realdeal]

Ref: Pointbass---
Ref:True that, and I'll bet when Jeff Beck, or any other prospective employers hear her play, it's probably just
"You're Hired!" and the rest.... well, just-
"Bonus"!

 

[watspan]

I saw the pbs crossroads and liked Tal just fine--my problem was with Jeff Beck--I was huge fan in the blow-by-blow / wired era--but I was struck last night with the feeling that he really doesn't play guitar anymore--just makes atmospheric sounds--when did the "gimmicks" replace any "real" guitar playing? Cart before the horse type of thing. I know it's all subjective, but that's how it hit me, my .02, IMO, YMMV etc. ...

 

[Dave Grossman]

Here's another.

Arr, this picture will serve me well on those lonely nights at sea.

- Dave

 

[realdeal]

Arr, this picture will serve me well on those lonely nights at sea.

- Dave

I'm sure that you meant with respect to the way in which she interpolated/arpeggiated scales and patterns while soloing and playing over changes, and her overall approach, right?

 

[Dave Grossman]

I'm sure that you meant with respect to the way in which she interpolated/arpeggiated scales and patterns while soloing and playing over changes, and her overall approach, right?

No, I meant because she's adorable.

- Dave

 

[chetbass]

I don't know about all the other stuff but I'd love to be in the audience when she joins Jeff in London. I'll bet Jeff rises to the occasion and lays down some great music. I think she will as well.

 

[funkalicious101]

Great bassist. Too bad shes stuck with that hack, Jeff Beck.

 

[FloydianAnimal]

I saw the pbs crossroads and liked Tal just fine--my problem was with Jeff Beck--I was huge fan in the blow-by-blow / wired era--but I was struck last night with the feeling that he really doesn't play guitar anymore--just makes atmospheric sounds--when did the "gimmicks" replace any "real" guitar playing? Cart before the horse type of thing. I know it's all subjective, but that's how it hit me, my .02, IMO, YMMV etc. ...

I agree with this. It did seem like he was just making noises for the most part during what they showed of him on that special...

 

[JacoLesFlea]

Great bassist. Too bad shes stuck with that hack, Jeff Beck.

Yhea Beck is a Hack....

 

[DaveCustomMade]

I, just this week, was introduced to the talents of Tal, and I am so impressed with her talent, at her age. I wonder how she has become so good at the improv part of playing. I've been searching for a good book/DVD that teaches on a level above beginner. What I do now is try to copy what bassists are already doing, like what Tal is doing.

It makes me really want to become much better than I am, though, because of her age and talent. It is so very inspiring to me. So amazing that she is being used and playing in some pretty large venues, . . . . . . . though I agree that Jeff Beck is a bit of a hack, too.

She is one to watch, for sure! Just love her style of playing, as seen on the YouTube video "Cause We've Ended As Lovers". Love it!

 

[Peter Parker]

You know, I think Tal is good, her solo CD is better than most big name players CD's, but to say she's good for her age kind of suggests that being good at 23 is an amazing thing. Jaco recorded his album and the album with Metheny when he was 24.

 

[j-raj]

You know, I think Tal is good, her solo CD is better than most big name players CD's, but to say she's good for her age kind of suggests that being good at 23 is an amazing thing. Jaco recorded his album and the album with Metheny when he was 24.

very good point.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

very good point.

For that matter, Stanley Clarke released his self titled CD with "Lopsy Lu" and all the other classic tracks when he was 24 also.

Knowing that I still am figuring out stuff that he played when he was half my age thirty years ago, really keeps me humble.

 

[DaveCustomMade]

Uh, . . . . look at the names you're dropping. Jaco, Clark, . . . . . . yeah, she's impressive!

 

[Akami]

You know, I think Tal is good, her solo CD is better than most big name players CD's, but to say she's good for her age kind of suggests that being good at 23 is an amazing thing. Jaco recorded his album and the album with Metheny when he was 24.

It is kind of funny that so much of the attention on her and focused on gender and age, when I think that she would still be a great sounding player if she was a 40-something guy.

 

[Phil Smith]

It is kind of funny that so much of the attention on her and focused on gender and age, when I think that she would still be a great sounding player if she was a 40-something guy.

You wouldn't hear anything about the 40-somehting guy. There would be no threads about him.

 

[Peter Parker]

When I mentioned Jaco for an age comparison I was in no way suggesting she's in the same league as him. She's not. I'll say again, I like her and her CD is better than expected but I can't believe you guys are blown away by her. I really do believe that if she were a 30 year old male nobody would be talking about it. It might be because I manage a music store but I hear guys come in everyday, young and old, that can play as well and many that can play much better. No, they're not on the same stages that she's been on but that's not due to a lack of talent. I'd rather listen to somebody that's great than to somebody who's great for their age. Of course looking at other bass players her age, past(Jaco) and present(Hadrien Feraud) is she really that good for her age?