Why all the Tal smack talk?

[JimmyM]

How the heck do you know how much her family helped her or how much money they had? If there is an article I haven't read tell us.
And to Vail, I am a fan of your playing. I agree with a lot of what you have posted, I should have read more before commenting.

Her dad is a billionaire. Is she there because she can play? Of course. But hey...that's the music business.

 

[Gordon of Eden]

Well the only reason Jauqo gets so much attention is due to his skill, and he's the prettiest bassist I know.......

seriously here's all I have to say about Tal Wilkenfeld:

1) She's a very good bass player, and better than me to say the least.

2) She has excellent representation

3) She's a very kind and engaging person (FWIBT*)

4) She's (IMO) an exceptionally attractive young woman

5) If she were 100lbs overweight and riddled with unsightly warts, she would not have the gigs she has now....

To call these issues in to question is like pointing a dirty finger at human nature. If I was a band leader and had the choice between Vail and Tal for a sold-out gig, I would choose Tal.... and Vail has been a personal role model of mine since I was a young child. Why Tal then? Because Tal in herself is an attraction. Not JUST becuase of her looks, or JUST becuase of her playing, or JUST because of her resume.... its the WHOLE PACKAGE. In in my estimation a show advertised with Tal will sell more tickets than a show advertised with Vail, and that would be a sound business decision.

Its Business and human nature. We can aspire to a higher state of morality, and some of are afforded the wonderful opportunity to be moral and kind when we're faced with important choices...but that doesnt change business, or human nature.

My $0.02 --- FLAME "ON"

Nice post, I think you summed it up very well.
We so often forget that this is a business as well not just a talent/poularity contest or who is more or less deserving of gigs.
Tal has all the ingedients you could want to sell tickets. Yes there is some luck involved with regard to her looks but she is a player as well.

 

[Pacman]

I think he is good and I actually took into account his age. And he can become a much better bass player as long as he stays in the game and focused.

I'm not saying that - all I'm saying is he isn't doing anything that deserves any recognition at this point. Unlike Tal.

And I could care less that he's doing a cover because I can hear pass that.

I can too - the cover thing doesn't bother me at all.

Let's see what he sounds like when he's 22.

I'm hoping for great things!

Dang, Jon, how good were you when you were 8? And I'm sure he has to be nervous being on TV and not being used to it. I think the kid kicks it and you adults that think he's not that good ought to cut the kid some slack and show a little perspective about his age. I know a lot of adults (and probably in this thread as well) that can't play that well.

I didn't even play bass at 8, but you're missing my point. It doesn't have anything to do with age. His playing, when you take age out of it, isn't that good. This is opposed to Tal, who when you take age out if it, is *still* a great player.

I know the kid can kick my butt.

I bet that's not true at all.

 

[becker4567]

When someone is that young and so very talented, even I get jealous. I have to keep reminding myself that some people are born with "it" (her), and some aren't (me), but I wish her all the best anyway!

 

[illmusician]

To answer the thread, I think this is simply jealousy. In any situation involving fame the question of why rears it ugly head. I think it's funny that this thread itself exists (no offense to ChiDub).
Out of all the music listening humans on this planet take out the musicians. Then take out the musicians that play out (all of our band mates). Then take out the bass players that make money doing so. This magical number is what we can possibly compare it to.
Vail, we know who you are because were bassist, that's why were talking about his on talkbass.com. You also got your start in a different environment as say TAL. You should help explain the difference between being famous and being known or respected. The majority of the world doesn't listen to the kind of music where one knows the players or care to do so. Whats left to criticize her? Those that are trying to either achieve her status or those that have and are trying to reachieved it.

I think she is a breath of fresh air in the world of bass and also see a potential trend for female bassists. What if Carol Kaye was here posting about her days? Me'Shell N'Degeocello (sic), Rhonda Smith, Esparanza. Esparanza is I think more respected in the underworld of players but I digress. They are a handful that have met criteria of Men to join there band. I haven't a clue if Carol Kaye was a hottie back in the day, I do know that it was radio, records, and tape so most never gave a **** about looks.
Tal doesn't have dancers, choreography, or outfit changes nor do I think she planned out her lighting rig. She is just herself on stage and fits all sources of ENVY. She's young, talented, lucky, making money (few can say how much) at playing an instrument and has good enough looks. All people envy those traits. As far as looks I have met her in person, she had a good day on the cross roads video and the rock n roll induction video: if you were a chick wouldn't you spend extra beautification time knowing you were going to be filmed? Lord knows I noticed the frame of nipply boobage atop a Sadowsky (yup I'm a total bass nerd). But, she was not as striking when I met her or when she performed at the NAMM show, I was there, trust me.
Her luck was finding the auditions for Chick, Jeff Beck, Russell Ferrante, Kenwood Dennard, Hiram Bullock, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Leni Stern, Susan Tedeschi, and the Allman Brothers Band, she made her own luck through talent and character after that. Lets see how she does touring her music shall we? We all know the difference in playing someone else's music and writing, playing, and performing your own.

 

[illmusician]

Her dad is a billionaire. Is she there because she can play? Of course. But hey...that's the music business.

Where did you hear her dad was a billionaire?

 

[ubado]

Lord knows I noticed the frame of nipply boobage atop a Sadowsky (yup I'm a total bass nerd).

There ya go ... one good reason (actually two )

Not taking anything away from her talent ... as she has to have a lot of talent to play along side of some pretty heavy hitters. IMO ... being pretty, and a solid bassist has helped her career MUCH more than her playing on it's own. Frankly, if she was a guy ... the "wow factor" would drop drastically ... as well as the cache. BUT factor in her looks with being a solid bassist, with a natural groove, and excellent timing ... a shazam! ... you've got yourself a tread-worthy star.

But, she was not as striking when I met her or when she performed at the NAMM show, I was there, trust me.

I have to agree. I've seen some Tal photos that make me wonder about how attractive she really is. IMO ... she's got the ol' Seinfeld "Two Face" syndrome. Sometimes she's undoubtably cute ... but sometimes she looks awkward as heck.

For me ... it's all about those curly locks (the ol' Boob-on-Sadowsky doesn't hurt either ).

 

[PasdaBeer]

I think its deffintly the boob on the sadowsky.

Shes a good player, nothing I find amazing, But solid.

Boobs + bass = a win in her case i guess.

 

[illmusician]

LMFAO

 

[Illbay]

Every time I hear her name there's talk of her success being attributed to her looks, age and gender.

Okay, I'm clueless.

I don't know who "Tal" is, the bassist on that video is a dude (haven't got my glasses on so I can't see who it might be, but he's a helluva player), and I don't see any woman anywhere on the stage.

What am I missing?

 

[Knifedge]

Fact of the matter is that she is doing well, no matter how she managed to get up there. Ya, she's a female bass player, ya she's young, ya she is quite talented. Very little of that would matter if she didn't have the drive and attitude to propel herself to play with renowned musicians. Those who hold some sort of grudge against her success should look at themselves and evaluate why you aren't in her position. Being male, a bit older, not any sort of GQ looking person, yet I do well in getting some pretty cool gigs. Why? I don't sit on my ruff and pick at those who are doing well, I get off my ruff and try to do well on my own. As decently talented, driven and cute as she is, her career is the least of my concerns, my career is the top priority of my concerns. I practice, play and push my own little career to where I want it to go, which is what every musician should be doing.

 

[JimmyM]

Where did you hear her dad was a billionaire?

From about 10 different people, several who actually know her.

 

[JimmyM]

To answer the thread, I think this is simply jealousy. In any situation involving fame the question of why rears it ugly head. I think it's funny that this thread itself exists (no offense to ChiDub).
Out of all the music listening humans on this planet take out the musicians. Then take out the musicians that play out (all of our band mates). Then take out the bass players that make money doing so. This magical number is what we can possibly compare it to.
Vail, we know who you are because were bassist, that's why were talking about his on talkbass.com. You also got your start in a different environment as say TAL. You should help explain the difference between being famous and being known or respected. The majority of the world doesn't listen to the kind of music where one knows the players or care to do so. Whats left to criticize her? Those that are trying to either achieve her status or those that have and are trying to reachieved it.

I think she is a breath of fresh air in the world of bass and also see a potential trend for female bassists. What if Carol Kaye was here posting about her days? Me'Shell N'Degeocello (sic), Rhonda Smith, Esparanza. Esparanza is I think more respected in the underworld of players but I digress. They are a handful that have met criteria of Men to join there band. I haven't a clue if Carol Kaye was a hottie back in the day, I do know that it was radio, records, and tape so most never gave a **** about looks.
Tal doesn't have dancers, choreography, or outfit changes nor do I think she planned out her lighting rig. She is just herself on stage and fits all sources of ENVY. She's young, talented, lucky, making money (few can say how much) at playing an instrument and has good enough looks. All people envy those traits. As far as looks I have met her in person, she had a good day on the cross roads video and the rock n roll induction video: if you were a chick wouldn't you spend extra beautification time knowing you were going to be filmed? Lord knows I noticed the frame of nipply boobage atop a Sadowsky (yup I'm a total bass nerd). But, she was not as striking when I met her or when she performed at the NAMM show, I was there, trust me.
Her luck was finding the auditions for Chick, Jeff Beck, Russell Ferrante, Kenwood Dennard, Hiram Bullock, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Leni Stern, Susan Tedeschi, and the Allman Brothers Band, she made her own luck through talent and character after that. Lets see how she does touring her music shall we? We all know the difference in playing someone else's music and writing, playing, and performing your own.

Somebody has a crush

EDIT...never mind...I see you admitted it.

And regarding Vail's comment about her being a "good guitar player who plays bass," she started out on guitar.

 

[JimmyM]

BTW, in no way am I saying having a rich parent is a bad thing and something to hide. You can have Bill Gates for a dad, but if you suck on bass, Jeff Beck and Chick Corea aren't going to hire you. But it definitely gives you a leg up in the attention dept.

 

[KJung]

BTW, in no way am I saying having a rich parent is a bad thing and something to hide. You can have Bill Gates for a dad, but if you suck on bass, Jeff Beck and Chick Corea aren't going to hire you. But it definitely gives you a leg up in the attention dept.

If she truly has a father worth billions, my opinion of her will change from 'respect and liking' to all out love and desire

 

[Wilbyman]

If she truly has a father worth billions, my opinion of her will change from 'respect and liking' to all out love and desire

+1!!!!!!!

 

[Phil Smith]

BTW, in no way am I saying having a rich parent is a bad thing and something to hide. You can have Bill Gates for a dad, but if you suck on bass, Jeff Beck and Chick Corea aren't going to hire you. But it definitely gives you a leg up in the attention dept.

Money gives you access to lots of things and I don't think there's a bassist here on this board whos playing couldn't benefit from access to large amounts of capital. We're not talking about gear, but access to teachers, mentors and standard of living. There's a lot you can do when you don't have to worry about paying your rent and putting food in your tummy. Money allows you to hire players much more talented than you to play with you and if you're trying to get better this will do it faster than anything else.

You can take any competent bassist hook them up with the some of the top players in the game and in a couple of years that bassist's level of play is going to increase dramatically, especially if they are gigging and they don't have to worry about making a living.

 

[Phil Smith]

I really hope you could've dug up something better than him. He's really not all that good (unless you factor in that he's about 8...)

I think you're missing the point, but as youtube videos go, I think he's sounding just as good or better than Tal in her jam videos. The dancers...priceless!

 

[Pacman]

I think you're missing the point, but as youtube videos go, I think he's sounding just as good or better than Tal in her jam videos. The dancers...priceless!

You've got to be kidding! he's great - for an 8 year old - but he's not even close to anything I've heard from Tal.

 

[NickyBass]

This is silly. Can't some of you just be happy for her? People hate to see others succeed and that is sad. I wish nothing but the best for everyone here. Maybe when you become successful, people can bicker about who is more deserving, or complain that you didn't pay homage to your influences, or maybe they can dig up your past and find reasons that they are better musicians. It's crap.