Of her new path, Wilkenfeld explained, “I was singing and writing songs from the first day I picked up a guitar at 14. When I moved to the States, my focus shifted to being strictly an instrumentalist. After a few years touring as a bassist, I realised I had abandoned my roots as a singer-songwriter, and that's when I started working on Love Remains.”
With her new mission in place and her schedule cleared to be home in Los Angeles writing, Wilkenfeld found the perfect mentor in Jackson Browne.
“I met Jackson while performing with Jeff Beck at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 25th Anniversary at Madison Square Garden. As I began recording my songs I would ask him for advice, and he was beyond helpful, taking the time to share his wisdom and knowledge. I feel very fortunate to have him as a friend.”
She probably didn’t know it at the time, but when Tal Wilkenfeld got onstage with Jeff Beck at Saitama Super Arena, Japan in 2009, she was about to make some serious waves in the bass guitar world. In fact, the very next day the Internet was plastered with video clips from that gig – her quick thinking when Beck’s guitar amp died earning her some serious fans around the globe.
“His amp broke in the middle of a concert,” says Tal. “Jeff wanted to get off the stage, but I just started playing some groove in G. I called him over and we both started playing my bass. I was soloing and he was playing the groove. He loved it and we ended up doing it every night after that."
Wilkenfeld had taken over bass duties from session stalwart Pino Palladino, who needed cover for a show during the group's 2007 European tour. Having sent Beck’s management a copy of her album, Transformation, as well as a live recording of her jamming with the Allman Brothers, Tal was soon on her way to England for an audition, and the rest is history. (Guitarworld)
