Tal Wilkenfeld: Music, Guitar, Bass, Jeff Beck, Prince, and Leonard Cohen | Lex Fridman Podcast #408

Thanks for having me on the podcast Lex. So much fun chatting with you

If you haven't seen Jeff Beck Live at Ronnie Scott's, its a MUST-WATCH regardless of what kind of music you enjoy. Tal, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Jason Rebello back up some of Jeff's best live work ever captured on film. Joss Stone and Imogen Heap stop by for some guest vocal spots. The who's-who of music royalty are in the audience. The laughs, the smiles, the banter, the solos....its epic.

Tal is such a formidable person. Great choice Lex. Cool, substantive and absolutely bewitching talent. 😊

Here are the timestamps. Please check out our sponsors to support this podcast. Transcript: https://lexfridman.com/tal-wilkenfeld-transcript 0:00 - Introduction & sponsor mentions: - MasterClass: https://masterclass.com/lexpod to get 15% off - LMNT: https://drinkLMNT.com/lex to get free sample pack - Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/lex to get special savings - Shopify: https://shopify.com/lex to get $1 per month trial 1:08 - Jeff Beck 10:00 - Confidence on stage 26:39 - Leonard Cohen 34:39 - Taxi Driver 46:00 - Songwriting 49:40 - How to learn and practice 1:08:10 - Slap vs Fingerstyle 1:14:33 - Davie504 1:18:53 - Prince 1:24:30 - Jimi Hendrix 1:26:44 - Mentorship 1:33:02 - Sad songs 1:39:00 - Tal performs Under The Sun (live) 1:44:16 - Tal performs Killing Me (live)

I'm in my home in the southern part of Norway, it's minus twentyone degrees Celsius outside. I'm laying down on my couch, and I've wrapped myself in a fleece blanket listening to this otherworldly conversation with my eyes closed and my ears wide open. I've had a wonderful couple of hours, and my life is way richer knowing Tal and Lex is out there, making this world a more beautiful place for us to live in. Both of them are truly amazing human beings. Thank you!

I already knew Tal was one of the most awesome bassists in the world. Didn’t realize until now that she’s also one of the most awesome human beings.

Go LEX! What a choice......Tal is phenomenal, what a surprise to see her here......thank you!

What an amazing person. The world needs more people like her

I've seen and listened to a lot of podcasts, but this might be my favorite episode of all time. I was tearing up at the end. The conversation and the music at the end somehow pulled the right strings in me. Lex, Tal, i love you. The world needs more people like you.

I was at the 2007 Crossroads festival with my then 17 yr old blues loving daughter. The whole day was amazing, but the Jeff Beck set was beyond magical. First time my daughter and I had ever seen Tal, my daughter laughed saying Tal looked about 15. We were in the upper stands near the stage, and could look down into the ball field where everyone, all day long was milling around during the day. During Jeff’s set, I happened to look down at the field, and almost no one was moving. The crowd, including us, were literally entranced by the music, and the conversation between the musicians. Most sets were only 1/2 hour long, but Jeff and Tal played for an hour. It was one of the most amazing, enriching, magical concert experiences i have ever had, and I’ve been going to them since the early 70’s. Tal Wilkinson is an amazing musician, but more than that, she is wise beyond her years, an old soul if you will, with heart and soul shining through her music. Wonderful interview, thank you.