jeff beck / tal wilkenfeld

Jeff Beck has got an ear (and an eye) for some of the brightest young talent around particularly when it comes to female players. His recent band has Rhonda Smith and Veronica Bellino as a very sharp rhythm section (bass and drums) and in 2008 he introduced Tal Wilkenfield to a world stage. The Aussie bass player was just 21 when she joined Beck for a world tour and a couple of albums, staying with the group for two years before her diary became so full not be able to do longer.
When Beck was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009 she was there again and sharing the stage with Beck and Jimmy Page in an impromptu version of Zeppelin's 'Immigrant Song'.
But in 2008 she was the bass player that accompanied Beck on the now famous week of gigs at Ronnie Scott's in London. The place probably hadn't seen anything quite as electric since Hendrix had joined Eric Burdon on the stage in 1970 with Beck at his best in the small club.
Here's Beck's "Big Block" on one of the nights. The young Tal, Jason Robello on keys, and ex Zappa drummer Vinnie Colaiuta all reveling in working with the guitar master.