After the recent discussion about the worlds greatest bassist on this forum I just watched a re-run of the Clapton cross-roads show in Chicago once more and got to thinking - how about the worlds greatest female bassist!
 
Yup, Im talking about Tal Wilkenfelds performance playing alongside Jeff Beck - outstanding feel, technique and composure. Im enourmously impressed with Tals chops.
 
Literally tiny and dwarfed by her Sadowsky she can really rip it up! She turned professional after picking up the bass for only three years...crazy!
 
If cats like Jeff and Chick Corea demand her presence in their bands its good enough for me.
 
Simply superb player. Does anybody know of any better female player on the scene at the moment?
 
John.

Tal rules!
She is really gorgeous, great bassist and a lovely girl....
 
Oliver (Spyderman)

I vote for Kimberly!

Not my vote, but you might also consider Meshell Ndegeocello.

Hi Guys,  
 
Tal rules and Meshell rules and there are more than a few female bassists that are in the 'same league'.  
 
Doing a quick Google search sent me to,
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_female_bass_guitarists  
 
  Who of them are better on the scene I believe would be a purely personal perception 'bassed' (sic) on an individuals taste in music.  A heavy metal 'thrasher' appeals to some and a jazzy 'sweet note' player appeals to others.  
 
  Bottom line to me is, male or female, if they can play it's all good.  
 
  Best Regards,
 
  Kimberly  
 
  PS.  Thanks Mike!  

Yup, its all good! Thanks for the tip on Meshell - I will look her up as Im out of the loop on whos who on the scene!
 
Gail anne Dorsey has nice chops as does Tracy Wormsworth but I think Tal is special!
 
I would love either of my daughters to get into bass playing - my youngest has claimed the fretless bass that I recently built so maybe she will become the worlds greatest female bassist lol!
 
John.
 
(Message edited by white cloud on May 16, 2009)

Yep.she's real good John
And oh..so pretty!!

I've been a fan of Aimee Mann since the 80's. I'm not sure how many of her tracks have her on bass. I'm surprised that she's not on that wikipedia list. She plays quite a few instruments and may be considered more of a songwriter, but I've always considered her to be a bassplayer - and a pretty good one.  
 
I also liked Johnette Napolitano from Concrete Blonde. But I have to agree that when it comes to chops, I haven't seen anyone better than Tal Wilkenfeld, but some do come close.  
 
Mike

Mike,  
 
Im a BIG Aimee Mann fan too - she has a superb voice and is a sublime and wonderful songwriter but I have never considered her to be more than a basic bassist.
 
Not that Im criticising Aimee at all, I class her in the Sting school of bass playing - using it as a basic tool to craft beautiful songs upon!
 
Tal is a monster player but probably would love to have a singing voice like Aimee!
 
John

okay there is not much that i know about her, but from reading her myspace her name is Elise Blanchard, and she is from paris... now check this video of her solo.. i know the sound qulity isnt great.. but great lines nonetheless:
 
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.Channel&ChannelID=391915351

Wow - great player, nice tone too!
 
Elise is superb, what a great tip off from chrisalembic.
 
John

I always liked Paz Lenchantin she was most well known for her work with A Perfect Circle.
 
She also played violin on one of the songs here it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvLkQJUqxrU&feature=related

Suzi Quatro

kind of surprised no one's mentioned esperanza spalding. not my thing, but she can play. she's in one of joe lovano's bands.

Tal's good - but Me'Shell has got a far more impressive body of work at the moment.  
 
In terms of having a unique voice - I've always liked Tina Weymouth - especially in Tom tom club.
 
In terms of having played on the most hits - Carol Kaye.