Nick Beggs?

[Chief2112]

Just started watching my Steven Wilson Grace for Drowning concert DVD I got for Xmas. I don't think I was famliar with Beggs' work before this but boy am I now.

Watching him play that Chapman Stick is something within itself. That dude seems solid.

By the way the DVD is amazing. The musicianship on that stage is sick and Wilson is a genius. Rock on!

EDIT: Apparently the Chapman Stick he uses is modified. I thought it looked a little "bare bones" to be what I saw him playing on the DVD. Grabbed this off wiki:

He has also significantly modified a Chapman Stick to a fully midi able instrument triggering midi from both bass and melody strings. He has named this the "Virtual Stick".

[Stick_Player]

Yes, I concur.

[pica]

Nick Beggs was the bass player for Kajagoogoo back in the day.

[Stick_Player]

Originally Posted by Chief2112

EDIT: Apparently the Chapman Stick he uses is modified. I thought it looked a little "bare bones" to be what I saw him playing on the DVD. Grabbed this off wiki:

He has also significantly modified a Chapman Stick to a fully midi able instrument triggering midi from both bass and melody strings. He has named this the "Virtual Stick".

One can get the MIDI pickups installed by Chapman. They are modified Roland GK-3 pickups. Chapman takes the originals apart and reinstalls them to accommodate the flat Stick Touchboard - as opposed to a curved guitar/bass fingerboard.

My Stick has only the Melody side with the MIDI pick up.

[Chief2112]

Whatever the hell it is it's impressive watching him play it! LOL

[Rev J]

Originally Posted by pica

Nick Beggs was the bass player for Kajagoogoo back in the day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOqFgnIGHfE

He also played Stick with John Paul Jones:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwuUljXyVSA

And Robert Trujillo of Metallica, Suicidal Tendencies/Infectious Grooves fame has cited him as an influence for years.

C/S,
Rev J

[Rickengeezer]

As far as I've seen, easily the greatest bassist to perform in a kilt.

[murphy]

I am a fan of Nick, his funky playing in Kaja

[Roscoe East]

Originally Posted by Rev J

He also played Stick with John Paul Jones

I saw that tour in 2000 (I think...maybe it was 2002? They shared the bill with King Crimson) and Nick was definitely making it hard for me to focus on JPJ! Plus he played a mean acoustic guitar on a couple numbers.

He did not respond favorably when we started requesting "Too Shy" though!

[tindrum]

Big fan of his playing for many years. I met him once when he was playing for/with Howard Jones and can say he's one of the nicest, most down to earth "famous" musicians I've met. Great guy and an awesome player.

[portpc]

If he tours with Steve Hackett again anywhere near you it's time well spent..........

[steele42]

His work on Steven Wilson's new solo album "The Raven That Refused to Sing" is pure bass porn

[Beamrider]

Originally Posted by Rickengeezer

As far as I've seen, easily the greatest bassist to perform in a kilt.

And in a skirt.
With Jolly Rogers on it.
And a stetson.
And ponytails.

[PJ Muzikmansky]

Originally Posted by pica

Nick Beggs was the bass player for Kajagoogoo back in the day.

...And his bass line and execution thereof on the tune "ooh to be ahh" (White Feathers) is, for me, still one of the greatest examples of slapping on a stingray that I've ever heard. Other-worldly in fact. This song has transfixed me since '83 and still to this day I never get tired of listening to it. Extremely melodic, very controlled playing. Beautiful touch and execution...but punchy and in-your face (in fact, the bassline IS the song really)

If, in the great universal bass playing lexicon, someone was to ask the question ...

"what does a pre eb music man stingray sound like, and name a song which displays the signature stingray sound and then showcases it to it's maximum potential?"

...this song would be it; An absolute gem.

Thankyou Nick Beggs

[RickC]

Originally Posted by steele42

His work on Steven Wilson's new solo album "The Raven That Refused to Sing" is pure bass porn

Funny you should mention that. I'll be at Steve Wilson's show in Boston this April. Looks like an incredible band - Marco Minnemman, Guthrie Govan, among others. But the best part will be catching Nick live for the first time.