Nick Beggs - Formerly Kajagoogoo, Now Steve Hackett

[jon]

Saw Steve Hackett on Saturday night at The Shepherd's Bush Empire in London.

Steve has a new band on this outing, including former Kajagoogoo bassist Nick Beggs. Famous for playing the Chapman Stick (which featured in a few numbers), Mr Beggs spent most of the night with a fireglo 4003 (or possibly 4001). Seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself too, even on old Genesis numbers like Firth of Fifth and Blood on the Rooftops.

Some photos of Nick with Rick on Steve's new website:

http://www.hackettsongs.com/blog/tour5.html

Yes, he is wearing a leather kilt...

If you like that sort of thing (the music that is!), make sure you take in one of Steve's upcoming shows. There's a really good vibe around this band at the moment. I think he'll be in North America next year.

[jps]

former Kajagoogoo bassist Nick Beggs.

Not so. I just read in the UK Bass Guitar Magazine that the band is back together and touring and recording new material for a CD. Nick does talk about how silly he looks in the kilt!

[jon]

I stand corrected.

[bassassin]

Nick Beggs is a fantastic bassist, and by all accounts a thoroughly nice bloke too. His bass part on Too Shy was the first thing that ever made me want to slap a bass.

Nice to see him wielding a 4003 - but he's right about the kilt!

Jon.

[stanislav]

I just saw Hackett tonight, fantastic show! Nick Beggs played bass (4003 FG), Chapman Stick, and Roland Bass Pedals. The Rick really sounded good.

[just_bassics]

I caught Steve Hackett last night in Greensburg PA and was pleasantly surprised to find Nick Beggs on bass with what appeared to my eyes to be a newer amber fireglo 4003, as well as the Chapman stick and pedals. The leather kilt threw me a bit, but it seemed to be a clever gag - loved the cowboy hat as well!

Hackett was Hackett, he's as good as it gets (IMO), very enjoyable show. I also noted former Yes tour keyboard player Tom Brislin (Symphonic tour) was with opening act Renaissance, who also had a great bassist. Not the original guy, if I was told correctly, but he had a great sound and was tight & bright in the mix. I thought he was the best part of Renaissance, to be honest.

Steve had a female guitarist / vocalist in the band who was quite good and harmonized well with Steve on vocals. They did some dual guitar soloing and traded pickslides, seemed to be having a good time doing so. I didn't catch her name.

I was hoping that Steve would do a track or two from his upcoming release with Chris Squire, but he was playing more tracks from his newly released CD. Still no official word on when the "Squackett" stuff is coming out.

[paologregorio]

Nick Beggs is a fantastic bassist, and by all accounts a thoroughly nice bloke too. His bass part on Too Shy was the first thing that ever made me want to slap a bass.

Nice to see him wielding a 4003 - but he's right about the kilt!

Jon.

Yeah, whether one likes the rest of the music, that bass playing's fantastic! +1