Post by ©KAJAMANIA Board Team (Slim K) on May 29, 2004 17:41:10 GMT -5
hi Kajamaniac's
Nick's second solo album 'Maverick Helmsman' has been reviewed by Emmett Chapman,
inventor of the Chapman Stick, here's what he had to say:!!
Nick Beggs takes a dramatic turn away from his usual "rocking" Stick
fireworks and into an intimate and warm solo album. "Helmsman"
comprises ten original instrumentals, all complete live Stick
conceptions, with wonderfully recorded straight string sounds. Only
the "sweeteners" are overdubbed - bits of processed and transposed
Stick melody added here and there to heighten lush moods and textures.
His melody lines take The Stick up into a sweet high register with
expressive swells and tight little parcels of 32nd note flurries.
His harmonic movement is gentle but always interesting, especially on
"So Far Away" and "Your Letter". The rhythms are unhurried with
pendulum like precision.
The outstanding cut for me is "Willow" with its strange but familiar
melodic theme expressed canon style from every register and sector of
the fretboard. Other songs have a Celtic influence and remind me of
Bob Culbertson's multi-fingered Stick styles.
I do believe an open fire under the hearth would heighten the loving
mood of this unique solo Stick album.
peace & love
SLIM K
Nick Beggs at work...
Nick's second solo album 'Maverick Helmsman' has been reviewed by Emmett Chapman,
inventor of the Chapman Stick, here's what he had to say:!!
Nick Beggs takes a dramatic turn away from his usual "rocking" Stick
fireworks and into an intimate and warm solo album. "Helmsman"
comprises ten original instrumentals, all complete live Stick
conceptions, with wonderfully recorded straight string sounds. Only
the "sweeteners" are overdubbed - bits of processed and transposed
Stick melody added here and there to heighten lush moods and textures.
His melody lines take The Stick up into a sweet high register with
expressive swells and tight little parcels of 32nd note flurries.
His harmonic movement is gentle but always interesting, especially on
"So Far Away" and "Your Letter". The rhythms are unhurried with
pendulum like precision.
The outstanding cut for me is "Willow" with its strange but familiar
melodic theme expressed canon style from every register and sector of
the fretboard. Other songs have a Celtic influence and remind me of
Bob Culbertson's multi-fingered Stick styles.
I do believe an open fire under the hearth would heighten the loving
mood of this unique solo Stick album.
peace & love
SLIM K
Nick Beggs at work...
