Wednesday, 17 December 2014

1994 - Paradise - Beyond (Mandarin album)

Paradise
1994 Label: 滾石唱片 Rock Records (HK)

In 1993, when Wong Ka Kui deceased, many predicts that Beyond can't no longer hold their feet for losing such charismatic singer. Especially in Hong Kong music environment where the singer is simple the single person every one remember. Then, the three of the members take the un-expected achievement when Paradise released and become the same sensational as any Beyond album before. The fans are looking forward for this album to see what Beyond can be without Ka Kui. All three members take the vocals duty. Musically, Paradise is very much a breakthrough from traditional hard rock sound that Beyond was before. This album also available in Cantonese version as 2nd Floor Back Suite, but the Mandarin version is considered their main version.

Paradise comprised 12 tracks, all with English title available, the first time in Beyond album. The first song is their most important single, "Paradise". It's an emotional song in the theme of Wong Ka Kui deceased. Every other songs is in the same lyrical-theme.

 "Accompany Me For A Lifetime" is beautiful ballad song, beginning the album with much modern song writing, in compared to traditional hard rock where Wong Ka Kui very much influenced with. "The Unknown Hero" (Nameless Hero, literally), is in hard rock style with dark riffs and lyrics. "Still There Is Love" is another very soft pop ballad. "The Tender Killer" is notable for its piano riffs, also a ballad. "The Peaceful World" is hard rock song with notable English insertion lyrics, "..who we are?.. what're we do?..". Then a very favorite country rock style song in "Because There Are You And We" (Ying Wei You Ni You Wo), once again dig the theme of Beyond togetherness when the quartet still together. "Is It Right?" (Dui Ma) is a showcase of bass-riffs, that very much always play in the live concert from this point onward. "Dancing In The Rain" is pop rock in style. "We Don't Wanna Make It Without You" is their most emotional song about the lost of Ka-Kui. This song is fully instrumental with only choruses "...we don't wanna make it without you..". "Wishing You Happiness" , is the last track is also a semi-instrumental, an epilogue of this album with nice orchestra intro and then set a song in only acoustic guitar accompaniments.

This is Beyond first important release after the death of Ka Kui. This album widely available in Indonesia and their most popular studio album post-Ka Kui era.

Beyond - PARADISE (1994) - buy it HERE
see Cantonese version also

1. Paradise
2. Accompany Me For A Lifetime 一背子陪我走
3. The Unknown Hero 無名英雄
4. Still There Is Love 情深依舊
5. The Tender Killer 溫柔殺手
6. The Peaceful World 和平世界
7. Because There Are You And Me 因為有你有我
8. Is It Right? 對嗎
9. Dancing In The Rain
10. We Don't Wanna Make It Without You
11. Wishing You Happiness 祝您愉快
12. Paradise (Instrumental) Paradise (演奏版)

Beyond:
Wong Ka Keong - Bass
Paul Wong Kui Chung - guitars
Yip Sai Yung - drums

1994 Beyond "Paradise" album
album grup rock Beyond dari Hong Kong yang paling dikenang, menyusul meninggalnya penyanyi Wong Ka Kui di tahun 1993. Ini adalah album yang ditunggu-tunggu penggemar Beyond dan penuh dengan lagu-lagu sentimentil bertema kematian Ka Kui.


back to Beyond Discography

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