I have been a fan to Beyond for more than 15 years now. I am so excited to hear that Beyond is organising their concert again here in Malaysia. But after knowing that this concert is not carried out with the name of Beyond but it is Paul Wong crossover with Sai wing had really made a loyal fan like me to feel very disappointed. All this years, Beyond's song has instil the spirit of friendship, hardship of life, dreams and all the positive moral through their lyrics but looking in today's Beyond they really didn't carry out the spirit they instilled throughout all the years by looking that they had kicked out Kah Keung away from their concert and is not even performing as Beyond. In the heart of fan like me, Beyond is always 4 in a body. Although with Kah Kui's death still he is in the mind of fans and his songs, lyrics, music still plays on because Beyond is still alive and the spirit is still alive. I think this might probably for a genius ( one of the best song writer cum performer ever alive) like him had decided to form a band at first (whereby i believe with his talent he can also approach to fans as solo) as he might know human may pass away but still he need successor or band member to persist his ideas and dreams.  But looking in today situation, where Kah Keung is no longer in their concert has really made me feel dissapointed and feel ashame of the spirit of Beyond. Its not to say i don't like Paul & Sai wing but as i say we like them as  a band - Beyond. I do love them and really like to see them on stage but perform as Beyond not crossover with someone and without someone. Anyhow i will end here but hope Beyond may alive once again and let the spirit persist.

I get what you're saying, Islander, but beg to differ on what exactly is the spirit of Beyond as embodied by Ka Kui. I don't really think that spirit is about the individuals or even as the collective known as Beyond but rather, the persistent music journey amidst the confining and homogeneous music environment. I really think Ka Kui and the rest of Beyond believed in this spirit - it was the underlying principle behind everything they did (albeit with some wierd acting distractions, etc.).

You mentionned songs of friendship, hardship, dreams, etc. - those were recurring themes in alot of their songs. But, I do think the underlying spirit they all carried and the themes in their songs are two different things. The themes you raised were shared by all members but seemed to be strongest with Ka Kui - almost felt like his signature themes. Although I can't read Chinese, it wasn't difficult (over time) to guess and correctly identify the lyricist and/or composer behind Beyond's songs - certain patterns and themes emerged with the individual musicians. Yes, I said individual musicians. Although Beyond is a band, each of the members are also talented musicians in their own right and it's natural for them to have their own themes, opinions, etc. - however different from the rest.

What's the point behind this post? I guess it's really to say, as solo musicians, each of the former members of Beyond have their own style and themes. Who they choose to perform with (or without) isn't a slight to others so much as finding synergy. In this case, since they all came from the same band, people are too quick to assume problems, etc. I think the spirit of pursuing music as a profession amidst the confining HK music industry remains strong amongst them all.

My feeling is, they are not performing as Beyond so don't expect to see Beyond. If you like Sai Wing or Paul as musicians, go see them and enjoy! You've got the option...whereas for myself, Paul's music and style has always appealed to me but unfortunately, I live in Canada and it's rare for me to see him perform live. However, I'm thinking of trying to organize a small Paul Wong gig in Toronto - something intimate and about music, very much unlike the casino-sponsored Cantopop shows here.

[ Last edited by  Quasimime at 2008-12-31 01:16 AM ]