Name: What Price Paradise by China Crisis
Brand: China Crisis
SKU: 724348748751
Price: 9.9 USD
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 4 (77 reviews)

ALBUM

After making a bid to become the '80s version of Steely Dan on the delightful Flaunt the Imperfection, China Crisis offered a fuller and more pop-oriented follow-up the next year. With the duo of Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley (replacing Walter Becker) sharing the producer's chair, the songs on What Price Paradise feature warm, intricate arrangements and prominent brass and strings. But while more than one Langer/Winstanley offering of this era overwhelmed its subject with such treatment -- Elvis Costello's ill-fated Goodbye Cruel World is a good example -- the sophisticated and melodic songs here prosper from the attention to detail. The Motown-ish bounce of "Worlds Apart" and "June Bride" is made even more infectious by punchy horn charts, while "Hampton Beach" offers sweeping melodrama, as Gary Daly's delicate vocals are surrounded with just the right touches. Even the songs that hint at the previous album's jazzy complexities, like disc opener "It's Everything," are more accessible and inviting here and, on "Arizona Sky," China Crisis seemed to have the big American hit that singles like "King in a Catholic Style" didn't quite deliver. Released at a time when many of the group's U.K. new wave contemporaries were being flushed off the charts -- most for good -- What Price Paradise was yet another strong outing from this too-often underrated band. ~ Dan LeRoy

1. It's Everything

by China Crisis

Background Vocals: Davie Dover
Eddie Lundon
John Lewis
Brian Mcneil; Performer
Bass: Gary Johnson; Performer
Lyricist: Brian Mcneil
Gary Johnson
Gary Daly
Eddie Lundon
Kevin Wilkinson; Composer
Conductor: David Bedford; Conductor
Drums: Kevin Wilkinson; Performer
Keyboard: Brian Mcneil; Performer
Performer: Pete Thoms
John Lewis
Brian Mcneil
Stuart Nisbet
Kevin Wilkinson
Eddie Lundon
Davie Dover
Clive Langer
Martin Ditcham
Gary Barnacle
Gary Daly
Gary Johnson
Luke Tunney
David Bedford; Performer
Engineer: Alan Winstanley; Production
Producer: Clive Langer
Alan Winstanley; Production
Composer: Kevin Wilkinson
Brian Mcneil
Gary Johnson
Gary Daly
Eddie Lundon; Composer
Primary Artist: China Crisis; Main Performer
Flugelhorn: Luke Tunney; Performer
Flute: Gary Barnacle; Performer
Guitar: Stuart Nisbet
Eddie Lundon; Performer
Percussion: Kevin Wilkinson
Martin Ditcham; Performer
Saxophone: Gary Barnacle; Performer
Strings Arrangement: David Bedford; Composer
Recording Assistant: Julian Wheatley
Nick Davies
Fiona D'eathe
Nick Blundell
Richard Sullivan; Production
Horn Arranger: Gary Barnacle
Brian Mcneil
Clive Langer; Other
Sequencing: Gary Johnson; Production
Trombone: Pete Thoms; Performer
Trumpet: Luke Tunney; Performer
Vocals: Gary Daly; Performer
Studio Personnel: Nick Blundell
Nick Davies
Alan Winstanley
Fiona D'eathe
Julian Wheatley
Richard Sullivan; Production
Composer Lyricist: Gary Johnson
Eddie Lundon
Gary Daly
Kevin Wilkinson
Brian Mcneil; Other
Strings Conductor: David Bedford; Other
Unknown Contributor Role: Kevin Wilkinson; Other

2. Arizona Sky

by China Crisis

Primary Artist: China Crisis; Main Performer
Composer: Brian Mcneil
Gary Johnson
Gary Daly
Eddie Lundon
Kevin Wilkinson; Composer
Lyricist: Brian Mcneil
Gary Johnson
Gary Daly
Eddie Lundon
Kevin Wilkinson; Composer
Conductor: David Bedford; Conductor
Producer: Alan Winstanley
Clive Langer; Production
Composer Lyricist: Gary Johnson
Eddie Lundon
Gary Daly
Kevin Wilkinson
Brian Mcneil; Other

3. Safe As Houses

by China Crisis

Background Vocals: Davie Dover
John Lewis
Brian Mcneil
Eddie Lundon; Performer
Bass: Gary Johnson; Performer
Conductor: David Bedford; Conductor
Drums: Kevin Wilkinson; Performer
Keyboard: Brian Mcneil; Performer
Performer: Gary Barnacle
David Bedford
Gary Johnson
Luke Tunney
Brian Mcneil
Pete Thoms
John Lewis
Gary Daly
Stuart Nisbet
Kevin Wilkinson
Eddie Lundon
Davie Dover
Clive Langer
Martin Ditcham; Performer
Engineer: Alan Winstanley; Production
Producer: Clive Langer
Alan Winstanley; Production
Composer: Brian Mcneil
Gary Johnson
Gary Daly
Eddie Lundon
Kevin Wilkinson; Composer
Flute: Gary Barnacle; Performer
Guitar: Stuart Nisbet
Eddie Lundon; Performer
Strings Arrangement: David Bedford; Composer
Recording Assistant: Fiona D'eathe
Richard Sullivan
Nick Blundell
Julian Wheatley
Nick Davies; Production
Flugelhorn: Luke Tunney; Performer
Primary Artist: China Crisis; Main Performer
Percussion: Martin Ditcham
Kevin Wilkinson; Performer
Saxophone: Gary Barnacle; Performer
Trombone: Pete Thoms; Performer
Trumpet: Luke Tunney; Performer
Vocals: Gary Daly; Performer
Sequencing: Gary Johnson; Production
Studio Personnel: Julian Wheatley
Nick Davies
Alan Winstanley
Fiona D'eathe
Nick Blundell
Richard Sullivan; Production
Horn Arranger: Brian Mcneil
Gary Barnacle
Clive Langer; Other
Strings Conductor: David Bedford; Other
Unknown Contributor Role: Kevin Wilkinson; Other

4. Worlds Apart

by China Crisis

Background Vocals: Brian Mcneil
John Lewis
Davie Dover
Eddie Lundon; Performer
Bass: Gary Johnson; Performer
Conductor: David Bedford; Conductor
Drums: Kevin Wilkinson; Performer
Keyboard: Brian Mcneil; Performer
Performer: Gary Daly
David Bedford
Luke Tunney
Brian Mcneil
Pete Thoms
John Lewis
Gary Johnson
Stuart Nisbet
Kevin Wilkinson
Eddie Lundon
Davie Dover
Clive Langer
Martin Ditcham
Gary Barnacle; Performer
Engineer: Alan Winstanley; Production
Producer: Clive Langer
Alan Winstanley; Production
Composer: Brian Mcneil
Gary Johnson
Gary Daly
Kevin Kelly
Eddie Lundon
Kevin Wilkinson; Composer
Flute: Gary Barnacle; Performer
Guitar: Stuart Nisbet
Eddie Lundon; Performer
Strings Arrangement: David Bedford; Composer
Recording Assistant: Fiona D'eathe
Richard Sullivan
Nick Blundell
Julian Wheatley
Nick Davies; Production
Flugelhorn: Luke Tunney; Performer
Primary Artist: China Crisis; Main Performer
Percussion: Martin Ditcham
Kevin Wilkinson; Performer
Saxophone: Gary Barnacle; Performer
Trombone: Pete Thoms; Performer
Trumpet: Luke Tunney; Performer
Vocals: Gary Daly; Performer
Sequencing: Gary Johnson; Production
Studio Personnel: Julian Wheatley
Nick Davies
Alan Winstanley
Fiona D'eathe
Nick Blundell
Richard Sullivan; Production
Horn Arranger: Brian Mcneil
Gary Barnacle
Clive Langer; Other
Strings Conductor: David Bedford; Other
Unknown Contributor Role: Kevin Wilkinson; Other

5. Hampton Beach

by China Crisis

Background Vocals: Davie Dover
John Lewis
Brian Mcneil
Eddie Lundon; Performer
Bass: Gary Johnson; Performer
Conductor: David Bedford; Conductor
Drums: Kevin Wilkinson; Performer
Keyboard: Brian Mcneil; Performer
Performer: Gary Barnacle
David Bedford
Gary Johnson
Luke Tunney
Brian Mcneil
Pete Thoms
John Lewis
Gary Daly
Stuart Nisbet
Kevin Wilkinson
Eddie Lundon
Davie Dover
Clive Langer
Martin Ditcham; Performer
Engineer: Alan Winstanley; Production
Producer: Clive Langer
Alan Winstanley; Production
Composer: Brian Mcneil
Gary Johnson
Gary Daly
Eddie Lundon
Kevin Wilkinson; Composer
Flute: Gary Barnacle; Performer
Guitar: Stuart Nisbet
Eddie Lundon; Performer
Strings Arrangement: David Bedford; Composer
Recording Assistant: Fiona D'eathe
Richard Sullivan
Nick Blundell
Julian Wheatley
Nick Davies; Production
Flugelhorn: Luke Tunney; Performer
Primary Artist: China Crisis; Main Performer
Percussion: Martin Ditcham
Kevin Wilkinson; Performer
Saxophone: Gary Barnacle; Performer
Trombone: Pete Thoms; Performer
Trumpet: Luke Tunney; Performer
Vocals: Gary Daly; Performer
Sequencing: Gary Johnson; Production
Studio Personnel: Julian Wheatley
Nick Davies
Alan Winstanley
Fiona D'eathe
Nick Blundell
Richard Sullivan; Production
Horn Arranger: Brian Mcneil
Gary Barnacle
Clive Langer; Other
Strings Conductor: David Bedford; Other
Unknown Contributor Role: Kevin Wilkinson; Other

6. The Understudy

by China Crisis

Background Vocals: Davie Dover
John Lewis
Brian Mcneil
Eddie Lundon; Performer
Bass: Gary Johnson; Performer
Conductor: David Bedford; Conductor
Drums: Kevin Wilkinson; Performer
Keyboard: Brian Mcneil; Performer
Performer: Gary Barnacle
David Bedford
Gary Johnson
Luke Tunney
Brian Mcneil
Pete Thoms
John Lewis
Gary Daly
Stuart Nisbet
Kevin Wilkinson
Eddie Lundon
Davie Dover
Clive Langer
Martin Ditcham; Performer
Engineer: Alan Winstanley; Production
Producer: Clive Langer
Alan Winstanley; Production
Composer: Brian Mcneil
Gary Johnson
Gary Daly
Eddie Lundon
Kevin Wilkinson; Composer
Flute: Gary Barnacle; Performer
Guitar: Stuart Nisbet
Eddie Lundon; Performer
Strings Arrangement: David Bedford; Composer
Recording Assistant: Fiona D'eathe
Richard Sullivan
Nick Blundell
Julian Wheatley
Nick Davies; Production
Flugelhorn: Luke Tunney; Performer
Primary Artist: China Crisis; Main Performer
Percussion: Martin Ditcham
Kevin Wilkinson; Performer
Saxophone: Gary Barnacle; Performer
Trombone: Pete Thoms; Performer
Trumpet: Luke Tunney; Performer
Vocals: Gary Daly; Performer
Sequencing: Gary Johnson; Production
Studio Personnel: Julian Wheatley
Nick Davies
Alan Winstanley
Fiona D'eathe
Nick Blundell
Richard Sullivan; Production
Horn Arranger: Brian Mcneil
Gary Barnacle
Clive Langer; Other
Strings Conductor: David Bedford; Other
Unknown Contributor Role: Kevin Wilkinson; Other

7. Best Kept Secret

by China Crisis

Background Vocals: Davie Dover
Eddie Lundon
John Lewis
Brian Mcneil; Performer
Bass: Gary Johnson; Performer
Lyricist: Brian Mcneil
Gary Johnson
Gary Daly
Eddie Lundon
Kevin Wilkinson; Composer
Conductor: David Bedford; Conductor
Drums: Kevin Wilkinson; Performer
Keyboard: Brian Mcneil; Performer
Performer: Pete Thoms
John Lewis
Brian Mcneil
Stuart Nisbet
Kevin Wilkinson
Eddie Lundon
Davie Dover
Clive Langer
Martin Ditcham
Gary Barnacle
Gary Daly
Gary Johnson
Luke Tunney
David Bedford; Performer
Engineer: Alan Winstanley; Production
Producer: Clive Langer
Alan Winstanley; Production
Composer: Kevin Wilkinson
Brian Mcneil
Gary Johnson
Gary Daly
Eddie Lundon; Composer
Primary Artist: China Crisis; Main Performer
Flugelhorn: Luke Tunney; Performer
Flute: Gary Barnacle; Performer
Guitar: Stuart Nisbet
Eddie Lundon; Performer
Percussion: Kevin Wilkinson
Martin Ditcham; Performer
Saxophone: Gary Barnacle; Performer
Strings Arrangement: David Bedford; Composer
Recording Assistant: Julian Wheatley
Nick Davies
Fiona D'eathe
Nick Blundell
Richard Sullivan; Production
Horn Arranger: Gary Barnacle
Brian Mcneil
Clive Langer; Other
Sequencing: Gary Johnson; Production
Trombone: Pete Thoms; Performer
Trumpet: Luke Tunney; Performer
Vocals: Gary Daly; Performer
Studio Personnel: Nick Blundell
Nick Davies
Alan Winstanley
Fiona D'eathe
Julian Wheatley
Richard Sullivan; Production
Composer Lyricist: Gary Johnson
Eddie Lundon
Gary Daly
Kevin Wilkinson
Brian Mcneil; Other
Strings Conductor: David Bedford; Other
Unknown Contributor Role: Kevin Wilkinson; Other

8. We Do The Same

by China Crisis

Background Vocals: Davie Dover
John Lewis
Brian Mcneil
Eddie Lundon; Performer
Bass: Gary Johnson; Performer
Conductor: David Bedford; Conductor
Drums: Kevin Wilkinson; Performer
Keyboard: Brian Mcneil; Performer
Performer: Gary Barnacle
David Bedford
Gary Johnson
Luke Tunney
Brian Mcneil
Pete Thoms
John Lewis
Gary Daly
Stuart Nisbet
Kevin Wilkinson
Eddie Lundon
Davie Dover
Clive Langer
Martin Ditcham; Performer
Engineer: Alan Winstanley; Production
Producer: Clive Langer
Alan Winstanley; Production
Composer: Brian Mcneil
Gary Johnson
Gary Daly
Eddie Lundon
Kevin Wilkinson; Composer
Flute: Gary Barnacle; Performer
Guitar: Stuart Nisbet
Eddie Lundon; Performer
Strings Arrangement: David Bedford; Composer
Recording Assistant: Fiona D'eathe
Richard Sullivan
Nick Blundell
Julian Wheatley
Nick Davies; Production
Flugelhorn: Luke Tunney; Performer
Primary Artist: China Crisis; Main Performer
Percussion: Martin Ditcham
Kevin Wilkinson; Performer
Saxophone: Gary Barnacle; Performer
Trombone: Pete Thoms; Performer
Trumpet: Luke Tunney; Performer
Vocals: Gary Daly; Performer
Sequencing: Gary Johnson; Production
Studio Personnel: Julian Wheatley
Nick Davies
Alan Winstanley
Fiona D'eathe
Nick Blundell
Richard Sullivan; Production
Horn Arranger: Brian Mcneil
Gary Barnacle
Clive Langer; Other
Strings Conductor: David Bedford; Other
Unknown Contributor Role: Kevin Wilkinson; Other

9. June Bride

by China Crisis

Background Vocals: Davie Dover
John Lewis
Brian Mcneil
Eddie Lundon; Performer
Bass: Gary Johnson; Performer
Conductor: David Bedford; Conductor
Drums: Kevin Wilkinson; Performer
Keyboard: Brian Mcneil; Performer
Performer: Gary Barnacle
David Bedford
Gary Johnson
Luke Tunney
Brian Mcneil
Pete Thoms
John Lewis
Gary Daly
Stuart Nisbet
Kevin Wilkinson
Eddie Lundon
Davie Dover
Clive Langer
Martin Ditcham; Performer
Engineer: Alan Winstanley; Production
Producer: Clive Langer
Alan Winstanley; Production
Composer: Brian Mcneil
Gary Johnson
Gary Daly
Eddie Lundon
Kevin Wilkinson; Composer
Flute: Gary Barnacle; Performer
Guitar: Stuart Nisbet
Eddie Lundon; Performer
Strings Arrangement: David Bedford; Composer
Recording Assistant: Fiona D'eathe
Richard Sullivan
Nick Blundell
Julian Wheatley
Nick Davies; Production
Flugelhorn: Luke Tunney; Performer
Primary Artist: China Crisis; Main Performer
Percussion: Martin Ditcham
Kevin Wilkinson; Performer
Saxophone: Gary Barnacle; Performer
Trombone: Pete Thoms; Performer
Trumpet: Luke Tunney; Performer
Vocals: Gary Daly; Performer
Sequencing: Gary Johnson; Production
Studio Personnel: Julian Wheatley
Nick Davies
Alan Winstanley
Fiona D'eathe
Nick Blundell
Richard Sullivan; Production
Horn Arranger: Brian Mcneil
Gary Barnacle
Clive Langer; Other
Strings Conductor: David Bedford; Other
Unknown Contributor Role: Kevin Wilkinson; Other

10. A Day's Work For The Dayo's Done

by China Crisis

Background Vocals: Davie Dover
John Lewis
Brian Mcneil
Eddie Lundon; Performer
Bass: Gary Johnson; Performer
Conductor: David Bedford; Conductor
Drums: Kevin Wilkinson; Performer
Keyboard: Brian Mcneil; Performer
Performer: Gary Barnacle
David Bedford
Gary Johnson
Luke Tunney
Brian Mcneil
Pete Thoms
John Lewis
Gary Daly
Stuart Nisbet
Kevin Wilkinson
Eddie Lundon
Davie Dover
Clive Langer
Martin Ditcham; Performer
Engineer: Alan Winstanley; Production
Producer: Clive Langer
Alan Winstanley; Production
Composer: Brian Mcneil
Gary Johnson
Gary Daly
Eddie Lundon
Kevin Wilkinson; Composer
Flute: Gary Barnacle; Performer
Guitar: Stuart Nisbet
Eddie Lundon; Performer
Strings Arrangement: David Bedford; Composer
Recording Assistant: Fiona D'eathe
Richard Sullivan
Nick Blundell
Julian Wheatley
Nick Davies; Production
Flugelhorn: Luke Tunney; Performer
Primary Artist: China Crisis; Main Performer
Percussion: Martin Ditcham
Kevin Wilkinson; Performer
Saxophone: Gary Barnacle; Performer
Trombone: Pete Thoms; Performer
Trumpet: Luke Tunney; Performer
Vocals: Gary Daly; Performer
Sequencing: Gary Johnson; Production
Studio Personnel: Julian Wheatley
Nick Davies
Alan Winstanley
Fiona D'eathe
Nick Blundell
Richard Sullivan; Production
Horn Arranger: Brian Mcneil
Gary Barnacle
Clive Langer; Other
Strings Conductor: David Bedford; Other
Unknown Contributor Role: Kevin Wilkinson; Other

11. Trading In Gold

by China Crisis

Background Vocals: Davie Dover
John Lewis
Brian Mcneil
Eddie Lundon; Performer
Bass: Gary Johnson; Performer
Conductor: David Bedford; Conductor
Drums: Kevin Wilkinson; Performer
Keyboard: Brian Mcneil; Performer
Performer: Gary Barnacle
David Bedford
Gary Johnson
Luke Tunney
Brian Mcneil
Pete Thoms
John Lewis
Gary Daly
Stuart Nisbet
Kevin Wilkinson
Eddie Lundon
Davie Dover
Clive Langer
Martin Ditcham; Performer
Engineer: Alan Winstanley; Production
Producer: Clive Langer
Alan Winstanley; Production
Composer: Brian Mcneil
Gary Johnson
Gary Daly
Eddie Lundon
Kevin Wilkinson; Composer
Flute: Gary Barnacle; Performer
Guitar: Stuart Nisbet
Eddie Lundon; Performer
Strings Arrangement: David Bedford; Composer
Recording Assistant: Fiona D'eathe
Richard Sullivan
Nick Blundell
Julian Wheatley
Nick Davies; Production
Flugelhorn: Luke Tunney; Performer
Primary Artist: China Crisis; Main Performer
Percussion: Martin Ditcham
Kevin Wilkinson; Performer
Saxophone: Gary Barnacle; Performer
Trombone: Pete Thoms; Performer
Trumpet: Luke Tunney; Performer
Vocals: Gary Daly; Performer
Sequencing: Gary Johnson; Production
Studio Personnel: Julian Wheatley
Nick Davies
Alan Winstanley
Fiona D'eathe
Nick Blundell
Richard Sullivan; Production
Horn Arranger: Brian Mcneil
Gary Barnacle
Clive Langer; Other
Strings Conductor: David Bedford; Other
Unknown Contributor Role: Kevin Wilkinson; Other

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

11 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

49 minutes and 57 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1500x1500 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

All tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

8/11 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, Prog-Rock, Art Rock, Alternative, New Wave, Synth Pop, Jazz Rock, Dream Pop

Label

Virgin Catalogue

Music Distribution Service

UMG Global

Country

United Kingdom

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Dec 31, 1985

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

724348748751

Shopping cart

Notification

What Price Paradise

1. It's Everything

2. Arizona Sky

3. Safe As Houses

4. Worlds Apart

5. Hampton Beach

6. The Understudy

7. Best Kept Secret

8. We Do The Same

9. June Bride

10. A Day's Work For The Dayo's Done

11. Trading In Gold

Technical Specifications

What Price Paradise

Product information

Release options

1. It's Everything

2. Arizona Sky

3. Safe As Houses

4. Worlds Apart

5. Hampton Beach

6. The Understudy

7. Best Kept Secret

8. We Do The Same

9. June Bride

10. A Day's Work For The Dayo's Done

11. Trading In Gold

Technical Specifications