The FLOWER KINGS


Paradox Hotel

(2 CD)

(2006)




Disc 1

1. Check In 1'38
(Tommy Bodin)
2. Monsters & Men 21'19
(Roine Stolt)
3. Jealousy 3'21
(Roine Stolt)
4. Hit Me With A Hit 5'32
(Roine Stolt)
5. Pioneers Of Aviation 7'42
(Roine Stolt)
6. Lucy Had A Dream 5'29
(Tommy Bodin / Roine Stolt)
7. Bavarian Skies 6'38
(Tommy Bodin / Roine Stolt)
8. Selfconsuming Fire 5'55
(Roine Stolt)
9. Mommy Leave The Light On 4'39
(Roine Stolt)
10. End On A High Note 10'43
(Roine Stolt)

Disc 2

11. Minor Giant Steps 12'13
(Roine Stolt)
12. Touch My Heaven 6'09
(Tommy Bodin)
13. The Unorthodox Dancinglesson 5'23
(Roine Stolt)
14. Man Of The World 5'59
(Tommy Bodin / Jonas Reingold / Roine Stolt)
15. Life Will Kill You 7'02
(Hasse Froberg)
16. The Way The Waters Are Moving 3'11
(Tommy Bodin / Roine Stolt)
17. What If God Is Alone 7'00
(Hasse Froberg / Jonas Reingold / Roine Stolt)
18. Paradox Hotel 6'30
(Tommy Bodin / Roine Stolt)
19. Blue Planet 9'43
(Roine Stolt)

Total Time: 72:56 + 63:10


  • Roine Stolt - Guitar (2, 4, 6, 7, 11, 13, 15, 17-19), Nylon Guitar (8, 16), Acoustic Guitar (10), Electric Guitar (8), Grand Piano (3), Rickenhacker 12-String (9), Mellolron (7, 12, 16), "Mandolin" (10), Orchestration (3), Percussion (2, 11, 18), Mellotron String (8), Fuzz From Hell (13), Percussion (9, 15), Additional Bass (18), Lead Vocal (2, 6, 10, 17), Vocal (3, 7, 11, 19), Backing Vocal (4, 15), "Zawinul Voice" (15)
  • Tomas Bodin - All Instruments (1), Grand Piano (2, 5, 6, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19), Piano (7), Rhodes Piano (15), Keyboards (8, 11), Organ (4, 10, 14, 15, 17, 19), Hammond (2), Pipe Organ (2, 5), Synthesizers (2, 4, 14, 17, 19), Mellotron (2, 4, 17), Minimoog (5, 10), Electric Keyboards (5, 7, 12, 13, 16, 18), Electric Circus Keyboards (6), Wurlizer Piano (6, 12, 13), Tron (19), Effects (1, 6, 15), Backing Vocal (10, 12)
  • Hasse Froberg - Guitar (4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18), Guitar Funk (13), Electric Guitar (15), Acoustic Guitar (15), Lead Vocal (2, 4, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18), Vocal (10, 11, 19), Backing Vocal (8, 12, 15)
  • Jonas Reingold - Bass (2, 5, 8, 11-15, 18), Fender Bass (4, 6, 10, 17), Acoustic Guitars (14), Electric Fretless Bass (19), Vocal Harmonies (14), Backing Vocal (10)
  • Marcus Liliequist - Drums (2, 4-6, 8, 10-15, 17-19), Turkish Drum (4), Cowbell (one take) (5), Shakers (10), Backing Vocal (10)
  • Hasse Bruniusson - Concert Marimba (4, 13), Gong (13), Percussion (4, 8, 13), Bongos (8)

    Produced by Roine Stolt Nov, 05 to Feb. 06

    Mastering by Maestro Stolt February 2006

    Assisted by Tomas Bodin

    Cover Art and Booklet illustrations1 Andres Pablo Valle

    Booklet Design by Thomas Ewerhard

    Learn more at: www.flowerkings.se

    Website Assembled by Mark Bredius

    Booking of "ruuuhms": Sir Rob PALMEN MUSIC PROMOTIONS

    Backingtracks Recorded in HOTEL MEDLEY STUDIO, Copenhagen, 18~24 November 2005

    Engineering by bellboys Marcus and Asker

    Keyboards Recorded in HELICON HOUSE by Master Bodin

    Additional Bass Recorded in REINGOLD BUNKER STUDIOS, Maltnoe

    Percussion wrecklessly Recorded in BURLESCO STUDIO by Bruniusson

    Guitars, Vocals and Percussion Recorded in COSMIC LODGE by overdose of a TEA GHOST

    Mixed in COSMIC LODGE by a nicely studiotanned Roine Stolt late January 2006

    Marcus insists in beating the shit out of his PREMIER Drums.
    Jonas plays a mean EBS Bass Amp and Pedals whenever EBS supply anything new ... or an outdoor grill they might.

    Also UPPSALA MUSIKVERKSTAD keep us updated and fit with all latest version of "stygga" softwares

    All this was of course realized with the help of LOGIC PRO 7 from EMAGIC / APPLE

    Thanx Gerhard Lengelm - Your program is a revelation, enjoy good life in CA, you've earned it. John LaGrou at MILLENIA ... your pre's sound the best no doubt

    And Thanx To our roadcrew Rob, Petrus, Erik, Chris, Andy, Brian, Bob. You all make our life more organized when we tour, but remember I'm the boss.

    Rob and Gaby for the online merchandising services: www.flowerkings.se

    Thanx To W0A fanzine staff, in particular Angie Schulz for your never ending energy. Moreen Laboda for checking my spelling (spalllingg) and to Ray for support & merching

    Oh, while we're at it ... more US friends: Jerry for the Magic Bus, Jim Robinson for proghousing, Wes & family, Al and the boys in Lowell, Jim Harrel, Christine Holz, Bony & Michelle ... and all I may have forgotten ... what da' forgot hu ezzz ? Rrrrrrr!!! Robert in Montreal, Hal in VA, Dan in Rochester, Denver prog society and all our friends and fans in Japan, Atsushi, Yoshiko, George and the rest.

    ... and of course Zoltan, Daniel, Jaime, Michael and Robert, boys listen here, boys, BOYS!!! ... believe it or not but we miss you all ... your friendship that is and your dirty jokes.

    Thanx Lilian for home cooking supreme and the boys for making a noise. Black Adder for making me laugh after late sessions and to Batdrick for making me laugh even more.

    The rest of the world, well at least U in the hotel bar ... shape up, let's be friends!!!

    Whatever money you spend in the hotel casino, *DON'T!!!* Please invest that money safely instead in:

    GREENPEACE or in AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

    You can make a difference and you will win 100% certain, no losers, just winners !!!!.





    1. Check In
    • (instrumental)
    2. Monsters & Men

      a) Seasons Of War

      Can we meet around the bend, will you listen my friend
      I'm not as bad as you might think, among monsters and men
      Now, don't get footed by the scars, or the seasons of war
      I'm iust a simple man like you, finding out where to go

      Isn't it strange how some fanatic always love to feed the fire
      The Puppeteer is sending
      All his boys to Kingdom come

      I just dream tike you do and at times X get blue
      It's iust the same of "womentalks", but I try to stay true
      Here's a family man, that wanna reach out a hand
      But sitting trapped inside this war, in a kingdom of sand

      Isn't it strange how some fanatic always love to feed the fire
      And the Puppeteer is sending
      All his boys to Kingdom come

      b) Prophets & Preachers

      Each have their cross, ready to bleed and sacrifice
      Prophets and preachers, ready to move into your life
      Freedom that do come cheap is treasured allright but freedom for the underdog means more than his own life

      Call him a demon and he'll pour the poison in your cup
      Build him a bomb that you'd better advice him not to drop
      Freedom that do come cheap is treasured atlright but freedom for the underdog means more than his own life

      c) Silent River

      Stand by the silent river, river of time
      A million souls float by not really knowing why
      A million driven by a secret holy plan
      Some try to catch a tide, get up and live again
      The more you look, the more you try
      The more you free, the inner eye
      There's a mountain we could climb

      If you dread the final breath, now don't you hoid it in
      I ending means 10 beginnings, goodbye to bone and skin
      The love that you sent out will hit you in return
      Go build the life you wanted, get up live and learn
      The more you look, the more you try
      The more you free, the inner eye
      There's a mountain we could climb

    3. Jealousy

      How I love it when you're down
      I love when your wings are nailed to the ground and your pain brings me joy
      But I'm a lonefy and cold jealous boy
      And this feeling is all that I know
      I've been taken and bent by the undertow
      I hope you hurt like I hurt, I do
      Hope you join my emotional vertigo

      When it rains, it rains, it rains my memories, they're fading fast
      Like watercolors in the rain
      So much t want to say
      But I'm locked away

      How I tove when you fail
      When your wings are tied down to the rail
      When that train run you down
      See that smile break down info a frown
      Any devil gives credit to me
      Turning triumph to sweet misery
      Guess I locked my door to love long ago and the questions don't come for the answers I know

      When it rains, it rains, it rains all my memories, fading fast
      Like watercofors in the rain
      So much I wanted to say but I'm locked away
      I'm a lonely and cold jealous boy
    4. Hit Me With A Hit

      "If you really wanted to, you could write a hit you could cut the corners and you could make things fit
      Are you really ready to believe it?
      Are you really taking my advice?
      Do you have a mission, can you see it?
      Do you really feel that you are alright ?"

      And soon you'll dine with presidents and soon your name will get that nicer ring
      You'll be "the one familiar face" in hollow echoes from a world you sing

      "We don't want no bloody poem
      We don't want your second thoughts
      Don't you think you overdo it ?
      Have you heard that less is more?"

      "You don't have to fight for recognition
      You don't have to sweat to get the gold
      You just have to shake those two and listen
      You just have to do what you are told"

      And soon you'll dine with presidents
      and soon your name will get that nicer ring
      You'll be "the one familiar face" in hollow echoes from a world you sing
    5. Pioneers Of Aviation

      (instrumental)
    6. Lucy Had A Dream

      Lucy had a dream last night
      Lucy dreams in black and white
      Lucy was left there on her own
      Out in the field, out in the cold
      She had her summerdresS, no shoes
      She had no plan, she had no clue

      Maybe the angels beamed her down
      Maybe she hurried out of town
      Leaving a family behind,
      Is someone missing her ?

      God knows where little Lucy goes
      She's alone in her dream in the field
      The men just moving in and out of her life
      Just to prove she's not dead, she's alright

      Lucy had a dream last night
      Lucy is beyond the skies
      Lucy is higher than a kite
      In the back of a 60's Cadillac
      She has a stranger in her arms
      She ain't going back home until dawn

      God knows where little Lucy goes
      She's alone in her dream in the field
      The men just moving in and out of her life
      Just to prove she's not dead, she's alright
    7. Bavarian Skies

      Goodnight, Goodbye, Auf Wiedersehen
      Now time has come for sleep
      May God forgive me if I dwell
      Once more in glorious dreams
      For 50 years I've lived in exile
      They'd like to see me swing

      I've moved around to escape the lies
      I've turned away from those hateful clowns
      Jealous & greedy, star of David
      We made them kneel
      But still their God couldn't save 'em
      Goodbye, finite, the final solution is real

      Goodnight, Goodbye, Auf Wiedersehen
      Now time has one more dream
      I dream of old Bavarian skies
      And mountain views beneath
      I loved my country just like you
      But Times turned out so strange, so strange

      Someone may claim I was evil
      Now even notorious, now that's a lie
      There is no smoke without a fire
      "Them Jews they are liars, now we have proved"
      "Such an excellent scapegoat, let's move them"
      "They're better off where we sent them"

      Germany was going bad, all wrong
      So we asked our God for a strong man
      To give back the glory land
      That was the dawn, the beginning of impact
      We all felt so strong, how could we all be wrong
      For once God's glory shone over Germany
      No more defeat, no more retreat
      So unified, we were all so proud
      We were "uefaer alles"
      What a glorious feeling of power
    8. Self-Consuming Fire

      She's waiting for the early tide
      she turned back where the road got wider
      She's looking for a soft asylum
      thinking loneliness is such a bitch to juggle

      Been searching in the book of dreams been dreaming of a desert flower
      Been uuailjng for the perfect touch
      to release her from the self-consuming fire

      Ah-Ah etc.

      Been hiding in a solitude
      Grim exile in the business towers
      A life amongst the living dead
      Afraid to see what's building up inside of her

      Five frozen faces fade away
      like still life in the twilight hour
      As memories of years gone by the years of glorious undivided power

      A flower tamed at your expense
      A friend that could have been your lover
      Sing softly from a world unchained to catch the dawning resurrection hour

      Five frozen faces fade away like still life in the twilight hour
      As memories of years gone by the years of glorious undivided power

      A flower tamed at your expense
      A friend that could have been your lover
      Sing softly from a world unchained to catch the dawning resurrection hour

      She tapped into the lucid dreams to try escape the wildest fire
      The fires that consume her soul the way out is getting stony, steep and narrow

      She's following the spiral down
      she's trapped inside the wicked powers
      If only she could hurt her God ?
      he'd crush her soul in the 11th hour
    9. Mommy Leave The Light On

      Mommy leave the light on
      Tell me that the monster is gone
      One more lullaby to sing
      Mommy leave the radio on

      Let no intruders make their way into my dreams so mommy keep it nice and clean
      You light a fire and keep the animals away
      I'll try forget that I'm afraid

      Mommy can you tell me why
      There is no way we can escape from dying?
      Mommy can you tell me I get well
      I really don't care if you're lying

      If God still have his kingdom far beyond the skies
      Now do you think he can hear our cries?
      Can Daddy take me sail across the milky way?
      I'll try forget that I'm afraid
    10. End On A High Note

      The world is open
      The world, is alive
      It's technicolor and the sun is slowly rising
      The morning sun
      Can almost set the hills on fire
      All along the coastline
      You can hear the seagull's cries

      Is it me that paints a picture
      Is it me that directs the day?
      Am I one amongst the millions
      That wttt see the world this way?
      Is it part of the illusion
      All the overwhelming scenes?
      Is it love that found it's way in here
      To lift my beating heart away?

      Oh, oh ...

      I can see the beauty In a thousand different faces
      I can hear the small talk
      In the far and distant market places
      Everybody is special
      It's the highlight of their story
      New life ts in the meeting
      Of the glowing morning glory

      Oh, oh .....

      The world is even, yes the world is alright
      We all just float about like sleepy satelites
      Watching the cycles, see the seasons change
      From thunderous rivers to the sunny lanes

      The world is grooving to a brand new beat
      The ground is swaying below our feet
      All we ask for is a bit of happiness
      and a smile upon our children's faces
    11. Minor Giant Steps

      Now imagine, can you, can you, if you will
      See the sunrise "co(ori2e" the hills
      All the waters running down the mountain streams
      Flood of Eden bring to life this dream
      Tiny Steps,
      Minor giant steps in the world unite
      Tiny Steps, m the wisdom ramp
      Minor giant steps in the world unite

      On the mountain side, silver thread unwind
      Gently linger on, crystal waters chime
      Watch the engineer get the details right !
      Watch him shape the day
      Out of the darkness comes the light
      Out of the darkness and the night

      Tiny Steps, in the wisdom ramp
      Minor giant steps in the world unite

      Now we understand how we play a part
      In the tireless games
      Circles round a sacred heart
      All the beauty there is
      Our perception of the dream
      Sharing equally, all like players of a team

      Sixtynine, we're walking on the moon
      Sending those waves to see if we're alone
      50 million keep choking in the sun
      Nothing learned from life still dog eat dog

      It's Just a transmission so we don't mind
      But what about God and what lies behind
      Those patterns are old and make no swse
      So keep on exploiting until the end

      The Masterminds create the new frontiers
      So "Enstein me" please I wanna see it clear

      Bit Üó bit they took this world apart
      there's no more secret left as it hit the market

      It's just a transmission so we don't mind
      But what about God and what lies behind
      Those patterns are old and make no sense
      So keep on exploiting until the end

      I'm just the minor giant soul
      Trying so hard to understand
      The things that I cannot see arise from inside of me

      Coming to terms, to lose control
      See how a man becomes a soul
      If thinking is wider than the sea arise from the dream within a dream

      It's strange how life's illusions turn
      They look so different around the corners
      I wasn't prepared for such a journey
      and now there ain't no turning back

      It's strange how words can start a war
      They call it the domino syndrome
      (actually, it's the domino theory ;-)
      A new world is hiding behind the door
      A world that's always been there

      I'm just a minor giant bird
      Sitting on someone's shoulder
      and she might undertake this journey
      while I keep getting older

      She once was brighter than the sun
      I may have been her soulmate
      She couldn't speak while she was dumb
      but I couldn't figure out

      It's strange how life's illusions turn
      They look so different round the corners
      I wasn't prepared for such a journey
      and now there ain't no turning back

      It's strange how words can start a war
      They call it the domino syndrome
      A new world is hiding behind the door
      A world that's always been there
    12. Touch My Heaven

      Should I stay here on the floor?
      I can't get up ...and you no more'
      Someone's talking in my head
      The sunshine
      Laugh away my only thread
      The white line
      Touch my heaven.

      My mind is climbing on the wall
      I'm getting high by getting small
      Someone's crying in my ear
      The sunshine
      Make my way look so clear
      The white line
      Touch my heaven !
    13. The Unorthodox Dancinglesson

      (instrumental)
    14. Man Of The World

      Trainride, dreaming the day away
      Slowride, (go) passing the gardens
      Travel, room for my mind to play
      Mindgames, ('bout) life of the others

      Now get movin', pack your suits and ties
      One more airport, feel the rush of life
      Speed forever, waiting in the queue
      All I wanna do is be with you

      Send me over the ocean
      I am lonely
      A man of the world and emotions
      Sleepless under the moonlight
      I get homesick
      I traded the world for the blue skies

      Ghostflight. losing the hours
      First class, tonesome and tired
      Day or night it all looks the same to me
      Cab ride, pick up some flowers

      Time to move on, pack your suits and ties
      One more airport, feel the rush of life
      Speed forever, waiting in the queue
      All I wanna wait, is wait for you

      Send me over the ocean
      I am lonely
      A man of the world and emotions
      Sleepless under the moonlight
      I get homesick
      I traded the world for the blue skies

      Daydream, life on the seaside
      Angel, give me the big smile
      Frame by frame, life in slow motion
      Sunkissed, down to the ocean
      Lose it, letting the pressure go
      Sinking into the blue ......

      Send me over the ocean
      I am lonely
      A man of the world and emotions
      Sleepless under the moonlight
      I get homesick
      1 traded the world for the blue skies
    15. Life Will Kill You

      Winter, no leaves on the trees
      Sky is turning red
      Sitence.I don't know how it feels deep inside my head
      So scared to walk that moonlit mile
      I can't stand to lose my face
      So tired ,E have to rest for a while
      and get out of these wicked ways

      Life Will Kill you !
      Life Will Kill you !

      One step, I'm close to the edge
      I can't move no more
      In my life, there's a lot of things I regret
      that I can't take back for sure
      My confidence is leaving me
      the evidence is clear to see
      It's nobody's fault but mine
      Life Will Kilt you, anytime
      Life Wiit Kill you, any minute

      Winter, no leaves on the trees
      I can't move no more

      Life Will Kill you, anytjme
      Life Will Kill you, any minute
    16. The Way The Waters Are Moving

    (for the tsunumivictims and survivors)

      Summer is gone, memories long
      we're afraid and hold on desperately
      to the last of hopes and memories
      Time moves on, how I wonder
      Even perfect moments slip away
      and may leave us empty and afraid

      Now
      I can sense there's something wrong
      the way the waters are moving
      struck by the impact we all change forever
      You are all gone
      and I'm left here slowly dying
      Now this ain't right, I course and cry
      I asked myself a million times
      why some just have to lose & suffer

      Summer is gone, it all went wrong
      So we bury all the pain inside
      and once more put on a friendly smile
      Life moves on, but no more bonds
      We're afraid to tove and lose once more
      so we turn lights low and lock the door

      Now
      I can sense there's something wrong
      the way the waters are moving
      Struck by the flood we'll change forever
      You are all gone
      and I'm left here slowly dying
      This ain't right,
      here's one more sleepless nigh
      I'm growing older,
      there's no way I escape your cries
      I've asked myself a million times
      why I have to lose & suffer
    17. What If God Is Alone

      What if God is alone
      and really needs someone to talk to ?
      What if I'm feeling small ?
      I need someone to look up to
      In this day and this age
      there is too much information
      And the loudness of man
      seems to cloud the revelations

      Letter from across the sea
      Secrets written signed and sealed
      My hands, shaking like a leaf
      my soul scars just getting healed
      Every time t try to get it right
      In the dark there is no light
      I wait and I wonder why
      God is on his own ?

      What if God is at your door
      but you leave him standing in the cold
      If there's angels onboard
      you can hear their voices thru the walls
      There's a heaven obscured
      by greed and hate and pettiness
      You know love can turn cold
      and leave your heart with emptyness

      Letter from across the sea
      Secrets written signed and sealed
      My hands shaking like a leaf
      my soul scars just getting healed
      Everytime I try to get it right
      In the dark there is no light
      I wait and I wonder why
      God is always on his own ?

      What if silence will fall
      and finally I'll hear myself
      What if God hear my calf
      all my wearyness be put to rest

      I can see beyond time
      I can love beyond words
      I can shine beyond suns
      I can dream beyond worlds
      I can live, I can die
      but it all means the same
      I'm the spark in the eye
      I'm the bright inner flame
      I am one of the earth
      I am one of the skies
      I am blood, I am war
      I'm a sweet lullaby

      I'm not good
      I'm not bad
      I'm just born in your head
      When you want me to be
      Where you want me to be
      I'm nothing you'll see
      If you see me you'll die
      we both die, don't you know
      so don't you try
    18. Paradox Hotel

      We've got guests, plenty, they come and they go
      I'm the friendly smile but nobody knows me
      One checkin' in, the other checkin1 out
      This house is nothing but a roundabout
      We carry your bags and we clean your room
      We polish the glasses, the forks and the spoons
      We've got staff standing by
      With people ready to die for you

      Communication systems are state, of the art
      Educational prospects of getting smarter
      "First class service" will cost you some more
      We've got sexy "livestock" back in store
      Just give us a call and we'll send them up
      we've got satisfied guests all the way to the top
      Bankers, lawyers and politicians
      The guest is king, now that is our mission !!

      It's a living Hell / at Paradox Hotel
      Come live in hell / at Paradox Hotel

      Now if you're hung up on celebrities,
      we've had them all, on that you can trust me
      We know their tittle secrets and dirty lies
      Their little filthy habits - this job is priceless !!!

      The clock is tickin', day in, day out
      Life in the fast lane this of roundabout
      Some people are good, some people are bad
      But we seem to remember alt the fun we've had
      We've had Picasso and Einstien too
      Howard Hughes fell out of the blue
      Hookers, liars and fancy folks
      The wall street gamblers and their òîï÷ó talk.

      A living Hell / at Paradox Hotel
      Come live in hell / at Paradox Hotel
    19. Blue Planet

      Got a perfect view
      from here in the voyage window room
      Blue planet, sleeping beauty,
      the place that we call home
      From here you can detect no borders,
      to me it looks the same
      One world, one unit under the sun

      Let's leave it, don't get closer
      I fear what we might find
      up from here it looks so peaceful
      from the innocent blue sky

      There's a view of constant beauty
      that time and man can't change
      Just mind to keep the distance now
      and your impressions will remain
      You want to keep the dream forever
      you never wanna teave
      I wish that everyone could see
      and feel the way I feel.

      The more you look,
      the more you try the more you free the inner eye
      There's a mountain we could climb

      Got a perfect view from here,
      from a window in the sky
      you ain't going nowhere now,
      you want but cannot fly
      Sometimes it feels like God has left us,
      but you never can be sure
      You're stuck with us and your dreams
      inside revolving (hotel) doors