Broken China
Broken China is the second and final solo album by Pink Floyd keyboardist Richard Wright, released on 7 October 1996.[3]
| Broken China | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 7 October 1996 | |||
| Recorded | Studio Harmonie, France; Whitfield Street Studios, London; RAK Studios and The Astoria[1] | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 59:24 | |||
| Label |
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| Producer |
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| Richard Wright chronology | ||||
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| Review scores | |
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| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
Overview
The album is a four-part concept album based on Wright's then-wife Mildred's battle with depression,[4] and is very much like a classic Pink Floyd concept album in its structure and overall feel. Two songs, "Reaching for the Rail" and "Breakthrough" feature Sinéad O'Connor on lead vocals, with Wright singing elsewhere. The album was recorded in Wright's studio in France. Broken China was only Wright's second solo record after 1978's Wet Dream and the last before his death in September 2008.
Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour played on "Breakthrough", but the approach for the song was changed later on, and Gilmour's performance was not used on the finished release. On the DVD David Gilmour in Concert, a guest appearance is made by Wright, who sings "Breakthrough" accompanied by Gilmour and his band.
The packaging has artwork by Pink Floyd's regular designer, Storm Thorgerson, and Peter Curzon.[5]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Breaking Water" | Richard Wright, Anthony Moore | 2:27 |
| 2. | "Night of a Thousand Furry Toys" | Wright, Moore | 4:23 |
| 3. | "Hidden Fear" | Wright, Gerry Gordon | 3:28 |
| 4. | "Runaway" | Moore | 4:00 |
| 5. | "Unfair Ground" | Wright | 2:22 |
| 6. | "Satellite" | Wright | 4:05 |
| 7. | "Woman of Custom" | Moore | 3:44 |
| 8. | "Interlude" | Wright | 1:15 |
| 9. | "Black Cloud" | Wright | 3:20 |
| 10. | "Far from the Harbour Wall" | Wright, Moore | 6:08 |
| 11. | "Drowning" | Wright | 1:38 |
| 12. | "Reaching for the Rail" | Wright, Moore | 6:30 |
| 13. | "Blue Room in Venice" | Wright, Gordon | 2:47 |
| 14. | "Sweet July" | Wright | 4:14 |
| 15. | "Along the Shoreline" | Wright, Moore | 4:36 |
| 16. | "Breakthrough" | Wright, Moore | 4:19 |
Personnel
Musicians
- Richard Wright – keyboards, vocals, programming
- Anthony Moore – computer programming and arrangements, 'telephone vocal' (2)
- Sinéad O'Connor – lead vocals (12, 16)
- Tim Renwick – guitars
- Dominic Miller – guitars
- Steven Bolton – guitars
- Pino Palladino – bass guitar
- Manu Katché – drums, percussion
- Sian Bell – cello
- Kate St. John – oboe, cor anglais
- Maz Palladino – backing vocals
Design
- Storm Thorgerson, Peter Curzon – sleeve design
- Tony May – photography
- Jason Reddy – computer
- Julien Mils, Finlay Cowan – artwork
Charts
| Chart (1996) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[6] | 24 |
| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[7] | 52 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[8] | 39 |
References
- "Rick Wright – Broken China (1996, CD)". Discogs.
- AllMusic review
- Broken China, Richard Wright, Prog Archives.
- Doskoch, Peter (1 March 1997). "When Pink Turns to Blue". Psychology Today. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
- Broken China, The Pink Floyd Hyperbase, Denmark.
- "Norwegiancharts.com – Rick Wright – Broken China". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- "Swedishcharts.com – Rick Wright – Broken China". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- "Swisscharts.com – Rick Wright – Broken China". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
External links
- "Broken China by EMI Records". Archived from the original on 29 April 1999. Retrieved 17 December 2006.
- Broken China Interview, by M. Blake, August 1996