Broken China
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Broken China
| type = studio
| artist = Richard Wright
| cover = Brokenchina.jpg
| alt =
| released = 7 October 1996
| recorded = Studio Harmonie, France; Whitfield Street Studios, London; RAK Studios and The Astoria{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Rick-Wright-Broken-China/release/2599919|title = Rick Wright – Broken China (1996, CD)| website=Discogs }}
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 59:24
| label =
| producer =
- Richard Wright
- Anthony Moore
- Laurie Latham (co-producer)
| prev_title = Identity
| prev_year = 1984
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev1score = {{rating|4|5}}[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r244061|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic review]
}}
Broken China is the second and final solo album by Pink Floyd keyboardist Richard Wright, released on 7 October 1996.[http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=6127 Broken China, Richard Wright], [http://www.progarchives.com/ Prog Archives].
Overview
The album is a four-part concept album based on Wright's then-wife Mildred's battle with depression.{{cite web|last1=Doskoch|first1=Peter|title=When Pink Turns to Blue |date=1 March 1997 |url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/199703/when-pink-turns-blue|website=Psychology Today|accessdate=14 October 2017|language=en}} 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 Wright's first solo record since 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.[http://pinkfloydhyperbase.dk/solo/broken.htm Broken China], [http://pinkfloydhyperbase.dk/ The Pink Floyd Hyperbase], Denmark.
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Broken China track listing
| title1 = Breaking Water
| writer1 = Richard Wright, Anthony Moore
| length1 = 2:27
| title2 = Night of a Thousand Furry Toys
| writer2 = Wright, Moore
| length2 = 4:23
| title3 = Hidden Fear
| writer3 = Wright, Gerry Gordon
| length3 = 3:28
| title4 = Runaway
| writer4 = Moore
| length4 = 4:00
| title5 = Unfair Ground
| writer5 = Wright
| length5 = 2:22
| title6 = Satellite
| writer6 = Wright
| length6 = 4:05
| title7 = Woman of Custom
| writer7 = Moore
| length7 = 3:44
| title8 = Interlude
| writer8 = Wright
| length8 = 1:15
| title9 = Black Cloud
| writer9 = Wright
| length9 = 3:20
| title10 = Far from the Harbour Wall
| writer10 = Wright, Moore
| length10 = 6:08
| title11 = Drowning
| writer11 = Wright
| length11 = 1:38
| title12 = Reaching for the Rail
| writer12 = Wright, Moore
| length12 = 6:30
| title13 = Blue Room in Venice
| writer13 = Wright, Gordon
| length13 = 2:47
| title14 = Sweet July
| writer14 = Wright
| length14 = 4:14
| title15 = Along the Shoreline
| writer15 = Wright, Moore
| length15 = 4:36
| title16 = Breakthrough
| writer16 = Wright, Moore
| length16 = 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
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+Chart performance for Broken China !scope="col"|Chart (1996) !scope="col"|Peak |
| {{album chart|Norway|24|artist=Rick Wright|album=Broken China|rowheader=true|access-date=1 August 2023}} |
| {{album chart|Sweden|52|artist=Rick Wright|album=Broken China|rowheader=true|access-date=1 August 2023}} |
| {{album chart|Switzerland|39|artist=Rick Wright|album=Broken China|rowheader=true|access-date=1 August 2023}} |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{cite web|url=http://www.emirecords.co.uk/rickwright/frame.html |title=Broken China by EMI Records |accessdate=2006-12-17 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19990429110014/http://www.emirecords.co.uk/rickwright/frame.html |archivedate=1999-04-29 }}
- {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20131214202257/http://www.pinkfloydfan.net/t7597-rick-wright-broken-china-interview.html Broken China Interview, by M. Blake, August 1996]}}
{{Richard Wright}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Albums with cover art by Storm Thorgerson
Category:Albums produced by Richard Wright (musician)
Category:Albums produced by Laurie Latham
Category:Richard Wright (musician) albums