Broken China

Broken China
Studio album by
Richard Wright
Released7 October 1996
RecordedStudio Harmonie, France; Whitfield Street Studios, London; RAK Studios and The Astoria
Genres
Length59:24
Labels
Producers
Richard Wright chronology
Identity
(1984)		 Broken China
(1996)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStar

Broken China is the second solo studio album by Pink Floyd keyboardist Richard Wright (credited on the cover as Rick), released on 7 October 1996. It was co-produced and co-written by Anthony Moore, who had worked on the previous two Pink Floyd albums, A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987) and The Division Bell (1994).

Overview

The album is a four-part concept album based on Wright's then-wife Mildred's battle with depression. "Reaching for the Rail" and "Breakthrough" feature Sinéad O'Connor on lead vocals, with Wright singing the remainder. 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 of 2008.

Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour recorded a performance for "Breakthrough", but the approach to 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.

Track listing

Broken China track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Breaking Water"Richard Wright, Anthony Moore2:27
2."Night of a Thousand Furry Toys"Wright, Moore4:23
3."Hidden Fear"Wright, Gerry Gordon3:28
4."Runaway"Moore4:00
5."Unfair Ground"Wright2:22
6."Satellite"Wright4:05
7."Woman of Custom"Moore3:44
8."Interlude"Wright1:15
9."Black Cloud"Wright3:20
10."Far from the Harbour Wall"Wright, Moore6:08
11."Drowning"Wright1:38
12."Reaching for the Rail"Wright, Moore6:30
13."Blue Room in Venice"Wright, Gordon2:47
14."Sweet July"Wright4:14
15."Along the Shoreline"Wright, Moore4:36
16."Breakthrough"Wright, Moore4:19

Personnel

Musicians

Design

Charts

Chart performance for Broken China
Chart (1996) Peak
position
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)24
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)52
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)39

References

  1. ↑ "Rick Wright – Broken China (1996, CD)". Discogs. 7 October 1996.
  2. ↑ AllMusic review
  3. ↑ Broken China, Richard Wright, Prog Archives.
  4. ↑ Doskoch, Peter (1 March 1997). "When Pink Turns to Blue". Psychology Today. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  5. ↑ Broken China, The Pink Floyd Hyperbase, Denmark.
  6. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Rick Wright – Broken China". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  7. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Rick Wright – Broken China". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  8. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Rick Wright – Broken China". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 August 2023.