Broken China

Broken China is the second and final solo album by Pink Floyd keyboard player Richard Wright.[3]

Broken China
Studio album by
Richard Wright
Released26 November 1996 (UK)
25 March 1997 (US)
RecordedStudio Harmonie, France; Whitfield Street Studios, London; RAK Studios and The Astoria[1]
GenreProgressive rock, psychedelic rock, ambient
Length59:34
LabelEMI (UK)
Guardian Records (US)
ProducerRichard Wright
Anthony Moore
Laurie Latham (co-producer)
Richard Wright chronology
Identity
(1984)		 Broken China
(1996)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
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 personal studio in France. Broken China was only Wright's second solo record after 1978's Wet Dream and the last to be released before his death in September 2008.

Wright's Pink Floyd bandmate David Gilmour agreed to play on "Breakthrough." However, 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 David Gilmour and his band.

The packaging has artwork by Pink Floyd's regular designer, Storm Thorgerson, and Peter Curzon.[5]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Breaking Water"Richard Wright, Anthony Moore2:28
2."Night of a Thousand Furry Toys"Wright, Moore4:22
3."Hidden Fear"Wright, Gerry Gordon3:28
4."Runaway"Moore4:00
5."Unfair Ground"Wright2:21
6."Satellite"Wright4:06
7."Woman of Custom"Moore3:44
8."Interlude"Wright1:16
9."Black Cloud"Wright3:19
10."Far from the Harbour Wall"Wright, Moore6:19
11."Drowning"Wright1:38
12."Reaching for the Rail"Wright, Moore6:30
13."Blue Room in Venice"Wright, Gordon2:47
14."Sweet July"Wright4:13
15."Along the Shoreline"Wright, Moore4:36
16."Breakthrough"Wright, Moore4:19

Remix singles

Instrumental remix tracks from the "Broken China" (UK promo by The Orb)
  1. "Night of a Thousand Furry Toys" (Inverted Gravy Mix, an Instrumental remix by William Orbit with Matt Ducasse.) – 8:31
  2. "Runaway" (Anthony Moore) (R. Wright's lemonade mix) – 7:04
  3. "Runaway" (Anthony Moore) (Leggit Dub) – 7:01

"Runaway" (remixes by The Orb)

Extended "Runaway" remixes, almost the double in length, exist and can be found on two "The Orb Remix Project" compilations:

  1. "Runaway" (Anthony Moore) (R. Wrights Leggit Mix) — 13:42 on Auntie Aubrey's Excursions Beyond the Call of Duty Part 2 — Ultra Records 2001 (USA).
  2. "Runaway" (Anthony Moore) (Leggit Dub) — 13:38 on Auntie Aubrey's Excursions Beyond the Call of Duty Part 2 — Deviant Records 2002 (UK).

Both remixes are the same, due to copyrights reasons these compilations have different tracks on the UK and USA versions. "Runaway" appears on both.

Personnel

Design
  • Storm Thorgerson, Peter Curzon - sleeve design
  • Tony May - photography
  • Jason Reddy - computer
  • Julien Mils, Finlay Cowan - artwork

References
  1. https://www.discogs.com/Rick-Wright-Broken-China/release/2599919
  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.
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