Broken China

Broken China
Broken China
Studio album by Richard Wright
Released	7 October 1996
Recorded	Studio Harmonie, France; Whitfield Street Studios, London; RAK Studios and The Astoria
Genre	Progressive rock; psychedelic rock; ambient;
Length	59:24
Label	EMI (UK); Guardian (US);
Producer	Richard Wright; Anthony Moore; Laurie Latham (co-producer);
Richard Wright chronology

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[2]

Broken China is the second and final solo album by Pink Floyd keyboardist Richard Wright, released on 7 October 1996.^[3]

Overview

The album is a four-part concept album based on Wright's then-wife Mildred's battle with depression.^[4] 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.^[5]

Track listing

*Broken China* 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 performance for *Broken China*
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

[1] "Rick Wright – Broken China (1996, CD)". Discogs.

[2] AllMusic review

[3] Broken China, Richard Wright, Prog Archives.

[Doskoch-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.

[ac_Norway_Rick_Wright-6] "Norwegiancharts.com – Rick Wright – Broken China". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 August 2023.

[ac_Sweden_Rick_Wright-7] "Swedishcharts.com – Rick Wright – Broken China". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 August 2023.

[ac_Switzerland_Rick_Wright-8] "Swisscharts.com – Rick Wright – Broken China". Hung Medien. Retrieved 1 August 2023.

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