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
Studio album by Richard Wright
Released	7 October 1996
Recorded	Studio Harmonie, France; Whitfield Street Studios, London; RAK Studios and The Astoria[1]
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
Identity (1984) Broken China (1996)

Professional ratings

Review scores
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] 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