Broken China


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

Overview

The album is a four-part concept album based on Wright's then-wife Mildred's battle with depression, 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.

Track listing

Remix singles

Instrumental remix tracks from the "Broken China" (UK promo by The Orb)

  1. "Night of a Thousand Furry Toys" – 8:31
  2. "Runaway" – 7:04
  3. "Runaway" – 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" — 13:42 on Auntie Aubrey's Excursions Beyond the Call of Duty Part 2 — Ultra Records 2001.
  2. "Runaway" — 13:38 on Auntie Aubrey's Excursions Beyond the Call of Duty Part 2 — Deviant Records 2002.
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