- Title: VARIOUS: PINK FLOYD MEMBER RICK WRIGHT SPEAKS ABOUT HIS THIRD SOLO ALBUM
- Date: 16th October 1995
- Summary: (RECENT) (RTV - AVAILABLE ALL) WRIGHT, SPEAKING ABOUT SINEAD O'CONNOR, SAYING "I DIDN'T THINK FOR ONE MINUTE THAT SHE WOULD DO IT, BECAUSE SHE'S AN ARTIST AND WHY SHOULD SHE COME AND WORK ON SOMEONE ELSE'S RECORD WHEN SHE HAS HER OWN TO DO, AND WHY SHOULD SHE GET INVOLVED IN A VERY PERSONAL SUBJECT LIKE DEPRESSION. THE LYRICS ARE QUITE STRONG, PARTICULARLY ONE SONG, "REAC
- Embargoed: 31st October 1995 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM / UNDISCLOSED LOCATION, FRANCE / NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- City:
- Country: USA
- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA7EO5CN90Z17TKPYIOMFZIISPK
- Story Text: Rick Wright is perhaps best-known as the keyboards player for the legendary rock band Pink Floyd, who were finally inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in January of this year. Whilst his 30-year career with Pink Floyd continues, Wright has found the time and inspiration to release his third, and by his own admission, the best of his solo albums.
Entitled "Broken China", the album chronicles the lifelong struggle of a close friend of Wright who suffered from clinical depression. Despite the seemingly gloomy subject matter, the album ends on an upbeat note, as Wright's friend, whom he declines to name, finally comes to terms with her illness and seeks the medical help which enables her to beat it eventually.
As Wright explains, clinical depression is a physical illness which can be cured with medication and therapy.
"I can get it, you can get it," he said, "anyone can get it.
It's a physical illness like getting influenza and it's curable, it's nothing to be ashamed of".
Wright said that the idea came to him while he was recording the hit Pink Floyd album "The Division Bell", when his friend fell ill.
"All these emotions were going on and I was involved with this person's healing process, and it affected me emotionally, too," Wright said, "It's a very strong story, it's got lots of drama, lots of pathos and lots of humour, lots of joy, and whenever I write music I need those kind of inspirations".
The lyrics of "Broken China" were written by Anthony Moore, who also co-produced the album. Moore had worked with Pink Floyd on "The Division Bell", and Wright was impressed with his understanding of the direction of "Broken China".
Also involved in the album was the Irish songstress Sinead O'Connor, who sang two of the tracks. Wright explained that whilst he did most of the vocals on "Broken China", the songs that were written from subject's point of view needed to be sung by a female vocalist because his friend is a woman.
"Sinead was the first person who came into my head because I love her voice," Wright said, adding "I think her voice is a very strong voice but has this fragile edge to it, very emotional voice she has, plus I would think that she would be very sympathetic to what I was writing about".
Wright was pleasantly surprised when O'Connor accepted his offer, fearing that she would find the subject matter too strong.
Other artists on the album include guitarists Rim Renwick, Dominic Miller and Steve Bolton, drummer Manu Katche and bassist Pino Palladino.
Wright recorded "Broken China" in his own studio at his home in France. It went on general release on October 7, and is due out in North America on November 11. Whilst Wright has no immediate plans to tour with the album, he said that he might consider the idea if he could make - and finance - a musical encompassing the whole concept of the album. He is due to visit Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Brussels and Warsaw in the immediate future to promote "Broken China", and will visit North America and Latin America afterwards. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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