Touch (Sarah McLachlan album)
Encyclopedia
Touch is the debut album by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan
which was released in 1988 and then re-released in 1989.
The album was originally released in 1988 by Nettwerk
. McLachlan later signed to Arista Records
internationally (although remaining on Nettwerk in Canada), and a revamped version of Touch, with several remixed songs and a new track, was released in 1989 on both labels. The original 1988 release was discontinued by Nettwerk, and is now considered a collector's item. It is distinguished by its black and sepia cover. The first released single from the album was "Vox
" in 1988, followed by "Steaming" in 1989.
The album was popular in alternative rock
circles, but McLachlan would not achieve commercial stardom until 1991 in Canada
, with Solace
, and 1994 (1995 in some countries) internationally, with her 1993 album Fumbling Towards Ecstasy
.
In 1993, McLachlan and Nettwerk were sued by Darryl Neudorf
, a Vancouver musician and former member of 54-40
, who alleged that he had made a significant and uncredited contribution to the songwriting on Touch. Although both McLachlan and Nettwerk acknowledged that Neudorf was involved in the album's production, both took the position that his contribution had not been primarily in songwriting. The judge in that suit ultimately ruled in McLachlan's favour.
Two 12" singles were released from the original 1988 album, each containing one of the alternate mixes that were on some, but not all, versions of the album release. The remix of "Vox" here is not the same remix that was on the 1989 album release.
Sarah McLachlan
Sarah Ann McLachlan, OC, OBC is a Canadian musician, singer and songwriter. Known for her emotional ballads and mezzo-soprano vocal range, as of 2006, she has sold over 40 million albums worldwide. McLachlan's best-selling album to date is Surfacing, for which she won two Grammy Awards and four...
which was released in 1988 and then re-released in 1989.
The album was originally released in 1988 by Nettwerk
Nettwerk
The Nettwerk Music Group is the umbrella company for Nettwerk Management, Nettwerk Records, Nettwerk One Publishing, Nutone Records, and Artwerk. With over 150 employees, the Vancouver-based company has offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Boston, Nashville, and Hamburg...
. McLachlan later signed to Arista Records
Arista Records
Arista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
internationally (although remaining on Nettwerk in Canada), and a revamped version of Touch, with several remixed songs and a new track, was released in 1989 on both labels. The original 1988 release was discontinued by Nettwerk, and is now considered a collector's item. It is distinguished by its black and sepia cover. The first released single from the album was "Vox
Vox (Sarah McLachlan song)
"Vox" is the debut single by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan. It was released in 1988 in Canada from her album Touch, and as a CD-single in 1992...
" in 1988, followed by "Steaming" in 1989.
The album was popular in alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
circles, but McLachlan would not achieve commercial stardom until 1991 in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, with Solace
Solace (Sarah McLachlan album)
* In Canada, "Wear Your Love Like Heaven" appeared on Nettwerk's Donovan tribute album, Island of Circles. McLachlan fought hard to not have the song on her album but she eventually let Arista Records include it on the record...
, and 1994 (1995 in some countries) internationally, with her 1993 album Fumbling Towards Ecstasy
Fumbling Towards Ecstasy
-Charts:-Release history:-Personnel:*Sarah McLachlan: Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Piano*Bill Dillon: Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Guitorgan, Bass, Piano...
.
In 1993, McLachlan and Nettwerk were sued by Darryl Neudorf
Darryl Neudorf
Darryl Neudorf is a Canadian musician, record producer and audio engineer.He was the drummer for 54-40 from 1982–1986. He is best known during this time for co-writing the hit song "I Go Blind", a Canadian hit which was later covered by U.S...
, a Vancouver musician and former member of 54-40
54-40
54•40 is a Canadian alternative rock group from Tsawwassen, British Columbia.The band takes their name from the slogan "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!", coined to express the expansionist agenda of James K...
, who alleged that he had made a significant and uncredited contribution to the songwriting on Touch. Although both McLachlan and Nettwerk acknowledged that Neudorf was involved in the album's production, both took the position that his contribution had not been primarily in songwriting. The judge in that suit ultimately ruled in McLachlan's favour.
Track listing
1 Not all versions of the original 1988 release contained these two tracks.Singles
- "Vox"
- "Steaming"
Two 12" singles were released from the original 1988 album, each containing one of the alternate mixes that were on some, but not all, versions of the album release. The remix of "Vox" here is not the same remix that was on the 1989 album release.
- "Vox (Extended Remix)" – 6:59 (McLachlan)
- "Ben's Song (78 Version)" – 5:07 (McLachlan)
Musicians
- Sarah McLachlanSarah McLachlanSarah Ann McLachlan, OC, OBC is a Canadian musician, singer and songwriter. Known for her emotional ballads and mezzo-soprano vocal range, as of 2006, she has sold over 40 million albums worldwide. McLachlan's best-selling album to date is Surfacing, for which she won two Grammy Awards and four...
: Vocals, 12-String & Classical Guitars, Piano, Keyboards - Stephen Nikleva: Electric Guitar
- David Kershaw: Bass, Double Bass, Background Vocals
- Jeff Krosse: Bass, Background Vocals
- Naomi McLeod: Background Vocals
- Greg Reely: Drums, Percussion
- Darren Phillips: Drums, Percussion, Keyboards
- Ross Hales: Drums
- Sherri Leigh: Percussion
- Tippi: Percussion
- Steve: Percussion
- Rudy: Percussion