Touch (Sarah McLachlan album)

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Touch
Sarah McLachlan Touch original nettwerk.jpg
Original 1988 cover art
Studio album by
Sarah McLachlan
Released11 October 1988
Recorded1988–1989
GenrePop
Length47:21
Label
ProducerGreg Reely
Sarah McLachlan chronology
Touch
(1988) 		Solace
(1991)
Alternative cover
1989 Nettwerk/Arista release cover art
1989 Nettwerk/Arista release cover art
Singles from Touch
  1. "Vox"
  2. "Steaming"

Touch is the debut album by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan, 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.

McLachlan did not achieve commercial stardom until 1991 in Canada, with Solace, and 1994–1995 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 favor.

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic2.5/5 stars link

Track listing[]

All tracks are written by Sarah McLachlan, except where noted.

1988 release (Nettwerk/Capitol)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Out of the Shadows" 4:57
2."Steaming"
  • McLachlan
  • Darren Phillips
4:45
3."Strange World" 4:05
4."Touch" 3:11
5."Vox" 4:50
6."Sad Clown" 4:28
7."Uphill Battle"
  • McLachlan
  • Phillips
4:37
8."Ben's Song" 4:55
9."Vox (Extended remix)" (1) 6:59
10."Ben's Song (78 Version)" (1) 5:07

1 Not all versions of the original 1988 release contained these two tracks.

1989 release (Nettwerk/Arista)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Out of the Shadows" 4:57
2."Vox" 4:48
3."Strange World" 4:05
4."Trust"
  • Stephen Nikleva
  • Jeff Sawatzky
  • Sherri Iwaschuk
  • McLachlan
  • Phillips
4:45
5."Touch" 3:11
6."Steaming"
  • McLachlan
  • Phillips
4:46
7."Sad Clown" 4:28
8."Uphill Battle"
  • McLachlan
  • Phillips
4:37
9."Ben's Song" 4:55
10."Vox (Extended version)" 6:59

Two 12-inch 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.

Personnel[]

  • Sarah McLachlan – vocals, 12-string and classical guitars, piano, keyboards
  • Stephen Nikleva – electric guitar
  • David Kershaw – bass guitar, double bass, backing vocals
  • Jeff Krosse (aka Jeff Sawatzky) – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Naomi McLeod – backing vocals
  • Greg Reely – drums, percussion
  • Darren Phillips – drums, percussion, keyboards
  • Ross Hales – drums
  • Sherri Leigh (aka Sherri Iwaschuk) – percussion
  • Tippi – percussion
  • Steve – percussion
  • Rudy – percussion

Charts[]

Chart (1988–89) Peak
position
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[1] 61
US Billboard 200[2] 132

The RPM Albums Chart between October 1988 and April 1989 is not available. The Touch peak position is taken from May 1989.

Certifications and sales[]

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[3] Platinum 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[4] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References[]

  1. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 6333". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  2. ^ "Sarah McLachlan Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  3. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Sarah McLachlan – Touch". Music Canada. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  4. ^ "American album certifications – Sarah Mc Lachlan – Touch". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
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