Touch (Sarah McLachlan album)
1988 studio album by Sarah McLachlan
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Touch is the debut album by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan. It was originally released on October 11, 1988 through Nettwerk and Capitol Records. The album was then re-released on April 3, 1989 through Nettwerk and Arista Records with additional material and new cover art. The album includes "Vox", McLachlan's debut single, which reached number 90 in Canada upon its release.
3 April 1989 (re-release)
47:31 (1989)
| Touch | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Original 1988 release | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 11 October 1988 3 April 1989 (re-release) | |||
| Genre | Pop[1] | |||
| Length | 47:54 (1988) 47:31 (1989) | |||
| Label | Nettwerk Capitol (1988) Arista (1989) | |||
| Producer | Greg Reely | |||
| Sarah McLachlan chronology | ||||
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| Alternative cover | ||||
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| Singles from Touch | ||||
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McLachlan did not achieve commercial stardom until 1991 in Canada, with Solace; she achieved success internationally in 1994–1995 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 an uncredited songwriting contribution to four songs on Touch ("Vox", "Steaming", "Sad Clown" and "Strange World").[2] 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.
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [1] |
| Stereo Review | very good[3] |
Track listing
All tracks written by Sarah McLachlan, except "Steaming" and "Uphill Battle" (music by McLachlan and Darren Phillips).
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Out of the Shadows" | 4:57 |
| 2. | "Steaming" | 4:45 |
| 3. | "Strange World" | 4:05 |
| 4. | "Touch" (instrumental) | 3:11 |
| 5. | "Vox" | 4:50 |
| 6. | "Sad Clown" | 4:28 |
| 7. | "Uphill Battle" (instrumental) | 4:37 |
| 8. | "Ben's Song" | 4:55 |
| Total length: | 35:48 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 9. | "Vox" (extended remix) | 6:59 |
| 10. | "Ben's Song" (78 remix) | 5:07 |
| Total length: | 47:54 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Out of the Shadows" | 4:57 |
| 2. | "Vox" | 4:48 |
| 3. | "Strange World" | 4:05 |
| 4. | "Trust" | 4:45 |
| 5. | "Touch" (instrumental) | 3:11 |
| 6. | "Steaming" | 4:46 |
| 7. | "Sad Clown" | 4:28 |
| 8. | "Uphill Battle" (instrumental) | 4:37 |
| 9. | "Ben's Song" | 4:55 |
| Total length: | 40:32 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 10. | "Vox" (extended) | 6:59 |
| Total length: | 47:31 | |
Notes:
- Some pressings credit "Trust" to McLachlan, Stephen Nikleva, Jeff Sawatzky, Sherri Iwaschuk, and Phillips.
- Not all versions of the original 1988 release contained tracks 9 and 10.
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)[4] | 61 |
| US Billboard 200[5] | 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)[6] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[7] | Gold | 500,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||