Blab Music
Sheryl Crows 1996 Self-Titled Album Debuts on Vinyl in UMes Premium Vinylphyle Series
Sheryl Crow’s second studio album, released on 24 September 1996, is being issued on vinyl for the first time as part of Universal Music Group’s (UMe) Vinylphyle reissue series. The 2‑LP edition is pressed on 180‑gram black vinyl at RTI and comes in a tip‑on wrapped gatefold jacket finished in satin matte, printed on clay‑coated board. The packaging includes archival poly sleeves and a four‑panel insert that contains source‑tape scans, rare archival images and liner notes written by photographer and writer Jim McDermott.
The mastering process for the vinyl edition began with the pre‑mastered flat mixes that were originally transferred from the 2‑inch 24‑track tapes to DAT. According to reports, the final mixes were selected and sent to mastering engineer Justin Perkins, who assembled new vinyl cutting masters using a digital‑analog hybrid process captured at 96 kHz/24‑bit. The lacquer cuts were completed by Jeff Powell.
The original album was produced by Crow herself and engineered by Tchad Blake. It was recorded mainly at Kingsway Studio in New Orleans and features some of Crow’s most enduring songs, including “If It Makes You Happy,” “A Change Would Do You Good,” and “Everyday Is a Winding Road.” The record debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200, was certified triple platinum in the United States and the United Kingdom, and earned Crow the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 1997.
UMe’s Vinylphyle series is described as a premium vinyl line that focuses on audiophile quality and detailed packaging. The series has already released vinyl editions of Counting Crows’ debut album, August and Everything After, and the first vinyl pressing of Crow’s self‑titled record. The release is timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the album.
Crow’s career has spanned more than two decades. She has released 12 studio albums, sold over 50 million albums worldwide and won nine Grammy Awards. In November 2023 she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The following year she released her twelfth studio album, Evolution, through Big Machine Records. Evolution peaked at number 90 on the UK Albums Chart and did not enter the Billboard 200.
The vinyl reissue is available for purchase through uDiscover Music, the exclusive retailer for Vinylphyle releases. The packaging and mastering details suggest that the edition is aimed at collectors and audiophiles who value high‑fidelity playback and comprehensive liner material.
The release of Crow’s self‑titled album on vinyl adds a new format to a catalog that had previously been limited to CD, cassette and digital. It also provides an opportunity for fans to experience the album’s layered production in a medium that many consider to offer a warmer, more immersive listening experience. The Vinylphyle series has positioned itself as a niche product line within UMe’s broader catalog, and the inclusion of a high‑profile artist such as Crow may broaden its appeal.
While the vinyl edition is a new product, the album’s legacy remains unchanged. The record’s critical acclaim, commercial success and Grammy recognition continue to cement Crow’s status as a significant figure in 1990s rock and pop. The 2024 Evolution release, although less commercially successful, demonstrates Crow’s continued activity in the music industry and her willingness to explore new musical directions.
The vinyl edition will be available for purchase in the United States and select international markets beginning 24 September 2026. It is expected to appeal to collectors, long‑time fans and new listeners who are interested in high‑quality vinyl releases of classic albums.
The mastering process for the vinyl edition began with the pre‑mastered flat mixes that were originally transferred from the 2‑inch 24‑track tapes to DAT. According to reports, the final mixes were selected and sent to mastering engineer Justin Perkins, who assembled new vinyl cutting masters using a digital‑analog hybrid process captured at 96 kHz/24‑bit. The lacquer cuts were completed by Jeff Powell.
The original album was produced by Crow herself and engineered by Tchad Blake. It was recorded mainly at Kingsway Studio in New Orleans and features some of Crow’s most enduring songs, including “If It Makes You Happy,” “A Change Would Do You Good,” and “Everyday Is a Winding Road.” The record debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200, was certified triple platinum in the United States and the United Kingdom, and earned Crow the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in 1997.
UMe’s Vinylphyle series is described as a premium vinyl line that focuses on audiophile quality and detailed packaging. The series has already released vinyl editions of Counting Crows’ debut album, August and Everything After, and the first vinyl pressing of Crow’s self‑titled record. The release is timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the album.
Crow’s career has spanned more than two decades. She has released 12 studio albums, sold over 50 million albums worldwide and won nine Grammy Awards. In November 2023 she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The following year she released her twelfth studio album, Evolution, through Big Machine Records. Evolution peaked at number 90 on the UK Albums Chart and did not enter the Billboard 200.
The vinyl reissue is available for purchase through uDiscover Music, the exclusive retailer for Vinylphyle releases. The packaging and mastering details suggest that the edition is aimed at collectors and audiophiles who value high‑fidelity playback and comprehensive liner material.
The release of Crow’s self‑titled album on vinyl adds a new format to a catalog that had previously been limited to CD, cassette and digital. It also provides an opportunity for fans to experience the album’s layered production in a medium that many consider to offer a warmer, more immersive listening experience. The Vinylphyle series has positioned itself as a niche product line within UMe’s broader catalog, and the inclusion of a high‑profile artist such as Crow may broaden its appeal.
While the vinyl edition is a new product, the album’s legacy remains unchanged. The record’s critical acclaim, commercial success and Grammy recognition continue to cement Crow’s status as a significant figure in 1990s rock and pop. The 2024 Evolution release, although less commercially successful, demonstrates Crow’s continued activity in the music industry and her willingness to explore new musical directions.
The vinyl edition will be available for purchase in the United States and select international markets beginning 24 September 2026. It is expected to appeal to collectors, long‑time fans and new listeners who are interested in high‑quality vinyl releases of classic albums.
