IRIS DEMENT - The Way I Should (30th Anniversary)(RSD 2026 BLUE VINYL) | Mint (M) Mint (M)

With The Way I Should, Iris DeMent stepped boldly into new territory, delivering a collection that balanced her fierce lyrical conviction with tender vulnerability. Released in 1996, this third studio album from the revered Americana singer-songwriter expanded on her folk and country roots, blending sharp political commentary with deeply personal storytelling. Backed by a fuller, more contemporary sound and featuring collaborations with legends like Delbert McClinton and Mark Knopfler, DeMent doesn't shy away from weighty topics. From government corruption ("Wasteland of the Free") to working-class struggle ("Quality Time"), she gives voice to the disillusioned with searing honesty and soulful grit. Merle Haggard lends his iconic vocals to "This Kind of Happy," bringing a warm, lived-in authenticity that deepens the album's emotional core. Yet for all it's pointed critique, The Way I Should is just as powerful in it's quieter moments. Songs like "When My Mornin' Comes Around" and "Keep Me God" shimmer with grace, hope, and an unwavering moral compass. DeMent's unmistakable voice anchors every track with a sense of authenticity that's rare and resonant. The Way I Should isn't just an artistic evolution; it's a fearless statement from a singular voice in American music. Timeless in message and rich in heart, it remains one of DeMent's most compelling and relevant works. In celebration of the album's 30th anniversary, Yep Roc Records is pressing The Way I Should on vinyl for the first time. The album is remastered by Mike Westbrook of Material Mastering and is pressed on Summer Sky color vinyl, limited to 1,000 copies worldwide.

Label:
Yep Roc Records – YEP-2563
Format:
Vinyl, LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, Blue [Summer Sky]
Country:
Worldwide
Released:
Apr 18, 2026
Genre:
Folk, World, & Country
Style:
Folk, Country
A1        When My Mornin' Comes Around    3:49
A2        There's A Wall In Washington    5:19
A3        Wasteland Of The Free    5:13
A4        I'll Take My Sorrow Straight    3:24
A5        This Kind Of Happy    3:43
A6        The Way I Should    4:24
B1        Letter To Mom    3:15
B2        Keep Me God    3:46
B3        Quality Time    4:03
B4        Walkin' Home    5:39
B5        Trouble    7:32
Copyright © – Yep Roc, LLC.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Yep Roc, LLC.
Distributed By – Redeye
Published By – Songs Of Iris
Published By – Merle Haggard Music LLC
Published By – Sony/ATV Tree Publishing
Recorded At – Scruggs Sound Studio
Mixed At – Scruggs Sound Studio
Mastered At – Georgetown Masters
6-String Bass [6-String Bass Guitar] – John Jennings (2) (tracks: A3)
Acoustic Guitar – Iris DeMent (tracks: A3, A6, B3, B5), John Jennings (2) (tracks: A1, A6, B3), Randy Scruggs (tracks: A4, B1, B2, B5)
Acoustic Guitar [Beach Guitar] – John Jennings (2) (tracks: A4, B5)
Art Direction, Design – Stephen Walker (6), Terry Robertson
Banjo – Earl Scruggs (tracks: B3)
Bass – Dave Pomeroy
Booking [Bookings] – Monterey Peninsula Artists
Cello – Tammy Rogers (tracks: A1)
Drums – Harry Stinson
E-Bow [Ebo Electric] – John Jennings (2) (tracks: A2)
Electric Guitar – Lonnie Mack (tracks: B5), Steuart Smith (tracks: A1 to B4)
Electric Guitar [Electric Hollow Body] – John Jennings (2) (tracks: A5)
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Chris Rau*, Graham Lewis (2)
Fiddle – Tammy Rogers (tracks: A4, A6 to B3, B5)
Harmony Vocals – Bekka Bramlett (tracks: A3), Billy Burnette (tracks: A3), Russ Taff (tracks: A3)
Harmony Vocals [Harmony Vocal] – Harry Stinson (tracks: B3), Iris DeMent (tracks: A2, A4), Melodie Crittenden (tracks: A6, B3)
Layout [30th Anniversary Layout] – Nathan Golub (3)
Liner Notes – Iris*
Management – DJ McLachlan*
Mandolin – Randy Scruggs (tracks: B3), Tammy Rogers (tracks: A1, A3)
Mastered By [Mastering Engineer] – Denny Purcell
Organ – Chuck Leavell (tracks: A1, A3, A5, A6, B2, B4)
Photography By – Rocky Schenck
Photography By [Photography Assistant] – Debbie Spinelli
Piano – Chuck Leavell (tracks: A2, B3, B5), Iris DeMent (tracks: A1, A4, A5, B1, B2, B4)
Piano Accordion [Accordion Keyboard] – B3*
Piano Accordion [Accordion Piano] – Chuck Leavell (tracks: A4)
Producer – Randy Scruggs
Project Manager [30th Anniversary Project Manager] – Mack White (4)
Recorded By, Mixed By – Chuck Ainlay
Remastered By [30th Anniversary Remaster] – Mike Westbrook (3)
Resonator Guitar [National Guitar] – Mark Knopfler (tracks: A6)
Slide Guitar – John Jennings (2) (tracks: B2), Steuart Smith (tracks: B5)
Steel Guitar – Paul Franklin (tracks: A1, A4, A6, B1, B4)
Tambourine – Tom Roady (tracks: B2)
Technician [Assistant Patch Wizard] – Elmer McCall
Twelve-String Guitar [12-String Guitar] – Randy Scruggs (tracks: A1 to A3, A5, B4)
Viola – Tammy Rogers (tracks: A1, A2)
Violin – Tammy Rogers (tracks: A1)
Vocals [Duet Vocal], Harmonica – Delbert McClinton (tracks: B5)
Vocals [Vocal] – Iris DeMent
Written-By – Elmer McCall (tracks: A4, B5), Iris DeMent, Merle Haggard (tracks: A5)
Reissued on "Summer Sky" color vinyl for Record Store Day 2026. Limited to 900 copies per the Record Store Day website.
Barcode: 634457208391
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout): YEP-2563 A RE-1
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout): YEP-2563 B RE-1
Rights Society: ASCAP
Rights Society: BMI

• Media Condition: Mint (M)
• Sleeve Condition: Mint (M)
• Format: Vinyl
• Genre: COUNTRY
• Format Type: LP
• Released: 2026-04-18