A cornerstone of the soft-rock era turns 50 and gets the vinyl treatment it deserves. Oscar and two-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Stephen Bishop announced the 50th anniversary limited edition vinyl release of his landmark debut album ‘Careless’, out August 14 on his own Life’s A Bish Records. Bernie Grundman, the legendary engineer who mastered the original 1976 release, returned to remaster this edition.
Originally released in 1976 via Universal Music Group, ‘Careless’ established Bishop as one of the most distinctive voices of his generation. It featured the Billboard Hot 100 hit “On and On,” covered on Keith Urban’s upcoming album ‘Flow State’, along with “Save It for a Rainy Day.” The album boasted an extraordinary lineup for a debut, with Eric Clapton on electric slide guitar for “Sinking in an Ocean of Tears” and the solo on “Save It for a Rainy Day,” plus Chaka Khan and Art Garfunkel.
The anniversary edition presents the album as it’s never been experienced before. The original 1976 release came without a gatefold or booklet, while this expanded version adds a newly designed gatefold package and a 20-page booklet with rare and previously unseen photographs, archival material, and Bishop’s first-ever liner notes and personal reflections.
Reflecting on the milestone, Bishop said it feels like 1976 was just yesterday, recalling a time when you brought an album home and listened from start to finish, no streaming or distractions, just music in its purest form. He added that the songs which didn’t make the album the first time had waited long enough.
The album’s iconic black-and-white cover has been newly colorized for the occasion, pressed as a limited edition confetti splatter vinyl with each record uniquely finished. Two bonus tracks, “Back Again” and “I Don’t Know You Anymore,” both written during the original sessions, round out the set. Released under license from Universal Music Group as a vinyl-only pressing, with no digital or CD versions planned, it’s a true collector’s release built for fans and audiophiles alike.
‘Careless’ Track Listing:
- “On and On”
- “Never Letting Go”
- “Careless”
- “Sinking in an Ocean of Tears”
- “Madge”
- “Every Minute”
- “Little Italy”
- “One More Night”
- “Guitar Interlude”
- “Save It for a Rainy Day”
- “Rock and Roll Slave”
- “The Same Old Tears On a New Background”
- “Back Again” – Bonus Track
- “I Don’t Know You Anymore” – Bonus Track