The five-times platinum set spawned three giant hits—“Wonder,” “Carnival,” and the haunting “Jealousy”—that simultaneously crossed over to the pop, adult-contemporary, and mainstream singles charts. It’s easy to understand why. On Tigerlily, Merchant turns in a performance for the ages, spinning majestic vocal webs of mellow atmosphere amid rhythmic textures and low-key movements. This is a mood masterpiece.

Sourced from the original tapes and pressed at Fidelity Record Pressing, Mobile Fidelity’s numbered-edition 180g 45RPM 2LP set of Tigerlily mines the critical nuances and delicate tones from this intimate gem. Merchant’s beautiful voice—her precious coos, soulful inflections, and whisper-soft purrs harken back to the Jazz Era—is presented with an up-close clarity and full-bodied richness that enhance the album’s deeply emotional feel.

Merchant uses volume and pitch as a painter utilizes shades on a canvas. Subtle and tender, her phrasing and crescendos underscore the personal nature of the lyrics. Merchant sings about mature topics most songwriters lack the courage to explore, probing the painful loss of a longtime partner on “Beloved Wife,” actor River Phoenix’s tragic death on “River,” and life-altering myths on “San Andreas Fault.”

The vocalist’s bracing conviction is matched by small-scale acoustic frameworks that don’t let a note go to waste. Mobile Fidelity’s engineers worked to make sure you hear all of them. Aligned on a wide soundstage, the discerning mix of Hammond organs, pianos, chamber percussion, and bluesy guitars come across with their understated intentions intact. Balances are superb, dynamics are grand. There is no better way to experience and enjoy the rich sonic fabrics on this album.