| Songs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 2002 | |||
| Recorded | November 18, 2001 | |||
| Studio | The Studio, New York City | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 46:57 | |||
| Label | Splasc(H) | |||
| Producer | Matthew Shipp, Alan Schneider | |||
| Matthew Shipp chronology | ||||
| ||||
Songs is a solo album by American jazz pianist Matthew Shipp performing popular standards and spirituals, which was recorded in 2001 and released on the Italian Splasc(H) label. Its "We Free Kings" track is a Roland Kirk composition based on the Christmas carol "We Three Kings".
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| The New Rolling Stone Album Guide |    [1] |
| Allmusic | [2] |
| The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings | [3] |
In his review for AllMusic, Steve Loewy states "The interpretations are original, disturbing at times, but also uplifting and lyrical. The pianist follows a strategy of laying down a melody and slowly deconstructing the piece, but what is remarkable is the way in which he never lets go of the underlying song even at the most extreme moments." [2]
First Duo Concert is an album by American jazz saxophonist Anthony Braxton and British guitarist Derek Bailey recorded in 1974 at the Wigmore Hall in London and released by Emanem.
To Sweden with Love is an album of Swedish folk music by Art Farmer's Quartet featuring guitarist Jim Hall recorded in Stockholm in 1964 and originally released on the Atlantic label.
Crypto logy is an album by American jazz saxophonist David S. Ware recorded in 1994 and released on Homestead.
Circular Temple is an album by American jazz pianist Matthew Shipp featuring his trio with bassist William Parker and drummer Whit Dickey, which was recorded in 1990 and released on the tiny label Quinton Records. The album was reissued in 1994 by Infinite Zero, a label founded by Henry Rollins and Rick Rubin to re-release out-of-print records, which was a division of American Recordings, under the umbrella of Warner Bros. Records.
Zo is an album by American jazz pianist Matthew Shipp with bassist William Parker, which was recorded in 1993 and released on the tiny label Rise Records. The album was reissued in 1997 by the 2.13.61 label, founded by Henry Rollins, in partnership with Thirsty Ear Recordings.
Critical Mass is an album by American jazz pianist Matthew Shipp which was recorded in 1994 and released on 2.13, a division of the 2.13.61 label, founded by Henry Rollins. Shipp adds violinist Mat Maneri to his usual trio lineup with bassist William Parker and drummer Whit Dickey. Shipp met Maneri when the violinist was just 17 in Boston, this is their first collaboration on record.
2-Z is an album by American jazz pianist Matthew Shipp with AACM saxophonist Roscoe Mitchell, which was recorded in 1995 and released on the 2.13.61 label. Shipp played previously with Mitchell's Note Factory on the album This Dance Is for Steve McCall, but 2-Z represents their first collaboration with Shipp as a leader.
The Flow of X is an album by American jazz pianist Matthew Shipp which was recorded in 1995 and released on the 2.13.61 label. It features a quartet with violinist Mat Maneri, bassist William Parker and drummer Whit Dickey, the same lineup as the previous album Critical Mass. The liner notes include a piece by Shipp comparing boxing and jazz.
By the Law of Music is an album by American jazz pianist Matthew Shipp which was recorded in 1996 and released on the Swiss HatART label. It was re-released on the hatOLOGY imprint in 2002.
Thesis is an album by American jazz pianist Matthew Shipp featuring a duo with guitarist Joe Morris, which was recorded in 1997 and released on the Swiss hatOLOGY label. Shipp played previously with the Joe Morris Ensemble on the album Elsewhere, but Thesis represents their first collaboration with Shipp as a leader.
The Multiplication Table is an album by American jazz pianist Matthew Shipp which was recorded in 1997 and released on the Swiss hatOLOGY label.
Strata is an album by American jazz pianist Matthew Shipp which was recorded in 1997 and released on the Swiss hatOLOGY label.
DNA is an album by American jazz pianist Matthew Shipp with bassist William Parker, which was recorded in 1999 and released on Thirsty Ear. It was their second duo recording, the first was Zo. The album includes two traditional pieces, "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" and "Amazing Grace".
New Orbit is an album by American jazz pianist Matthew Shipp recorded in 2000 and released on Thirsty Ear's Blue Series. Shipp leads a quartet with trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith, bassist William Parker and drummer Gerald Cleaver.
Pastoral Composure is an album by American jazz pianist Matthew Shipp recorded in 2000 and released on Thirsty Ear. It was the first installment of the Blue Series, a collection of releases curated by Shipp. He leads a quartet with trumpeter Roy Campbell, bassist William Parker and drummer Gerald Cleaver. The album includes a version of Duke Ellington composition "Prelude to a Kiss" and a rendition of the French traditional song "Frère Jacques".
Expansion, Power, Release is an album by American jazz pianist Matthew Shipp which was recorded in 1999 and released on the Swiss hatOLOGY label. It was the second album by his String Trio with violinist Mat Maneri and bassist William Parker, the first was By the Law of Music.
Gravitational Systems is an album by American jazz pianist Matthew Shipp featuring a duo with violinist Mat Maneri, which was recorded in 1998 and released on the Swiss hatOLOGY label. Shipp played previously with Maneri on the albums Critical Mass, The Flow of X and By the Law of Music, but this was their first duo performance. The recording includes a rendition of the English traditional song "Greensleeves" and a version of John Coltrane's classic "Naima".
Equilibrium is an album by American jazz pianist Matthew Shipp recorded in 2002 and released on Thirsty Ear. According to Shipp, this fourth Blue Series record is a synthesis of what he learned from all their other albums in the series. He continues exploring beat elements with modern jazz.
No Greater Love is a live album of performed by multi-instrumentalist Joe McPhee recorded in 1999 and first released on the CIMP label. The album was recorded at the same sessions that produced In the Spirit.
In Finland is a live album by multi-instrumentalist Joe McPhee, pianist Matthew Shipp and bassist Dominic Duval recorded in 2004 and released on the Cadence Jazz label.