An aging family man faces down his creator. Loosely inspired by the book of Job. (That's from the Bible.) But I didn't care for the biblically abusive ending. So I fixed it: I let the guy have the last word in the argument, and keep his dignity on the strength of the case he makes for himself.

Water this Dark

What Do I Owe?

In 2017, just before I got sober, I nearly drowned in the Colorado River. The chorus came to me in a flash as I was drying out – literally and figuratively. Four years later, I went back to that river, had a joyful swim, and wrote the verses of rising strength & wisdom.

As sad as it gets. "That's what happens when you turn your back on your dreams."  Allusions to the ancient folk tale of Rumplestiltskin, in the context of sacrifices made in the mysterious effort to choose one's true path.

Gold into Yarn

A bouncy song about marriage that sounds a bit too much like a march.

Yellow House

We Got a Situation

Basic Tracks & Scratch Vocals. Recording sessions were aborted after we determined the band was not ready.

Justice (rough draft from 2001 "SuperNatural Sessions")

Title cut from 2008 release.  Charming minimalistic  F.A.R. hit.  

Family friendly song about misunderstood canines

Pit Bull Blues

Lazy string section song from John Shipe's Villain

Some Hidden Things

Love Belongs to Everyone

Villain

Lively opening tune on John Shipe's Villain

Lion

Hagiography

Frozen

Involution

If You Only Knew

Jesus

Thoughts and Prayers

If I Could

Hobo-Rock anthem. Spiritually fatigued and exhausted from from digging deep and fighting the good fight, it's time to give in to just letting it all go and blowing off steam.

Song About Singing

J. Edgar Hoover

Love Ain't Easy

A humble response to the unending racial struggles in our country. (Produced by Tyler Fortier & Ehren Ebbage)
Pledging proceeds to the Eugene, Oregon Chapter of NAACP.
naacplanecounty.org/products/

A Song About This

After 13 albums, a million miles, and thousands of gigs... including openers for likes of Bob Dylan, Derek Trucks, Taj Mahal, Keb Mo', Tower of Power, Allmans, Blind Melon, Hootie & the Blowfish, Leftover Salmon, Cake, John Fahey, Zero, Jerry Joseph, Johnny Lang, Cherry Poppin' Daddies... and hundreds of Festival showings.... Shipe is starting to get pretty good.

Popular tracks by John Shipe