Social Studies (Carla Bley album)

Social Studies is an album by American composer, bandleader and keyboardist Carla Bley, recorded in 1980 and released on the Watt/ECM label in 1981.^[1]

Social Studies
Studio album by Carla Bley
Released	1981
Recorded	September–December 1980
Studio	Grog Kill Studio, Willow, New York
Genre	Jazz
Length	41:16
Label	Watt/ECM
Producer	Carla Bley
Carla Bley chronology
Musique Mecanique (1978) Social Studies (1981) Live! (1981)

Reception

The AllMusic review by Alex Henderson stated: "Bley's risk-taking serves her quite well on Social Studies, an unorthodox and adventurous pearl that is as rewarding as it is cerebral".^[2] The Penguin Guide to Jazz awarded the album 3 stars, stating that "Social Studies shouldn't be missed: a bookish cover masks some wonderfully wry music".^[3]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]
Tom Hull	B+ ()[4]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz	[3]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[5]

Track listing

All compositions by Carla Bley except where noted.

1. "Reactionary Tango (In Three Parts)" (Carla Bley, Steve Swallow) - 12:54
2. "Copyright Royalties" - 6:45
3. "Útviklingssang" - 6:31
4. "Valse Sinistre" - 4:56
5. "Floater" - 5:56
6. "Walking Batteriewoman" - 4:24

Personnel

• Carla Bley - organ, piano
• Michael Mantler - trumpet
• Carlos Ward - alto saxophone, tenor saxophone
• Tony Dagradi - tenor saxophone, clarinet
• Joe Daley - euphonium
• Gary Valente - trombone
• Earl McIntyre - tuba
• Steve Swallow - bass guitar
• D. Sharpe - drums