John Coltrane Quartet – Ballads

Album Info

Artist: John Coltrane Quartet

Title: Ballads

Year: 1963

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Tracklist

  • 1. Say It (Over And Over Again) (4:15)
  • 2. You Don't Know What Love Is (5:11)
  • 3. Too Young To Go Steady (4:19)
  • 4. All Or Nothing At All (3:35)
  • 5. I Wish I Knew (4:50)
  • 6. What's New (3:43)
  • 7. It's Easy To Remember (2:45)
  • 8. Nancy (With The Laughing Face) (3:11)
  • 1. They Say It's Wonderful (3:02)
  • 2. All Or Nothing At All - Take 2 (3:41)
  • 3. Greensleeves - Take 2 (4:26)
  • 4. Greensleeves - Take 4 (3:46)
  • 5. Greensleeves - Take 5 (3:43)
  • 6. Greensleeves - Single Version (3:38)
  • 7. Greensleeves - Take 11 (4:13)
  • 8. It's Easy To Remember - Take 2 (4:40)
  • 9. It's Easy To Remember - Take 4 (2:44)
  • 10. It's Easy To Remember - Take 6 (2:47)
  • 11. It's Easy To Remember - Take 7 (2:45)
  • 12. It's Easy To Remember - Take 9 (3:44)
  • 13. It's Easy To Remember - Take 11 (2:37)
  • 14. It's Easy To Remember - Take 13 (2:41)

Review

Contemplating the artistic finesse of the John Coltrane Quartet's "Ballads," released in 1963, this album beautifully interrupts the often frenetic cadence of Coltrane's usual oeuvre with its more gentle, introspective moments. Here, the quartet thoughtfully interprets classic standards with both elegance and a certain depth that feels infinite. The quartet infuses each song with subtle grace, redefining what we expect from jazz ballads. Coltrane’s saxophone plays at its most expressively urbane, delivering contemplative solos that speak to both heart and mind, while pianist McCoy Tyner wraps the sound in rich, harmonic layers.

Venturing through the reverberations of "Ballads," the listener is enveloped by Elvin Jones's masterly brushwork on drums, particularly shining in pieces like "Too Young to Go Steady" and "All or Nothing At All." Jones's lyrical touch adds a distinct flair, artfully underscoring the more tranquil atmosphere of the album. Meanwhile, Jimmy Garrison provides a resilient and authoritative rhythmic backbone, which is foundational despite his lack of solos. Composed during a period of the ensemble's intense synergy in December 1961, "Ballads" embodies an era when each member effortlessly complemented one another, a fitting alignment with the introspective mood captured within. This album signals a rewarding chapter in Coltrane's dynamic journey, pulling listeners into an enduring contemplation of the jazz tradition’s more delicate sides. - Christina

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