Ballads
John Coltrane · 1963
32 min · 8 tracks · jazz
Lush, emotive ballads intertwine Coltrane's haunting saxophone melodies with intimate, contemplative arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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You Don’t Know What Love Is — This track exemplifies Coltrane's ability to evoke profound sorrow through his saxophone playing, capturing the essence of longing and loss.
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Say It (Over and Over Again) Start here — The gentle phrasing and intricate interplay between melody and rhythm make this track a standout, highlighting Coltrane's lyrical sensibility.
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All or Nothing at All — Coltrane's interpretation transforms this classic into a deep meditation on love, showcasing his signature sound that blends melancholy with beauty.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- serene exploration of romantic melancholy
- steady pacing for reflective moments
- intimate listening for quiet evenings
- emotive saxophone for deep feelings
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of upbeat tempos
- prefer standalone energetic tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Represents Coltrane's emotional depth and artistic exploration post-'A Love Supreme'.
- Themes
- romantic melancholy· poignant longing· emotive saxophone solos
- Career context
- Released in 1963, 'Ballads' came during a period of artistic exploration for John Coltrane, shortly after his groundbreaking album 'A Love Supreme'. This album marked a departure from the complex improvisations of his earlier work, showcasing his ability to convey deep emotion through melodic expression.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Pharoah Sanders· Ornette Coleman· Albert Ayler
Tracklist
- 1 Say It (Over and Over Again) Start here 4:20
- 2 You Don’t Know What Love Is 5:17
- 3 Too Young to Go Steady 4:24
- 4 All or Nothing at All 3:39
- 5 I Wish I Knew 4:56
- 6 What’s New? 3:48
- 7 It’s Easy to Remember 2:50
- 8 Nancy (With the Laughing Face) 3:13
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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