John Coltrane Quartet - Ballads [Clear Vinyl]

Cat. no: 526024
Format: LP Clear Vinyl
Barcode: 8435723701989
Release Date: 14 Nov 2025
Genre: Jazz

The original album + 4 bonus tracks - limited edition pressing on 180g clear vinyl.

Besides achieving a very personal and characteristic sound, John Coltrane opened the way to free jazz. By the time he recorded Ballads, Coltrane had already delved into freer and longer solos and compositions, and as a result he had his devoted followers as well as his detractors.

This LP was more "conventional" than its most immediate predecessors (apart from the Duke Ellington collaboration), and as a result it received a variety of reviews. While some applauded the fact that the saxophonist was again playing standards, others criticised him, stating that he was contradicting himself by playing simple melody lines. The fact is Coltrane had always been a beautiful ballad player.

"Most of the performances are so tender and beautiful that they can prompt a tear, or even make you feel a bit "marsh-mallowy" inside, but there is no trace of schmaltz or insincere sentimentality." - Barry Witherden, Jazz Journal

Tracks: SAY IT (OVER AND OVER AGAIN) / YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT LOVE IS / TOO YOUNG TO GO STEADY / ALL OR NOTHING AT ALL / THEY SAY IT'S WONDERFUL / NAIMA / I WISH I KNEW / WHAT'S NEW? / IT'S EASY TO REMEMBER / NANCY (WITH THE LAUGHING FACE) / GREENSLEEVES / EV'RY TIME WE SAY GOODBYE