I concur with your selections. I would nominate another original ballad composed in tribute to Ernie Henry, “Theme for Ernie” by Coltrane. On the “Soultrane” album, it is played with virtually no improvisation.
Great selections. Maiden Voyage always gets me - that suspended feeling Hancock creates is like being caught between two emotional states at once. Ballads force musicians to say more with less, which is probaly why they expose technique flaws so easily. I got hooked on jazz through slow pieces too, they let you actually hear the conversation hapening between players.
I’m so old, I can’t recall my early ballad loves. But I had the Decca LP, “Ella Sings Gershwin,” accompanied by Ellis Larkins. Even now, I consider this album to represent her very best. As far as “pure jazz,” (whatever that is), the Getz ballad album with Early Autumn & Whisper Not really grabbed me. Also loved Donald Byrd’s Christo Redentor, & any good trumpet rendition of I Remember Clifford. Later, I entered my Strayhorn phase & I’m still in it!
These are all great. I found a CD years ago, John Coltrane Ballads. Very beautiful all the way through. I believe they said in the notes at the recording session his teeth were bothering him so he took it easy, but the results we some really nice recordings.
Beautiful writing, Marc! I dove into the “Psalm” section of A Love Supreme in my most recent Substack article. The way Coltrane can build emotion with one sustained note is unparalleled.
Thanks, Carl. Keep in mind, those were tracks that had an impact on me in the early 1970s, not my favorite ballads of all time. And it was written by Duke Pearson, so it's outside the scope of the post. Good choice tho!
My very first ballad I fell in love with was Getz/Brookmeyer “Nice Work If You Can Get It” on their Recorded Fall 1961 album. So smooth and cool!
I concur with your selections. I would nominate another original ballad composed in tribute to Ernie Henry, “Theme for Ernie” by Coltrane. On the “Soultrane” album, it is played with virtually no improvisation.
All great choices, pretty much any Dexter Gordon could go up there.
One of my favorites growing up was Wayne playing “The Peacocks” on the soundtrack to Round Midnight.
Great selections. Maiden Voyage always gets me - that suspended feeling Hancock creates is like being caught between two emotional states at once. Ballads force musicians to say more with less, which is probaly why they expose technique flaws so easily. I got hooked on jazz through slow pieces too, they let you actually hear the conversation hapening between players.
I’m so old, I can’t recall my early ballad loves. But I had the Decca LP, “Ella Sings Gershwin,” accompanied by Ellis Larkins. Even now, I consider this album to represent her very best. As far as “pure jazz,” (whatever that is), the Getz ballad album with Early Autumn & Whisper Not really grabbed me. Also loved Donald Byrd’s Christo Redentor, & any good trumpet rendition of I Remember Clifford. Later, I entered my Strayhorn phase & I’m still in it!
These are all great. I found a CD years ago, John Coltrane Ballads. Very beautiful all the way through. I believe they said in the notes at the recording session his teeth were bothering him so he took it easy, but the results we some really nice recordings.
Just heard all the tracks. Great selection. 👍
Nice list. My all-time favorite jazz ballad is
Sonny Rollins’ “You Don’t Know What Love Is” from Saxophone Colossus.
Beautiful writing, Marc! I dove into the “Psalm” section of A Love Supreme in my most recent Substack article. The way Coltrane can build emotion with one sustained note is unparalleled.
Remarkable, Sammy. It's why we love the music. Our heart is listening.
Good list. I would have included Grant Green’s Idle Moments.
Thanks, Carl. Keep in mind, those were tracks that had an impact on me in the early 1970s, not my favorite ballads of all time. And it was written by Duke Pearson, so it's outside the scope of the post. Good choice tho!