John Coltrane – Ballads: 2020 (AS Series Vinyl LP)

All-Analog 180g Vinyl LP of John Coltrane’s Ballads Remastered from the Original Analog Tapes, Pressed at QRP, and Housed in Stoughton Gatefold Jacket

An instant hit, this 1962 masterpiece was the last word in John Coltrane’s ballad playing. One of the most revolutionary saxophonists in jazz history, Coltrane was also a superb ballad player, capable of creating a very personal and intimate sound. With themes taken from musicals and well-known numbers performed by Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Ella Fitzgerald and Peggy Lee among others, Ballads features the leader backed by the members of his classic quartet, with McCoy Tyner on piano, Jimmy Garrison on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums. Although the musicians played the themes for the very first time at the recording session, their interpretations were well structured while at the same time fresh and intense.

When asked about the ballads undertaking, Coltrane simply replied, “variety” while producer Bob Thiele more fervently noted that, “These sessions came about because of the critics. We decided to straighten these guys out once and for all by showing them that John was as complete a jazz artist as we already knew.”

This all-analog 180g vinyl LP Verve reissue was mastered from the original analog tapes by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound, pressed at QRP, and comes housed in a Stoughton tip-on gatefold jacket.

Musicians:
John Coltrane, tenor saxophone
McCoy Tyner, piano
Jimmy Garrison, bass
Elvin Jones, drums