Ballads: John Coltrane (Deluxe Ed) (Bonus CD) [Extra tracks, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

John Coltrane | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 16, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Extra tracks, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Umvd Labels
• ASIN: B00006316T
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #114,222 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In 1962, John Coltrane found himself at the center of a storm of controversy, his tumultuous, searching music branded "anti-jazz" by one virulent critic. While Coltrane would continue along that exploratory path for the remaining years of his career, part of his response to the critical venom was to record some of the most sweetly lyrical music in jazz history. The LP Ballads established him as one of the great lyric players and set the tone for his collaborations with Johnny Hartman and Duke Ellington. The first CD presents the original album in all its luminous glory, the burnished, silvery sound of Coltrane's tenor meticulously remastered by the original engineer, Rudy Van Gelder. The second CD presents supplementary material from the original sessions as well as material that has only recently come to light. The classic quartet's collective concentration shows in seven complete takes of "It's Easy to Remember," testing its melody again and again until every gesture--from the flute-like tenor sound to Jimmy Garrison's bowed bass and Elvin Jones's triumphant drum crescendo at the conclusion--is sculpted to perfection. There are also several takes of the airy "Greensleeves" and a limpidly beautiful version of "They Say It's Wonderful" with Coltrane in duet with pianist McCoy Tyner. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jazz Giant "Meeting His Audience Halfway", September 25, 2003

By 

M. Portis "MaggieP" (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ballads: John Coltrane (Deluxe Ed) (Bonus CD) (Audio CD)

This is the John Coltrane album that I always knew was out there, but could never quite find. Beautiful, understated playing, that still maintains the rigors of his avant-garde style, without overwhelming the listener with a barrage of notes. Coltrane is in top form on these tunes, bringing his spiraling sensiblity down to an observable pace. This is the best of the trilogy of albums he did at this time, in which he spoke of trying to "meet the audience halfway, make something for the people." (The other two were the album he cut with Duke Ellington on piano, and the Johnny Hartman album.)
McCoy Tyner is excellent, and Jimmy Garrison and Elvin Jones keep the momentum strong. The Bonus Disc is an excellent addition, a real treasure for Coltrane fans, letting them see into the process of the construction of these classic tunes with many alternate takes. All in all a must have for Trane fans.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars John Coltrane at his surprising softest and most beautiful, June 3, 2007

By 

Jean-Pierre Fouché "Jean-Pierre Fouché" (Grahamstown, Eastern Cape South Africa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ballads: John Coltrane (Deluxe Ed) (Bonus CD) (Audio CD)

Thank you for publishing this cd. I know Coltrane as the wild "sheets of sound" player. On this cd I particularly enjoy McCoy Tyner, who plays beautiful lyrical lines. This is a lovely soft and beautiful series of performances.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top Coltrane, April 3, 2011

By 

oncesota - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ballads: John Coltrane (Deluxe Ed) (Bonus CD) (Audio CD)

A gentler side of John Coltrane for all those listeners seeking the melodic side of one of the true legends of jazz. The recording couldn't be better with Rudy Van Gelder's re-mastering. He should know how it should sound since he recorded it! This Deluxe Edition makes a great addition to my collection and Amazon provided great pricing and fast shipping. What more could you ask for? A terrific disc in all respects.