Ballads is a jazz album by john coltrane. It was recorded in december 1961 and 1962, and released on the impulse Label in 1963 as a-32 (mono) and later as-32 (stereo). Critic gene lees stated that the quartet had never played the tunes before. they arrived with music-store sheet music of the songs and just before the recordings, they would discuss each tune, write out copies of the changes theyd use, semi-rehearse for a half hour and then do it. Each piece was recorded in one take, except for all or nothing at all”. In 2008, the album was a recipient of the grammy hall of fame award.