Artist: John Coltrane
Album: Crescent
Modal Tracks: Crescent
Date: 1964
Description: Another modal epic from the master of modal epics John Coltrane. However, don’t expect to hear the spiritual, intense ‘sheets of sound’ quite yet - they were honed on the follow up record A Love Supreme. Indeed, “Crescent” finds Coltrane rooted firmly in ballad mode. The title track is a beautiful love poem showcasing Trane at his lyrical best. He plays some gorgeous melodies over a haunting harmony, and the tender and melancholic feel is reminiscent of Naimi and some of his other great ballads. This record has a very personal and intimate feel, and is perhaps the last glimpse of Coltrane’s vulnerability before he ventured into the psychedelic universe of “Space Jazz”. Sheer class.
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Artist: Bill Evans
Album: How my heart sings!
Modal Tracks: 34 Skidoo
Date: 1962
Description: Bill Evans is famous for his introspective and melancholic ballads, but on “34 Skidoo” he showcases a lighter swinging style of play.  The track was recorded during the same sessions that produced Moonbeams, an all ballad album. But on How My Heart Sings! the majority of tracks are up-tempo and energetic. Some critics claimed Bill couldn’t swing, but if you listen to this album and Everyone Digs Bill Evans you’ll realise they were clearly mistaken. All the trademark Evans skills are on display here –  the complex dense harmonies, beautiful melodies, modal passages. But as always his lyrical style of playing makes it all sound very natural, simple and accessible. That was his gift.
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