While I'm mostly a "moldy fig", which is a fan of Jazz from the 1920s and 1930s (aka: Dixieland or New Orleans Jazz), I also enjoy the beautiful Billie Holiday and the dazzling Django Reinhardt. Coleman Hawkins is a man who doesn't play in the New Orleans style, nor in the Bebop style, which I don't care for at all. Instead, he plays relaxed, romantic, sexy music that makes time stand still. His music is gentle like a summer breeze and has a lilting beauty to it. Though this record was cut after what many consider to be Hawkins' prime, it is thoroughly great. I've read some complaints on Allmusic.com that the saxophone playing is not as adventurous as his previous efforts. Perhaps this is true, but the songs are extended in length and thus have more room to breathe and develop. None of the songs on this disc equal his signature song, "Body And Soul", but this is some wonderful, latter-period Coleman Hawkins.

Years ago I had a LP of "The Hawk Talks". I was more into rock & roll back then, but I remembered Hawkin's amazing rich tone years after I ditched my turntable and records for a CD player. Naturally, as I started listening to more jazz, I wanted some Hawk for my collection.

If there is a better record out there, I have yet to hear it. The warmth, richness & elegance of Hawkin's playing hardly seem like something of this world. The supporting cast is stellar. Another reviewer put it well, there is not a wrong note on this album. Buy it, turn the lights down, and enjoy the work of a master at the top of his game.

I don't know anything about jazz. But I do know that being a woman, listening to this CD feels like I'm being sofly caressed all over by the man of my dreams. he plays the 'sexophone' so smoothly some notes sound more like whispers.. anyways you get the picture.. it is fabulous background music and to me, this is Jazz in its purest and simplest form. Enjoy!

I have a ton of Hawk cd's. Yet this is one that I invariably reach for time and time again. It is absolutely flawless from start to finish. There is absolutely not one wrong note on this entire session, not one thing that I would change, except perhaps, out of selfishness, to make it a bit longer. 42 minutes just does not seem long enough.

But if you know the Hawk when he's blowing ballads, you know what to expect. Although it doesn't explicitly say it, this was done for the Moodsville series. So that kind of gives you the vibe on this one. So does the title though. But then you have Tommy Flanagan on the keys, and on upright, you have Wendell Marshall who set things so right on Red Garland's session during "When There Are Grey Skies." The bottom line is that you are in for a treat from the moment you pop this baby in your cd player. Dim the lights, turn up the volume, curl up with your baby, and you know what to do. At the same time, and speaking from experience, this cd is perfect for letting you know, late at night (or early in the morning depending on how you look at things), that "fella, you ain't in things alone and many a good man has done been down exactly the same road you're traveling." It's a comforting reminder, believe me.

So this is a cd for all times, good and bad and it's a dam! beautiful one. You can't pass this one up any longer. Get it today. You'll thank yourself and then kick yourself for not getting it a long, long time ago.

I really wanted to end my reviewing here on Amazon on a good note...with one last great CD...and this one sort of dropped into my lap, after listening to the LP last night. Then here it was on CD. I love the statement below by the previous reviewer about Hawk being the greatest. I made that same statement this morning to a jazz friend and studio owner. He did not disagree, but he said to put the #1 label on any player is not fair to all the other diverse players. But I can't help it, it's just how I feel. I love Webster, and Carter, and Willie Smith, and Bird, and Trane, and Mobley, and Stan, etc. I just think the Bean is the Best. As the title infers, these are ballads and, oh, how lovely Hawk swoops through them. Again I agree with the sentiment about Coltrane's "Ballads" on 'Impulse'. Even though that is one of my favorite ballad recordings also, I go with this one first as well. This is artistry, mastery, AND ease. I think the 'ease' part is what seperates the two for me. I can't say enough about this one. The review below says it for me. Thanks.