Ballad

Ballads on vinyl: soul, chanson and Latin American baladas

In short: A ballad is a slow, heartfelt song, usually about love. The style runs through many genres: seventies soul groups such as the Dramatics, singers such as Billy Eckstine and Leonard Cohen, chansons by Serge Gainsbourg and the Latin American balada. The Vinyl Room currently has 166 records with ballads.

What makes ballad records special?

In the seventies many soul groups had big ballads alongside their dance numbers – often with strings and multi-part harmonies. In jazz and pop, Billy Eckstine and Dakota Staton sang ballads with a big orchestra, and in Latin America the balada became a genre of its own and a very successful one. Serge Gainsbourg’s “Je t’aime … moi non plus” also sits in this corner with us.

What to look for

Collector’s value depends on the edition, its condition and demand. With Latin American editions and small soul labels it pays to look closely. Label, catalogue number and runout show which edition you have.

From our stock

First pressings

Soul ballads

New in

→ Pop on vinyl · Soul · Bolero · How to spot a first pressing · Grading explained

FAQ

What is a ballad? A slow, heartfelt song, usually about love – across soul, pop, jazz and Latin American music.

What is a balada? The Latin American form of the love ballad, very successful since the sixties and seventies.

Are ballad records valuable? Collector’s value depends on the edition, its condition and demand. Well-preserved originals from small soul and Latin American labels are the ones most sought after.