One tradition that soul/r&b has is those great ballads. The good ones are very heartfelt and have a feel of their own. I am very fond of them and with the current thread on Charles Love of Bloodstone passing away, it got me to thinking about ballads in a curious way. When did r&b ballads become popular? When I think of ballads, I think of The Intruders, "I Want To Know Your Name," "Tear Drops Are Falling," from their "Save The Children" album as well as songs by other groups like The Whispers, "Olivia", and Bloodstones "Go On And Cry My Son" and "We Go A Long Way Back."

Rick James had some great ones also [["Fire & Desire, Ebony Eyes") I don't apply the word ballads to any other era, other than when these groups or individuals were out for some reason. What is the definition of ballads as it applies to r&b groups and what are some of your favorites.