Music journalist and L.A. Times 'culture monster' Kirk Silsbee has a thing for ballads. "A ballad is where an artist has to communicate emotion and make us feel something - whether it's joy or sorrow or personal disclosure," he explained. "Ballads are where artists tell us who they really are." To help the Jazz Bakery celebrate its 20th anniversary, Kirk took part in our Artist's Choice series by sharing ten of his favorite ballads.

10 tracks