Bargain bin: Trampoline Records Greatest Hits, Volume 1
Next time you are poking around in the bargain bin at your local record store, search hard for this little gem of an anthology: Trampoline Records Greatest Hits Vol. 1 (2002).
Trampoline Records is an acoustic, rootsy power-pop label put together by Pete Yorn, The Wallflowers’ Rami Jaffee, and songwriter Marc Dauer. I’ll admit I first investigated the album because of the Pete Yorn connection, but it goes far beyond that with an impressive, quality flow to the songs here. Nary a bad tune on it.
In addition to the unreleased song “Hunter Green” by Yorn, there are also contributions from Peter Himmelman, Pete Droge, Gary Jules, Minibar, Minus 5, Jakob Dylan (in the group Rusty Trucks), and Yorn’s keyboard man (“Joey! Take me there!“) Joe Kennedy in the group Happily Ever After. It is eminently listenable, front to back, and highly recommended.
Only In My Dreams – Mavis
(keyboard player for Semisonic, Soul Asylum, Sheryl Crow and Wallflowers takes a pleasing catchy solo turn)
Trading Mistakes – Ethan Johns
(Producer of albums by Ryan Adams, Kings of Leon, Counting Crows, Ben Kweller and Leona Naess -among others- here he shows he can hold his own on the other side of the mic. This track was recorded at home by himself.)
Name: Heather Browne
Thanks for the Ethan Johns track. I remember reading a few years back that he was going to be putting out an album of his own, but nothing ever materialized. I’ve been interested in hearing what he sounds like ever since.
Zipzapzopzoup — January 25, 2007 @ 1:56 pm
Yeah ditto on the Johns track, Just imagine the guest list/all-star band that Ethan could have on that debut solo disc?
Kevin — January 27, 2007 @ 8:22 am
Nice idea, you will certainly discover a few gems in the wide world of blogs
Manuela Schadlinger — November 4, 2009 @ 5:32 am