What makes Dueling Banjos by Marshall Brickman notable?

Dueling Banjos gained significant cultural traction, particularly due to its association with the film 'Deliverance,' where it was featured prominently. The album's title track became emblematic of bluegrass music, leading to increased interest in the genre and influencing future artists within Americana and folk traditions. Released in 1973, Dueling Banjos marked Marshall Brickman's foray into the music world after gaining recognition as a screenwriter. This album came shortly after his success with the film 'Deliverance,' which popularized the titular track and propelled Brickman into the spotlight as a musician.

Who is Dueling Banjos for?

Dueling Banjos works well if you're into short, lively listening sessions, playful and spirited energy and dynamic rhythmic interplay.

How many songs are on Dueling Banjos?

Dueling Banjos has 18 tracks, running approximately 34 minutes.

Dueling Banjos

Marshall Brickman · 1973

34 min · 18 tracks

A lively bluegrass showcase where intricate banjo melodies intertwine with spirited rhythms, creating an energetic acoustic dialogue.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Dueling Banjos — The title track is a masterclass in banjo interplay, showcasing Brickman's technical skill and establishing an enduring standard for bluegrass duets.
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Little Maggie — This track captures a traditional folk narrative with its brisk tempo and spirited instrumentation, exemplifying the heart of bluegrass storytelling.
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Old Joe Clark — A classic bluegrass staple, this rendition highlights Brickman's ability to blend rhythmic precision with vibrant melodic lines, making it a standout on the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Foothills

Higher than 29% of albums we've rated

The album showcases lively bluegrass with intricate banjo work, maintaining energy but lacking depth in some compositions.

What we noticed

The title track features a call-and-response structure between the banjo and guitar, creating a dynamic interplay that defines the album's sound.
Several tracks utilize traditional bluegrass instrumentation, including mandolin and fiddle, which enhances the genre authenticity.
The album maintains a brisk tempo throughout, with only a few slower pieces that serve as brief interludes in the overall energetic flow.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

short, lively listening sessions
playful and spirited energy
dynamic rhythmic interplay
varied tempo with peaks

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 1973, Dueling Banjos marked Marshall Brickman's foray into the music world after gaining recognition as a screenwriter. This album came shortly after his success with the film 'Deliverance,' which popularized the titular track and propelled Brickman into the spotlight as a musician.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Dueling Banjos 3:16
2 Little Maggie 1:12
3 Shuckin’ the Corn 2:12
4 Pony Express 2:06
5 Old Joe Clark 1:15
6 Eight More Miles to Louisville 2:03
7 Farewell Blues 2:00
8 Earl’s Breakdown 1:52
9 End of a Dream 1:49
10 Buffalo Gals 2:18
11 Reuben’s Train 2:58
12 Riding the Waves 1:35
13 Fire on the Mountain 2:18
14 Eighth of January 1:07
15 Bugle Call Rag 1:32
16 Hard, Ain’t It Hard 1:50
17 Mountain Dew 1:26
18 Rawhide 2:05

What to play next

Full Marshall Brickman discography Artists like Marshall Brickman

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata