It's been a half-century since
Arthur Smith and
Don Reno recorded
Smith's little composition called "Feudin' Banjos" in the mid-'40s, and following its reinvention as "Dueling Banjos" on the soundtrack to 1973's Deliverance, it has become the most recorded and best-selling banjo instrumental in history. This interesting collection celebrates that fact with a set of bluegrass-tinged banjo pieces, including a newer version by
Reno of the original "Feudin' Banjos" and
Smith's own recasting of it (with Jeff Whittington) as "Dueling Banjos."
Smith also reveals his penchant for the offbeat and bizarre by taking the theme into the polka realm with "Battling Banjos Polka" and flirts with R&B (sorta) with "Yakety Sax." There are those who are still suffering a bit of a Deliverance hangover and think the banjo (and "Dueling Banjos" in particular) is a little creepy, but for those who don't, and who like banjo done the high-powered bluegrass way, this collection makes for a fun set with a refreshing sense of humor. ~ Steve Leggett