Justin Ohms’s Weblog

“OK here is another movie song this time from a very famous scene in the movie “”Deliverance”".

Here is another example of complexity through simplicity. There are only two instruments in this song a guitar and a banjo. While the piece was originally titled Feuding Banjos and scored for two banjos, the piece that most people are familair with is the one from Deliverance which features an acoustic guitar and a banjo.

The song is a very basic purlly instrumental echo-response piece in which the guitar takes the lead most of the time. The beginning of a song can be likened to a pair of wild dogs sizing each other up before a fight. Tentative hesitation at first building until the actual dual. In the movie this is depicted as Drew Ballinger playing with a retarded hillbilly (yet gifted banjo player) named Lonnie the song.

Even the first time you hear this song it seems immediately familiar. This is due in part to two effects. First the song borrows major parts of its basic melody from the classic song “Yankee Doodle”. Additionally because of the way the song starts by the time you get to the highly active middle of the piece you have heard all the major elements of the melody played several times at much slower speeds by both the guitar and the banjo.

The acoustic appeal of the song relies upon the complex nature of the overtones created by the banjo counterpointed by the richness of the guitar. Because these are the only two instruments used in the piece their sounds are not overwhelmed by other distractions (drums, base guitar, piano etc.) this is especially important for the banjo which can tend to get muddled by both the piano and drums.

The Good: A fun song

The Bad: A frighting movie

Why I have it: A song you can listen to over an over… but you will end up humming it.

Why you should have it: There are many references to this song and the scene in the movie in popular culture. As a bonus you will know to run the other way if some hillbilly starts playing this on some back country road.

Recommendation: If you don’t like scary movies, a least watch the movie up to this point. The Dueling Banjos scene occurs early in the movie so you just stop it after this point.

This is an odd choice for song two in this list. If you had asked me yesterday if this song would be the 2nd song in this list I would have said no.

Now it is not that I dislike this song but it is not one of my favorites. However on the way into work this morning Steph and I had a conversation about what it was like back in Jr. High School. Then later when this song came on I thought about that conversation. This is one of those songs that I associate heavily with Jr. High.

At first glance the fact that I associate this song with Jr. Hight might seem really odd considering that I was in grade-school when this song became a hit (Billboard #1 single Nov. 6 – 20 1982) It is mostly because I remember singing this song in chorus. In the school I went to chorus was a pretty big deal. It was not a thing just for geeks. In my class most of the cool kids and most of the smart kids were in chorus throughout Jr. High and High School. In fact if I remember correctly probably around 20% of the students in the school were in the chorus for my class, probably at least a quarter of the class were in the chorus.

Anyway, I remember singing this song it was one of the few ‘pop’ tunes that we allowed to sing by Barb our choir teacher. As I recall I think we even sung this at a concert or two. I’m sure someone did this as a duet at some point in time as well.

The song itself is culturally significant having appeared in the movie “An Officer and a Gentleman” and there are many references that have appeared over the years both to the song and to it’s appearance in the movie.

Aside from my reminiscent connection singing this song in school. I do enjoy this song. The lyrics are for the lack of a better word “uplifting” and as a true duet is fairly rare thing in pop music.

I have always been drawn to this songs melancholy yet bright melody and lyrics. Fundamentally a song mirroring the movie it came from about falling in love an opening ones self up.

The song which was produced in 1982 sounds exactly like the time it comes from. It is a good place to examine the sound of pop evolving from sound of the 70s into the sound that would typify the 80s. While not yet employing the synthesizers of the 80s the bright piano (which is heavily sustained) and bass guitar are processed to broaden the sound and open up the overall sound of the song. On the flip side there is a hint of high-hat cymbal and “chicka-wa-wa” throughout that is very reminiscent of 70s.

The Good: Piano in this piece is beautiful with a simple melody. Jenifer Warnes voice is beautiful.

The Bad: If you don’t like Joe Cocker’s voice probably not the song for you.

Why I have it: Because I remember singing it in Jr. High and hearing it at every wedding I’ve ever been to.

Why you should have it: Culturally significant. Again another wedding song.

Recommendation: Beside getting this song see the movie as well.

What can be said about this piece of music that has not already been said. It is a classic among classics. I think I first remember hearing the Cannon in church as a little boy. Naturally this was probably not the best arrangement of the piece but it is a tribute to both the simplicity and beauty of the piece that even with minimal instrumentation and talent that such a beautiful work can be played.

I think that perhaps is why it makes the perfect piece to start with as the basis for Cannon in D are themes found through out music. While I will not go into too much technical detail on the Cannon the basics are that the Cannon in D is a harmonic sequence of chord progressions played by three violins in a round or cannon, the theme melody is based on a descending major scale played over and grounded by a simple base line.

In a lot of ways Cannon in D can be thought of as one of the first examples of “Progressive” music. The melody builds up and over itself increasing in complexity and energy toward the middle of the piece. That complexity is one of the things that I love about this piece. When arranged for and played by a full orchestra (the piece was originally scored for a three violins and a basso) it can be quite fun to try to follow the sound and timbre of a single violin, flute or piccolo throughout the piece. (These are the instruments most often scored to the violin chord progressions.) Additionally in fully orchestrated versions watch for additions of harp, harpsichord, and the occasional dulcimer there are even versions with acoustic and electric guitars floating around. In fact Cannon in D as been arranged probably in more ways that almost any other piece of music.

Everyone knows Cannon in D, it’s played at almost every wedding and has been sampled or riffed by hundreds of artists and used for commercial purposes for decades if not centuries. In fact one of my earliest memories of hearing the Cannon was from some wine commercial in the 1980s.

I cannot recommend a particular arrangement of Cannon in D they are all lovely and you can definitely find one to fit your musical tastes.

The Good:
Probably the most classic of the classics

The Bad:
Probably the biggest cliche in music

Why I have it:
One of the earliest foundations for western music. It’s a relaxing piece without being depressing.

Why you should have it:
Everyone knows Cannon in D and while overplayed it is a timeless piece.

Recommendation:
Just find an arrangement you enjoy and listen to more than one.