He was best known in the banjo world for his recording, with the late Eric Weissberg, the album “New Dimensions in Banjo and Bluegrass,” which, for its time (1963), was on the cutting edge of 5-string banjo playing. Brickman then morphed into an award-winning movie and Broadway writer, often collaborating with Woody Allen. He was 85. If you have access, the New York Times obituary is here:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/01/movies/marshall-brickman-dead.html
And anothr BHO thread is here: https://www.banjohangout.org/topic/400906
Edited by - Bill Rogers on 12/16/2024 17:02:19
Thanks. Knew him a bit while growing up in Brooklyn, as his parents and mine were good friends.
He's best known for his collaboration with Woody Allen, but he also wrote and directed the movie "Simon", which is one of my favorites. When he appeared on the Carson show to promote the movie, he suggested that it's not the big problems in life that make you crazy, but rather the continuous stream of petty annoyances. A running theme in the movie was the protagonist's annoyance with his frequent encounters with "elevator music".
"New Dimensions In Banjo And Bluegrass" was one the first quality records I acquired when I began learning to play the banjo, and it provided me with a different perspective on how the instrument could be played. In addition to Weissberg, the record also featured Clarence White and Gordon Terry.
Brickman was one talented fellow!
Brickman also had folkie credentials.
He and Eric Weissberg played in a folk group called the Tarriers. Alan Arkin had been in the group before he left to pursue acting.
Later, Brickman joined John and Michelle Phillips in a short-lived folk group called the New Journeymen, which later morphed into the Mamas and the Papas.
It was the Deliverance album, featuring the banjo work of Eric Weisberg and Marshall Brickman, that was the final push that made the banjo bug hit me hard, back in 1976. Until then, I never knew a banjo could do that. My mind was blown.
Thanks for posting the news ... my condolences to his family and friends.
Edited by - banjoy on 12/02/2024 14:02:42
quote:
Originally posted by Bill RogersHe was best known in the banjo world for his recording, with the late Eric Weissberg, the album “New Dimensions in Banjo and Bluegrass,” which, for its time (1963), was on the cutting edge of 5-string banjo playing. Brickman then morphed into an award-winning movie and Broadway writer, often collaborating with Woody Allen. He was 85. If you have access, the New York Times obituary is here:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/01/movies/marshall-brickman-dead.html
I just flat out wore the grooves out on that album. I probably still have it laying around the house somewhere. It really changed my perspective on the 5 string banjo and bluegrass music. Hate to hear that he has passed.
I saw the Weissburg-Brickman-Cooper-Carey configuration of the Tarriers twice; first a concert at the field house at Middlebury College in 1961 (admission $1) and the following year at the Gate of Horn in Chicago. They were masterful at blending bluegrass with northern urban folk music with their superb harmonies and rich vocals. They never reached the fame of other contemporaries such as the Kingston Trio, the Limeliters, or even the Brothers Four, but it definitely wasn't due to their lack of talent. I still occasionally play their vinyl.
quote:
Originally posted by mainejohnI saw the Weissburg-Brickman-Cooper-Carey configuration of the Tarriers twice; first a concert at the field house at Middlebury College in 1961 (admission $1) and the following year at the Gate of Horn in Chicago. They were masterful at blending bluegrass with northern urban folk music with their superb harmonies and rich vocals. They never reached the fame of other contemporaries such as the Kingston Trio, the Limeliters, or even the Brothers Four, but it definitely wasn't due to their lack of talent. I still occasionally play their vinyl.
I've read that TV stations, some promoters etc. were skittish about an inter-racial group. Those were different times.
quote:
Originally posted by mainejohnI saw the Weissburg-Brickman-Cooper-Carey configuration of the Tarriers twice; first a concert at the field house at Middlebury College in 1961 (admission $1) and the following year at the Gate of Horn in Chicago. They were masterful at blending bluegrass with northern urban folk music with their superb harmonies and rich vocals. They never reached the fame of other contemporaries such as the Kingston Trio, the Limeliters, or even the Brothers Four, but it definitely wasn't due to their lack of talent. I still occasionally play their vinyl.
John, I too saw the Tarriers in Chicago in 1962. It was at a record store (remember those?) where they were promoting their album "At the Bitter End." They gave a performance of a couple of songs, throughout which Eric smoked a calabash. Very urban hip! That album along with "Tell the World about This" has been released as a CD on the Jasmine label.
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