Pancho & Lefty

[kvk]

Heard "pancho and lefty" on WDVX a few times recently with nice mando doing harmony and some fiddle and other instruments, nice arrangement. I never am around to hear the DJ announce the songs (some annoying person always seems to step into my office and want about ... work)

Any know who does this version?

[Eric F.]

You sure it wasn't Townes?

[kvk]

I think I found it. Wouldn't you know it's my favorite blues artist, Delbert McClinton ...

http://www.amazon.com/exec....=507846

[Moose]

Merle & Willie have recorded it as a duet. I don't have it in front of me at the moment(work!!##) - But I remember it was a Merle tape - (Willie guest-ing w. Merle). I also think it(Willie & Merle) was used in a movie of the same "theme" - hope this helps. Moose.

[M. Hollen]

There's a version of it on "old and in the Gray". Grisman does a nice mando intro to the song.

[kvk]

There's a version of it on "old and in the Gray". Grisman does a nice mando intro to the song.

Yeah, I was trying to learn it and needed to hear a version without going out and spending $15 on a CD so I went to my old trusty free song source www.bluegrassbox.com. There's a few OaitG shows with it. Downloaded one and worked fine.

The timing is kinda funky, there's a couple measure with only two beats. I couldn't figure it out from memory with just a lyric sheet. I needed to count out the beats a few times while listen real careful.

Still, I'd like to buy the Delbert version on a compilation tribute CD. Amazon only has it three referal to used sites and it's like $30 for a new copy. Gotta keep looking.

Any have any other favorite Townes Van Zandt songs?

[Bobbie Dier]

"If I needed you". That's one of my favorites. I liked hearing him sing it.

[Eric F.]

"Snowin' on Raton," "To Live Is to Fly," "Tecumseh Valley," Tower Song," "Lovers Lullaby" - oh, the list goes on and on. Townes rocked. I believe Steve Earle once said, "Townses Van Zandt is the best g-d songweriter in America and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that." Or something like that. ...

[OdnamNool]

Well... I could be wrong... But I think (forgive the spelling...???) Emmie Lou Harris does a version of this tune which is purdy darn good...

She's actually coming to my town soon. But I really dislike the "venue" where she will be playing... YICK! I ain't goin'. HEADS UP! Cool, friendly little theatres rock. That downtown b.s.... No thanks...

[Moose]

Emmy, of course, will "ride in, take the money and ride out" - a.l.a Jesse James style. (and yes, I do understand where yer' comin' from re: "venues" - and I agree!) - Moose.

[OdnamNool]

Ahhh. #Moose... #For what it's worth... #You always bring a # #smile to my face... #Thanks.

[David M.]

White Freightliner Blues

Rex's Blues -- Guy Clark does a killer version on "The Dark". Most of Townes' stuff is best fingerpicked on a guitar. Not too hard to pick like Townes' style, but impossible to write like him.

I'd recommend ANYONE who is a Townes fan to watch Heartworn Highways. Info is on Townes' and maybe Steve Earle's site. Very cool video footage from '75 or so and a very young Steve Earle wowing folks like Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, and Steve Young.

[carolynbeth]

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings do a killer version of Pancho & Lefty -- no mandolin of course, but David's guitar work is just sublime on this piece -- understated and perfect. Great tune.

Carolyn

[mandocrucian]

Emmylou Harris - Luxury Liner, great spacey acid country rendition.

[PaulD]

Emmylou's version is a long-time favorite. I would like to hear Gillian's and David's version... what CD is it on?

[carolynbeth]

It's not any of their CDs unfortunately -- that I know of, anyway. The version I have is on a recording from one of their live shows from the late '90s-- shared with me courtesy of another cafe member....

Happy to pass on the favor; PM me if you're interested.
Carolyn

[Moose]

Ain't this CAFE great!!

[James P]

I never "got" that song. #Not that I don't love it. #But yea, my fav version is the Welch, Rawlings one. #You can download it, along with a whole concert of great songs from here.

[Moose]

"...Poncho fled to Ohio ; where he got the "bread" to go..., no one knows..." Good song!!

[David M.]

Not much to get, really. Lefty turned his brother in for some "bread". That's my take. Great song and I love the way Townes would do it.

Livin on the road my friend, is gonna keep you free and clean
Now you wear your skin like iron
Your breath as hard as kerosene
You weren't your momma's only boy, but her favorite one it seems
She began to cry when you said goodbye
And sank into your dreams

Pancho was a bandit boy, his horse was fast as polished steel
He wore his gun outside his pants
For all the honest world to feel
Pancho met his match you know on the deserts down in Mexico
Nobody heard his dyin words, ah but that's the way it goes

All the Federales say, they could've had him any day
They only let him slip away, out of kindness I suppose

Lefty he can't sing the blues all night long like he used to
The dust that Pancho bit down south ended up in Lefty's mouth
The day they laid poor Pancho low, Lefty split for Ohio
Where he got the bread to go, there ain't nobody knows

All the Federales say, they could've had him any day
They only let him slip away out of kindness I suppose

The boys tell how old Pancho fell, and Lefty's livin in cheap hotels
The desert's quiet, Cleveland's cold
And so the story ends we're told
Pancho needs your prayers it's true, but save a few for Lefty too
He only did what he had to do, and now he's growing old

All the Federales say, they could've had him any day
They only let him go so long, out of kindness I suppose

A few gray Federales say, they could've had him any day
They only let him go so long, out of kindness I suppose

[Moose]

Hey David! - Never could get ALL the words to that song!# - Great song - ...like to pick n' sing it. Thanks! Moose.

[David M.]

Yessir, Moose, it's a good 'un. #I like it on the flattop, fingerpicked like ol' Townes. #Steve Earle has a good version of this one.

AGAIN, I'd recommend renting "Heartworn Highways" to anyone who's a fan of Townes, Guy Clark, etc. #Townes does it on this dvd -- just him and guitar.

[David M.]

Moose, it's rare that I get "all" the words to any songs these days. I think my hard drive is getting corrupt

[hellindc]

I play that song a lot, though on the guitar. I don't think there are any half measures in it. There is fast change frm 4 to 1 to 5, two beats of five near the end of each verse, though, which makes it a little rough for jams.

Guy Clark is coming to our neck of the woods -- finally. I hope he's got his band with a mando player. We have a venue just outside of St. Louis, a small lodge, and the artists play in what amounts to a big living room. I'd love to hear Picasso's Mandolin, but I suspect that ones a bit old. Anyway, I thought of Guy because of Ft. Worth Blues, a eulogy for Townes (or did Steve Earle write that?).

[David M.]

S. Earle wrote Ft. Worth Blues for Townes. Guy has in the past few years made it a point to put a Townes song on every record he makes. Read that in an interview w/him somewhere. There's a good record right there -- the 3 of them live at the bluebird.