Gillian Welch and David Rawlings - Pancho and Lefty (09-27-1997)

[mjohnsen7]

I played and sang this song for years before it dawned on me what it was about--a classic case of betrayal. They gave Lefty a choice: turn in Pancho, or do hard time. He got his 30 pieces of silver and fled to Ohio (" Where he got the bread to go, there ain't nobody knows") So he sits in his cheap hotel, regretting the choice he made. Brilliant, Townes ( and great version, Gillian and David)

[rodthecod]

@mjohnsen7 Wow! I've listened to it for years and never knew that. Thanks so much. This is indeed a great version. And Dave's guitar playing is just exquisite.

[mjohnsen7]

@rodthecod Yes, like other great writers, Townes leaves the subplot unsaid, waiting to be discovered. The Federales didn't let Lefty get away out of kindness, but because he had turned in his friend, the guy they were really after. David's guitar really captures the poignancy inherent in the story.

[danno321s]

The vicissitudes of life, especially in corrupt Mexico. Townes was probably drunk thinking about 1912 Mexico and the wandering souls of America.

[antonmartens84]

beautifull voice(s), beautifull guitar playing.

david & gillian are the best.....

thanks for posting

[SaintFu]

It's 10:15 am. I just started hearing this for the first time in my life 5 minutes ago. I have a parching thirst that set on immediately, having let all my water out through my eyes, just now. What an incredible masterpiece this is.

Whoever hit "dislike" better have Tourettes Syndrome, or you're going to get the beat down you deserve.

[trojan8100]

beautiful. is this on any cd ?

[PforPanchetta]

First time I've heard this version. Holy Smokes(!), this is REALLY RIDICULOUSLY GOOD !!!!! LOVE Townes, Gillian and Dave. The three combined make for something special. Thanks for posting this!

... And Dave's soulful subtle solos here: WOW! And yes, Gillian and Dave really have this gift for doing incredible covers. This might actually be my favorite, even though it's the first time I've heard it.

Somewhere Townes is smiling ... and proud and moved.

Simply Beautiful !!!!!

[cultwho]

It's definitely a subtle, unique feeling to their version of it. A gentle but powerful solemness they way Rawling's melody on the guitar fits with Welch's voice singing the lyrics. They make it sound like Townes Van Zandt wrote it to be sung with a female voice.

[bferris19]

This version captures something in the song that I just can't put my finger on, it's so airy and relaxed yet so haunting and sad, as it should be. Gillian Welch's voice is angelic yet has a knowing and somewhat tough wisdom to it. David Rawling's fills are just perfect. I love the TVZ original, the Willie version, the Emmylou version; but this in my opinion is how the song should be. Thanks for posting.

[chub4play]

Townes said "this song wrote itself". He said it was very strange. "Never happened before or since". He also said he wished he had an answer when people asked about it. Sleep well

[brokegrnyj]

has anyone ever figured out what the f#$% this song is about? tremendous.

[dredned]

@brokegrnyj It's about Pancho Villa

[JazzBlaster69]

Never understood why he went back to Cleveland, cold as hell ... and they are 11 games back. Flats have been flattened, nope I don't get it.

[redsolarearth1]

@JazzBlaster69 dd lefty sell out pancho take the money and hide out in cleveland, where it is cold, emotionally and physically?

[JazzBlaster69]

@redsolarearth1 Strictly Meteorological

[tulliotk1]

Best version ever. Haunting and manages to nail the harmonies that other greats have failed to get.

[gordonat39]

I love Emmylou's version, but this one's devastating..

[boils2]

Bo,Will. Dirt and Rocky - Never forgotten. When you guys said goodbye my heart was left empty. See you again some day. Green fields and sun I hope.

[boils2]

Bo,Will. Dirt and Rocky - Never forgotten.



[jrhgswrhfg]

Everything these two touch turns to musical gold. Thank you Thank you from all of us who love this kind of thing. Makes the world tolerable for one more day ...

[valverdista]

Since Emmylou, Willie and Merle covered this song, I thought that the job was done, but then, I was wrong...

[RobbyEL]

wow. Love this song. didn't think it could be covered. I was wrong. But then David Rawlings is a genius.

[dianjo]

there's a recent vid of this from Big Sur in May that's just been put up, but it's not quite as good a version as this - which is sublime

[danu3247]

An incredible version of one of my personal favorites....Thank You Gillian & David, you guys make everything better!

[mjohnsen7]

Gillian's vocals are pitch-perfect and David's guitar work is exquisite. Townes Van Zandt would have loved this performance.

[matthewbrock101]

RAW

[mrpual49]

Wow. I always considered the Merle and Willie version to be the definitive take on that song. But I always heard Merle and Willie. With this one, I heard the song. Heartbreaking.

[Rladue11]

Oops. Useless double post. And now an even more useless one, haha. Either way Gillian is wonderful. That is all.

[Rladue11]

I meant to say it's NOT on one. Sorry.

[Rladue11]

Oops. I meant to say it's NOT on an album.

[Rladue11]

It's on a proper Gillian album, no. This is actually from a live show in NC from 1997. There are bootlegs of it available if you look. I'd also recommend picking up Time (The Revelator). It's her best album and in this acoustic duets style.

[hugosalarm]

Stunningly beautiful. The intricacies of their musicianship bring forth a lot of pain but I feel fortunate to have heard this.

[Dina4pres2]

does anyone know if this is on one of her albums? i want this on my ipod. i've heard so many versions of this song, but this one is so perfectly melancholy. her sad voice convicts me as if i myself had killed pancho.

[altic688]

imagine townes singing to dave rawlings guitar.

almost heaven

[LeFeff]

I think Townes would have liked this version. As a Townes fan, I know I do.

[JannoKlufs]

I'm so amazed about the way that Gillian and David seems to got their own secret notes that sets them apart from... well... all the rest :)

[wwleslie]

This is nice version . . . but the Willie Nelson/Bob Dylan version is still my favorite.

[mistermendola]

if you like this, check out the emmylou harris 1977 version.

[chinnmusic]

THIS IS THE BEST VERSION

[shimmy1952]

Very beautiful and peaceful.

[JyHiable]

I appreciate this interpretation more and more. It glides relaxed without any haste from word to word and from note to note. The listener gets an impression of getting free from the fetters of time.

[jdog6]

@JyHiable Tou che

[stevietheflea]

@JyHiable or of life...

[cefdad]

My favorite version (cover) of one of the finest song ever I have ever heard. Thankks for posting!!

[mysteria31]

I love Townes too... He told us to be here to love him and then just up and leaves us.

This is a nice version

Thanks for puttin it here.

[kinks49]

Hi Friends! Many thanks for this great cover of my love Townes van Zandt. You are wonderful! Many thanks from Rome!. Claudio.

[joecoff73]

Excellent cover!