Townes Van Zandt-Pancho & Lefty from Austin Pickers 1984

[acadx]

thats such a cool story, some of you have to comment willie and merle are better, whats the point, i love them both but townes wrote this song and his version is his own, just enjoy them both why say one is better than the other

[Firefox123455]

Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard sing it so much better

[Jornaquin]

@Firefox123455 The worst comment I have seen ever seen.

[Firefox123455]

@Jornaquin That's your opinion, everyones different.

[brnoamik]

The Bob Dylan of country music. A beatnik redneck. Sublime!

[dobella]

A brilliant song written by a master whose life was brought short by substance abuse, seems we see this pattern again and again, what a shame.

I guess without the substance abuse the mental tuning would not release the genius ?

[1overthehillsfaraway]

@dobella watch the documentary about Townes he explains himself all about his approach to writing music and what enabled him to write what he did.

[AnnihilationISTRUE]

Nice to learn more about the history of the GR8 song & the composer. My favorite singer doing this one is Willie Nelson & it is played almost daily in the metro Houston area on countrylegends971 com as one of their staples. BTW, if you are intrigued about this moniker, please click my handle to study about the Rapture of the 'Elect' to be on May 21, A.D. 2011. Jehovah God bless. AMEN

[MickyG4444]

@AnnihilationISTRUE you had a lot of people up until the rapture, but I tell you what. I'm gonna check in with you may 21, and I mean it. I wonder what you do when the world doesn't end. Do you just sort of shrug it off and go to work? I don't know, its just funny to me. Jehova God Bless Amen.

[dtectr]

REMEMBER - this is Townes' song - he can perform it any damn way he wants, & apparently, he wants it w/flute. & the browndog is right - we're talking 1984 mixing technology. he was a genius, but mental disorders made his life hell. or maybe it was others reacted to them ...?

[swhitstone]

Townes is the artist ... you are the peons. Stand back and observe.

[jamesjohnson1979]

Flute sucks, story is awesome.

[paleconversations]

flute tute! whats with it? woodwinds are just FILLLLER!

[TheBrowndawg]

i actually like the flute its just not mixed right.

[1LittleDeer]

Is he related to Edmund Van Zandt?

[Westerngitarre]

Hmmmm...flute? Damn it...however, there are great recordings of this tune, with merle haggard or the one of willie nelson & mr. dylan...but the flute wrecks it up. I´d liked a harp.

[pakinsman]

I agree. the flute is distraction.

[CLAETON13]

Actually , webtards....

Townes liked the flute. That's why he hired Donny.

bet he's real concerned about your opinions!

Now then ,what bands have ya'll played with?

I keep hearing skin flute.Experienced with that huh?

keep typing , it's not like you're gonna get laid or live your own life or anything.

TTFN

[totalpwnership]

Hey no need to stress.  Amazing song. TVZ was a genius.

[Lowdenjim]

Not just the flute - all sorts of other shit & fluff wrecking this; vocal + acoustic guitar is all this song needs.

[orkoerik]

Planet of the apes flute player, mainly plays skin flute, seeks great band or singer/songwriter with coat tails on which to ape shit with flute farts. My muppet hair and bird-o-prey beak will lure lads to the golden flute perch, where they will receive a not unsolicited power air duche. *honk!*

[GBrady43229]

Agree with those who point out the flute wrecks this. It might have made a nice instrumental bridge but it's complete overkill as played here and it's burying a lot of Townes' vocal.

[criticalmass1234]

God that flute needs to go. reminds me of a sax player in a band i used to play in .. he stepped all over the vacals inevery f*cking song...

[radishrose]

true dat

[villagodzilla]

Yes, Indeed.

[criticalmass1234]

Oh that story was hilarious

[vwartime]

donny silverman on flute,you go bro.

[Seraph909]

I know a better use for that flute and it ain't involved in messing up an otherwise good song.

[Slidesaddle]

Nice interview story - thanks for that.

[nickanddeb]

was that nanci griffith doing the interview?

[mdt9391]

A testament to Townes... He lives on with a new generation. He is truly a songwriter that is unrivaled since his departure.

[TobyCelery]

Nice stuff, austinpickers. Great innerview, too.

Thanks.

[jtjjbannie]

great story

[lazernteebbee]

that f#$ckin' flute runes this great masterpiece ...it just never stops ...the flute in not a rhythm instrument ...it's place is for maybe a SOLO???

[hornemedia]

the flute in this is not a rhythm instruments. Learn a bit of music theory before making yourself look stupid.

[lazernteebbee]

hornemedia ...what point are you trying to make???

[lkb3rd]

I agree. He was stepping all over the vocal. The drummer wasn't so hot either and somebody's guitar was badly out of tune. I still enjoyed it. Great tune.

[mjgeorg]

It's a great tune, but I'd rather have cowbell instead of that flute. If I want flute I'll listen to Marshall Tucker or Firefall.

[henmur25]

I wish I would have seen Townes while he was alive...so much more genuine than the songwriters today...the difference in doing it for love rather than money.

[chrisnaish]

is that will ferrell on th' jazz flute?

[VA24541]

Yeah that's Will alright. Phil hartman is on the drums and Eddie Murphy on bass.

[gerg6111]

I first heard of Townes on a show called the the "Lil O show that comes on after Monty Python" in Houston back in the late seventies. I miss him. Great songwriter. Tragic Life.

[cowbilly57]

Townes legacy will go on forever.

[dcsolorunner]

He's the only person that can sing that song.

[dadrocker1]

sadly missed singer

[davyjones1970]

Could you be luckier? I don't think so... He was a genius, but you are, too. This is fabulous. Like jilehan and lynnegray, I thank you.

[lynnegray]

For anyone who missed Townes in the good days, this is it. A beautiful memory. Thanks.

[jilehan]

incredible document, thank you !!!

[alian53]

It makes you sad the origanal,s don,t get the credit.Deadhead