Jason Isbell performs “Pancho and Lefty” • for ‘OUTLAWS AND ARMADILLOS’

[@DaveJacoby]

If I was to close my eyes, I would swear that slide guitar was David Lindley, which, from me, is about the finest complement I can give for playing. The whole performance is wonderful.

[@thegrindstone1806]

hadn't seen this. might be my favorite arrangement of one of my favorite songs

[@mfpendle]

A little showboating by Jason, being he's got a more-than-capable pedal steel player on stage.

[@chipanderson428]

#hellyeah

[@chairmankaga101]

Jason Isbell is the best American songwriter working, but he's also one of the most effortless performers I've ever heard, and his work with Amanda (dear Lord, if you haven't seen their performance of If We Were Vampires on Austin City Limits, run there now, but have the hankies handy) and the 400 Unit is just off the charts amazing. THE tightest band I've ever heard, regardless of genre.

[@davidhougaard7238]

Well said. I’m not sure there’s ever been any solo performer, duo or band that I like more. (I really mean better, but that just opens up endless debates, that are potentially mean, but contrary opinions with names of artists, duos or bands welcome)😂😊😂

[@MichaelCherau-kt8gy]

He comes across as very humble which I'm sure he is.

[@ThadJolly]

Yeah his live show is off the charts. My favorite artist for years now. Didnt love the last couple albums quite like I loved southeastern, and something more than free, and the Nashville sound. Excited for his next project to see what direction he goes.

[@2ndbar]

Best cover I have ever heard so far.

[@geoffparker6956]

Damm Jason. I felt that. I don't say this on a whim or lightly, this is my favorite performance ever of poncho and lefty . And there have been some incredible artists perform this song the original and Willie among them. Jason's just a stride above. That simply comes from the feeling stirred in me personally. I'll bet there are many others out there who would agree.

[@martinkidwell6501]

Without a doubt the best cover of this song!

[@torogifighter1]

Lame

[@geoffparker6956]

@@torogifighter1 u definitely are

[@marybrown8890]

I wish I could hear this without tears, but that’s just the way it goes.

[@TheKuptis]

Out of kindness I suppose.

[@MichaelCherau-kt8gy]

Yes nobody heard ponchos dying word .....

[@MichaelCherau-kt8gy]

No it's not possible I cry everything I hear it.

[@mrinvader]

all along while singing along with it too

[@samniacat]

Amanda always adds an extra dimension to Jason's music.

[@MichaelCherau-kt8gy]

Thank you for honoring townes jason

[@larryfoerster4100]

What a great tribute to Townes

[@benholland1331]

Townes was such a great songwriter, one of my favourite songs ever, Jason sings this so so good ❤❤❤

[@richardwallace6313]

this Townes classic suits Jason well

[@messy113]

Amanda kills it - as usual. Unbeliveable

[@effiemcfarland6735]

One of my favorite song 🎶

[@cossied01]

Brilliant song , brilliant musician . brilliant band ?

[@climbnride58]

Brilliant songwriter.

[@jimrebr]

This is one of my favorite songs of all time!!! I’ve seen several people do it, what a classic song, I never get tired of Townes Van Zandt’s masterpiece!!!! Good on ya!! Great band, the slide guitar and fiddle are perfect ❤

[@maryherrera8603]

The first time I heard Jason was from his performance at the DNC. Now, to listen this. Every time I hear his voice, tears sneak out of my eyes.

[@walterbrazil231]

DNC?? You are years late. Must be a liberal thing. I don't agree with Jason's politics, but I respect his freedom of choice. He's one of Americas genius composers/musicians. I have practiced my Bass to his music for over 25 years now. Back to the DBT days. Love you brother Jason 🙏🎶🎸

[@maryherrera8603]

​I am years late. Happens I agree with his politics, too. Would still love his music if he was a conservative. Vaya con Dios, mi hermano. 🙏🏽 💙

[@stevebarci179]

That's as good as it gets for me.

[@matthewfeatherston8982]

Wow 🤩 That was an awesome cover!!! Townes Van Zandt is similing down ;)

[@tlockn]

That slide guitar amazing! Love this song

[@gsd4me00]

Slow and soulful, an excellent version of this song.

[@TigerDude333]

I was able to attend this evert, the whole thing was great and this was a highlight.

[@anelladambrosio2513]

Amo questa canzone! Che bella voce! Una grande performance! 😊🤗😍😘🎶🎸🎶💘❤️💋💯🌄

[@eugenepatinglag4637]

Great cover by Jason Isbell and great band. You all hit a kind of excellent performance. Way to go.

[@jamincsc5099]

Damn. This is an excellent cover.

[@trishaplescia9234]

I second that! Wow- what a group of musicians. Jason Isbell is one of the absolute best of our generation. Smart, nice, good human being, and damn what a singer song writer.

[@nathannunnikhoven1313]

So did no one realize Chris Shiftlet of the Foo Fighters in the background? Cuz that’s def him playing backing guitar right behind Jason

[@tonyharrison8012]

Haha, that was me my second watch of this! I was like "holy shit! Two of my favourite guitarists sharing a stage!"

[@tonyharrison8012]

Also, Shooter Jennings is tickling the ivories

[@TimStreeperMusic]

I came here looking for Elizabeth Cook and Jason’s version of this tune. He and the band flat out nailed this one. Certainly had Emmy Lou’s influence in this one - but absolutely one of the best covers of this TVZ song I’ve ever heard.

[@thegrindstone1806]

Agreed

[@kmh9868]

Excellent cover, more of the Townes feel.

[@mikegadd2765]

Fabulous version of great Townes Van Zandt song. Really looking forward to seeing Jason in London in November

[@jjkant01]

Great!!!

[@stephenluttmann3432]

That was fine stuff. He understands the song like few others.

[@rustbeltprogressive3968]

Holy F... thousands of covers led to this one.

[@darinbarfield8738]

Among the much better versions of Poncho & Lefty I’ve heard, beyond Willie, of course.

[@maciejszot6024]

Magic ...

[@grumpyoldfart3891]

Oh Hell Yeah

[@bws1billsimpson362]

Awesome.

[@cwg47]

Wow ! Awesome!

[@weekiedonmorris]

Love LOVE Jason I and always enjoy listening to his take on things.

[@junkyardheaven]

Holy smoke!

[@grahmnash1]

Great slide work! It puts a nice touch on this tune.

[@charlenebrowne2459]

Emmy Lou Harris recorded Pancho and Lefty eleven years before Willie. It's been recorded by over 54 artists.

[@smarroy]

Townes Van Zandt wrote it, say the man's name! I'm sick and tired of women minimizing the contributions of straight white men in music, it stops now. It's not your fault, Charlene, you were just raised in a culture that didn't respect guys like him.

[@richardjacobs8996]

And she had the audacity to change the lyrics! The Federales did NOT let Pancho “slip away”… they let him hang around: listen to Townes! Just because it rhymes… lazy, and too many others ( Jason, Willie…). A shame.

[@page919]

I’m a huge TVZ fan, but i sincerely doubt anyone should have known his genius without Emmylou. She is responsible for putting this song in Willie’s hands. Same story for Linda Ronstadt with Warren Zevon.

[@billwolfe7244]

I'm standing up and cheering!

[@charlesbell9965]

That's the way it goes...

[@onewink]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@rickroybal7022]

Thanks Jason. You made my day with this.

[@peterwilliams6114]

This ain't a bad effort , in fact it's rather good especially the intro , it's beautiful and that slide guitar is just gorgeous - now , I've heard many a rendition of TVZ' classic song , quite possibly the greatest Country Song ever written - Dylan , Earle , Harris , Nelson , Ashley Campbell , TVZ himself and now this one but my favourite version is by a pair of relative unknowns , Tim Gregg & Jay Wickizer - the best version I ever heard - look it up , it's on youtube .

[@richardwallace6313]

Willie's recorded version is one of the worst ever--an over-produced mess that bears little resemblance to the song Townes wrote.

[@51farrelli]

Absolutely great !!!! Stunning.....

[@jaymarks1]

Good one, Jason!

[@sebastianrath9833]

Wow😢😊

[@brianbrino4310]

All excellent as well as the bands! Thank you sooo much! 👏👏👏👏👏

[@Gingerjake2]

OUT-STANDING!!!!!!!

[@bmmc5tubekc]

So very good.

[@martinkidwell6501]

Step aside Merle, Willie, and Emmylou. This is - by far - the best cover of this classic.

[@bryontreece]

This is so fantastic. I would gladly pay cash-money to buy a download of the audio file.

[@austinhayes3200]

From the only songwriter better than Jason, the uncomparable Townes Van Zandt

[@barbroolgerfeldt7757]

Agree ! Barbro from Sweden

[@thomasmalz4111]

Not only is this an amazing performance, but I spy a shifty in the background!

[@sueeasley6468]

So well done! Thank you☺️

[@graciousfew]

Foo Fighter lurking in background?

[@alexvosika9971]

One of the few times where I think that a cover of a song is better than the original. Might get crucified for the take, but Ill stand by it.

[@hughgeorge2919]

Completely agree. It’s different.

[@martinhardy5462]

Wow.

[@marquettegloves9907]

Townes was the kind of writer Jason wishes he was. Jason is very good, but there are levels to this game, even amongst the pros...

[@rustbeltprogressive3968]

Merle would give him a bow for this one.

[@51farrelli]

Anyone know who recorded and mixed this brilliant piece of work ???

[@rogernichols9987]

🙂🎱said that you had to be there to appreciate it. You did it justice I suppose 👍×1000

[@stevet6727]

Jason sounds a bit like David Lindley on slide for this song.

[@joelrodely]

Zat Chris Shiflett back there??

[@WJHProduction]

sure is

[@markwalkerr]

Shlama 'Ahlaykhu; Whomever See This; The Universe Need You; IPTV; Still; *Trident* *3PointCrown* thank YOU For BEING YOU; DIA DUIT.

[@rickylakemusic]

I have a version of that tune here on youtube. my rendition is okay for me . I ain't no Jason Isbell.. he rocks. I limp. haha. my version ain't too bad..

[@danieljulian4676]

This is beautifully performed, but somehow I'm not feeling it: I don't think this great tune invites (let alone deserves) the syrupy overproduction we're seeing here. It's a nice gesture to recognize Townes this way, but that is mainly what this is: a gesture. It's a magnificent composition, though, and that shines through the syrup.

[@aleksandarlazarevic3773]

My favorite cover of this song belongs to Gillian Welch & David Rawlings. Then Dylan & Nelson. This one is OK.

[@peterwilliams6114]

It's an excellent effort I agree but the pair that absolutely own this song [ for me ] are Tim Gregg & Jay Wickizer - it's perfection in my opinion .

[@dragomiruzelac2227]

Jason was a real vaxxin-fanatic. He got a jab twice in a short time, then in August 2021 he required from all attendees of his concerts to be vaccinated or tested negative. In January 2022, after he received a booster, he tested positive and had to cancel a series of shows.

[@judysoutherland9672]

And? The point of the vaccine is to minimize the damage--keep you out of the hospital and ALIVE. Good on Jason. The vaccine has saved literally millions of lives.