Pancho & Lefty

Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1983
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000025QY
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #157,578 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Duets are tricky, especially when the two people in question are headliners not used to subverting to another. But these two country veterans put together this collection with a love for the music and let their egos get checked at the door. Haggard has always had strong presence, but here he tones down his authority a tad to allow for Nelson's reedy croon to penetrate. Townes Van Zandt's title track became a hit; the sad sack outlaw tale is perfect for two performers who have spent their careers living outside the law. The production by Haggard, Nelson, and Chips Moman is fairly restrained for 1982 country music productions. --Rob O'Connor

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine mix, March 17, 2000

By	Eric V. Moye (Dallas, by way of Gotham) - See all my reviews

Willie Nelson presents quite a paradox to me. His is such a distinctive voice, often plaintive and domineering. How is it that he mixes so damned well with others?

He and Merle are a wonderful pairing on "Pancho & Lefty". The songs tell Willie's (and Merle's) kind of stories: they are outlaws, boozers, social outcasts, and lovers of women (maybe all this explains how I can identify with them).

The title song is a hoot. The pairing of "Reasons to Quit" and "No Reason to Quit" makes me laugh. Of course, being lovers of women, they have to cry the blues a bit, which is done marvelously in "Half a Man" and "Opportunity to Cry".

A group of wonderfully written songs, with few gaps. Added to a couple of seasoned legendary voices makes for a can't miss pick. Country music even us urban types can love.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid as always, August 22, 2000

By	Michael Carley (San Joaquin Valley, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This album will always be best known for the Townes Van Zandt title track, as it should be. That incredible song, perfectly performed by Willie and Merle, tends to overwhelm what is otherwise a very solid album. The remaining songs are not as memorable as "Pancho and Lefty" but all are good and well performed. There are no throwaways here. The entire album is produced in a rather easy going style, as you'll quickly hear with "It's my Lazy Day", which embodies that feeling both musically and lyrically. Willie and Merle's voices also combine better than one would expect.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Its Not Waylon Jennings, December 3, 1999

By	Nate Christopher (Eau Claire, WI) - See all my reviews

Despite the fact that SOME uneducated individuals cannot believe that this is a duet by Willie Nelson and MERLE HAGGARD and NOT Waylon Jennings, this is one of the fine works of country music. I grew up listening to this album and sticking it to the old federales just like old Pancho. Merle Haggard at his finest!