Pancho and Lefty have reunited, this time as Django and Jimmie

Pancho and Lefty have reunited, this time as Django and Jimmie

By Michael Karman

With their latest release, Pancho and Lefty have reunited, this time as Django and Jimmie.  Representing the best in Country music, Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson prove they are able to make an album that is worthy of debuting at No. 1 on the country charts with careers spanning over 60 years. At the ages of 78 and 82, respectively, the outlaws are still able to make music that is better than anything currently playing on Top 40 Country radio.

Their voices have aged but are both still honeyed and pure. Willie’s guitar playing is nuanced throughout. They are the last of the old guard (well, let’s not forget Kris). These guys could choose to retire, rest on their laurels, or just play the occasional greatest hits tour. Instead, they continue to put out music.

Of course, in comparison to the work produced in their prime, the album could be seen as disappointing. How could it not? Their songs are among the greatest written of any generation.

Though it has already been established that Willie worships at the guitar shaped altar of Django Reinhardt (the three fingered Gypsy jazz player) and that Merle is the president of the Singing Brakeman Jimmie Rodgers Fan Club, they find themselves still inspired enough to sing “Django and Jimmie.” Though their well-established writing credentials include “Okie from Muskogee,” “Mama Tried,” “Crazy” and” Night Life,”  “Django and Jimmie” wasn’t penned by them. Then again, their iconic cover of Townes Van Zandt’s “Pancho and Lefty” wasn’t either. The pair prove once again they are just as good at interpreting the songs of others as they are writing their own.

“Missing Johnny Cash” is a fitting tribute to the man in black. Played in the style of Cash, Haggard channels his late best friend’s voice with what could perhaps a novelty track, but one that truly comes from the heart. Haggard sings “Cash had the fire of a thousand men, loving life was his greatest sin, treated his fans like the next of kin, reppin’ a bit, talkin’ trash, missin’ Ole Johnny Cash.” On his last album, Working in Tennessee, Hag proved to be the only person alive who had the right to play not one but two Cash covers on an album, so his parody is forgiven.  Their friendship was one for the ages, as Cash once said of Haggard he “Value[d] [Haggard’s] friendship more than any earthly thing.”

But what comes across the strongest on this record are the standards.  Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright,” Willie’s “Family Bible” (he doesn’t get the writing credit because he sold the rights early in his career) and Merle’s “Swinging Doors.”

At ripe old ages, Haggard and Nelson have put out a well-produced album with fitting and tasteful instrumentation. Though it isn’t their greatest work, one can’t help but remain thankful that we still have these legends and the volumes of the amazing songs they have penned and performed. Django and Jimmie is a testament to enduring work-ethic, to quote the final song on the recording: “He’s an outlaw, he’s crazy but he’s never been lazy.”

merlehaggard.com  |  willienelson.com  |  buy  |  iTunes