Isbell's chords in Pancho and Lefty?
 

Can someone tell me what the chord progression in his version is? Sounds like the usual D-A-G, but with a little "mystery" added. An add9 or something in the *A* spot? Adds a lot of character without changing too drastically.

He's in the key of E. It's difficult to see in the video I found

https://youtu.be/JK3aCgoYcRg

but it might be capo 2 using D shapes. Chord IV definitely looks like an open G shape. In the key of D the chords are

D, G, A and Bm. Bm is the chord each verse and chorus ends on.

The A chords may at times be A7 and at other times A sus 4. Does that help?

Thanks. That is how I play it, but I think I'm hearing something different. I'll try the A7 and see if that's it. Could be that 7th! He's a better picker than he seems. The lyrics and melody grab so much attention, that his really good picking gets overlooked.

He also adds some notes to the Bm. It sounds like he is adding some open strings, partly lifting the barre. If I can dig up a capo tomorrow I'll see if that's it.

The key note is the second string D. Standard open D shape. Emphasize the D common tone by using shapes that hold the D note. He is initially suspending the A chord (the D note again). An interesting Bm shape happens when you hold the D shape again, drop the 1st string F# note to open E and pick up the B on 5th string, second fret and you've got a Bm. You can also drop the A on the 3rd string to open G or leave the A in. The root B in the bass and the minor 3 D up top defines the Bm and adds some interesting open string tensions (6, 11) . Pretty sure that is what he does. Pretty sure it is a common JT move too. And keep the D note in the G chord too.

hunter

Just to clarify I am talking chord shapes. As noted, he is capoed to second fret playing key of D shapes which is E key.

hunter

Nice take on this song.

SO here's the chord shapes I hear...up to y'all to figure out the exact picking...I couldn't hear the live version for nothing, but I found the recorded version where he's actually capoed at the 3rd fret, but same deal.

on the D:

Dadd9 x x 0 2 3 0

and good old D: x x 0 2 3 2

on the A

Asus: x 0 2 2 3 0

and A: x 0 2 2 2 0

On the G

G: 3 x 0 0 3 3

and with the b5 3 x 0 0 2 3 (he doesn't play the first string much on the G's, it seems)

and that cool B minor

x 2 4 0 3 0...which I guess you could call a Bm11#5 or Bm11b6...but it's just adding an open G and E to a B minor...

Anyway, hope that helps.

Thanks all. Got some good stuff to try out!