At Folsom Prison

I want to go to prison

I guess I mistakenly thought I knew Johnny Cash, mostly through the radio and general consciousness, and I was not prepared for how incredible and just fuckin metal this album is. This dude is up there singing about murdering dudes to applause from murderers. if your black metal isn't this black, go the fuck home.

johnny cash performs in a prison sings about doing cocaine and shooting his wife the crowd cheers unfathomably based

One of the few live albums I've heard where the audience is just as much a part of the performance. The songs are great, Johnny's performance is charmingly flawed, but it's all about the atmosphere created by the little details: the inmate's reactions, Johnny's asides, and the warden's announcements.

"This show is being recorded for an album release on Columbia Records, and you can't say 'hell' or 'shit' or anything like that." "How does that grab you, Bob?"

Look: even if the music wasn't great (which it is), the man sang about taking cocaine and shooting a bad bitch down to a group of cheering convicts, so this may as well get five mics on principle. The concept alone is novel and raw as hell, but once you throw in Cash's devil-may-care stage presence, the atmosphere set by the wardens' announcements over the PA and the more-than-receptive crowd (I'll spare you a line about a "captive audience" because I'm sure plenty of rock critics thought they were the first to come up with that gem), plus the impeccable choice in songs, you end up with one of the most entertaining records I've ever heard. Key Tracks: Cocaine Blues, Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart, Greystone Chapel

Fucking visceral. “I shot a man in Reno just to see him die” & they cheer… Best live album ever.

(Listened to Before) One of the most genuine and authentic albums I’ve ever heard. I love it when he breaks mid-song to tell a joke or a laugh slips, especially when it’s in contrast to some soul-crushingly melancholy lyrics. I don’t really think there’s a bad track in the bunch. I love this album and the special place it takes me to every time I revisit it. Favorite Tracks: 25 Minutes to Go, Orange Blossom Special, The Long Black Veil, Dirty Old Egg-Suckin’ Dog, Jackson, Greystone Chapel Least Favorite Tracks: I Still Miss Someone

Amazing album! Amazing that it was performed live and the flaws and asides and prison chatter add to the overall vibe, rather than detract. I'm normally not as much a fan of live music, but this was great all the way through.

I don't know anyone who doesn't like Johnny Cash, and this is him at his best. I love how it's a live album but he sounds about the same as in the studio, it's authentic as. 5/5.

Never listened to the album before though know a good few of the songs. It's bloody good. The context - what he's singing about IN A PRISON - is just great, really adds something

I needed this so bad today. This dudes the fucking King. I need more stars...raw, authentic, fuck you. Yes!

not bad, but too samey and I lost focus on this one

We've had the greatest live album ever from Nirvana but this is bang there with it. Cash is at his best live. And when he combines that with doing this sorta outlaw country stuff he's peerless. Its fucking brilliant and I'm gonna have to bring out the 5 again. A superstar at the top of his game. 5/5

Cash proves he is every measure the legend on this record. Even though the vast majority is covers, his crowd work is great and you can hear a pin drop on The Long Black Veil. Jackson is a cool duet. booing the warden on the last track is great

i don't believe there's much to be said here. it's johnny fucking cash at folsom fucking prison, with june fucking carter. to whom, if my chronology isn't way off, he was not yet married - so we witnessed it all, very raw, and very real. i also particularly loved that they didn't cut out the warden's(?) announcements, and what i believe was them slapping johnny in cuffs at the end.

This was a great listen. I've been aware of this album for a long time and it's place in legend and lore. What little I know about Johnny Cash (nope, haven't seen the well-known documentaries or the super-famous biopic, but I would like to one day), I really like him as a person. As a musician, his appeal is easy to see. He makes it seem all so familiar and casual, but with his own signature sound, style, and of course, voice. I have heard his music in various settings over the years and I like it. It's not something I gravitate strongly towards on a regular basis. I have a feeling if I had ever seen him play live, I'd have been a lifelong huge fan. Seems like that kind of performer and person.

Not bad but actually somewhat boring. Slow pace, similar style of all the songs, just not memorable

CAN I GET A GLASS OF WATER

I feel like I’m sitting right there in the prison with the guys watching the show—the most heartfelt, candid show I’ve ever heard. Not only is Cash an unparalleled storyteller, he’s really got a heart for the prisoners he’s playing for. I really like how the guys applaud, letting me know exactly what lyrics or licks best tickle the imprisoned listeners. The music rollicks along, but there are quite chilling moments, too, like when the voice announces normal prison business over the PA. Whenever I finish listening to this album, I have mixed feelings: I go on with my life, but those guys all go back to their cells.

I loved this. The music, the banter, the announcements with inmate numbers, the laughing mid track, the lyrics, just all of it. I’ve somehow never listened to this despite always liking Johnny Cash, and it is such a great record. The recording it incredibly good for being recorded in what I assume is a prison cafeteria or auditorium. The singing comes through beautifully but none of the instruments are overshadowed. I rest can’t think of a bad thing about this. Really great.

listening to convicted criminals giggle over a song about killing your wife under cocaine is an amazing experience. liked not so much the album as the reactions of the prisoners, little Johny Cashs' inserts...literally and indescribable atmosphere

10/10 If you’re not into Country music and don’t understand the subject matter and setting of this record, it may be easy to misunderstand it as being exploitative or just not care about the mythos of this record in general. But let it be known, you need to listen to this album if you want to be knowledgeable at all about American music. America loves its damned, even if they deny it, even if they’re hypocritical in their love, even if we severely punish them in denial. The “Anti-Hero” is the fundamental archetype to American folklore, from the six shooters in the old west, to the New Hollywood vigilantes, to the Gangsta Rap icons of today, we have an innate addiction to morally complex characters, more so than we do morally righteous ones. We watch these characters through their Odysseys, we don’t necessarily yearn for them to win, but you can’t help but feel good about their victories, and hurt when we see these characters fall victim to the punishments that they likely warranted. We understand these moral complexities, we understand their mistakes, their horrible environments, their upbringings, their dilemmas, their irrationalities, and we seek a sort of redemption for them in spite of their wrongdoings. That is, until we talk about real life, one under a growing reactionary worldview, where we legally recognize slavery if it’s under incarceration, where we beg for harsher sentences, severe penalties for minor crimes, more law enforcement on the streets, and capital punishment. At Folsom Prison is our cling to humanity, for decades Johnny Cash would perform at many different prisons over the country unpaid because of a mere letter from inmates, he would campaign for prison reform, and would continue to write music that fought against this authority. The live album itself is a collection of songs about the very inmates he was performing to, he was telling their stories, these same stories that made Johnny Cash and several hundreds of songwriters, storytellers, and artists who they are. “My mama always told me, son always be a good boy, but I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die.” As soon as Cash sings these words with his striking and deep brassy vocal cords, his wonderful guitar playing and phenomenal performances from the backing band bouncing off lifeless concrete walls, we hear the inmates whistle and cheer loudly. How do you feel knowing these same stories you love are being cheered on by men who have possibly committed these same heinous acts? Do you feel reprehensible? Hypocritical? Or do you view yourself in being in the same position as them? Its these prison walls that echo these complications gloriously, you’re subject to listening to some of the best Country songs ever written and performed, and in the audience made up of any subject matter of a Johnny Cash song, or a Scorsese movie, or any number of tall tales. https://youtu.be/6v1qNVZmofI?si=gpQ5lM_4fnFHdPNX

if this album is the result of the carceral state, maybe I'm not an abolitionist after all (ACAB)

makes you wanna take a shot of cocaine and shoot a man in reno

Solid live album, especially considering the location and difficulties to make it happen. Some great gems throughout the set list, although there are a few songs that just kind of pass into the background. Clearly groundbreaking, but not quite a 5-star for me.

the bones are their money.. so are the worms…

If any live album should make this list it's this one. Everything I liked about the other one but even better

It's really good. Songs about prison, crime, dying, and retribution.

Well, it's pretty darn good.

just perfect. Johnny Cash did more for incarcerated rights than any celebrity has, and he did it by seeing them as people who deserved to hear some live music. it’s not a revolutionary idea, but still feels monumental. this album is so silly and goofy and funny but also heartbreaking and deeply sad. Johnny Cash always blended those two moods together so well, and for it to come across in this live recording.. art!

Really excellent

Ace

An enjoyable listen with a strong social (prison) reform message.

Really entertaining - one of the best live album atmospheres I've heard captured on record. Started off thinking it might make a interesting listen but nothing more, and ended up being the fastest I've bought an album from this list. Great stuff [edit: "Hot Rats" currently holds the instant classic title, but this is still 2nd]

Johnny Cash is so badass. Dude had just come off of a hard fought battle with addiction and is looking to return to the music industry. Mind you, he had been out of the limelight for years. So he does the sensible thing and… makes a live album? From a prison? Hell yes. The audience noise and commentary makes you feel like you’re actually at the show. He’s singing about doing cocaine and shooting people and the crowd is loving it. Amazing record.

Möglicherweise das Beste Live-Album als Live-Album. Die Interaktion zwischen Cash und den Insassen, der Jubel bei »just to watch him die«, die währenddessen ununterbrochenen Abläufe des Gefängnisses – einfach unglaublich.

The best live album ever recorded. Bar none.

I mean Johnny fucking nails this performance for a number of reasons, but to me one of the standout moments is with June on Jackson, as she surprises me with her power and what it adds to the record. Instant classic.

So this album is great. Obviously. And, taken by itself, it's a masterpiece live album against which other live albums should be measured which is why it's earned a 5-star review from me. That said, I'm unclear as to why this list contains both "At Folsom Prison" and "At San Quentin" since they're essentially the same album. The amount of deja vu that I experienced listening to this after having listened to the other was uncomfortable. Sure the tracks (barring one, "Folsom Prison Blues", which is on both albums) are all different but the banter, lyrical content, and delivery is so similar that you'd be hard pressed, if the tracks were mixed up, to tell which song went on which album.

Really good stuff. I might just go and get obsessed with Johnny Cash now

Pretty good record

A fun listen to an artist that captured a snapshot of a time and place. They don’t make musicians like this anymore and they certainly don’t have concerts like this anymore.

One of the most badass albums ever recorded.

I suppose my detailed comments on the San Quentin review apply here. I have loads of respect for Johnny doing these prison shows. Giving something to people who have nothing deserves our respect. As was the case at San Quentin, he performs a song written by a prisoner in the audience and gives him credit and a piece of the royalties. The song is Greystone Chapel which is a bible thumpin song. Normally not my thing but Johnny used religion to help him get off drugs and booze so it's understandable that this made him a tad evangelical about his religion. I'll leave my different opinion on religion at the door. Highlights from the first 5 songs (I stopped the list after that): Folsum Prison Blues( one of his best songs ever) Cocaine BLues, 25 Min to go Since I gave San Quentin a 5 I can't give another 5 to Johnny.

Like “At San Quentin”, I appreciate the concept of this record, but musically I find it kind of boring. The songs all kind of sound the same and they’re repetitive in a very uninteresting way for me. I don’t really get the appeal of his music and I know I’m outside of the mainstream with that opinion. However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the song “Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart”, which, had it not been written by Cash, would’ve made a perfect pastiche song for Weird Al to take on Cash’s style with.

I loved the last song, dude just got his dream come true. However I'm not amused by the countless whistling while mentioning random violent crimes against women.

In the 2000s, visiting friends who had emigrated to London from Northern Ireland meant learning that my jokes didn’t travel. In Belfast, you could trade black jokes about bombings and kneecappings across the Protestant–Catholic divide and find yourself, oddly enough, closer to your opposite number. In London, the onlookers would respond to our ironic exchanges with polite horror. What was to us the hiss of air escaping from a pressure cooker sounded to them like we were tapping the cooker with a hammer. Gallows humour is a form of intimacy, and intimacy can be terrifying to the uninitiated. That, for me, is the shock of Johnny Cash’s At Folsom Prison. The songs land with the jarring force of jokes overheard at the wrong table. 25 Minutes to Go turns the countdown to the gallows into a comedy routine. The Wall leaves its protagonist in a heap of suicide and barbed wire, with applause in its wake. Cocaine Blues is less a morality tale than a barfly’s boast, like something an oul fella might roll out at the Felons, knowing he’ll be indulged. What we hear is not a series of moral lessons, but the jokes prisoners tell each other about the things they’ve already seen, already done, or already survived. And when I listen in, I don’t know whether to laugh, flinch, or call a meeting. There is certainly some gross about it. The effect is not unlike the “Ooh Ah Up the Ra!” chorus at the Féile an Phobail. Politicians clutch their pearls, commentators scribble furiously, but the singers are not holding a seminar on constitutional politics. They’re singing a song they half-mean and half-don’t, and the power lies in the ambiguity. Cash’s prison record anticipates the same dynamic that later scandalised America with gangsta rap: the pantomime of menace, grotesque bluff dressed as authenticity. The audience knows it isn’t entirely sincere, but neither is it entirely insincere. That’s the point. It’s not sociology; it’s supposed to be a good time. For someone, anyway. Of course, not everything fits neatly under the banner of gallows humour. When Cash drops the word “bitch”, it doesn’t sound like black comedy at all. It sounds like my Uncle Francie, who unfailingly referred to his ex-wife as “The Bitch” and meant it with the sort of commitment you could only envy if you were in a particularly bad marriage yourself. There’s nothing survivalist about it, no wink of complicity - just plain nastiness. I didn’t like it when he was alive and I don’t much care for it now. The performance of nastiness easily becomes the performing of nasty acts: the tit-for-tat murders of the East Coast/West Coast feud are testament to that. One suspects, though, that the in-group, whether prisoners in Folsom, festival-goers in the Falls Park, or gang members in Compton, aren’t terribly bothered about the out-group’s opinion. They’ve already seen enough to treat disapproval as background noise. That leaves the listener - or me at least - adrift. How do I engage with the problematic elements of the performance? One way is to treat them as pantomime, to recognise the performance as performance, bounded by humour, held within the magic space of art. So, is Johnny Cash, then, exploiting his audience - the authentic prison response - to heighten his outlaw persona? Or is he humanising those men, letting us hear their laughter and their recognition? Perhaps both. By singing Greystone Chapel, a song written by an inmate, he cedes the microphone for a moment, allowing that inner world to speak. Yet, at this remove, far from California in 1967, and – for me – far, too, from God, the song’s appeal to redemption can sound unconvincing. And yet, for all the gallows gags and criminal boasts, the loudest cheer on the album comes not for the blood or the bluster but for Jackson, the hit duet. Maybe that’s wishful listening on my part, but I swear I can hear it. Marital squabbles, thwarted egos, love that doubles as war… suddenly the private jokes of prisoners become the shared joke of everyone: not universal, perhaps, but less insular, less bound to the survival rituals of a closed world. In that moment, the salt circle opens up (yet will be unbroken). Everyone knows what it is to argue, to boast, to love. Indeed, for my money, Cash gets better as he gets older and ages away from the outlaw Man in Black performance and becomes the husband and widower of June. A kinder partner than my Uncle Francie. Perhaps he achieved the redemption of Greystone Chapel himself. 2 Prisons are like holiday camps these days. Books, paints, games consoles. We need another Johnny Cash to step up and remind these crims that it’s a punishment. 1/5

Bit conflicted about the premise. Some songs were nice.

The lyrics and context haven’t aged welll

Just not for me

All time classic country.

I love Johnny Cash.

Man in black. What more can be said? He got his audience, and they got him! I can hear his empathy through his deep frog-horn call. The duets are soul rendering. I also think the recording has a genuine feel, you can hear the wardens calling for individuals because they had visitations. Overall it’s beautiful: a five star for me.

I think it's a little unfair to have a live album on this list because it adds to the aura of the album. This is very very good, and I wouldn't consider myself a fan of this genre of music.

Well geez what is there to say about this masterpiece. Great voice, great songs. I had heard almost all of the songs but maybe mostly studio versions because I didn’t remember any of the stage patter except his intro before Folsom Prison Blues. His easy camaraderie with the prison audience was impressive. I loved when he cracked up when somebody applauded “I’d been in the arms of my best friend’s wife” in Long Black Veil. Some of the stuff I was wondering how he got AWAY with playing/saying at a prison. Like The Wall, which is a prison escape song(!) I mean, unsuccessful, but still. And at one point he was singing about the guards and laughs and says, “Them mean bastards, ain’t they?” I salute you, sir.

What a great live album!

A classic for sure.

It's a strange feeling to look back with nostalgia on a live album played at a prison, where Cash sings about murder and gets cheers from the crowd. For some twisted reason, you can help but smile at it. Cash uses his talent, fame and relatability to put you in the same seat as the prisoners, bringing some light to them, and also showing the rest of us that even in among the worst of places, there's humanity to be found. And the craziest part is, I can play it in the car with my 3 year old!

Absolutely fantastic. Such a well crafted album.

I really don't like live albuns butbI can see why this one is on the list. The historical gig of Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison. What an amazing album! The songs were tailored for audience with amazing storytelling and a voice that captivated everyone. An easy 5

A damn well done live album. This got me thinking more musicians should play prisons these days. But more than the cool setting, it's a great showcase of Johnny Cash's live work. He was such a great performer and songwriter. His banter with the inmate crowd here and there is so natural, and his music as always is great.

Love it

Classic for a reason. I still revile modern commercial country music but The Man in Black is the real deal (and quite funny to boot). I also like he went back to the prison concert well repeatedly.

From the idea of playing a live album in a prison through to the completion, this album is amazing. The interstitial quips to the audience of inmates are an amazing glimpse of both Johnny Cash and the audience. This may be the best live album of all time and top album overall.

This album is everything I could ask for from a live album. Its unpolished nature is endearing and moving. I love hearing Cash’s voice raw, gritty, and warbly in such a tough setting. The banter is fantastic as well. The prison sounds and interruptions as accompaniment give the album such humanity. June Carter Cash brings a sweet spark to the album on the Jackson duet and with her backing vocals. The addition of The Statler Brothers on background vocals was a nice and surprising touch. In addition, I was fascinated to learn that Shel Silverstein wrote 25 Minutes to Go. Cash’s storytelling ability through song was incredibly strong. I was nearly moved to tears with the closing track Greystone Chapel, especially after reading the story behind the song and that the writer was on the front row of the concert with no clue his song was to be played. Beautiful song to close a brilliant album.

Best live album of all time.

Runter von der Autobahn, die Berge tauchen auf und Jhonny shot a man in Reno...Eines meiner mistgehörten Alben, der Cameo June von ist legendär gut. c

Johnny!

This is an album that really got me into traditional country music at a young age. His personality is so funny in this too. Just a damn good time. 5/5

Classic

Folsom Prison Blues - 5/5 Dark as the Dungeon - 5/5 I Still Miss Someone - 5/5 Cocaine Blues - 5/5 25 Minutes to Go - 5/5 Orange Blossom Special - 3/5 The Long Black Veil - 5/5 Send a Picture of Mother - 3/5 The Wall - 4/5 Dirty Old Egg-Sucking Dog - 4/5 Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart - 5/5 Jackson - 5/5 Give My Love to Rose - 4/5 I Got Stripes - 4/5 Green, Green Grass of Home - 5/5 Greystone Chapel - 5/5 Average score: 4.5/5 (rounding up)

One of the best live albums ever made. Johnny's charisma, crowd presence, and vocals made this damn near perfect. Truly iconic. Top 5: Folsom Prison Blues, Cocaine Blues, Orange Blossom Blues, I Got Stripes, and Greystone Chapel 4.50-4.75/5

Absolute classic. What a moment in time.

Legendario. Pocas interpretaciones en vivo tienen la calidez que transmite Johnny Cash en temas como Folsom Prison Blues, Cocaine Blues, Give My Love to Rose o Greystone Chapel. Además, los interludios entre canciones le dan ese toque extra que no pueden ser replicados en el estudio. 5/5

Classic, live outlaw country record, setlist amazingly executed 10/10

One of the greatest concert albums ever.

I feel like I don’t see many albums like this anymore, he is so expressive and I love the storytelling and instrumentals, they were so fun. Thanks Johnny

Excelent

very good. awesome that its at a prison.

Classic

Good stuff

I don't normally like live albums, but this one is an exception. It's surreal listening to Cash sing about murder and executions while the literally captive audience cheers and boo when the warden's name is mentioned. LOL

First off this album is so unbelievably well mixed its hard to believe its a live recording. I suppose a lot of credit for that goes to Johnny Cash himself, his vocals are perfect, so honest and emotional throughout. Each song resonates in its own way with the crowd and with the listener. The album itself is just authenticity in its purest form. Not a shred of insincerity or fakeness. Listening from the perspective of a prisoner, it must have been incredibly emotional to hear such vivid descriptions of the outside world, the things they had once known and now lost. For someone to come and speak to them. To show understanding, empathy and to relate to them honestly through music. Really thought provoking. Without the setting and circumstances the album would be good. Musically the songs are enjoyable. But its the other stuff that makes this a true classic. Favourite song - Cociane Blues into 25 minutes to go! 9/10

lovely

This is the album that makes one want to reconsider prison. At Folsom Prison is fantastic from start to finish, the crowd is enjoyably enthusiastic. Johnny Cash only needs a few notes to connect with them. One can feel the energy pouring through the speakers. It all feels so real, so close. 80 procent of this album is filled with prison blues songs and they are all, every single one, entertaining. At Folsom prison truly makes a play for the greatest live album of al time.

Yuh

Johnny cash live album. No complaints

extremely good favorites: jackson, give my loves to rose!!

One of the best live albums. Really connected with his audience.

It’s electric the atmosphere crackles, and America surprises me. The authorities allowed this concert to happen knowing what Johnny cash is about it’s fascinating. Surprised they didn’t riot

One of the most iconic live albums ever.

A fun and hugely important album. The material is first rate and the playing and arrangements are simple and fun and of the highest quality. This is country music of the highest order. 5 stars

Cash was such an incredible performer. The atmosphere here is amazing, and the sound is perfect. Easily a contender for the best live album of all time.

I love when an album starts off with a strong song! I am vaguely familiar with Johnny Cash. But I had never heard this album. I tend not to like live albums, but this one was great! I loved the banter and the announcements from the jail. It could be that I’m a “mood listener” but I enjoyed this album! Fun fact: I live about 30ish minutes away from Folsom Prison! Songs I liked: I Still Miss Someone Orange Blossom Special (for the Harmonica)

★★★★★

Loved it

Familiar with Johnny Cash from my grandfather growing up. Never much liked the music but loved the storytelling in the lyrics. Same is true on today’s listen. But there is something insanely special that comes through on this album especially given the lyrics in this setting. Johnny is sincere, bold, improvisational and you can feel the deep connection and appreciation from the prisoners and administration alike. I cannot imagine the sheer joy and reflection an event like this with songs deeply connected to their prison experience must have brought to attendees. It easy to imagine yourself there listening. And inclusion of the prison announcements throughout are chefs kiss. What a moment in time. What a recording. For the music 3/5. For the lyrics 4/5. For the setting and capture of real history 8/5. Total 5/5

Iconic album! Not a big fan of early JC but this was an electrifying performance. Cocaine Blues was a highlight.

Classic for a reason