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.

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.

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

"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!

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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!

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

CAN I GET A GLASS OF WATER

Really excellent

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.

Ace

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

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.

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]

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

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.

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.

A classic! Few live albums deserve a place on this list but I think this one does. The smalltalk between performances and the audience bring something special to this record. There are plenty of great tracks on here, “Folsom Prison Blues”, “Cocaine Blues”, “25 Minutes to Go” and ballads like “The Long Black Veil” (complete with inappropriate laughs). If I have any criticism is that the songs are very similar in structure. However the story-telling is on point and really the main thing. Though more variety in stories would help a bit too. The album drags a bit in the second half but then you get hit with “Jackson” (great addition with June Carter”), “Give My Love to Rose” and “I got Stripes” and it feels ok again. Probably a strong 4 but because the setting, audience and just the story behind it a 5.

First time listening to the entire album

Inget värdigt hem kan vara utan denna skiva.

I always knew of this, but didn't think I would like it. It's fascinating.

One of the best live albums of all time!

10/10 It's wild! A great live album gives you an inkling if what it was like to be in the audience, and none does it better than this one.

Before: Johnny Cash is soooo me when I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die. I’ve never listened to At Folsom Prison! I am super interested in the prison system and people’s experiences in prisons, so hearing a live recording from prison is fascinating to me and I have been finding myself wondering about how they figured that out logistically. But ANYWAY, I didn’t know as much Johnny Cash as I should have. Some helpful context that informed my review was that my dad was in prison as I was growing up. He was in and out until he tragically passed. We were close and visited, called, and wrote lots of letters back and forth, so the idea of freedom and imprisonment is one that is important to me and hits home. This record was an absolute delight. Every track had a prominent and meaningful theme or message, the candid sounds of live music (speaking to the crowd, hearing their cheers, Johnny’s laughter), and showcased his raw talent. For an unedited acoustic set played from a prison with presumably no sound engineering, this sounded beautiful. You could have told me this was an acoustic studio recording and, save the audience sounds, I fully would have believed it. Johnny’s voice is insanely impressive, velvety, and buttery. His singing sounds like a warm hug. Of course “Folsom Prison Blues” is a classic that speaks for itself and makes for an amazing start to this record. “The Long Black Veil” is a melancholy song that showcases themes about justice. Cash’s banter and the cheers of the audience added so much to the authenticity and personality here. This one really stood out to me. If you thought “The Long Black Veil” was melancholy and a little sad though… just wait for “Send a Picture of Mother.” As a certified mama’s girl, this song (amongst many others on this album) hit SO close to home. I listened to this record at work and, after this song, I had to quickly wipe the tears from my cheeks when my coworkers walked in. “Give My Love to Rose” left me with a very similar feeling and with similar tears, serving as a very vulnerable and tragic song to his wife (or girlfriend) and son from his prison. The lyrics demonstrate a selfless, pure love. There were a couple of more comedic, tongue-in-cheek tracks. “Dirty Old Egg-Suckin Dog” was the first one and it was by far my least favorite. Not because I’m against a schlocky, goofy song, but because he was so mean to the dog in his lyrics :( leave that baby alone!! I felt differently about the other song in this category though, “Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart.” It had some depth but was a nice light hearted break. Hearing the laughter from the audience made me smile and made it feel a lot more genuine. The final track, “Greystone Chapel,” is a great song that illustrates hope in a dark situation, describing the church as a “flower of light in a field of darkness.” I don’t have as much to say about this record from a technical standpoint as I normally would because it’s so acoustic and stripped down, but goddamn it was good and will probably stand the test of time as one of my favorite albums moving forward. It’s beautiful, genuine, personal, and Cash’s vocal talent and acoustic guitar playing shone through in the perfect way. Lots of us really take our freedom for granted and I found myself thinking about some of these lyrics and themes long after I finished listening. At the end, the crowd is cheering and Johnny is giving his “thank you”s, and I’m so happy this was included. It made the whole thing feel more intimate and personal, almost making you feel like you were there. Can you imagine how iconic it would be to have been live at that performance? What a flex. Easy 5/5. It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty damn close. Standout tracks: Folsom Prison Blues Long Black Veil Send a Picture of Mother Standout lyrics: “The judge said, ‘what is your alibi? If you were somewhere else, then you won’t have to die’” - The Long Black Veil “Say hello to dad and shake his hardworkin’ hand, and send a picture of mother if you can. I’m happy for you that you got your freedom, but stay with me just another minute or so” - Send a Picture of Mother “Tell my boy his daddy’s so proud of him, and don’t forget to give my love to Rose.” - Give My Love to Rose “Take her all my money, tell her to buy some pretty clothes.” - Give My Love to Rose “Won’t you tell them I said thanks for waiting for me? Tell my boy to help his mom at home, tell my Rose to try to find another.” - Give My Love to Rose “It takes a ring of keys to move here at Folsom, but the door to the House of God is never locked. Inside the walls of prison my body may be, but my Lord has set my soul free.” - Greystone Chapel “Well they’re hanging Joe Bean this morning for killing a man in Arkansas. Funny thing about it, Joe Bean never heard of the man. In fact, Joe Bean has never been to Arkansas. On top of that, today is Joe Bean’s twentieth birthday.” - Flushed from the Bathroom of your Heart *Find me on RYM @annainaz!

One of the most raucous, alive live albums ever recorded. Johnny was never more of a rockstar here, and you'll rarely hear a happier audience. More punk rock than punk rock.

I grew up listening to Cash, my mom is a huge John R Cash fan and I am too. The idea of preforming/recording a live album for inmates in a prison is awesome, the energy of this is special in my opinion. Somehow I own multiple copies of this album, not intentionally but through the years people have given me records they were unloading so I own at least 3 copies. I did not know about the 3 disc and 5 LP sets, will probably have to look into acquiring the latter. 5 stars, no question for me.

Significant for the live element, and the audience reaction. The lyrics are all the more poignant for those list lives listening.

I'm not a country fan but I always have time for Johnny Cash

Classic. No skips.

From the iconic self introduction through the ending visit to Greystone Chapel, we get an intimate tour of life at Folsom Prison through the eyes of Johnny Cash. The album isn't just a perfect representation of prison life though, it also serves as a perfect self portrait of the man himself. The tough guy deals with loss and despair. He faces mortality, and addiction. He brings June out to sing with him and compliments her, exposing a lighter side and the importance of family. His on stage banter is humorous and profane and shows his connection to his audience. You learn everything there is to know about Johnny Cash during these 45 minutes, encased in these classic songs. I don't know what has happened to bring about the suckification of country music since the times when this was recorded, but my guess is Mr. Johnny Cash would gladly give his middle finger to it... This is an essential work and thankfully it is recognized as such.

Terrific showcase of Cash, the original punk rocker

I have grown up listening to Johnny Cash. I loved this album. The man is true legend and the staple of country music.

Legend-fucking-dary! Quintessential live album

Badass! Listened a couple times and plan to listen a couple times more. Freakin legend!

Dude is a legend! Not necessarily something I would say I’m longing to hear…for his time and the culture he made this music he was cutting edge and pushing the boundaries of popular music and culture! The music is simplistic but yet great! Love the lyrics! This guy pushed forward change! Easy 5 stars!

I am one lucky bastard for drawing this one on my first day. I might be biased, because I love the man in black more than I love my own father, but alas, what a masterpiece. One of, if not the, best live albums ever.

Très bien. À réécouter. Matin Magic puis dépose voile génois et bibliothèque pour livre de math. après midi Marc, ps4 Astérix et lecture

JOHNNY CASH.

One of the best albums of all time probably. I’ve probably listened to it upwards of 300 times. In my top 10 of all time, maybe top 5. Nothing to else to say really. I pretty much like every song the same amount.

Best album to fit its audience ever!!!!

Real, Raw, Cool

OK, nice It's a 10/10 Have a great day (If you have a hard time feeling something lately, just go and listen to "Give my Love to Rose", thank me later)

Johnny sounds great, the prison crowd adds an element, and June is one of a kind.

This is incredible

I think a way to tell if an album is good (or a concert) ... is that it's over before you want it to be. I was enjoying it so much, I didn't realize it was over ...

Safe to say that the legend of Johnny Cash continues to carry the "Nashville sound" to this day - and a huge part of that legend stems from this album. Absolutely electric performance from Johnny and his band, not to mention a lovely duet performance with June Carter.

A phenomenal concept executed to perfection.

One of the greatest live albums, incredible from start to finish, great energy

immaculate vibes

This is a classic for a reason. The background audio including announcements throughout adds to the ambiance and authenticity.

Great albumv9/10

thank you johnny cash

Funny, a few days ago I wrote in my review how much I dislike live recordings, but I guess the audience for this one makes it a bit more special. Enjoyed it a lot, Cash is the rare country star who I adore.

One of the few live albums which is actually excellent.

I've always enjoyed Johnny Cash, but this album is just another level. It's live, so the recording isn't amazing, but the rawness of it just shines. Extremely good. Great songwriting. The album is 45 minutes, but has 16 songs, so it doesn't feel like anything drags on.

5/5 really liked the album. would rate higher

I liked the interaction with and responses from the audience--that makes this album. Songs have a lot of humor but are a little same-same at times. I'm not a country fan at all, but this was fun.

This is a great live album. The recording, even though it’s done quite a while ago, makes you feel like you are there. In the joint, the clink, the slammer. Peak Cash before his heart was broken. Then he peaked again. Choice cut: Cocaine Blues

This is the perfect live album in my opinion. Great songs, great recording, and I love the interaction with the crowd.

Classic Johnny Cash.

5 stars just for novelty alone!

I met Johnny Cash once. In Utah. He was hitchhiking. I picked him up. We smoked cigarettes and talked about Bigfoot and I dropped him off at a little honky tonk just west of the salt flats. Just kidding. 5

Memories abound with this album.

So simple yet so powerful. The live aspect at Folsom Prison, especially hearing the cheers of the inmates, adds immeasurable depth. Makes me want to re-watch Walk the Line.

Such an awesome live album – it was being played in a cafe I went to this morning too which was a weird coincidence.

The best.

Хороший добротный кантри, под который хочется двигаться. Глубокий и пронизывающий голос Кэша. А многие и не знают, с чего он начинал

I have said before I am not a fan of live albums. But let's be honest from the second I hear "Hello, I am Johnny Cash" I knew this was getting five stars. Does that make me a hypocrite? Maybe, but I don't care. This album was awesome, Johnny is awesome. 5 stars.

Yeah this feels like a mandatory listen.

Johnny Cash has long been one of my favourite artists and this is in my top 10 albums of all time. When I was 8 years old, I loved ‘Cocaine Blues’ so much that I changed my status on MSN Messenger to “Lay off that whisky, and let that cocaine be” - I was fortunate to have parents who had faith that the developing mind of their child would not be moulded by violent hyperbole in music. To this day, I have not yet woken up one morning, snorted cocaine, then shot a woman down. I’m proud of that fact. At a time where the courts in the United Kingdom are stipulating in the bail conditions of budding rap artists that they must not release music with any violent lyrics, I yearn for the type of societal understanding that placed Johnny Cash at the heart of Folsom Prison to play for the inmates and I am thankful that this was recorded for posterity. It is a true testament to artistic freedom of expression. The songwriting is 10/10 - it can be violent but also funny, or moving and sad. In my view, it will always be the best live album ever recorded because the cheers of the inmates create a palpable energy. And finally, Johnny Cash has a unique talent for covering songs where he can make you forget about the original completely - the cover of The Green Green Grass of Home is one of my favourites.

timeless classic album.

5 egg sucking dogs out of 5

Cash Money. Incredible man, incredible record.