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!

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.

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.

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

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

Classic for a reason

Great live album. Hadn’t heard many of these.

I've never been much of a fan of Country and Western music, but when I first heard this album, I was blown away. It's fantastic, and even it's flaws and oddities add to the experience. The man knew how to entertain an audience, going from light-hearted fun to reflective songs. Do yourself a favour, and have a listen to the whole things.

Classic !

Genre: Country One of the best live albums of all time, and one I’d almost consider to be a concept album (“what if we did a live show in a prison?”), presented in a way that humanized one of country’s biggest stars, and put him back on the map. For a time. Johnny Cash has some of his best moments in this record. Beautiful ballads, moments of pure comedy, tremendous takes on true classics, all with the backdrop of a gaggle of prisoners laughing and cheering. The warden sometimes steps to the mic to address certain inmates, while the band resets behind him. It’s such a rewarding listen each and every time, and Johnny Cash’s beautiful bass voice and the easy country stylings make it even more so. 5/5

Johnny Cash is one of the best artist of all!

in love

An incredibly entertaining album, from a great entertainer in an unusual and entertaining setting.

An absolute classic. Who today would record a live album at a prison?

When I was just a baby My mama told me "Son don't you go to prison, or you might hear one if the most legendary album recordings live" And I replied like "Goo goo ga ga" or some shit I don't even live in the US Anyway this man had crazy aura

Ace

really enjoyed listening to this, will definitely listen again

Love Johnny Cash--I'd give it a 4-star for the music alone, but bumping that up to 5 for how visceral and compelling this is.

One of the best live albums on the planet. Brought a smile to my face every time the audience cheered; applause straight from the heart.

I can’t really be objective about this album, because it’s one of my favorite Johnny Cash albums. All the songs are great. The humor and the interstitial bits make it really unique. God bless Johnny Cash for bringing some joy and music to incarcerated folks.

A must-listen.

This album has some great music, though it doesn't have a lot of my favorite Cash sounds even from that era. But it's about the performance and the immersive feel of it and the way he connects with his audience. However edited it may be, it still feels like a moment, an event, and it's iconic.

This has got to be one of the greatest live albums of all time. Cash’s dialogue with the inmates, band and his wife just adds to the flavor. Every song is solid and well done. One of my favorites.

Love it. Johnny is crazy charismatic and the prison as the backdrop cements this an iconic album.

Finally found a country album I like. Maybe I am a little bit country.

'Hello, I'm Johnny Cash.' Hardly a live album: alive is more its tune, since this one gets into your bones. From one to the next, the tracks here roll effortlessly, a set perfectly balanced w/ the upbeat and the tragic. In reality, it's all tragic, the right mode for this captive audience, now clearly feeling the pangs of freedom, at least for the moment. Cash is the definition of an American classic, in the lineage of Hawthorne and Ice Cube: America's dark side, but a vital dark, 'the green green grass of home.'

And yet another great album. It's great how Cash plays with his audience, how he fires things up with his characteristic shuffle, but even more so with a couple of very sentimental songs, 'Give my love to Rose' especially. 'Folsom Prison blues', 'Cocaine blues', 'I got stripes' and 'The wall' are truly great songs and performances. There's also a lowlight, with 'Jackson' and to a lesser extent the silly christian 'Greystone chapel'. Sorry ma'am, but I really can't stand June Carters (Cash') singing...

Classic, give me an album of my man just yapping and it's getting 5 stars.

"I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die" "Woooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!" Listened to B4? Yes Tracks Already Saved on Spotify: 2 - Folsom Prison Blues, Cocaine Blues Standout Tracks: Folsom Prison Blues, Cocaine Blues, 25 Minutes to Go, Jackson (90/100)

Ok, so I guess I'm not actually opposed to live albums in the list, as this one is iconic and clearly worthy of inclusion. Great songs, great performance, great recording, great story

Magnânimo. Não sou fã de álbuns gravados ao vivo, mas este aqui é outra coisa. É outro mundo. É o molde que todo outro disco assim deveria seguir. Neste álbum, a platéia é basicamente mais um instrumento da orquestra. E as interações de Cash com a platéia vende completamente o LP, essas interações são engraçadas e elas transbordam carisma. O homem conquista e envolve a multidão de forma leve e jocosa. Não é difícil se imaginar ali no meio, sendo um dos detentos, ouvindo estas lindas canções performadas tão perfeitamente, às vezes ornamentadas por algum anúncio no PA de um guarda. A voz de Johnny Cash se assemelha a voz de um anjo, as letras são profundas e contam histórias fascinantes e envolventes. A banda não falha em um único momento. E olha só Bob Dylan, uma gaita que não nos estupra!! Aqui temos, sem dúvida, o suprassumo do Country. Um disco obrigatório na coleção de todo mundo, e um que se deve ouvir de acordo com as temporadas, de vez em quando, com moderação para que, toda vez que você o ouça, você ainda seja pego de surpresa tanto pela beleza das faixas quanto pelas colocações inesperadas de Johnny. Ótimo! 5/5

You can’t beat Cash singing about being a criminal, love at a prison. This album is an all timer

Creo que es uno de los mejores en su especie, este álbum es también para Cash un punto culminante de su carrera, su despegue absoluto, de allí...

Great album

All-timer

Favorites: (All of them?) Folsom Prison Blues, Cocaine Blues, 25 Minutes to Go, Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog, Flushed from the bathroom of your heart, Jackson, I got stripes, Greystone Chapel Probably the greatest live record of all time. No skips.

Epitome of outlaw and punk. No one else but the man in black would have the balls to walk into a prison snd sing about murder, drugs, and walking death row

Awesome.

I dislike country but this is a perfect album. The story, the performance, songs selected and the prder in which they were arranged. All in all a perfect conbination of music that I can't hate onnpr find amy flaws not to give it a 5. Its the best country album ever

The only time I’m proud to be an American is when I listen to Johnny cash

Great album. Good sound, every track is solid. Old country

I love this album. Johnny Cash is great as always, but more than that, the way he is able to connect with the prisoners is so nice and I always felt like this was significant to them. The little snip-it's of prison announcements and him between songs, it's just so cool to be able to experience. The music is great, but what this album represents makes it so much more.

I mean what’s there to say? Perhaps the most iconic opening to an album. Cash at his peak. Candid moments of laughter and snatches of conversation. Very well recorded and preserved. 10/10

Literally at Folsom prison!

Love this album.

My favorite Johnny Cash album.

51/1001. I am not a big fan of country music but Johnny Cash is an exception and this album is the best live album in the world, period. Anyone not agreeing with this should spend some time in their local prison and wait in vain for such a gig to happen. Love that it includes all the interruptions, booing to the prison staff, hickups and mistakes and stories. The atmosphere is thick with imprisoned joy and anger. I feel this could have lead to a riot.

Highlight Song/s: Folsom Prison Blues, Dark as the Dungeon, The Long Black Veil, Give My Love to Rose and Greystone Chapel When it comes to live albums it probably doesn't get more infamous than this one; the one where Johnny Cash and his crew showed their humanity to the prisoners. Big fan of the track picks for this album which of course have prison, death and longing as themes. I am also a big fan of the stage banter on this one (especially on Dark as the Dungeon), it gives the album such a lighthearted feel to it.

I especially like when the inmates cheer when he talks about cocaine and killing people An incredible live album, Johnny Cash has an amazing voice and then you add June Carter in there and it’s perfect! Fav songs: Folsom Prison Blues, Orange Blossom Special, Jackson

Listened on vinyl

Glad to listen to him! This was great! Cool idea of recording at the prison

This is just a classic album. The performance is iconic. Cash is in great form during this performance. I would run out of superlatives describing Live at Folsom Prison. I like all the songs, and the haunting way he sings 25 Minutes to Go gets me everytime. Top notch all around by Cash. This is a 5 rating for me. 5/5

Best country

track 1: good start track 2: THE LYRICISM!!! track 3: short but sweet track 4: OMG THE STORYTELLING HAHAHAH track 5: I love this D3ath row song so much, that last lyric is so impressive hahahaha track 6: Harmonicassss track 7: what a sad song :( track 8: This song low key made me cry inside :'( track 9: I love the story behind this song track 10: HAHAHAHAHA what a bad dog track 11: Love the lyricism :D track 12: I love the duet with June Carter track 13: this song is so sad :( track 14: my least favorite track compared to the others before, but still a good track track 15: this song caught me off guard ngl hahahahah track 16: shouout to the one who wrote this song, what a gorgeous outro (10/10) THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL A GREAT LIVE ALBUM

What can I say about this album that hasn't already been said, other than the "oh hell yes" I uncontrollably uttered when it popped up as today's selection? Everything that is good and vibrant about the American country music tradition is present here - empathy, longing, tragedy, murder, dirty jokes, gallows humor, family ties, faithless and faithful women and men, poorly behaved dogs, the erasure of the boundary between the speaker and the hearer. Most of all honesty, real as the beads of sweat dripping down the side of Cash's face on the album cover. There but for the grace of God goes he.