At Folsom Prison

While I can respect that At Folsom Prisom ultimately put Johnny Cash back on the map and made him the counter-culture icon he became, it’s simply not one of my favourites. Although there are a couple of gems here and the atmosphere was ahead of its time, I found the instrumentals on the album formulaic throughout, and it didn’t really hold my attention. In my opinion, the strongest aspect of the record is the fact that it’s performed live, with the audience in the background adding an extra layer of enjoyment. A 3.5, but I’m giving it a 3 as it’s just not my cup of tea.

not bad for an old country album. listening closely to the lyrics for the first time it occurs to me that this is probably a pretty risky album in 1968.

cash sounds great. the live audience actively takes away from the experience. good thing future live recordings learned restraint.

It's Johnny Cash, so it isn't bad. However, most of the recordings rely heavily on the novelty of the prison crowd. "Folsom Prison Blues" is the only song that's truly better here than in the studio recording. It's hard not to compare this to San Quentin which accomplishes basically the same thing but better.

Some very solid songs that kind of get lost with the rest of the album. Seems like the performance itself elevated this album and without it falls flat .

me rei y me dieron ganas de tomar whiskey

Pensé que no me gustaría pero se me hizo corto

Good

This is really good "sitting on the porch on a Sunday afternoon" music, which is to say I like it but there's an exact mood I need to be in and I'm not gonna want to listen to it at any other time. I appreciate who Johnny was and what he stood for, and I like enough, but I'm just never jonesin' to put on a record of his. Prisoners do deserve some levity and a lifeline to the outside world, and I'm glad he did this.

So charming. Not the type of music I would normally put on, but I enjoyed it all the way through.

While not my preferred genre, At Folsom Prison is a quintessential listen as a foundation of music history. I found it more enjoyable than I expected.

What's to say.. nothing surprising or revolutionary here... Actually, more humour than San Quentin, see Dirty Old Egg-Suckin Dog, and Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart Best track - Cocaine Blues 3 stars - despite the humour still not wowing me

Two man in black from jails in a short time…no Beatles rush petty….algorithm is jammed up!

124/1001 An enjoyable and casual live album. The charm being in how relaxed Johnny is and how he interacts with the crowd and anyone on stage with little concern for ruining any takes. I think I prefer his San Quentin album more but they’re both pretty cool. 6/10

Ein Klassiker. Der Opener, das stimmige "Folsom Prison Blues", und das sehr unterhaltsame "Cocaine Blues" sind die klaren Highlights, aber auch so gibts hier einige starke Tracks. Die Reaktionen des Publikums bei den makabersten Textpassagen sind herrlich und generell sind Cash und das Publikum super gut aufgelegt. Ansonsten? Cashs charakterisische Stimme ist hier natürlich super und es gibt eine schöne Schnittmenge aus flotteren Storytellern und langsameren, balladesken Tracks. Country ist nicht so ganz meins, daher ist das wertungstechnisch nicht ganz so weit oben, aber das ist schon ein sehr interessantes und nettes Livealbum, das sich seinen Platz in der Musikgeschichte definitiv verdient hat.

I enjoyed it. Another one to revisit later.

Live albums are better serviceable to fans, not people hearing the music for the first time. Johnny Cash's cowboy cadence is soothing. The instrumentals were definitely the aspect that suffered in the live recording.

Some great songs and moments on here. Love the country/blues sound and of course love his voice. Personally, I prefer his later stuff when it got deeper and out of the short blues tunes era, but still a strong and historically important album. Top Songs: Folsom Prison Blues, Cocaine Blues, Jackson

Nett og töff. Ekkert meira en það samt.

Nista special meni, cool sta je live u zatvoru pa piva vecinom pisme o kriminalu zatvorenicima. 6/10 Najbolja pisma: 24 minutes

Good but kind of cheesy in places

Only thing i have to say is that this man sang about doing cocaïne and shoot his wife inside a prison in front of convicts who cheered and that honestly deserves credit for the boldness, it's kinda iconic

Essential Cash

🎸🎸🎸

Enjoyed it quite a lot, might listen again, enjoyed the humour

mmmm fallout song, beyond that nothing offensive just not my style

Why is Mr Johnny so sweaty. I can sum up most of the songs in this album quite quickly: "I was servin' time in prison, For shooting my pa, He was a nasty old fellow, But I do love my ma, And even though I did drugs, And served time in a gang, I think it's mighty unfair, A man like me oughtta hang" Very typical Johnny Cash. It was fine 60/100 Score edited 28/01/26

Although undeniably iconic, I find Cash’s music pretty repetitive in theme and sound after a while. Still a great record overall.

Not completely my thing, but I enjoyed the storytelling.

Obviously, a very catchy, engaging iconic Johnny Cash sound definitely an interesting review of the state of music to bring out and emphasize the darkness in the world, both abuse and drugs and prison, but also an important part of our society to acknowledge so mixed reviews, even though my mom hates him

It carries the 90s vibe, loved the green green grass of home and i loved the way hes telling his story, loved that i can hear the audience too

Se siente tan cercano e intimo, como un tiny desk o más bien un unplugedd. Me encanto.

Johnny cash is gewoon top Ik hoor clowns vechten op dit album

3/5, a good album that's certainly worth a listen. Cash's performance here is lively, energetic, and engaging. Some of his vocal delivery is top tier; the way he growls, barks out, or cracks his voice just perfectly for a given lyric is awesome. The songs are old country and folk with some rock and roll twang, so don't expect a lot of variety melodically, harmonically, rhythmically.

Johnny Cash knew his audience and his sound, I'll give him that. His personality comes through on this live album, which I believe is a must if a live album is included on this list. I smiled multiple times during his quips. At the same time, At Folsom Prison is definitely one note. I mean, Cash had a lane and he thrived in it! I already heard Cash's live album At San Quentin on this list, so I'm a little confused why two Cash live albums recorded at prisons are included. I didn't get anything else out of this album that I didn't already get from the other live album. But we're all confused why four Morrissey albums are on the list, so I guess life does not make sense sometimes.

Johnny Cash continues to take his role as number one prison entertainer and outlaw country king seriously. Or should I say this is where he began to? Because this was the first album of many of his that would be recorded in prison settings, and ultimately attributed to breathing new life into his career. Again, the interactions between Cash and the prisoners make this album, like "At San Quentin", a worthy live album inclusion, despite my aversion to live albums on here. The type of banter being exchanged and the general energy could only be captured in this environment. His music, though, remains something that doesn't really appeal to me that much. Also literally everything about "Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart" is a CHOICE.

Wait Johnny Cash put out TWO live prison albums?!?!? And I got one literally 600 albums ago. I mean… how shitty is Johnny Cash’s discography that TWO live prison albums make the list but I’ve yet to see anything else by him. This albums fine but it felt exactly like the OTHER LIVE PRISON ALBUM

Интересный альбом с учетом того, что записан в тюрьме. Необычно было услышать смех толпы, будто концерт-стендап того времени. Вокал классный, но жанр совсем не мое, послушала половину чисто для ознакомления.

Listenable.

Day 152 Always found Johnny Cash a bit of a mixed bag for my tastes, some fun stuff here but probably wouldn’t revisit the whole album, definitely prefer the San Quinten album. 6/10 Highlights Folsom Prison Blues Cocaine Blues

Second live album in a row and I actually really enjoy them. The music here was decent but nothing exciting for me. I do really enjoy his voice and tone except for when he gets raspy. Johnny Cash seems like a tuff fella.

Johnny Cash is one of my absolute favorite musicians who I have been listening to for years at this point. He was a musical visionary who was able to take his sound to places that other artists did not dare to venture.

O mais importante desse álbum é o fato dele ser justamente ao vivo, além de ser um bom contry misturado com um pouquinho de blues. Ao ler um pouco sobre o álbum fiquei positivamente impressionada, at foltom prison não é um nome aleatório, é justamente Cash após superar o seu vício em drogas apresentando em uma prisão, realizando três apresentações em prisões. O sistema penitenciario como algo além de um lugar para largar problemas repetitivos da sociedade, mas um lugar que estimule a reformulação do pensamento com a cultura, com a música. Talvez, só talvez, eu tenha gostado mais da história desse álbum do que das músicas em si.

3.5/5 https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/johnny-cash/at-folsom-prison/ Not my thing, but better than expected.

Just not a big country fan, ik other people enjoy it

insane charisma from johnny cash, but the thing with these songs is often they’re all the same with different lyrics. super fun to listen to regardless

not my exact taste but i did give a few of his songs a try.

Johnny Cash is a masterful storyteller. June’s addition was great. Overall, I’m not the biggest fan of live albums, especially with a lot of crowd noise and/or interruptions. That took me out of it quite a bit. A couple of the tracks really didn’t work for me either. 3.5/5

It was alright. Western is not my style.

not my style, to be honest.

Hard to rate because it’s a historic album and I enjoyed it but I doubt I will be revisiting it.

Iconic sound, and iconic that he performed at a prison. I definitely enjoyed listening through it, but overall it just didn’t grab me as much as I would have liked. Best Track: 25 Minutes to Go

So interesting that he performed live at a prison. Making me intrigued. Very classic country. Funny!

One of the most iconic live locations ever recorded. A little musically simple, but Cash's calling card was always being for the every man. Favorite track was greystone church

- great humor - "cocaine blues" was fun - first half is more fun than the second half - liked it more than i thought i would

Hilarische teksten, crackly stem, slow music, meer praat

I fucking love cowboys but not enough to love it more

This is one of the best live albums I've ever listened to. The mixing of it is impeccable . There's nothing better than feeling like you're ACTUALLY at a concert. I'm not the biggest fan of country music, but I admire Johnny Cash's songwriting. I could imagine Roald Dahl using his lyrics in a book. Favorite(s): Jackson; Greystone Chapel

Not too bad but not really my style

75

Very possibly the best country album ever. Johnny Cash's voice has to be the best one in the whole country genre. Unlike any other country artist having very excessively pronounced country twang, he is very pleasant to listen to. He also has a very charming and humorous personality. Sometimes he laughs in the middle of songs and also tells a couple of jokes between tracks. Another one of the most remarkable aspects of the album are the lyrics. The stories portrayed in the songs are super entertaining. My favourite would be in the song '25 Minutes to Go' a narration toll from the perspective of a man who is about to get executed. The music is also very nice. In the album there are both very uplifting and catchy moments, and more slow and sad sounding ballads. However, I think once reached the second half of the record, the sound of the songs gets a bit repetitive. I firstly was very impress from how much I liked the album, but with more listens, I started to feel a bit numb about it. Either way, I think it still is a great album. I would give it a higher score, but I don't really see myself coming back to it.

this was fun!

It ok not all song are my type

It was good but sometimes felt gimmicky

Liked his voice and carisma If we take out the song “Cocaine Blues” its an excellent album

This was fun, I’ve never listened to JC before. I knew one song, albeit from TikTok.

The first song is charming, creative and fun. Then it goes on and on for 45 minutes. Not my gerne, but still charming.

Decent and charming. Fairly standard but mostly enjoyable.

Loved the crowd work and audience involvement

this album was a lot of the same thing over and over again, but i thought the commentary between takes was cute! Favorite song: Send a picture of mother Least Favorite song: Dark as the Dungeon HM: Greystone Chapel, i thought it was cool that they used a song written by an inmate.

Never been a big country fan, but I'm open to every album. It's a bit same, same but I did like it.

3.5

not for me but i appreciate it

Listening to this after watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s was definitely the right choice. I already knew the first song as well as Florence’s cover of Jackson

A bit samey perhaps, but good energy.

Recognized a couple of the songs but most were new to me. The theme of outlaw country was prevalent. Johnny Cash has an iconic voice and he never pushes his limits. A lot of quick little stories. I thought the live version of a prison concert was very unconventional but it was enjoyable. 6/10

Country/rockabilly music Not a huge fan of country music myself but the album’s recording itself is interesting. Was live recorded at Folsom prison in front of prisoners. Has a lot of gallows humor-esque lyrics Johnny Cash’s voice is… interesting

cash is great this was fun to listen to all the way through

This album relaunched Cash's career and was an interesting promotional concept. Recorded across 2 shows the same day it does capture his energy across a mix of mainly country songs. Not heard all the way through before and was worth a listed, even is a bit hyped by music critics.

It was ok, nothing amazing, nothing terrible.

The only live album worth paying attention to. Still country tho, sorry Johnny.

I get that this is an absolute classic, and he was appealing to the crowd of inmates at Folsom, but I wasn’t overly moved by it

I love Johnny Cash. This album is good, but inconsistent. It would have been incredible to experience it live (without being incarcerated). It doesn’t exactly translate to recording however.

mid like all his music

He seems like a cool guy

Not usually into live albums but it's Johnny Cash, so...

Such a great entertainer. Must admit I enjoyed "At San Quentin" more though

Good but too long

I don’t know. Didn’t like this as much as the top reviews hyped it up to be

# Album Name: At Folsom Prison # Artist: Johnny Cash # Rating: 3/5 # Comments: Not bad. Didnt grip me the first time round. # Top Tunes: # Would I listen to it again? Ill give it a 2nd listen.

Listening to men cheer about dead women is an ick. But listening to Johnny Cash reminded me of my grandpa and that was really nice

Neat musical artifact

:)

Oui pas mal mais pas fou

Great lore, great concept, and Cash seems to deal with the audience reasonably well (though my ears detect a slight fracture in his cool occasionally) resulting in a fascinating and successful document of a genuinely interesting happening. Musically speaking, I’m not particularly moved by it; rock'n'roll was so well established by 1968, its reach would’ve extended even to prisons and it feels like this should rock more. No matter how appropriate the songs might get and however many times Cash mentions prison and gets the crowd’s undivided support, the music, even at its most raucous, comes across as quaint. I can’t help feeling Chuck Berry might’ve done a better job.

One prison album is enough. Frank started his anti JC campaign and his seeds of doubt are starting to sprout. Is Johnny full of shit? Might be. I don't think you can argue he has a great voice, presence and found an interesting lane. More interesting than most. He can tell a story. Had to compare this to San Quentin and the first track "Wanted Man" jumps out as better than what's on here. More energy and some cool backing vocals.

As others have said, definitely don't need two prison albums on this list. This was really only a bit that worked in its time - the music was folksy and I imagine the crimes were romantic - like robbin' banks and racketeering. Imagine Benson Boone with his little Gen Z dangly earring front flipping off tables in the mess hall surrounded by a bunch of confused Latin Kings.

Another Johnny Cash prison album on the list? Ok This one's better. Song selection is insane. Again, didn't hate it, didn't love it.

1. It reinvented Johnny Cash’s career By 1968 Cash was struggling — declining sales, drug issues, industry doubts. This album completely revived him, becoming one of the greatest live albums ever and repositioning him as a folk hero. 2. It captures a raw, unrepeatable atmosphere This isn’t a polished live record — it’s a man singing to inmates who see him as one of their own. The tension, laughter, gallows humour, and intensity create a documentary-level snapshot of America. 3. It pushed country into darker, more honest territory Songs about: prison murder addiction regret institutional brutality …were not mainstream country subjects. Cash made them human, not sensational. 4. It’s a masterclass in shaping a narrative live The pacing is perfect: jokey openers classic hits outlaw storytelling quieter moments (Greystone Chapel) It feels like a one-act play, not just a gig. 5. The mythos is real Cash wasn’t a prisoner, but he was an advocate. Recording here built his outlaw image and turned him into a symbol of compassion for the marginalised — a legacy still alive today.

Not as good as at San Quentin

Dit is een periode waarbij we lekker de keuzes vd snobs aan de kaak kunnen stellen. Natuurlijk is Johnny Cash mede beroemd geworden om zijn live-uitvoeringen in de Amerikaanse gevangenissen. Dus op zich vind ik het niet erg als er dan een live-cd van hem in staat. Maar er staat dus geen 1 'normaal' album van hem in. Ik heb ook geen idee welke je dan zou moeten kiezen hoor, want ik had volgens mij die live at St Quentin op mijn mp3-vergaarbak staan en een vd eerste Greatest Hits. Dit is dan het andere live-album, dat de snobs gekozen hebben. Samen met die St Quentin versie. Maar goed, op zich is dit degelijke Johnny Cash. Het St Quentin album vind ik beter en iconischer. En dit heeft wat kabbelende liedjes en is wat mij betreft een overbodige keuze. Ik mis de echte krakers, die Johnny wel heeft. Vergeetbare 3.

Not a fan of live albums, but Cash has a way to deliver that makes this at least listenable.

Great live album, but my unpopular opinion is that Johnny Cash is a bit overrated. 3.25/5

It’s pretty much one song - and it’s a good song - sung over and over with some slight change to the tempo and some different chords. I like it, but there’s only so much you can do with one acoustic guitar and drums.

Charming and a lot of fun - can see the raves. Funny that people will listen to this, give it a 5* and then refuse to listen to NWA or something because of the subject matter but that's a problem someone else will have to deal with.

Johnny himself comes across really likeable and I love the little meta touches of the live performance, the music just isn’t always to my taste

Klässikkk but ain't for me

Not really sure which way to go here, I think the concept is good, seems like cash in his prime yelling for a glass of water, easy to see his appeal, and this albums place in history. But musically, it was rough for me, Him and june did not sound good and the music is very simple, but catchy.

I can appreciate why this is such an important album, samey but classic

Good stuff.

Loved the interactions with the audience. Favourites: Folsom Prison Blues The Long Black Veil

You can feel the rawness of the experience and the energy in the room. Although Johnny Cash’s style has never resonated with me, personally, I can appreciate the emotional impact this must have had on everyone involved.

listened to this as I study for my chem midterm tomorrow, then realized that I lowkey don't like country music, then realized that Johnny cash is lowkey a vibe so....watch me crash out over chem 1A to Johnny cash and his funny jokes in between songs.

I understand some of the appeal of Cash, but for me it's more style than substance. In that I mean that the mythology around Cash is bigger that the substance of his records. He has limited vocal range and it shows. There are plenty of better country artists, if Cash is even Country. I like a few of the songs here and even like this album, but I don't think it's worthy of the iconic status that it has.

Oli sen tuntua että siellä ollaan kuuntelemassa Johnny Cashia. Oikein hyvä livelevy. Juttelua yleisön kanssa ja ollaan Johnny.

it was okay, some bangers, some sounded the same

This made me stupidly emotional. It’s so raw and real. The fact that it’s live and you can hear the prisoners cheering is gut wrenching in a way. But also touching. Give My Love to Rose was heartbreaking.

Good stuff

Fair fucks to Johnny Cash for going into a prison and singing songs about being a prisoner despite never having been to prison except for to sing songs about being in a prison. Enjoyed this, great start and end, middle was a bit samey. Found myself wanting to go back in time just to tune his guitar

It’s an interesting concept for a live album but I still don’t think they should be on the list. I dont mind JC but this isn’t a great set

2.5 stars Not a bad recording for an old live album. There’s good energy to the music and it’s a good historical document of a certain kind of thing. But I wouldn’t really listen to this for fun.

Great intro to Cash at the very peak of his original popularity

Não gosto de country, mas este disco é relevante por sua representatividade histórica na carreira conturbada de Johnny Cash. As baladas são as faixas mais interessantes do álbum.

Not bad

Johnny Cash’s famous song

Han har jo bare heilt sykt fin stemme. Føle eg kanskje hadde relatert merr om eg va av tiden eller hadde sotte i fengsel? Fin musikk då Beste sang: Folsom Prison Blues

tenho que parabenizar a setlist escolhida a dedo pra cantar na prisão aqui. só canção de assassino, trambiqueiro, traficante, coisa boa demais. a plateia animadaça também é bem bacana de ouvir. mas ainda eh johnny cash. bom pra quem gosta. vou dar 3 estrelas só pela qualidade da produção e pelo pessoal animado na plateia!!

Johnny ca$h Gib mir bitte Geld, denn performi für dich ‚i need a dollar‘ im slip. Classy altbekannti nummere woni nie iehglosst han (ussert es wär scho eimal es album cho da im klöpp). Gschadet heds nöd, chönt ez mitrede falls mi i de nacht am 1 e biz verhangte knacker uf de kamzlei ahspricht: hei hei du, känsch de johnny cash? Ich so: ja voll, hani eimal es album glosst. Er so: ah geile siech. Ich so ah geile siech. Ok 3 sternlis

good enough for this list, but some of these songs are literally the same song

Musically it all kind of sounded the same to me and it's not really a genre I'm into but the story telling is great. I really liked 25 minutes to go and flushed from the bathroom of your heart

FUCK YES! As much as I claim I love Johnny Cash I don’t think I’ve listened to many of his albums the whole way through, this one included. I saw Walk the Line at the perfect time in my life to have Cash be a musical idol. I like his voice and I like the song but I think I fell in love with the mythos. In a musical world where stars pride themselves on being “outlaw” Johnny has always felt like he carried a different kind of fuck you to everyone. He doesn’t have the approachability of Willie, the boogie of Waylon, the sparkle of Buck, the songwriting of Kris, the madness of Jerry, or the down home feel of Merle. He feels like something of his own, The Man in Black. Fun fact I heard: Merle Haggard was in San Quinten during this concert and he became the most popular dude on the block cuz he knew how to play guitar. I love that his setlist is a bunch of prison songs sang to prisoners. It’s like Akon opening his jail show with “Locked Up” because OF COURSE you open up like that. Johnny feels so comfortable and effortless on stage with these folks. Next time there’s a complaint about modern music being meaningless, I’m going to remind folks of Dirty Old Egg Suckin Dog.

Second Johnny Cash album for me, after the San Quentin album, not too long ago. This one is more famous, I believe; however, I thought it was pretty unremarkable compared to the San Quentin album. Still good, though, just not as good as the 4-star San Quentin one. 3/5

3.5

I don’t usually count live albums and proper albums but I’ll let this one slide. Sonically a little one dimensional due to sparse instrumentation but Cash’s charisma and storytelling carry it.

Sounds like Johnny Cash

Voce faina!

6.5

Not my favorite kind of country music. 2.5

Nem a kevencem a country zene.

Pretty cool

Context makes it good

Niet veel over te zeggen, steady JC met wat leuke interacties met het publiek.

Михаил Круг (Michael The Circle), если бы родился не в России)

just the idea of this live concert happening at a prison, with songs about prison - incredible. Good early folk, male centric though of course

Ça swing, ça saute ça twist dans tous les sens, mais on finit après se laisser distancer et essouffler par cette énergie perpétuelle. L'écoute au bureau et pas sur une piste de danse a du jouer aussi dans la faible adhesion à l'album

on n’en peut plus des albums live

J’aurais jamais pensé écouter un album live, et le mec avait une énergie de dingue ! Après j’ai quand même l’impression que toutes les musiques sont similaires

clásico de Johnny, suenta casi tan bien como und sico grabado en estudio.

What could you expect? A full country-album with the unforgettable voice of Mr Cash. Uptempo, Slow, Midtempo and some great songwriting. Definitely an album you can hear on a road-trip.

Really makes you feel like your in prison.

Странный пис. Очень минималистичные песни, исполненные под восторженные вопли заключенных в разной степени странности моменты. Но вместе с тем сама концепция - супер бэйсд. Лучшая песня - Folsom Prison Blues.

very relaxing to listen to

This is the second 'Live at a prison' recording by Johnny Cash from this list. The first one was cool, but for the same reason this one is. It's really fascinating to hear prisoners react to Johnny Cash, and he's good at playing the crowd. It's definitely a gimmick. Cash is a good performer and charismatic speaker, and it's a unique setting. Outside of that, the music is good although I feel Johnny Cash is over-represented on this list.

Quite an interesting album. I never been to prison but I think I got the idea now. It makes you feel like you are on the actual concert 3/5

This was a very fun album. I love the way Cash interacts with the crowd, which helps bring a lot of the spirit of the album to it. It is a shockingly good live recording.

The peak of gospel country being performed prison will never not be fun. Certainly not my favorite genre of music, but this album rightly deserves this place on the list.

2.5/5

Rolig men inte min smak

Definitely a classic country album and deserves to be on the list. But I don’t really enjoy it all that much personally.

Went into this feeling skeptical. Although it might not be anything that I could see myself reach for - I found it very pleasant

A good live album with a bunch of good older hits.

Sir, another Johnny Cash prison album has hit the list.

Fun but not really for me

3.5

A classic for a reason, I guess. I'm not a country music fan, and most of these songs sound the same but they are comforting.

"I took a shot of cocaine and shot my woman down"... sang in a prison?! Safe to say Johnny knew how to cater to his audience Was not expecting to be tapping my foot to these songs

Assez entraînant, pas écouté jusqu’au bout car uniquement session live

Great for what it is, but not my thing.

Country isn't for me, but Cash is king.

Tons of humor from cash and charm to warrant a decent recording and what sounds like a fun time

No private session used for Spotify. The music is really basic, but hey when its Cash's deep timbre of a voice singing it makes it work.

7,6/10 country nice

Pretty solid, might like San Quentin more

It’s all right but I’m not a big fan

It was alright. Cool concept though. 3 stars

I obviously don’t completely vibe with country, but you can’t hate Johnny Cash. Great storyteller, and the atmosphere of this is really fun.

Country is such an easy genre to trash, and yet I can't imagine anyone actually *hating* this album. Johnny Cash is charismatic as hell, has the least twangy voice in the game, and is giving a heartfelt performance to an audience that is having the time of their lives. That energy is absolutely contagious. This won't really go into my rotation, but I had a good time and I'm sure even a Country hater could appreciate the live atmosphere here. Standout: 25 Minutes To Go

This was good, but basic. Fun album that is solid, but it isn't really a standout. Love how the crowd sounds and reacts/interacts. REAL! It sounds clean tho. It is a classic. Actual...3.5. Liked Songs: "Folsom Prison Blues" , "I Still Miss Someone" , "Cocaine Blues" , "Orange Blosom Special" , "Send a Picture of Mother" , "Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart" , "I Got Stripes" , "Green, Green Grass of Home"

I'm not a big fan of Johnny Cash's music in general, mostly because most of his songs just sound too similar. BUT this was a very good live album. 3.25

Very good

My partner's words: We listened to Elvis right after so I have a hard time keeping them apart, but I liked it. It sounds old. Didn't recognise any songs. Maybe one. I like his voice. It was nice that it was a live album. Don't think the songs were that different from each other, didn't notice it was a new one sometimes. I liked this more than Amy Winehouse. That was harder to listen to and I don't like her voice as much. I can listen to this again.

Enjoyed the commentary between songs.

Not bad, nice live.

Not a fan of live albums but you have to make an exception for Folsom Prison!

Another Johnny Cash live album, and once again from a prison, though this time, the infamous Folsom Prison. There's more songs in this performance, but less playful banter. In terms of a live album, it's alright, but Johnny Cash's live show is better with banter, stories, and his charming personality.

Not a country fan generally but I like the energy of these live prison albums

Fun album. 3.5 stars

3/5

A little misogynistic but so was 50 cent, Eminem, and Snoop..

Tolerable country. It's alright, some of the themes are interesting to some extent, but it mostly sounds the same. The vibe is fun and the interactions with the inmates are iconic. Best song: Folsom Prison Blues Worst song: Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog Cover check: Looks like a live album

Nice live album

3.5

This was a mostly solid album, but generally forgettable. That's just how most Cash is for me though. I like his style in small doses, and his hits are great. The live format works well and sounds really good for Cash. I liked Johnny's banter with the crowd between (and during) songs. Standouts were "Folsom Prison Blues" "Cocaine Blues" Pretty standard 3/5 for me here. Nothing great, nothing terrible.

Love me some Johnny Cash. One of the few country artists I can stomach and listen to without getting annoyed. Classic album with a ton of listens from top to bottom. "Folsom Prison Blues" is such a well known track (265M listens!), still being covered today, so influential all these years later. You can feel the energy in the room, it was the perfect song to kick this show off with. It's a great playlist for a bunch of guys locked up. "25 Minutes" sounds like it was a difficult one to get through, but it's a live rendition and he's feeding his audience. This is raw live stuff, you can hear the crowd, they included the announcements about prisoners who are needed elsewhere and his need for a glass of water. He's a storyteller, this must have been a real treat for the guys in lockup. Short songs, relatable to the prisoners. Most sound just like the one before it, not much variation, one trick pony. This may have redefined live albums released later on. It was enjoyable but I can't say it's a fantastic album or T1001 worthy. 3 stars

a live album is always fun and I love Green, Green Grass of Home.

had his own sound

The record defines what it means to have a good live audience. The charged reactions of the prison population throughout all this is just fantastic. I could take or leave the music, largely.

Cornelis Wreswijk but even older

- wild to know the applause was added in post production that makes it so much weirder. to know the actual audience was silent ‘for fear of reprisal’ - “my idiot sheet” - by jove the gal singing on jackson can really sing! - sometimes wished my voice sounded like johnny cash but i am. a skinny white woman

Yeah, ok

Listened for another list. Was decent. 3/5

decent! stage presence is great. not necessarily my type of music but objectively good

never was that big of a fan of country but I like the little tidbits where he talks to the audience or laughs mid song

It was kinda funny at times. I feel like playing at a prison is a nice gesture

It’s a good album, but I’m just not into Johnny Cash

You mean New Orleans can’t get artists to add your stops here but a prison can get Johnny Cash??

One great song.

This I never cared much about. I realize it was a social gesture, but I dont enjoy the music a lot.

There's no doubt that this is a great recording. I loved the live feel to it and the conversational approach from Cash really helps put you in the room. I started listening thinking I wasn't going to enjoy the country style and the album would feel a bit outdated. Actually I found myself quite engaged by the humour of the lyrics and the presentation. Not my genre but enjoyed the listen.

Classic, fun live album.

It's good, it's Johnny Cash. I like how human this album feels.

God vibe. Alle sangene va blues så gikk litt inn i kverandre, men et løye live album me snakkingå, sceneskifter, åg ønske om vann😝

Classic live album. It was also interesting to hear Cash's banter between songs, and the apparent enthusiasm of the audience. I hope they enjoyed it as much as they sound like they did.

Johnny Cash has never really been my jam, and I just generally hate Live albums, so I'm already going into this with a bad taste. However, you can't help but hear that some sort of history is being made on this recording that It's at least an interesting spin. Love the prisoner reaction to the lyrics and interactions between songs.

3.5 stars. Always classic

OK

Johnny is a legend of course. But not my hero.

Decent, but no cigar. ⭐⭐⭐1/2

Cocaine blues is a little overrated. 25 Minutes To Go is an enjoyable song with a cool songwriting concept, but imo not done as well as it could have been and gets a little tired, which loses its replayability for me. Top 5 (no order): Orange Blossom Special, The Green Green Grass Of Home, Give My Love To Rose, Greystone Chapel and The Long Black Veil. Honourable mentions: Dark As The Dungeon, The Wall, Send A Picture Of Mother, I Still Miss Someone Dirty Old Egg Sucking Dog has its charm and humour but I wouldn't return to it. Same can't be said for Flushed From The Bathroom Of Your Heart. Overall I think it must be remembered that this album is for the prisoners, and has a lot of social cultural value for that. 7/10

3.5

Not quite sure how to say this, but it’s a bit dissonant to hear in 2025 when the US government is disappearing people into overseas prisons. Everyone loves Johnny Cash, but that’s a problem because it means a lot of assholes also love Johnny Cash. Kinda brings the machismo, misogyny, and evangelical Christianity of these lyrics into sharper focus. Outlaw country, I guess.

Did Johnny Cash only do concerts at prisons? This is out 2nd prison live album on the list. The previous prison album (at San Quentin) got a 1 star from me. In hindsight maybe a bit harsh, but it felt more like a talk show than a musical performance. I didn't have that issue with this one though. I'm generally not a particularly big fan of Johnny Cash, and this album didn't change that opinion. But it was still decent, and there were some fitting jokes cracked in there. Weak 3 from me.

It's good overall and Johnny is great, but it's just not an album that I'm going to put on. I'm not a huge country fan and after you hear it once there's not a lot to get out of it again and again. Still better than "new" country of course, but it's just not something I go, "I want to hear that today."

Fuck!!! So good! They broke the mold when they made Johnny Cash. An absolute legend.

Its Johnny Cash, cant do much wrong.

A decent and very well known album but compared to other actual full albums. It’s not very compelling and well developed as a whole. Of course it being of the first live album to be recorded in prison is certainly a milestone of its own.

I really enjoyed this album. Kind of Bob Dylan but maybe more gravelly and country. Also the performed at a prison side of it really made it a unique listening experience 6/10

not bad, just not for me

Funny. Real. Delinquents. Fav Songs: Cocaine Blues The Long Black Veil

Hell yes. Classic. I've loved this one too.

The songs are alright, but Johnny’s energy is contagious so I didn’t mind it. The idea of someone singing about cocaine and murder at a prison while recording it for a live album is hilarious though.

Crazy theme about cocaine and crimes while criminals in prison applaud him. A good listen and definitely puts you in a badass mood.

Enjoyed the banter with the inmates. Good storytelling of jailhouse tails.

The man with the charisma. The moment he started singing you felt it. Loved the little banter he threw with the inmates. Also the moments he started laughing in the middle of the song. Made him feel human and approchable. Almost started laughing on the song where he was singing about the dog. So brutal but funny. Musicly it was just a man with a guitar but on his style, it worked just fine. Thought i would hate this coz i dislike country, but was happily mistook.

Orange Blossom Special I still miss someone Jackson I Got Stripes There are some pretty poignant songs but there is some slow kind of religious hymns that don’t speak to me

Not my thing, but it was good. First and last song were great.

Pretty good. Felt very similar to the last Johnny Cash album we listened to

This was good. However I can't help but compare this to San Quintin (which is better).

I was really dragging my feet to listen to this — country music freaks me out because I always get the sneaky, slimy feeling that the singer is secretly in the KKK or something. Luckily, a skim of Cash’s wiki page comes up clean of any controversies so I get to pretend that he’s a good dude (aside from the drug problems but I have more sympathy for that than disgust). Anyways, I was quite pleasantly surprised listening to this! Cash has a low, charming, smooth, cool, remarkable voice. It’s almost sexy but he’s old and dead so not quite. But I feel like he’s speaking to me (the prisoners) as a friend… leaning in and winking at me, sharing a sly grin or whatever. He sputters with laughter in the middle of songs for seemingly no reason, he relates to his audience of prisoners by joking about the wardens and what have you. And the fact that he’s performing in front of 1000-odd prisoners is charming in itself. He approaches them with this soft, friendly humanity. He isn’t condescending, he offers no motivational speech, he’s just there, joking around with them. Which I appreciate. I cringed a little at the fact that a lot of the songs were about being in prison since he never actually served time, but he apparently did quite a few nights for his drug habits and whatever, so I guess he’s qualified enough. And his music is certainly sympathetic, like the 25 mins to go song which actually made me kind of sad (the part about seeing the mountains or whatever) despite being kinda funny. A few of his songs are a little bit funny — the Cocaine Blues was deeply unsettling but also a good chuckle if you ignore the misogyny. I hope it’s ironic! Then there were quite a few songs that were just regular degular country, nonspecific to the setting of Folsom Prison. I liked those too — most songs were pretty short and sweet and catchy which I’ll always appreciate. Over all, an unexpectedly good album! A strong 3 since I’ll probably not listen much in the future, but if I wanna listen to country I know where I’m going.

I guess when I'm listening on my own, I prefer a studio record. I've never listened to Johnny Cash in full but I did like the atmosphere of this album, sometimes a live album is okies. The lyrics are very good, very picturesque with a unique storytelling that's entirely Ca$h. However some of the songs sounded really similar I guess that's just the nature of Cash blues - whether they're the fast-paced ones or the slow ones. But I will give it to him for the lyrics. Faves: I Still Miss Someone Cocaine Blues 25 Minutes To Go Jackson

Great in small doses. The songs are all very similar though. I also deduct points for live and compliation albums. Its not the same as producing one great single standing album with several good songs

not really my type, didnt pay that much attention, but i liked some lyrics

Nice littlle album, recorded in a prison. The whole album has Fallout (the game) vibes because they use that kind of music from around that time. The album is live and there seem too be quite a lot of people, and they seem too enjoy it quite a lot, so that's great.

Outlaw country performed in front of a group of real outlaws who can't get enough. Highlights: "Folsom Prison Blues", "Cocaine Blues" (real crowd pleaser), "25 Minutes to Go" (good story song about an inmate on death row), "Jackson"

nice

I remember what a big deal this was for a major artist to make a live album at a high security prison. The group played well, but Johnny's acoustic guitar was horribly out of tune when he played solo. Weird someone in his group didn't whisper in his ear. But, his unique voice, songs and performance shine through.

Talk about your iconic albums! Insulting to him that he came after Mj Cole on my list... a bit droney and samey sounding but still so great.

Good songs. The live atmosphere is very present on the album.

Tough album to find.

So similar to the other Johnny Cash "prison" album which came a year later. Very much a "warts and all" live set, voice was creaking in places and the guitar hopelessly out of tune in others. But that adds to the appeal. Better than the San Quentin set. But not quite a 4

это было повеселее того, что я до этого слушала

A lively listen, Johnny Cash's live stuff always has great crowd interaction

You cannot deny the quality of the recording and the performances on this record, the interplay between the crowd and Cash is integral to the quality of the songs here. When the songs are good the is incredible with high points like Dark as the Dungeon, Cocaine Blues, Give My Love to Rose, Green Green Grass of Home and Greystone Chapel. There are a handful of middling to boring songs like Dirty Old Egg-Suckin’ Dog and Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart, both of which are gimmicky and lose the charm of their humour pretty quickly. Overall a pretty great live record where being live is the biggest strength of the album. Songwriting is usually pretty solid but has some low points and there isn’t enough variation across the album for me which feels like a poor criticism but I can’t think of any other reason why I found myself checking how long I had left on the listen. 3.5/5

Iconic album that's not quite my taste

I'm more familiar with his San Quentin live, but I've heard this one more than couple of times as well. Johnny Cash is one of the few country artists I can stand, or enjoy even, so I've no quarrels with listening him sing. It's a great and quite unique live record.

I really liked that, every song sounds the same but that's fine by me

I mean i knew he had live albums but I guess I'd never particularly thought about that version being on this 1001 albums..... I mean he puts on a damn good performance though

Well, I've now listened to some Johnny Cash. It's fine, for country, and he's got a good way with the crowd during the intercut bits, but it's basically not my kind of thing. Also, I don't know if most of his songs are about imprisonment and the death penalty, but if not is it a good choice for songs sung in a prison? No idea, but it definitely left me feeling weird.

Sad to say that I like the idea of this album a lot more than the album itself. Certainly some highlights, including the title track and the song written by the inmate, but most songs blend together.

Interesting concept and apparently worked out well for him. Entertaining at times, especially the crowd interactions.

prácticamente nunca he escuchado Country y para ser el primer referente que tengo del mismo no está mal, me gustó la premisa de ser una grabación en un penal, se pasó rápido para mí, no lo escucharía tan seguido pero de vez en cuando; es la definición de música country, todo el album te da las vibes, no es mi género pero me gustó.

I had to double check to make sure this wasn’t a duplicate. Another live prison recording. It’s exactly the same as the San Quentin just have different words. I get it but it’s not for me.

A fun experience even if one doesn't normally enjoy live performance

Johnny Cash has a good voice, I can’t deny. (although in this live album he had some major voice cracks idk if they were purposeful or not) But also his music is like , we get it bro, you’re an outlaw. Like he won’t let us forget that everyone wants to kill him and he’s always on the run from jail (bro died in his 80s from diabetes)

Solid. Insbesondere für es live konzert. Country wies muess sii. 3.4

This is fine, but why this plus San Quentin?

Very typical old school country album , but was still an enjoyable listen. Best folk’ are prison folk. Harmonica playing, hearing prisoners being called. All very unique.

• I don’t know when I have ever listened to Johnny Cash deliberately, but I’ve probably heard most of the popular songs several times. But, no, I don’t hate this. It’s successful country/pop crossover beloved by failsons everywhere. Bartenders who borrow money from their parents because they spent too much money on blow absolutely love Johnny Cash. Dudes who lie to their parents about flunking out of the out-of-state private college. All varieties of punishers at the bar. Absolutely insufferable people love Johnny Cash. But the fact is that it’s good and that’s why people like it (unlike bands that play a similar cultural role, like The Grateful Dead). This doesn’t “speak” to me in any way or whatever, it’s just enjoyable pop music from its time period. It’s seem kind of stupid to give this less than a 3. • Still, I think I’d need to rip a bowl and drink six beers to want to listen to this all the way through.

Just alright for me. Not a huge Johnny Cash fan in general but I did enjoy the live album and the prison vibe.

3/5 Storytelling was beautiful, not my taste still great

Had heard OF this album before, but never actually listened to it. Quite enjoyable banter with the crowd! Wouldn't listen to this regularly as I'm not a huge country fan, but really appreciate the novelty of this record.

It was decent, but probably more important as a moment in musical history than as a great Cash album

We enjoy Johnny Cash but this is not him at his best. We really just rarely enjoy a live album. The title track was enjoyable, though.

point1.

Pretty good

Good energy, fun to listen to. Setlist is honestly rather bad though.

The Good: Johnny Cash was not really in jail, he was just visiting The Bad: he needed to ask for a glass of water, due to cocaine abuse… The Ugly: the prisoners cheered him on Okay, so JC is viewed like JC by one too many persons. Could the man walk on water? No. Could the man turn water into wine? No. Was the man crucified? Well, not in the literal sense of the word, no. I had never listened to the entire recording before, and I have to say that I found myself in a little lul after a while. I was being rocked, ever so gently, to and fro, while I was wetting my diaper and sucking on my thumb. It was pleasant. But not so pleasant as to warrant all the accolades that he receives. Yet, let’s all be rebels, snort some cocaine, and then go shoot someone down! 3/12*

It was nice

that was fun! the music is admittedly not really My Thing but i can understand the appeal and i think it’s cool that cash, who relied on that “outlaw” image for a lot of his branding and song inspiration, was not only willing but eager to actually engage with real prisoners and give back to them in a way. it hearkens back to the function of music as a kind of oral storytelling, a kind of fully embodied entertainment as opposed to something more passive/something to have on in the background. fav tracks: jackson

I actually really enjoyed this. I liked hearing his interactions with the audience and the songs were charming to me.

Auch ein Live-Album, das nicht so schlecht ist.

Johnny Cash is solid live

I liked this Johnny Cash album more than some of his others. The boom-chicka guitar line is fun, but it does get kind of repetitive.

Jail songs for an imprisoned audience. I never gave liked country music, but this is a special album, Cash has a terrific voice and wry sense of humor which elevate him above the genre. This is fun stuff.

Great tunes and a great performance!

Johnny making cash in jail

An excellent historical document, not necessarily something I would have a desire to reach for very often though.

Storytelling

3.5 id say. Maybe a 4 if it wasn't live

Johnny Cash could sing the phone book and I’d love it, just preferably from a studio, not behind bars.

Johnny Cash being Johnny Cash. If you’ve never listened to Johnny before then this would be as good as any for a starter point (although I MUCH prefer the ‘American’ albums) but it won’t tick all the boxes and leave you panting for more as far as I’m concerned. It’s still country music, but set to the cheers and whistles of some naughty men.

It was fun to listen to

A lot of totally fine albums lately. I’ll say for this one, I used to think he really did shoot a man in Reno just to watch him die. Turns out, no, just a song.

I feel I would appreciate it so much more if I had been there.

Wow! Johnny Cash in prison! It’s fine, I guess.

One of those albums where every lyric is worth paying attention to, that's just ole' country. You have to love bluegrass and old time blues to give this album 5 stars. Is it quality listening? absolutely, but it's also kind of boring after a while. Favorite song, of course, Folsom Prison Blues. Greystone Chapel was a good surprise.

I had more fun with this than expected. I'm not really a Johnny Cash fan, but there is something endearing about a guy going on stage at a prison just to have fun and entertain some inmates. He plays a handful of the classics and does enough light crowd work to make it an entertaining listen. I won't put Johnny Cash on in my free time, but I can understand why this is on the list. It's a little unfortunate we got two Johnny Cash prison albums so close together as it would have been nice to break them up and it's possible I would have appreciated this more to hear it further down the line. 2.57 stars

Not usually my type of thing, but enjoyed the change in vibes. Listened to the live version and his voice is amazing. Liked two songs in particular.

205/1001

Jag gillar idén. Jag gillar rösten och hans glad mellansnack. Jag gillar musiken också på något sätt. Han har ju några riktiga hits i sin karriär. Kommer skivan spelas igen hos mig. Troligen inte men jag gillar det ändå.