At Folsom Prison

Dud. A curiosity to be listened to once.

not my thing but his delivery is very engaging and fun

Just not for me

Wonderful in many ways.

First, listen to this album way back in the early 70s. I have always loved Johnny Cash

Genuinely perfect. It has everything.

It must be hard to be stuck in a prism

Well, that's a classic!

I loved this. I love a live album at the best of times, but this one was excellent. Great singing and storytelling interwoven with live ad libs.

Great LP, I recently played it.

Classic

What's not to love. It's Johnny Cash performing at a prison.

01) Folsom Prison Blues - 10,0 02) Dark as the Dungeon - 8,0 03) I Still Miss Someone - 9,0 04) Cocaine Blues - 9,0 05) 25 Minutes to Go - 9,0 06) Orange Blossom Special - 9,0 07) The Long Black Veil - 8,5 08) Send a Picture of Mother - 9,0 09) The Wall - 8,5 10) Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog - 8,0 11) Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart - 8,5 12) Jackson - 10,0 13) Give My Love to Rose - 9,0 14) I Got Stripes - 9,0 15) Green, Green Grass of Home - 10,0 16) Greystone Chapel - 9,0 TOTAL: 8,97 (90/100) Current ranking: 93/1036

Excited for this. It’s kind of a famous album and moment but I’ve never actually listened to it. Johnny Cash is a legend that seems to transcend genre. He’s a country rock star but also an icon, and this live album is one of the reasons why. What a banger of an opening. “Hello, I’m Johnny Cash” to a roar. And right into Folsom Prison Blues. Crowd eating it up. He’s having fun commenting on the crowd and laughing during the second song. Love the crowd reactions to certain songs. Cocaine Blues is great. What a perfect collection of songs for a prison crowd. This is legitimately great. It’s all country folk with dark themes and prison related songs. Love whenever he interacts with the crowd. This version of Jackson too is unbelievable. I think the context, the songs, and the reactions make this a perfect live album. The performance is great in the setting too. This feels like a clear 5 from me. Great album.

Strålende album

so cool

One of the best by one of the best. Sometimes the "live" aspect of live albums can be lead to underproduction and distration, but this is one of the few where it adds to the depth and story of the work, and his song choices and delivery really leans into it to create an experience like none before or since. And the fact that it has one of my favorite album covers of all time doesn't hurt. A pure 5/5 with no skips and a mandatory replay.

"… Well, you wonder why I always dress in black Why you never see bright colors on my back And why does my appearance seem to have a somber tone Well, there's a reason for the things that I have on … I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down Livin' in the hopeless, hungry side of town I wear it for the prisoner who is long paid for his crime But is there because he's a victim of the times" Johnny Cash was outlaw country before that was a marketing term used to sell music to people that just wanted to ape the aesthetic. This album is an outstanding extension of the man's beliefs, one that aims to poke the eye of authority. And lest we think this was a one off stunt, Cash played prisons throughout the 50s and 60s. The entire project just seems like a run of inspired choices. Inspired to pitch the idea to Columbia, the choice of tracks to include, the on-stage banter, pestering the warden, and being slapped in cuffs (I suspect) there at the end. Just perfect. This as Rock and Roll as it gets and we're recording a country album here. 5/5

This is a perfect album, it couldn't be any better.

There are too many live albums on the list, but this one is really worth it. Cash delivers an incredible performance, and songs like Folsom Prison Blues and 25 Minutes to Go both have a great power and a gallows humour to them for the audience. My enjoyment of the humour was spoiled slightly by reading that the cheering at ‘I Shot a Man in Reno’ was added in post-production, but Cash’s interludes and the texture of the announcements to the prisoner still make this a remarkably funny as well as striking listen. An essential album.

Un disco mítico por su significado y por su calidad que cuenta, además con Carl Perkins y June Carter entre otros. Grabado en la prisión californiana que ya fuera objeto de un tema una década atrás. Sin embargo que nadie espere bailes y algarabío durante le concierto (en realidad dos, el mismo día) pues esas voces fueron añadidas posteriormente. En realidad el concierto se celebró con gran contención y emotividad. Destacan, Folsom Prison Blues, Cocaine Blues o el clásico Jackson.

Legitimately one of the best albums put to print. The man is sitting in a jail singing about all manner of things that get you sent there while the prisoners cheer and he's chuckling about it. It's a great live album, sometimes you want them to be as clear as you can, this one wouldn't be as good if it was cleaned up. His voice, the inmates voices, all of it needs that grit to come across. Without it I don't think this album is as good. Great album.

Well, with the San Quentin live album being one of my first albums of the 1001 Albums project, it's only fitting that the Folsom Prison one would be one of my last. Now, I might have enjoyed the San Quentin one a bit, but this Folsom Prison one is on a whole other level. I don't know what it is, but this one just hits so much harder for me in all of the right ways. The song performances feel more lively. The audience interactions feel more special. Maybe it's the novelty of this being the first prison live show that Johnny Cash did, but this just feels more momentous than the San Quentin show. Maybe it's my mentality. I've become a lot more aware of the many problems in the prison system and law enforcement. I guarantee you that most of the guys in this prison were in there for drug possession or some stupid shit like that. I can empathize with these guys, and I think it's awesome that Johnny Cash gave these guys an awesome performance! But how good is the performance really? It's great! The music work of the band is pretty cool. The drummer has some moments where he just goes all out and it's great! Johnny's performance skills are excellent. His voice is at the best it's ever been and his charisma here is off the charts! But what about the songs? Are they good? Oh yeah they are. These songs are perfect for the prison show. Starting off with "Folsom Prison Blues" where the whole crowd cheers after Johnny sings about shooting a man in Reno is perfect. Other songs like "Cocaine Blues" and "Greystone Chapel" match the energy very well. I really like the variety in tones here. Some songs are on the more melancholic side like "Dark as the Dungeon" and "The Long Black Veil." But then you have one of the best compliments that I can give this album. This might be the funniest album I've ever listened to. Not only are Johnny's quips humorous, but songs like "25 Minutes to Go" and "Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart" are just inherently funny. I was smiling the whole time. And the crowd? They're just as important to the energy as Johnny. Hearing them boo when the warden is mentioned or cheer every time Johnny sings about killing someone is just funny. There really isn't anything quite like Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison. The music itself is great, obviously, but it's everything surrounding it that makes the album special. I'd still enjoy the music on its own, but the context and energy behind the performance turn At Folsom Prison from a nice time to an unforgettable piece of music history. I like other albums more, but my respect for At Folsom Prison is enough to give this thing a low 5/5. GKMC wasn't my last one after all! This one could be though.

this was so fun and i liked the songs. i used to hate live albums bc i hated how they strayed from the studio version. now, i can appreciate how they differ, and the raw vocals and general atmosphere of where it was performed. this was a great intro to Johnny Cash because i got a taste of his personality and his talent, and an audience that had a great time. i’m also realizing that i don’t dislike country as much as i thought i did, i just don’t much like modern country. other than like 2 Florida Georgia Line songs.

Kinda can't believe I'd never listened to this before; it's great. One of the very few live albums that are actually elevated by being live. I can't help but wonder what it must have been like to be in the room. It's almost not even country. I don't think I'd classify it as anything else (folk/western blues?), but the twang is minimal. I wouldn't love this if it were a studio album, but I'd still like it. Also the harmonica is great on "Orange Blossom Special." This will be only my 38th 5-star review out of 778, and somehow Johnny Cash has 2 of them. Didn't see that coming.

Concept, sound, themes. Nothing like it!

How exclusive was this show? People were engaging in criminal activity just to get tickets. Seriously, how many artists now would perform in a prison?

Just incredible!!!!!!

Brutal

Johnny Cash is great, one of the best country/blues voices I’ve ever heard

Iconic.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ lätty!

Not my usual type of music but undeniably genius

5/5. Up there with the best live albums ever made.the story goes that after recording “Folsom Prison Blues” in the 1950’s, inmates began writing Cash letters asking if he’d play a show in a prison. Over a decade later in 1967 thanks to some shifting around at his record label, Cash was able to do just that and performed at Folsom Prison. Which ended up being a major revival for his career musically as he was struggling for much of the 60’s before this (thanks in part to severe drug problems.) The biggest boon to the audience of this album being prisoners is how they react to the music, they cheer at every act of violence and cruelty that cash sings of and it’s hilarious. As for Cash himself, he is at the top of his game here as both a singer and a showman and you can feel that he was having so much fun playing this concert. Of course with the show being at Folsom prison he opens with “Folsom Prison Blues” but the hits keep coming from there whether that be “Cocaine Blues” or “25 minutes to go” (which was actually originally written and performed by poet Shel Silverstein who Cash worked with a number of times.) the album even closes off with a song written by a Folsom Prison inmate titled “Greystone Chapel.” At Folsom Prison is both one of the greatest live albums and greatest country albums, and it is always a joy to revisit.

Ok

This is a classic Johnny Cash album. It was recorded in 1968 in Folsom Prison a maximum security prison before about 200 prisoners. These prisoners had done serious crimes. He was accompanied by a five piece band and June Carter Johnny Cash’s wife. Johnny has a lot of empathy for the prisoners. He had had a few brushes with the law when he was young. Cash has such a distinctive voice. The audience is quite rowdy. Let’s look at some of the key songs from the album. Folsom Prison Blues: the title track of the album. A classic. I shot a man down in Reno/just to watch him die. Cocaine Blues: everyone knows what a serious drug cocaine is in. The convict shot his woman while high on cocaine. Long Black Veil: one of Cash’s most famous songs. An innocent man charged with murder didn’t use his alibi. He was with his best friend’s wife. She know wears a long black veil in mourning. Jackson: a classic song. Call and response with June Carter. All the songs on this album are excellent. A five star album.

A few too many moments of country hokum keep this album from the highest rating. Always stripped down musically, Cash filed his sound even further to deliver songs with a stark energy and anger. Several songs leap off the vinyl with an intensity that reaches boiling point. Both Cash between song patter and musical selections play off the prison locale without overt pandering. The fatalism and violence of songs’ lyrics get driven home with Cash’s vocals. He can fly through up-tempo numbers in frenetic fashion. To steal a line from an old Musician magazine article, his voice on the slow numbers sounds like a coal mine caved in on Easter morning. Cash had a terrific eye for cover material. Classic country “Dark as a Dungeon” and “Long Black Veil” carry all of the doomed outlook that the word possess.(Cash does weaken this mood by breaking into a chuckle on both songs.) The tragic fate continues with furious versions of “Cocaine Blues” and “25 Minutes to Go.” With only a quartet of musicians the music reaches a fury of desperation. Cash wraps himself fully into these characters that is as thrilling as the best movie. His standard set list gets powerful renditions as June and he blitz through one of the few non-prison songs, “Jackson”, with the same passion. The top 10 best lines ever, “I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die”, hits with special power. Sure “Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart” and “Dirty Old Egg Sucking-Dog” offer an unwelcome comedy respite that is akin to the “humor” that Walter Brennan’s characters would drop into the middle of a tense Western. I can’t blame Cash for their inclusion, since his show called for this type of fare. Rather than offer expanded versions, with different arrangements, like most albums. Cash found punk rock level minimalism to create a volcanic performance.

Sounded especially great coming after that shitty Stereo MC’s album.

Immediately, excited! I live right by Folsom Prison so this album is pretty legendary! I love that I can hear him talking to the crowd while hes playing. Its awesome they left all that in the recording. I am continually swept up in hearing him talk to the crowd. I should spend some more time listening to live albums if they're like this!! LOL dont love the idea of stomping on a dog or shooting him for eating eggs... kinda fucked up yall. Loved this!!

Johnny Cash is one of the staples of rock and roll from back in the day. Great listen with some timeless tunes. “25 minutes to go” was one I hadn’t heard before. It stood out due to the structure of the lyrics ticking down to the singer’s ultimate demise. Nothing about this album is overally complicated as to be expected for the time period. Cash’s voice is in its prime and to have this album be recorded live in an actual prison is pretty fucking cool. 7.8/10.

I have never been to prison and never seen Johnny Cash in concert, and yet, I feel like I have done both every time I listen to this album.

5/5

DAMN NO WORDS

Ha, so far ful enjoyable. Te njegove quips vmes med komadi so super. Pa muska mi je tud všeč, od nekdaj (se prav odkar sm prvič za njega slišala (2005, ko so film nardil, ha). Zdi se mi tud kul izbira komadov - tematsko o drogah, zločinih, samomoru v zaporu - težke teme, sam glih to potegne kle njegovo publiko. Pa itak so komadi zastavljeni tko, da ma velikrat vmes šale & they love it. Pr "Jackson" se pridruži June (pozabila sm, kako ma hud vokal). "I Got Stripes" je ful dobr primer prej omenjenih tematik z miksom zabavne melodije & humorja.

Even though I'm not a fan of country/rockabilly, Johnny Cash is undoubtedly a very talented artist and I do think these tracks are pretty good. They are also in insane quality for being performed live and recorded in the 60s. I had never listened to the album before, but knew of the historic performance. It's definitely an album that I'd consider a must-hear.

He had the crowd in the palm of his hands. Sounds amazing. I think san quentin is better but this was truly groundbreaking and such an easy listen. Shoutout June, she sounds incredible in here songs

The vibes are immaculate. Definition of iconic.

Amazing live album! Cash is one of the greats to do it and even if he is not from the metal genre he was truly METAL! Rest in power

Turns out I just love Johnny Cash. Makes me glad Ive done this album challenge

Pretty good, displays a lot of the original kind of rockabilly country sound. Very cool to learn about the history behind this project. 4/5

Great, great album

An album I know well and love

What a incredible set and the story behind it

The best live album

Second album from this man I’ve had to listen to. 929 albums to go. The last one I got was American IV. 928 albums to go! I gave that a two, it might’ve been too looOOoow! 927 albums to go. But At Folsom Prison shall get more than a four. 926 albums to go!

this gets you moved and rocking at the same time

This album is a live wire. Beautiful music, sparse arrangements, energetic rapport between those on and off stage. The venue can’t be reduced to just a unique choice or a powerful cultural statement. Intercom messages call audience members to reception, fans shout out jokes at each other, and Cash entertains with a relaxed attitude as though he’s playing in your parlor. And you are reminded that he is, in a fucked up way, performing in someone’s home. The record captures the brutality of the moment, as well as the joy and ease expressed through this homeliness. Probably the greatest live album ever made at 9 in the morning.

"Albums My Mother Showed Me" When I first consciously listened to this album I was 10 years old. "25 Minutes To Go" and "Cocaine Blues" were my favorite tracks. In my older age I appreciate the duets with June much more, and especially appreciate "Grey Stone Chapel" written by Folsom Inmate Glen Shirley. Beautiful song. A collection of beautiful little diddies mixed in with some dark humored tunes that produce camaraderie and laughter in a place of much regret and solace. I believe this album to be Cash's "Rebirth" after his troubled drug filled 60s. (And by rebirth I mean he went on to put out all that weird shit in the 70s...Look at them beans!) As Merle Haggard sang... "Johnny cash never walked no line/Johnny Cash never did no time/But when he Sang of Folsom Prison Blues/You knew good and well he'd paid his dues" One of the greatest guitar solos of all time is Luther Perkins on "Folsom Prison Blues" and I'll die on that soap box.

Very unique in setting and brilliant music

Thoughts before listening: One of the greatest live albums of all time by one of the giants of the country genre. Nobody sounds like Johnny Cash. Review: This is one of my favorite albums of all time, and I love how playful Johnny is throughout. He's playing to a room full of prisoners singing songs about murder, drugs, and prison, getting cheers throughout. Even if the songs aren't all that good, it would still be an interesting concept, but thankfully these songs are all classic. Minus a few glaring omissions ("Ring of Fire" and "I Walk the Line") this might as well be a greatest hits album for Johnny, and the performances here are much looser and playful than the often stuffy, over produced album versions. Absolute classic, and I'm pleased to see that it doesn't suffer from the same "country" sucks reviews that I usually see on here. 5-stars

I love this album and JOHNNY

Raw, immersive, and fun, it really takes you back in time to that room

Can I get a glass of water?

I'm not a Johnny Cash fan, but this was a good listen. It felt very intimate, him singing to the crowd of inmates, who were as much a part of this album as Johnny. I was struck by how he didn't treat them like inmates if that makes sense. Worthy of this list, feeling generous because of that. (5)

LOVE JOHNNY CASH

Classic live album.

extremely cool

Proof that music is a powerful communal experience, even if that means a bunch of convicts hooting and hollering anytime Johnny mentions shooting someone or touching a woman.

Johnny Cash is so cool

This is one of the most awesome things I've listened to. Mr Johnny Cash decided to go to a prison, gift them some live country music about murders, longing for home, doing drugs, and such amenities. The result is something above and beyond anything I could've expected: the music is good, the voice is just amazing, and the feeling of "light-hearted escapism" is strong in this album. What touched me most is the tangible despair of convicted men listening to this huge music star and getting a chuckle out of him when he realizes that the murdering, the viciousness that he sings about is tangible in the room where he's recording the whole thing. These men react in unexpected ways to the lyrics. These men know what they miss when they cry in "Green, Green grass of home", and Johnny knows he's as guilty as them when he sings Give my love to Rose - the same song that felt like a Eulogy in his last album, feels like a redemption song in this one. There's good fun to be had in this abysmally dark album, with silly songs giving space to breath in what feels like a strongly heartfelt but heavily sad album. It's Cash, it's him that gives the feelings, the chills. It's his voice, his attitude, his show persona that makes this album simply magic.

Wow. The humor, the emotion, the realness and the realization of who he is singing to. And man that June Carter, she can be sassy and growly in Jackson and like an angel in Greystone Chapel.

Cocaine Blues Orange Blossom Special Jackson I Got Stripes

Garage beer album

The man in black at his best.

On one hand his music is maybe a little violent and the manner in which he talks about taking lives is not really my favorite. But then he uses it as a way to connect with an audience and population of people that have been forgotten and historically mistreated. Yes they did bad things, but they are still human and many are in there for extremely complex, often unfair reasons. So for him to connect so strongly and try to give a voice to them is kind of wonderful. I love that he ends it with a song from an inmate and one about redemption and strength. And the energy in the crowd is really wonderful.

Really great album. Love that he performed for prisoners and brought such a positive energy.

Just a great album. Johnny at his best, a simple and raw performance. His banter with the crowd is effortless and quite funny.

Cash at his finest, and really in his element here. I don't normally go for live albums where the audience is at the forefront, but in this case it works.

I don't think I've ever actually listened to the album from start to finish before, but it was definitely worth it. A really great album and the sound is great, especially for being a live recording.

What a bad ass album! 5/5

Heard before?:✔️ Will listen again?:✔️

I'd heard about this album as most people have and I've never had an issue with Johnny Cash's music or voice, but never actually sat down to listen to an entire album of his at once. I absolutely loved it, this is an instant classic and will be relistened to on its own. I love the authenticity, the rough edges. The crowd elevates the entire performance with their cheers and laughter. Best album by a Columbo alumnus to date, that's for sure.

The Man! The Legend! This is one of the greatest live albums recorded. He's so sincere in connecting with his audience and they love him for it. It's raw but the atmosphere is electric

Some of the best country of all time. Johnny Cash has a voice sent down from the heavens, and he uses it to sing endearing, funny, romantic songs to a bunch of prisoners. The audience, and general live vibe of the album, only enhance it - this is how country is meant to be sang. It feels more alive with people cheering, laughing and hollering. Greystone Chapel feels especially significant, and although I'm not big on gospel music, it felt remarkably personal - you can almost hear how significant it is for the prisoners to hear a song about them, written by one of them.

This is special. Excellent vibes and very funny

Cash recorded this live album at Folsom Prison in 1967, 12 years after Folsom Prison Blues was released. It climbed to the charts and revitalized Cash's career after his struggles with abuse. After Kennedy was shot in 1968, an edit was made to remove the line “I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die” as Radio stations refused to play the song.

4.7/5

One of the best live albums ever. And it’s Johnny Cash.

Great album

Best live album of all time?

Certified banger

Best live album we have heard on the list, 5/5 for the experience.

The first car I ever drove was a 1998 Ford F-250 with over 200k miles on it. It had no CD player, a busted radio, and no working AC. The tape deck was about the only working component of the vehicle, and out of 30 or so options, the Live at Folsom Prison tape was one of the only ones that worked. Naturally, as someone from a "Johnny Cash Family," this state of affairs was not remarkable, as even in our functional vehicles his music was played the majority of the time. My dad even utilized the loudest external hard drive in existence at that time to copy Johnny Cash CD's onto his I-pod. The day he died was the first time I can remember my dad crying. I mention all of this to attempt to convey my feelings about this album. It is strange to even assign a rating to it because, for me, this album IS music. This isn't to say that I think it's the greatest album of all time or anything, but just that it has been a part of my brain since birth and that it has always been great. Similarly to Sam Cooke's "Live at the Harlem Square Club," when a live album is great, you just feel it.

Magnificent album, not even slightly diminished by the fact that the San Quentin record is better. I always go out of my way with this one to listen to the extended version.

some quintessential johnny cash, and likely the pinnacle of outlaw country. a true gem

5. I've listened to this album so many times. Vinyl Trinity Bellwoods Park shoutout to the girl with the cute summer dress. Johnny gave these people a piece of their humanity back. No riots, soulful sharing session.

Even the out of tune songs are great

Feels crazy to return with a 5 like maybe its just listening to music that is actually great and nice but this is also great he’s pretty unparalleled vocally. Also i think this is the most charmed ive been by a live album.

HELL YEAH - I’ve just seen this generated and I’m so excited this is one of my all-time favourite albums !!!! —— Okay so actual delight to get to spend some time with my old friend Johnny but isn’t this just such a perfect album? I find the very idea that it was performed and recorded at Folsom as moving?? It brings to life each word that comes from Johnny’s mouth (his heart??). One of the things I love about Cash is how funny so many of his songs are and I feel like this album gives you a little glimpse at that humour. Faves in no particular order: Folsom Prison Blues, 25 Minutes to Go, Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart, Jackson (top 3 Johnny song for me), Give My Love to Rose I love this album!!!!!

One of the great singer songwriters at his peak. A perfect setlist and performance. Excellent

One of the best country albums ever. Just solid. Listen to it straight through, no shuffle, because the crowd noise is part of the experience. Johnny gets up, plays for people who are living a life he's experienced, banters with them, reminding them that there's hope for outside. There's no better way to close this album than how he did. Everything goes to show that, even under that outlaw costume, there's a heart of gold. Honest, fun, soulful. My rating: 10/5

Overall thoughts the day after the first listen - This album was a very pleasant surprise to me. I did not get excited seeing a 60s country album as my first one on here, but I was prejudiced! The concept is truly amazing, and while I've heard of live gigs in prisons in America, I never knew some were recorded live. And hearing the audience in the background made this album for me, even if the music itself is enjoyable as well - I feel it would not be as much on it's own, or it would not have been recorded in the way it was. It is one thing to listen to songs and stories of vagrants and evil deeds, separating yourself from the realities of those stories, but that cannot be done with this album. A lot of us cannot help but enjoy stories about morally grey and actually villainous characters, but we always do it from a moral high ground. Hearing this album, I was there listening to Johnny with those prisoners, and kind of felt bad for enjoying the stories of their suffering. Not in a sadistic way, but simply having emotions brought out by Johnny's storytelling. I felt hypocritical in feeling sorry for them, yet continuing to listen and wanting more. I truly hope some of those men that listened to this album with me got to experience a happy life, in the end. The prison system is brutal and inhumane, and while I consider some irredeemable, those that are not deserved much better. But even if the more I think about it, the heavier the album feels, listening to it is a delight. It truly charming, thanks to Johnny's voice, the inmates bright cheers and the comedic interruptions. First listen - #1 'Folsom Prison Blues' - Love his voice, and together with the finger-snapping bouncy guitar it's all very old American country (from a 25yo Serbian girl's perspective). The cheery instruments and the bluesy picture painted is simple and tugs at my emotions. This being played live in a prison is truly adding an interesting dimension. The 'fine young men' he is playing for, I can't help wonder about them and their lives, prisons have always been a controversial topic, and knowing there is good men in there, as well as some very bad men, it's truly a complex kind of emotion I am left with. Do some deserve the blues and the mine? #2 'Dark as the dungeon' - Love hearing the crowd cheer, and Johnny interact with them, it elevates the album for me, makes me curious and engaged, even when listening to a genre I don't seek out usually. 'Dark as the dungeon' is reminding me in some of it's writing of the way Hozier writes, the prisoners rotting away in their cells, can they ever truly leave that place, or does the mine change you forever? #3 'I Still Miss Someone' - Short and quite lovely, Johnny's voice is once again elevating a really simple song and making it enjoyable. I love the simplistic story telling so far, it's got that old americana charm. #4 'Cocaine Blues' - Speaking of old americana! 'Cocaine blues' is somewhat funny, but hearing the prisoners I am reminded yet again that some of those voices might be reminiscing on their own murders listening to this! Yikes! Anyway, this would slap in the saloon in Valentine. #5 '25 Minutes to Go' - Love love linear storytelling in songs. This one had me feeling hopeful, but alas. 'I can see the mountains, I can see the skies. And it's too darn pretty for a man to don't want to die' Lovely. #6 'Orange Blossom Special' - Harmonica! It's so fun and sounds like the oppressive summer heat to me (kinda like cicadas in a weird way, maybe some that sampled that 60s pure white snow). The scenery and mood he depicts, while I understand is real and truly existed, can't help feeling like fantasy to me. The old American country is such a nostalgic, impossible place in my mind, there truly is no other culture that brings a similar feeling. And again, I just can't help but be taken to the universe of rdr, it's an irresistible pull - even if the era is so so off. #7 'The Long Black Veil' - 'But sometimes at night, when the cold wind moans, in a long black veil, she cried over my bones' - love the gothic imagery. Again, the best part of the songs is the storytelling and the voice delivering the story. #8 'Send A Picture of Mother' - Quite touching, I love that the writer is one of the prisoners. #9 'The Wall' - Just a really sad song once you equate it to real life experience, I cannot imagine prison life, and truly believe that a reform is necessary. Even today, let alone 60 years ago. #10 'Dirty Old Egg-Sucking Dog' - What the hell? Funny and weird. Had to google what the hell an egg-sucking dog is. #11 'Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart' - Another humorous one. Nothing amazing, but nice to hear the laughs in the back. #12 'Jackson' - June Carter! Amazing feature, even though Johnny's voice is lovely, I was glad to hear someone a bit spunkier. I like that she's having fun with it. #13 'Give my Love to Rose' - A good song. Sad of course to hear about the families left behind. #14 'I Got Stripes' - More imagery of the harsh prison life. Truly amusing having your misery sung about with an upbeat fiddle can relieve some of that gloom and doom. #15 'Green, Green Grass of Home' - Oh this one got me. It's devastating, God! It's just sad man, but also very beautiful. The juxtaposition of his dreams of a happy reunion and the reality of the reunion being his funeral, yeah this is just tragic. #16 'Greystone Chapel' - This is very much something that I personally enjoy. I love a lot of music but really don't get into the intricacies and technicalities. If I'm not wrong, there is an electrical guitar in here I did not hear much until now, as well as a rock sound that wasn't really present in the album. I like it! I was expecting more religious themes in this album, knowing the US country, but this song is really the first on the album where that theme is a standout. It makes sense for the ending, can't imagine much outside of religion giving comfort and hope to prisoners.

What an amazing look into history and the performance is amazing. Feels like this happened in a completely different world. The music amazing but I'm absolutely struck by the setting, the honestly, the whole thing, wild.

Absolutely perfect cash album, amazing songs and the live recoding makes it feel more personal, truly legendary and iconic album

One of the best live albums of all time. With humor, love, soul and pain, Johnny connects with the inmates on so many levels. Excellent flow to the live show as well

Den enda liveskivan.

Håller san quentin lite lite högre i och med den vilda stämningen, men den här är verkligen inte långt efter.

really fun, great tunes

Johnny Cash is the patron saint of not giving an F about anything that he doesn't want to. This is a great live album by a very self-assured musician who isn't out to prove anything other than just playing good music. That he sings about doing coke, shooting his woman, and killing a man in Reno "just to watch him die" is about as dark and "metal" as it gets.

he truly is an enigma

Personal enjoyment: 5/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5

Legend

I can smell this album

One of Hannah’s favs

Love this still

AMAZING ALBUM he should not have killed hsi wife tho

LOVE johnny Cash. And love that he actually recorded this at Folsom Prison! What a cool dude. I liked the whole album but I really vibed with The Wall, Dark as the Dungeon, and of course, Folsom Prison Blues and Jackson. What a treat!

5 stars. Prove me wrong.

Probably the greatest live album of all time

Don't drop the soap when the man in black comes around or something.

Just for the banter and the crowd responses.... A classic from start to finsih. 5 "Americana classic" stars.

Absolute kino, Johnny Cash my beloved

Johnny Cash in a prison. Badass. Think this one beats out san Quentin. Prisoners cheering to songs about taking cocaine and shoot bad bitches down

A legend.

Legendary

A classic

5/5 definitionally the music of America

I mean... come on. Don't let a bunch of country idiots who don't understand him distract that Johnny Cash is, and always will be, the best. Everything about this is fucking awesome. 10/10 he's the man in black at the hight of his powers walking into prison and immediately becoming the hardest motherfucker in the room.

already listened

Johnny Cash is who got me into country.

A live recording that leaves in all the banter and mistakes that are always edited out in production, Folsom Prison is a masterclass in presenting an artist at his creative and popular peak. Johnny Cash is a national treasure - a national icon who represents his genre like only a few others do. Performing in front of a crowd who had nothing to lose and in some cases nothing to live for, this is the toughest audience anyone could possibly be asked to sing for. Cash absolutely nails it. If I tried to make a list of best live albums, this is on the shortlist. My only complaint is that the album is too short - the Apple Music version linked is the original release of 15 tracks in 45 minutes. There is the Legacy Edition that is complete and includes both shows and rehearsals: 60 tracks in 166 minutes. Maybe that’s too much, but it’s worth listening at least once and probably should be the version on this list. 5 stars.

Seems strange to have to explain this. As legendary an American performer as we have. An incredible character and storyteller in his element playing where no one else would. A sad reminder how far country has fallen. Country stars used to be badasses, now they’re boot-licking MAGA losers that don’t actually play country. But we’ll always have Johnny.

5/5 one of the original live albums

I’ve said before that I’m not a fan of live albums, but this is definitely an exception. This album is Johnny at his best. The song list are all great songs in that old style cowboy country story telling. His interaction with the audience is fairly wholesome and certainly humorous. Loved it!

All time classic. Grab a whisky and enjoy.

My favorite country record

This is the live album everyone else wishes they could make

One of the greatest live albums ever, argue with the wall

hell yeah hell yeah hell yeah hell yeah

ah shit 🤪. let's get bizzayyyyyyy! i respect his commitment to the bit. it's one note but a very good note. except the actual bit songs. i get it. but you kept them on the album????? 4.1-5.

What a rousing upbeat set of tracks this album is despite the story lines in them… absolutely crazy what this man has done here. The upbeat tempos, the fact you have to tap along is a given and the clear precise vocal and story telling prowess is out of this world. ‘Cocaine blues’ is an absolute masterpiece! Was there a mistake in ‘the wall’ who cares!! Think I’m going to go listen to the 60 track deluxe album now… Best track- I keep heading back to ‘cocaine blues’ but it could have been any! Worst track- ‘the long blank veil’ didn’t have the same feel as the rest. 10/10 and best album on this journey so far!

Johnny Cash - Folsom A man on his uppers singing songs about murder, heartache and loss to a bunch of locked-up guys full murder, heartache and loss. What a genius idea! And it is the interjections from the crowd, the prison p.a. announcements and Johnny's 'banter' that take this collection up a level. His band is on top form. The Perkins bros on guitar and bass, and the casually mercurial RS Holland on drums are so good it is worth moving on to the legacy edition to hear their solo contributions before the shows proper start. Best Song - so many but I always ache for the heartbreakingly sad Give My Love To Rose (but could have been Folsom Prison Blues, 25 Minutes to Go or Orange Blossom Special) Worst Track - Green, Green Grass of Home 9/10 (flags a teeny bit towards to end - but sets us up nicely for further live albums At San Quentin and others)

This was great, you can actually hear how much fun JC and the band were having. I love how so many songs are funny, poking around kind of jams that the point is not to move the needle on song craft but to be pure entertainers and this album was that, entertainment.

Absolutely great live record!

I've loved this album a long time. I think it was one of the first Johnny Cash records I bought.

Great album - maybe the best live album ever?

Already familiar with this one. One of the best live albums 👍

loved that every song had a story. Truly beautiful

4 for the music, 5 for the history/import of this recording/venue .

There's something unbelievably heavy about this concert. This could damn-well be the only kind of outside entertainment these guys have gotten in years, if not decades. He's singing songs about prison life for the majority of the album to prisoners. Hell, two of the songs, Send a Picture of Mother and Greystone Chapel, were literally written by people in Folsom, and they're by far the best songs of the whole performance. This whole record feels like one of the weirdest acts of kindness I've seen in music, but I can't not get behind it. It's not like there were any other artists in the 1960s playing in prisons. In that way, it's kind of bittersweet. He brought in so many other artists and bands for both performances and everyone plays their hearts out like it's any other concert. More than anything, Johnny Cash himself is laughing his ass off like it's any other concert. I love his little quips between every song, like the "I can't say hell or shit" thing a few songs in. This is all to say that this is a lot more than a great live album, it's a reminder that people in prisons and jails are people, and that everyone deserves a damn good show every once in a while.

I love Jonny cash. Such a good classic

The greatest live album of all time

Just like the San Quentin record I had a while back, this is another amazing record. I'm sitting here crying to "The Green, Green Grass of Home"; I'd never really paid attention to the lyrics before. I can only imagine how it felt to hear these songs to those guys in that prison. I love his amusing attitude about this being recorded by a record company that won’t let him cuss on the record, his sympathy for the folks in the audience, and how simple these songs are, either just him and the guitar or the accompaniment of June Carter and the band. I’m not really into country music at all, but these Johnny Cash prison records are a strong exception.

One of the all time great country albums. For me it drags a bit in the second half, but still just manages to be a 5 star record

Audience and context makes this incredible. Music pretty golden too but not for everyone

The attitude and feeling of this is special. Hearing him announce the guards and updates and quiet the crowd shows how much he was able to feather the line of where he sat. Great performer and there couldn't be a better venue to showcase him.

A great collection of songs. Hits the ground running. As I said on the last prison one we listened to, top tier charisma. Really good for a live album. A voice that you just want to imitate. This really is an iconic album.

The energy on this album is palpable. Cash is one with the audience here, one of their own singing back the stories of their lives. The end moments of recorded room noise after the music stops are incredible.

What a bittersweet record! Made me laugh a lot, but also got me on the verge of tears and the whole context of it is just surreal. Gonna be thinking about this one for a while.

Me encanta un puto crack

I fucking love this album. have it on vinyl!

The other contender for ‘best live at a prison’ show. I’ll probably listen to this again today. The legacy version exists so throw that one on.

changed my opinion of live albums indefinitely

I love this album. I love its rough edges but also Johnny’s innate vulnerability. June’s entry half way through adds energy and joy. What a great duo! Folsom Prison makes me proud to be an American, in spite of our high incarceration rates that made this album possible. Yay, America!

It is so refreshing to hear someone sing without being auto tuned or over produced. What I appreciate about this album is that Johnny Cash has a deep connection with his audience. When Cash calls one of the guards “sweetie”, the crowd goes wild.

\m/__0^0__\m/ . . . Just too much rock for one hand.

Great, most probably the best live album ever

a classic C&W record from one of the legends in country music.

Anyone else who refers to themselves as “outlaw country” is a big fat effin liar.

An all timer. Love the live aspect of this from the prison.

Why did I only get round to listening to this in full today? Just brilliant.

This is a bloody classic isn't it. Now here really is an album to listen to before you die! A cultural moment, recorded for us on tape. I've never really understood the appeal of live albums because I always felt either you're there and it's great, or you can listen on record and that's better than a slightly crunchy version with cheering in the background. Not the case for this, a historic document even!

It's just great init. Johnny Cash is just really really cool, and the idea of recording a classic to a crowd of prisoners is amazing, hearing them cheer about murders in the songs lol. It's just such a crazy and complicated vibe, probably problematic if you wanted to delve deep, but it's just so cool that I don't wanna ruin the outlaw vibez. PS It's hilarious to me that on an album where he's singing about shooting people to a crowd of prisoners, some of whom shot people, they still bleep out the swear words.

Awesome

Merle Haggard was in the audience! His band are equally spectacular I think. That kind of minimalist playing that came out of Sun Records is difficult to do well – it's almost like a Zen practice, you have to train yourself. Anyway, I am extremely grateful I got to see Johnny's last tour. One of the great greats greatest greatnesses. Lol

It's hard to deny the talent of the man in black.

Everything about this is genius

One of my childhood favorite albums. Still a huge fan.

No overdubbs, justo a guy and his banda. Great

This is a real borderline 4/5 for me. It's a classic, it's charming, it has a couple really great standout tracks, but overall I don't think it quite kicks over into that top tier. I'm very happy to finally have a reason to sit down and listen to this in its entirety and I will definitely come back to it later. Edit: I listened again and I tilted the wrong way, it's a 5.

I still kinda think the live albums are cheating but I also keep giving them fives. I'm part of the problem. This is pretty much perfect though

Bien.

BRUHHHHHHHHHHHsendmetoprison favorite song: jackson<3

It bears repeating… God Bless Johnny Cash!

Great, perfect live album

Don’t we all have a little outlaws in us?! Fantastic!

One of the best live albums of all time, I particularly like during the slower songs that he’s been told to do by the label, he just seems to take the piss lol. The energy of this album feels massive. 5.0/5.0 Best Song: Jackson

One of the best live albums around, he's having so much fun. I think the crowd makes it, they aren't yelling like a standard crowd, they sound like a raucous group of prisoners.

Rating: 9/10 A legendary live album from its prison setting to Cash's performance. The outlaw country vibe works so perfectly in this context and the storytelling in his songs is amazing. I love the run of the first five tracks and last five tracks, with a little lull in the middle, special shout-out to Cocaine Blues and 25 Minutes To Go. Just one weaker track if anything (Egg Sucking Dog). 5 stars

what a fantastic live album. amazing voice, great songs, incredible & unique atmosphere from the crowd. i did not expect to like this as much as i did

I have never listened a lot of Johnny Cash's music so I wasn't sure what to expect. This album is just incredible and I really enjoyed listening to it. This album is a great example of the "Law of the Live Album". Live albums that should be 2 hours long, like this one, are always about 45 minutes, and live albums that should be 45 minutes long are always about 2 hours. Hmm... Amazing album by an amazing artist.

Country isn’t my thing but Cash, and this album, are both great.

At the time of writing, my son is five weeks old. As a first time parent, part of the fun is building a list of strategies that soothe the baby that works sometimes, but never works always. One thing that (almost) always works, is At Folsom Prison by Johnny Cash

This recording would be among country's best even without the marketing or setting. Those aspects send it to the stratosphere of music history without detracting in any way from listenability. Highlights: "Folsom Prison Blues", "25 Minutes to Go", "Give My Love to Rose", "Greystone Chapel"

One of Cash's best, great album!

Great album!

It’s a Classic for a Reason!

A classic from a legend. Not much needs to be said about it, as it speaks for itself. "25 Minutes to Go" is pure genius storytelling and imagery. Great performance, and the crowd is amazing

A massively entertaining album that flourishes many years later. Genius and talent run hand and hand. As many stars as you want.

Has to be one of the most important live albums and greatest country albums ever recorded

This is the one Cash album I had heard before, basically entirely on the strength of Rob Harvilla’s recommendation. It’s kind of the perfect live album. The songs are good, there are some fun mistakes and crowd interactions, and it’s clear the audience is engaged.

Amazing live album. Song choices were perfect, amazingly performed with humor and with respect to his unique audience. Classic.

“I gotta change harmonicas faster than you can kiss a duck!” Ani DiFranco sang: “People used to make records as in the record of an event / the event of people making music in a room.” This album is the definition of an event, and it has never really been duplicated or surpassed in that sense. I would understand how someone might give it a 4 for its music alone… I actually prefer the music of the San Quentin album. But the event is a 5 for sure. I tried to explain to my 5 year old what it was all about and I said that Johnny Cash played music in a prison because even people in prison deserve music. That statement is reproduced in various forms every time the record is played. For that alone it’s a masterpiece.

Surprisingly funny in places. Great storytelling

Classic

I was pretty far into life before I began to appreciate live albums. This is one of them that helped me to understand how great they can be.

I mean it's an obvious 5. Classic from the start. Obviously I knew and loved "Folsom Prison Blues" but I also really enjoyed "Dark as the Dungeon" and "Cocaine Blues." The whole album is really good between the songs, and the cheers of the inmates, and the occasional warden announcement.

Peak Live Album, audible fan engagement, committed theme that ties big hits to new material. Biased cash fan but 100/10

Cherished

Best Country album OAT

A beautiful moment in time, some very fun songs. Excellent quality for live recording

Yes, yes, yes. This is one of those slice-of-history experiences that means something more than the whims of some self-professed "artiste". You absolutely do need to hear this.

One of the best live albums of all time, if not, the best. Definitely a classic that solidified it's place in music history. Honestly, it's my favorite Johnny Cash album.

Excellent

One of the greatest albums of all time!

Top 5 live album ever

Interesting time capsule album cause you get to hear Johnny interacting with the prisoners, guards and announcers. Crazy he was only 36 years old at the time of the concert... he seems so much older! Had some classic songs and some there were really funny & unique. All things considered 5 stars.

Perfect with a whisky

This album kicks ass!

What an iconic album

I don't always love live recordings. But this one works well because it captures a unique concert. It is history. And the story and experience comes through in just the audio. You hear Johnny's personality and jokes. You hear the passion he has for this particular concert that he had been wanting to do for so long. You hear how hard he is going as a performer as his voice cracks. And the cheers connect to vocal performance. It is driven by the performance of Johnny Cash. Johnny Cash himself is the show and it is captivating. I think that is why I do like this album. Also, some albums are compositions, and you have to listen to them in order, the pieces fit together. Others you can easily skip around to your favorites. This one you can skip around to the songs, but its better as the full performance. If you want just the songs, you can listen to the songs on other recordings. But this captures a moment in time.

This was fun! The Man in Black is legendary, and a live set from prison was raw and perfect. I will listen to this again.

Better than Coldplay

Cover 5/5. Y’a chaud monsieur Cash avec tous ces criminels! Musique, sans être mon style, tout ce qui entoure est incroyable. Le banter, les rires, les appels à des detenus de se présenter à la reception. Tout cela amène une dimension mythique à l’enregistrement. Une album live que je donne 5, oui oui!

Great album- the birth of outlaw country

Album of ALL TIME!!! Even better since I listened to this album on repeat when I first read steel ball run & now that the anime is airing I've been listening to it again. This is essential Johnny Cash and some of the best country music ever recorded, in my opinion: working class woes with a fire of hope still burning somewhere in the middle.

He really was an arresting performer, you can't turn this album off once it starts. He really can inflect that subtle emotion in his voice and regardless of the lyrics there is a feel and a vibe that comes through from him directly. Songs were clever, poignant, and just plain fun at times. The juxtaposition of the live performance with the usual cheering from the crowd and the announcements over loudspeaker of prisoners being called to reception is pretty bleak and you get the sense that Johnny truly understood the plight and some of the feelings these men were no doubt experiencing. Many of the songs performed were heavily in the outlaw country sphere and had themes of redemption from crime and the erasure of the person as they become an inmate. Overall I was really struck by the honesty, the performance and just how alive it all felt. 10/10, have not heard anything like this before.

Loved it

Clásico histórico, casi que mejor que las canciones, que igualmente son buenísimas y Cash las canta con muchísimo carisma, es escuchar las reacciones del público. Un tesoro.

Just fantastic

Like the other J Cash prison album in this list, this is class.

Even though I typically don’t like country music, this album was very good.

One of the greatest live performances by the legendary Johnny cash. The actual album is pretty short but if you listen to the legendary version you pretty much get the whole set along with Carl Perkins, The Carter family and the statler brothers. The album is perfect.

IMO this is one of the greatest live albums ever recorded. The interplay between the rowdy crowd and Johnny Cash is electric, and I love the banter and playfulness. Johnny Cash advocated for prison reform and felt strongly that even the incarcerated deserve music. I love how raw this recording is, and of course Johnny Cash plays a set of straight bangers. I’m not a fan of country, but I make an exception for Johnny Cash. Love this one.

This album was a piece of history that I was glad to have the opportunity to learn about. I was already enjoying the live album format, his banter with the crowd is entertaining, and I was noticing themes of prison and redemption in his lyrics, but once I found out this was performed at a prison in front of inmates that immediately elevated this album for me. His comment about his record company affirmed for me that musicians have always hated record companies and commodification of music in general. Ironically, even though artists are no longer bound by having to deal with a record company, it is harder than ever to make a living as a musician. Anyway, as for the music, Johnny Cash is a great storyteller with a soothing baritone voice. the drummer deserves a lot of credit; he's got amazing chops and stamina. I've been trying to figure out how to name this style of rockabilly beat lately, because I like it a lot. I think Cash said he was playing multiple harmonicas at one point? One factor that can separate a 8 or 9 from a 10 for me is having a concept, being a "concept album," and the live format, the setting, and the storytelling I'll make this album a very immersive experience,so I'm going to have to give it a five.

Reminded me of my grandpa, and living in southern Iowa. It was nostalgic of a time I wasn’t even born in but I feel like I know so much about it now. Truly one of my favorites.

Ingenting å klage på, fette bra

What an awesome work that humanizes inmates and Johnny himself; and every song is perfectly raw. Best moments are when it’s interrupted by a joke or a sore throat or something. Best live album ever (besides maybe Alive 2007).

All time classics, great banter, and then June shows up and slays Jackson. This was fantastic.

Possibly the greatest country music album of all time. 5/5

What an experience! First of all, his voice! Second, beautiful music — some of the lyrics don’t really resonate with me, and I generally don’t like live albums — but in this case, the combination of lyrics and environment end up telling a story, which brings me to… Third, what a brilliantly conceived package this is! The collection and sequence of songs is so well thought out so that it creates an emotional trajectory. Creative genius.

Kult seit Joaquin Phoenix in Walk the Line.

One of the most, if possibly not the most iconic live album ever recorded! What else can I really say about this, superb, greatly recorded superior piece of work this is. Easy 5 stars probably.

I love Johnny Cash. The man is an icon. Johnny and June Carter are, I think, one of the great romances of the 20th century. And this album is just unbelievably authentic as an experience. A show in a prison? Have you heard of that before or since? No? Is it insane you can listen to it as if you were there? Yes. Johnny's stage craft is impeccable, his between song banter controls a room full of rapt prisoners. And you can tell theyre eating it up, cause they boo the warden like all hell. If they weren't loving it, they'd be letting us know. As an old fan of this album and the music, ever since watcing the biopic Walk The Line in my teens, it's hard to treat this as just an album. But, song wise, suffice to say the standouts for me are Folsom Prison Blues, I Still Miss Someone, and the unforgettable duet Jackson. But there isnt a dud on the album, and Cash even drops the S bomb just to give the censors something to bleep.

Hello Johnny Cash.

I always loved Johnny Cash’s voice but this album opened a new door to get to know him&his music better and I appreciate that

Exceptional live album with great tunes and a wild history.

This album changed my life…

vine buscando cobre y encontre oro :vvvv

The one thing we can all agree on. Johnny Cash we need you more than ever.

Awesome!

People will do anything to see Johnny cash

Doesn’t get more real than this. Iconic album, epic performance.

A personal favorite

I mean.... I love Johnny Cash, and this album. However.. does this list really need two separate live Johnny Cash albums performed at a prison?

Dope as hell

Studio quality work plus the occasional improvisation performed live in a prison. Johnny Cash was built different, he really lived for this. His vocal presence is surreal here. He gives the listener so much character that you can practically close your eyes and be there in person. "Dark as the Dungeon" helped me settle into how fun this listening experience would be. "Cocaine Blues" is just so wild given the set and setting. "The Long Black Veil" was a perfect time to quiet things down. Just a wild set of songs. The instrumentals only oscillate between “Walk The Line” style songs and acoustic ballads, with the exception of a little doowop inspiration on “Green Green Grass Of Home”. But the subject of each song is always engaging. Stories of men who rightfully deserve to be locked up, stories about being on the run. Crazed inmates trying to make an escape, the moments before state execution, a ballad about missing your newly freed inmate. This is where Cash shines. “Give My Love To Rose” is quintessential Johnny Cash. Incredible presence, incredible command of the audience. On of the true justifiable live albums. 5/5 easily Was this the first recorded instance of the term “bad bitch”?

Super interesting. His crowd work is very specific, I wonder if it's genuine or he was a great actor. Music was real and has plenty of mistakes which make it feel like you were there. Amazing.

One of the best live albums ever. No complaints

“But I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die” crowd: wooooo! “I can’t forget the day I shot that bad bitch down” crowd: woooooo! “And now I’m swinging and here I go-o-o-o-o” crowd: woooooo! “I’m going to get my rifle and send him to that great chicken house in the sky” crowd: woooooo! “I got chains, chains around my feet” 
crowd: woooooo!


Nice

At Folsom Prison (1968) is a live album of country music by Johnny Cash recorded on 13 January 1968 at Folsom Prison, California. The 1001 albums generator has already churned out two live albums (Live at the Regal - B.B. King, and Live at Newport- Duke Ellington & His Orchestra) both of which I loved and rated five stars. I’m beginning to think that it’s the energy of the live performance that appeals to me, and At Folsom Prison is no exception. It was recorded during two live performances at Folsom Prison in California, and although it was his first live album, it was not his first prison concert, having first performed at Huntsville State Prison in 1957. Cash’s connection to Folsom Prison was his song ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ which he wrote in 1953 having watched a film called ‘Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison’. I’d heard this album before but don’t own a copy. In fact although I really like Johnny Cash I don’t own any of his albums in physical format. I have copies of several that I digitised from someone else’s CDs but that doesn’t feel like it counts. Listening to At Folsom Prison was a good reminder to add some Johnny Cash to my wish list. By 1968 Johnny Cash’s career had faltered due to his addiction issues. In 1967 he received treatment which allowed him to enter 1968 with a new energy. He managed to convince Columbia Records to back his idea of recording at Folsom, a gamble that paid off in terms of revitalising Cash’s career. He released ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ as a single, and although there was some controversy over the line “"I shot a man in Reno / Just to watch him die", it was a great success. At Folsom Prison captures the energy of Johnny Cash’s performances (although most of the recordings were apparently taken from the first of the two concerts, and everyone was tired out by the second!). Cash gives a very confident performance, joking with the inmates, singing songs that would resonate with them, and taking an anti-authority stance (e.g. swearing during the warning that the concert was being recorded so they should mind their language). If it was an act, it was a good one. I’m less of a fan of the comedy and slower numbers, which technically would bring my rating down to 4 out of 5, but again it earns an extra star just for the energy and atmosphere of the whole production. Not to mention that when it’s good, it’s really good! Side A: Folsom Prison Blues - 5/5 Dark as the Dungeon - 4/5 I Still Miss Someone - 3/5; Cocaine Blues - 5/5; 25 Minutes To Go - 5/5; Orange Blossom Special - 4/5; The Long Black Veil - 4/5 Side B: Send a Picture of Mother - 3/5 The Wall - 4/5 Dirty Old Egg-Suckin’ Dog - 2/5; Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart - 3/5; Jackson (with June Carter) - 5/5; Give My Love to Rose (with June Carter) - 3/5; I Got Stripes - 5/5; Green, Green Grass of Home - 4/5; Greystone Chapel- 3/5

YESSSSSSSS

i rate everything 5 out of 5 because music is love

Always loved this classic and it was definitely worth a re-listen. As a fan of Robert Hunter's lyrics, this set of songs really shows Cash's influence on Hunter and the Dead. American music, through and through.

Iconic 1968 live album, well recorded for the time. A really novel idea which spawned three more albums in prisons. The man in black was a true man of the people. Great song choices, the response from the crowd of ne’er do wells to the fourth lines of verses is priceless.

"Hello, I’m Johnny Cash." It is a brilliant, yet simple introduction to a wonderful, five-star live album. The performance is superbly delivered by Cash and his then-partner (and soon-to-be wife), June Carter. They are backed by a formidable band that, for this recording, also includes the great Carl Perkins. Aside from the vocalists, the Tennessee Three deserve a special mention for providing that iconic "boom-chicka-boom" sound: Marshall Grant on double bass, W.S. Holland on drums, and the legendary Luther Perkins on lead guitar. The production is remarkably clear and the mix is excellent. While some studio trickery was deployed - mainly to enhance crowd reactions, such as the famous roar following the "shot a man in Reno" line - it only serves to heighten the album’s rebellious atmosphere. For me, this record contains the definitive versions of "Folsom Prison Blues", "Give My Love to Rose", "Cocaine Blues" and "Jackson". Furthermore, the chemistry on "Jackson" is absolutely electric, perfectly capturing the spark between Cash and Carter just weeks before their marriage. Lastly, if you enjoy this album and wish to explore Johnny Cash further, "At San Quentin" is equally essential. It is also worth seeking out the various "Legacy" editions of "At Folsom Prison"; these include additional tracks performed on the day that were originally omitted, on the original release, due to the time constraints of a single vinyl LP. Side one 1 "Folsom Prison Blues" (5/5) 2 "Dark as the Dungeon" (5/5) 3 "I Still Miss Someone" (5/5) 4 "Cocaine Blues" (5/5) 5 "25 Minutes to Go" (5/5) 6 "Orange Blossom Special" (5/5) 7 "The Long Black Veil" (5/5) Side two 1 "Send a Picture of Mother" (4/5) 2 "The Wall" (4/5) 3 "Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog" (4/5) 4 "Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart" (4/5) 5 "Jackson" (with June Carter) (5/5) 6 "Give My Love to Rose" (5/5) 7 "I Got Stripes" (5/5) 8 "Green, Green Grass of Home" (5/5) 9 "Greystone Chapel" (5/5) Total - 76 Average - 4.75 252/1001 138/252 albums reviewed were new to me

Listened previously. Expectations: High - Verdict: Masterpiece - Just legendary. Deserves every bit of the massive reputation it has. This album is effortlessly cool, raucous, sombre and hilarious all in 45 minutes. Brilliant.

Fascinating thing that exists

On of the 5 greatest live albums of all time.

A Classic. Johnny Cash in one of his finest moments in music!!!

9.3/10

Johnny Cash. 60's style kind of icon of country, folk, soft rock... not too typical of my go to genres. ... This is one of the greatest albums ever made in the history of music. Not going to mince words. That this was recorded and played for prisoners in a real-life shithole does affect the whole idea of it, but it does NOT change the fact that this will stand the test of time of being one of the best albums ever produced. Why? Because this is as real as it gets. It is hope, joy in a joyless place, it gave to those thrown away. It does not lie and shrink away from the idea that some of these guys did bad things, but that it does not sum up their whole lives either. And you see that here. Gem. An absolute gem!

A great live performance with wit and charm, literal gallows humor songs.

My bias here feels off the chart. I love his voice, his guitar playing; this guy is just legendary and loveable. "Folsom Prison Blues" is fun in such a weird way, considering the lyrics. The hooting and hollering from the inmates makes it even more fun. I suspect their reactions are going to continue throughout this album and boost the feelings in each song through pure atmosphere. "Dark as the Dungeon" was a real 180 on the vibe, but the inmates react all the same; with total reverence for this guy. His little speech about the recording at the end tells me why I am going to love the rest of the album: Cash just oozes charisma from every cell in his body. Loved "Cocaine Blues", "25 Minutes to Go", "Long Black Veil", "The Wall", "Flushed from the Bathroom of your Heart", "I got Stripes", "Green, Green Grass Home" and "Greystone Chapel". This album was both emotional and fun; Cash makes me smile that stupid smile you get when you're just happy.

wild to me that johnny cash was on the downswing before this. because this album is incredible. the interlude of prison announcements & him telling them they can't swear (censored). folsom prison blues is a classic for a reason 25 minutes to go--woah. musically well balanced. woah. orange blossom special-- the long black veil--damn. these interludes are cracking me up. it's not exactly a cheery album. they had garbage disposals in 1968?? i guess so give my love to rose--amazing green green grass of home--the nostalgia greystone chapel--love singing a song by a prisoner did they just boo the warden??? love it. are they giving him tin cups? something imagine being a prisoner and johnny cash comes in and is like "here's a concert for y'all. also recording for an album for the free world." anyway 5/5 perfect artist perfect album.

Excellent set full of atmosphere. Crowd obviously loving the whole thing. A nose ahead of San Quentin for me. 5

What a masterpiece of a live album. Iconic album cover of Cash and was nice to hear more songs other than the title track. Noticeable covers too. Liked the live banter.

One of the all time greatest artists. His voice and demeanor on stage are classic. This live recording just adds more to what he already has and to anyone knowing his history, playing live at this place is even greater. I think I will listen through this a few more times today.

Really good

Do I even need to write a review for this? I do think San Quentin is the better record though, mainly because of A Boy Named Sue. But this is still great.

Had to break from working on my reviews one by one when I saw this come up. A better full package than his San Quentin album and maybe my favorite live album of all time. Johnny is very entertaining between tracks and the balance between his humourous and more showtuney tracks and the more serious and somber tracks is much better here.

Talk about a live album. Listened to this two times back to back. Absolutely no notes whatsoever except that it was very moving to me that the final song was written by a prisoner of Folsom.

Favorite Track: Folsom Prison Blues

Without a doubt one of the best live albums ever recorded. It's not just that's in a prison, but the great live energy that could've worked in a different setting too - because Cash and his band was committed.

really big fan of this and i dislike country. johnny was a very charming singer fs.

Goes to prison and sings about doing cocaine, murder, and being on death row. And all in front of prisoners who are totally enraptured. This album is ballsy. EASY FIVE

One of those albums where everything is perfection? The venue the crowd the artist the performance

EYE. CON. IC.

10/10 already listened to this a million times as an outlaw country fan fave songs - 25 minutes to go, jackson, folsom prison blues

It's amazing how much mileage Cash can get out of the same plunkin' thunkin' bassline while at the same time making each song feel fresh and fun. I'm admittedly partial to Johnny's smooth baritone. From the lively and upbeat hoedowners to the slower and more sentimental tracks, there's truly no voice better suited to this type of music than his. It's worth mentioning that the novelty of this album being performed at Folsom Prison is very present, and you can tell that both Johnny and the prisoners are having fun. I also loved June making an appearance as well. It's hard for me to listen to this without a smile on my face. 5/5 a hoot and a holler all the way through

¿Hay alguien que escuche la voz de Johnny Cash y no caiga hipnotizado al instante? Es que solo con ese don que tiene en las cuerdas vocales no necesita de buenas canciones. De hecho, su éxito se basa más en cómo canta que en lo que canta. Es más, puede hacer buena una mala canción. En este concierto en la prisión se ve al Johnny más genuino, sin las construcciones de los estudios que tanto odiaba. Se le nota disfrutón y bromista con la audiencia, conecta en lo más humano con la misma y sale airoso del reto. Un disco inigualable de un artista inigualable.

Johnny Cash is badass. His music is badass. This album has been on my turntable since 1968. Definitely five stars.

Classic, well recorded, captures a moment in time. Live at the prison was n inspired idea. Artfully captured.

Just incredible. I sliiightly prefer the other live album from Folsom, but this is still absolutely no notes incredible.

This album is the total Cash experience in microcosm. The banter is a huge part of it as is the prisoners shouting "Whooo!" at the line "I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die." A great collection of rabble rousers and murder ballads. June Carter Cash comes in and steals the show on "Jackson." Love all the prison songs and Johnny writing a song just the night before. Lean, mean, and some of his best story songs. Struck by a song like "Cocaine Blues" and how it's as R rated as any rap lyric. The man was a legend at his best on this one.

Johnny Cash had the only trait that really should matter for devout Christians like himself, empathy, and he had it in spades. Going into Folsom after just kicking his serious drug habit, getting down with the guys considered the lowest of the low by 'respectable' society. Call it the birth of outlaw country, I'd even call it proto punk. I love the banter, taunting the guards and joking with the inmates. This is one of the finest collection of songs he ever recorded from start to finish, his powers as a storyteller shine

Classic

Always good to hear an album with atmosphere...prison related songs galore! Highly listenable and enjoyable.

outlaw country <3 so cool that this inspired merle haggard