At Folsom Prison

Classic

Great listen felt personal

This is such an excellent album, John and June, and I love the Guard interventions, some real classic songs on here, what. Talent - love this man.

Good. Pretty wild the songs and the setting.

very cool album...expected nothing good since it was country but still exceeded my expectations

Singing Folsom prison at Folsom Prison is S Tier.

Folsom prison blues - 5 Dark as the dungeon - 3 I still miss someone - 3 Cocaine blues - 4 25 minutes to go - 4 Orange blossom special - 3 The long black veil - 4 Send a picture of mother - 3 The wall - 3 Dirty old egg-suckin' dog - 3 Flushed from the bathroom of your heart - 3 Jackson - 4 Give my love to rose - 4 I got stripes - 3 Green, green grass of home - 3 Greystone chapel - 3

can i get a glass of water?

Some of the best country of all time here

I hate country, but Johnny Cash rocks.

It was really good

A uniquely American album: a controversial country star goes to play a classic set in a prison. At times sort of silly, but a good listen for sure.

Never been into this genre but it kinda swoops me in and doesn't let go. 'Dark as a dungeon' and 'I still miss someone' are uggh so goooood

Great album, fun listen.

grmilica yeehaw. dublje i konceptualnijr od ocekivanog.

I've never listened to this album, nor any by Johnny Cash. I am aware of him through his hit songs from early in his career, as well as a TV show in the 70's and his American recordings later in his life. I've always respected his music more than liked his music. I was interested in listening to this today as it was a chance to find out more about him and one of his most famous albums. What I can definitely say is that it is an amazing artifact of its time. Hearing prisoners cheer for murder of people (and animals) is not something I imagine we'd get today. Hearing the lead performer laughing about much of it also isn't something I'd imagine we'd get today. And yet, I found myself laughing along at the craziness of it. And I also found myself being fascinated by the humanity of doing a performance at a prison and giving voice to inmates. I didn't love the album, but I do get the appeal to many and completely respect why it's on the list. And there were some songs I thought were either very good or at least fascinatingly interesting.

Finally getting to hear this was a treat. I knew "Folsom Prison Blues" beforehand but everything else was new. Between this and Sweetheart of the Rodeo, I think 1968 was a peak year for country. This is brilliant.

A classic, though I prefer San Quentin. 4 stars

I do think this is the better of Johnny Cash's prison albums. Some really good stuff here, notably "Folsom Prison Blues" and "Cocaine Blues". 4 stars.

Some great songs but the banter between them really makes this album special.

I am not a country fan, but I am most certainly a Johnny Cash fan! Absolutely love him. This was so fun and I loved hearing his commentary in here since it’s live. What a guy and musician!!

This is probably my favorite country album now, not that i've listened to much country; in fact this is probably the first full country album ive ever listened to. That being said this is still a great album, the concept of a live performance in front of death row inmates is very intriguing to boot. Cash is able to handle this very well tho and seems in many ways to connect with the inmates on an emotional level, i dunno if thats because hes had similar experiences but hell he might as well do the way he sings. Thats another point, the only singer with better-what you might call- vocal intellegence for me would be George Micheal. Of course its a country album of its time tho and is rather stripped back i guess you would say, not much going on instrumentally that is. Still, a very worthwhile listen.

Väldigt edgy för sin tid. Kul att Carl Perkins är i bandet. Roliga 4th wall breaks. Får mig att uppskatta Johnny Cash mycket mer. "Did i hear somebody applaud" i the Long black veil. Bandet håller sig tight även när Cash snackar med publiken. Väldigt roligt att snacket mellan låtarna hållits med, få live album gör det. Tycker poängen med live album bör vara att det ska kännas live så som ett live album är detta kanske det bästa jag hört. Problemet är bara att jag fortfarande inte är ett gigantiskt country fan. Misslyckandena känns charmiga.

Cash siempre bien. Muy country.

quite insane actually

Just amazing! Especially "Send a Picture of Mother" and "The Wall" and all his interactions with prisoners and them cheering.

Hyvä aloitus

Shout out Big Lebowski

Great album, felt communal. I love how you would hear Cash break and start laughing based on whatever the crowd said. It felt real plus I love the story behind how and why he did the album.

Imagine, if you will, that a major musician decides to play a concert at your place of work, in some area of the world where concert tours don't exactly come by. Imagine, further, that they get on stage, introduce themselves, and immediately launch into a song about how the place you work for is absolutely miserable. I imagine that must be how the crowd at Folsom prison felt here. I don't believe there are all that many truly iconic live albums. Most live shows are fun in the moment, an experience, but lightning in a a bottle… it never really translates even when it's great. The difference here? First off, the recording sounds solid. You get a bit of that live reverberating, but it also still sounds good. But I think there's also the fact that this is tailored to the crowd. Lots of songs about hard luck, crime and punishment, general outlawing. Cash also feels at home. He's making jokes here and there, connecting with the inmates, snarking shit at the prison industrial complex. The atmosphere is a part of the album. There is a ceiling on even classic western for me, but Cash can command a light 4*, even having been fed him twice this month.

A classic....dont like country but do like Cash!

I WAS DRESSS IN BLACK

wow

I’m admittedly biased. Grew up with Johnny Cash. “25 Minutes to Go” is a mighty fun to sing along to about to hang sing. My quibble is that there’s sometimes too much talking left in. The singing about ending up in prison to prisoners is an added Cash touch though.

Ehkä sitä matkan varrella oppii kuuntelemaan ja analysoimaan biisejä muustakin kun sellaisesta näkökulmasta että onko omasta mielestä hyvä vai ei. MuTu sanoo että 3/5 ihan vain koska en tykkää tälläsestä folkish/country musiikista kovinkaan paljoa mutta sisäinen kriitikko joka yrittää miettiä muutakin kuin että tykkäänkö itse kappaleista haluaa sanoa 4/5 Albumin paras biisi: Folsom prison blues - joojoo vittu suosituin biisi mutta en ole vielä tarpeeksi hyvä kriitikko että voisin valita jotain muuta Pohdinnan jälkeen kompromissi - 4/5

I'm not a country fan, but Johnny Cash is in a league of his own. He had a knack for telling great (and many times, funny) stories through song. His voice is charismatic and smooth and the melodies flow effortlessly. This album was especially good because of the live atmosphere (in a prison, no less). I've always liked live recordings because you can immerse yourself into an experience that's authentic and real, not manufactured.

Vi befinder os et sted mellem 3 og 4. Sidst jeg gjorde det gik vi på 3 - så denne gang må det blive 4.

*71 Det er ikke min favorit version af country, men det overraskede mig faktisk positivt. Det er en meget lille dirty old egg-sucking 4'er .

Det er jo fantastisk behageligt at lytte til. Langt fra mit yndlingsmusik, -genre eller -kunstner, men det tager ikke noget fra hverken koncerten, konceptet eller betydningen. Jeg kan godt lide det, og jeg må blive blød med alderen, for vi er lidt halvlangt oppe på skalaen her: 3.9

The live aspect of this is great.

Unbelievably real and surprisingly funny. The sound of the room is as much an instrument as Johnny's guitar. Infectiously chugging and writing that's clear as day.

Ah, Johnny. For someone who finds a lot of country very boring and saccharine, this is much better - biting, funny, and definitely on the side of the convicts. I love that its a PROPER live album, with interruptions and mistakes, and you get a feel for Cash's cheekiness alongside drug and murder ballads. Deserves its place here without a doubt. A strong 4.

It's unique, a piece of history, and Cash is on form.

I’ve heard this before. There are some great performances here of classic songs. I thought Boy Named Sue was on this but that was from live at San Quentin. He works the crowd really well and the performance is extremely strong, the only downside is they bleep out cuss words which gets distracting, since there’s cussing in all the between song breaks. Also the lack of boy names sue.

me gustaría ser un vaquero.......

Pretty good album, Johnny’s voice was truly singular.

Duro de pelotas

Great live album. I don’t usually listen to the genre, nor Johnny Cash, but I really enjoyed what I heard. I liked the authentic feel from him talking to the audience, etc.

This album has a lovely feel, the live recording really does lend it something. Sections where he talks to the audience are so wonderful I like the gallows humour of songs like "25 Minutes to Go". The audience clearly does too. Far from what I'd usually listen to, but I enjoyed it greatly

Enjoyed alot more than I thought I would. Never got bored and enjoyed listening to every song. Johnny Cash has a certain charm that is hard to not like. While the music is simple it has an effect. Imagine that shitty Bob Dylan album and u make it more country and good. Not my kinda think enough to get a 5 but still very good.

I love how authentic this is. The rapport between Cash and the inmates is fun and I think he does a good job making this live recording fun (I don't usually like those). Crazy he did a bunch of prison shows, I didnt know that. Also the songs are really good I like it

Very good live album. Lots of character and heart went into this. I love all the little candid moments Johnny has with his audience.

I don’t generally like live albums, and I realise now because they aren’t like this. This feels real, the fluffed lines the laughter during songs, and the obviously off the cuff remarks. There’s also a real sense of reality from playing songs about murder to a room full of murderers, but as does playing the more sentimental songs. That’s country for you- murder, divorce and Jesus

I'm not a live album guy but I really enjoyed this. Performing for a prison you wrote a song about is kinda a baller move. It's cool to just hear Johnny Cash riff and be a normal human being while also being really damn talented. It goes a little off the rails at the end, and there's a song about killing a dog which wasn't my favorite. But I could see myself listening to this album again, with a few skips.

very fun as like a live concept album. it turns out there's nothing more bluesy than rotting away in prison, and every little live callout or interstitial that reminds you of that is pretty delightful. also just some jolly straight-shooting blues. favorite song is 25 Minutes To Go. very soft 4

Hard to measure up a live album against studio - but this is such a culturally significant moment that I appreciate it's inclusion in the list. I haven't listened to Johnny Cash live anywhere else, but what is so striking about this concert is how informal it is, how involved Cash is with the audience, and damn the guy is pretty charming and funny, it's great. 7.5 / 10 Some lyrics that got the biggest cheers: "I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die" "I thought I was her daddy but she had 5 more" "I've been flushed from the bathroom of your heart" "I got stripes around my shoulders, I got chains about to drag me down" "A house of worship in this den of sin"

A true classic. Cash singing songs about love and crimes and paying for your crimes, all in the incredible setting of Folsom Prison. The cheers of the audience of prisoners at inappropriate times are wild! Liked Songs Added: Folsom Prison Blues Cocaine Blues Jackson

My rating 3.8.

Never completely going to be my type of thing but there’s a lot to appreciate here. RYM: Y (#369) Saved a song: N

One of the best live albums ever recorded. Being able to hear the interplay between Cash and the prison audience is half the appeal!

I was rather closed off to country but this was a very groovy and fun track. I think I’d consider myself a fan of Johnny Cash now!

I got this and was like “mehhh another live album!?” But I actually loved it and listened to it over again.

This is how a live album should sound. Intimate crowd interactions and reactions. Johnnys music is just so great and his voice is just as good.

Hyvä levy. 3,75/5.

yeehaw

Przesłuchałem wcześniej. 8/10 Ulubiona piosenka: Folsom Prison Blues

The only outlaw who's more outlaw than Willie Nelson

a live album and a concept album, bangers front to back

Это всё конечно хорошо, но где же песня про espresso macchiato?

Тот случай, когда нахождение лайва в этом списке действительно оправдано - этот альбом стал важной частью дискографии Кэша и на время вернул ему уже угасающую популярность. Сетлист здесь подобран тематический - мало песен самого Кэша, зато много песен о тюрьме (песни Бутырки не вошли в финальную версию альбома из-за холодной войны). Запись специфичная, но есть свои прелести в том, как между песнями по громкоговорителю каких-то заключенных зовут на ресепшн. Ну и голос Кэша конечно, за него ниже 4 ставить нельзя.

В последний час рабочего дня как влитой альбом зашел, тоже улучшил мнение о пластинке, но во многом только из-за бодрых вещей, там где темп снижался, становилось не так интересно.

awesome live album.

- I like all of the banter and Cash’s responses that you can hear from the crowd - I don’t think he’s ever been to prison and neither have I, but I think he gets it - I liked this

Ok … live albums still don’t count… but this is one of the best

Fun listen. Enjoyable right the way through and I don't normally like country at all

8/10

I like the chuckle (I only got up to cocaine blues because I wanted to get ready for a mignight outing with alexei)

So did they like know who he was or

This is a very good album. It's a little cornier than his other live album on this list, but it's obvious why it's a classic.

Man, they couldn't keep this guy OUTTA prison!

Très bon album. Pour ma part, n'étant pas particulièrement proche de l'univers Cash, ce premier album s'est révélé vraiment agréable, surtout pour un live. Tout était vraiment agréable, de la voix style country partant dans des graves incroyablement mielleux et précis à l'oreille comme dans "Dark as the dungeon" mélé à des choeurs ou des voix féminines comme avec "Jackson" pour apporter plus de variétés, à des partitions de guitares simples mais parfaitement adéquat pour le style et non envahissante pour laisser un jeu assez libre. De plus, je trouve que l'esthétique live fonctionne particulièrement bien en offrant un jeu sur l'acoustique et une vision de l'univers country bien plus intime. En résumé, l'album apporte un regard très personnel et intime, melant un style country très travaillé et particulièrement marquant.

This is probably Johnny Cash at his absolute best, the whole atmosphere is incredible and even the parts between songs (and Johnny cracking up at times) all add to the charm.

What a fucking banger

What a showman. Love the way he can grab attention without artifices. "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash".

Really fun, not sure I would have been confessing my crimes when already in a prison though, I’d be too worried they’d just keep me there

Excellent

songs about love and murder Classic

Another strong live record. Of course the setting is horrible, the audience is horrible, the lyrics are horrible, but it is a really strong perfromence.

The concept of this album alone is gold. So much stage presence, interaction, and atmosphere that it's almost as if you're there. And the songs are decent and at times even funny, to boot. Faves: Folsom Prison Blues, I Still Miss Someone, 25 Minutes to Go, Orange Blossom Special, Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog

Niiiice.

Me gustó, me costó entender un poco la letra porque es un inglés muy cerrado, muy nativo, pero ese género country blues me gusta, le doy un 8 de 10

Dit had ik nooit zelf aangezet zonder deze website maar was best leuk

what this experiment has taught me is that i am in fact obsessed with johnny cash. i don’t think i’ve heard a single cash song that i didn’t like so far. a genuine delight every time.

8.5/10

What could have been a very decent but not especially remarkable set of outlaw country songs is transformed into something purely electric. Cash was made for this performance, and likewise the audience was the perfect match for these songs, and as soon as that realisation really kicks in, Cash just lets the energy in the room break loose. A once in a lifetime performance, really... until Cash started a series of prison performance albums, that is. Well, can't blame a man for chasing a winning formula.

Je suis partagé. J'aime l'aspect irrévérencieux et la mission que Cash s'était donné de visiter les prisons à haute surveillance. L'enregistrement est excellent aussi avec Bob Johnston à la barre. Par contre, musicalement, je vois peu d'intérêt dans le Cash de cette époque, du pur countre ling-a-ling-a-ling...

Amazing album, it was amazing to hear him perform this live in front of inmates, it hit different. Not my first Johnny Cash experience but this was more in depth than others, typically only hits I’ve listened to.

Lovely little bit of musical history

Not my usual preferred genre or type of music, but man oh man from "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash" did he have my full attention. His vocals commanded it, and while I couldn't necessarily relate to the lyrics very much, I caught every last word and followed along for the entire album. I don't know how often I'll be replaying these songs, but for the 45 minutes of this album I was hooked and intently following along with the stories being told. I finally get the Johnny Cash Hype.

Classic for a reason. I have come to love his later work far more, but great tunes and good fun.

me sorprendió lo mucho que me gustó, amo que sean versiones en vivo

Definitely the second best country album I've ever heard, behind also Johnny Cash's American IV. Amazing stuff here, classic songs, good catchiness but not in a corny way that happens with a lot of country. Songwriting is immense, just great stuff all around.

"I shot a man in reno, just to watch him die" is one of the hardest lines of any song period. Absolute legendary. 4/5

Legendary album even without listening to it. It’s so rock and roll to play at a prison. Absolute legend. Folsom Prison Blues: 8/10 Upbeat and iconic. Dark as the dungeon: 7/10 Nice, like a groovy folk song. I still miss someone: 7/10 Cocaine blues: 7/10 Those lyrics are so mad it’s funny. 25 minutes to go: 7.5/10 So many good lines in this song. Brilliant. Orange blossom special: 6/10 The long black veil: 6.5/10 Send a picture of mother: 6/10 The wall: 6/10 Dirty old egg suckin’ dog: 7/10 Funny. Flushed from the bathroom of your heart: So smart, so funny. Jackson: 5.5/10 Give my love to rose: 6.5/10 I got stripes: 6/10 Green, green grass of home: 6.5/10 Greystone chapel: 6/10

Great voice and fun performance

“I hear the train a coming….” There is no mistaking those e vocals. Johnny Cash is such a great storyteller and the notion of recording a live album and opening with a song about it is just perfect. I love the guitar mimicking the rhythm of an old train chugging away. Cocaine blues continues the crowd pleasing call outs to the prison. The music here is so tailored to an audience of inmates adds to the overall atmosphere of what is already a good set of songs

Great capture of a unique moment in music history with the Man in Black performing before what sounds like a lively crowd at Folsom Prison. The inclusion of the PA announcements and between song banter help make it feel like you are in that room along with everyone else, usually the sign of a great live album. Naturally, Cash and company play several hits, including the setlist opener "Folsom Prison Blues", and finishing with a song written by an inmate at the prison.

There are very few exceptions where I would reach for a live album. This is one of them. I think this album is best when it's the whole band and June with Johnny. When it's just Johnny and a guitar it's still good, I think his voice sounds great here, but the whole band sounds so liveley in that space, and the tension of being inside a prison just adds to it.

The man in black, what a legend. Can't fault this even though it's dated and isn't my thing he still manages to catch my interest

I hadn't really listened to much Johnny Cash, it was a good album. Kinda sad though

This is a hard one to rate. What do you compare it to? And - for our purposes - is the prison setting relevant? (I'm tempted to say no, if only because, if the answer is yes, then HOW?) Actually, in some ways, the prison setting was just as a distraction, almost like a gimmick. But, on the other hand, I guess you could argue that, for *these* songs, and for Johnny Cash in particular, a prison kind of makes sense? Johnny Cash (and his wife, June Carter, of the famous Carter Family) come out of the American folk tradition, which tends to have a lot of tragedy, and morality tales, etc. -- so the songs that Cash played at Folsom Prison were (mostly) coming from that tradition, and maybe a prison audience was a particularly appropriate audience. But, still, for me: kind of a distraction (I'd probably have preferred a mix that left out most if not all of the between-song banter). I think what I'd say is that, if I just focus on the music, I'd give it 4 stars, so that's what I'm gonna do. Also, if you guys aren't really familiar with the Carter Family, maybe spend a few minutes with their Wikipedia entry (better yet, seek out recordings of their music, too). Once a dad, always a dad ;)

A really good listen

type shit

So good! I loved 25 Minutes To Go! The vibe of his live performance in the prison truly transforms this album into something memorable!

I love this album! Somehow had never listened to it all the way through. What a way to start this musical education ❤️

This was soooo good. I liked that it was live so you could hear the crowd, the laughter and like the real world of music!! My favorite song was 25 minutes to go.

It's really hard to argue that Johnny Cash needed two live from prison albums on this list. One live from prison album? Absolutely. But two? It's kind of the same thing, isn't it? But what am I going to do? Give this a bad rating? I don't think I can. These are two of the best live albums ever made. The imagery of Cash in front of a group of rowdy convicts is a powerful one. And man do they sound like they're having fun.

unfortunately this is actually really good. my generational feud with johnny cash, inherited from my mother, might have to die here at the feet of that greystone chapel. damn it johnny cash stop being a good singer i don't appreciate it.

Now, THAT's a real classic. Great songs and a great album overall.

Sort of insanely legendary, even if the music itself isn't my favorite of all time. I feel like there's basically no celebrity who could pull off singing songs about committing crimes to people who actually got committed for those crimes, but of course Johnny Cash has that dog in him. He may just be singing about shooting his wife, and I may have actually had the idiot balls to do it, but goddamn it if he doesn't just GET me! Very cool top to bottom. Definitely a must listen. Johnny is one heck of a storyteller.

Been a while since I heard this. Still a great live album.

Just missed out on a five for reasons I can't quite explain

It really is an essential Johnny Cash album and a real return to form. His charisma is incredible and strongly felt throughout. The rapport with the inmates is my personal highlight. I'd also like to mention the great mixing by Bob Johnston that really helps each member of the band and Cash himself stand out. Not to mention how much the audience contributes to this whole atmosphere. Favourite track: Cocaine Blues

Human and humurous.

Johnny Cash! Always fun road trip vibes unless you're sleepy

The perfect live album: the apt setting and audience add something to the music that it wouldn't have in the studio.

Johnny Cash has an incredible ability to for from singing about killing somebody or doing cocaine to a love song duet with his wife or a song about the Lord. Having this be a live album, where he could show off the range plus having it the prison that’s the focus of his most famous song in a total bonus.

I’ve been meaning to give this a listen for a long time. Cash’s music isn’t something I really gravitate towards, but listening to him work the crowd on this release is really something special. I would have expected a couple more of his hits, but I can see he was going for a theme. I liked how he seemed to show a kinship with the prisoners — though I couldn’t help but think they might have enjoyed a FEW more songs that didn’t remind them of where they were! Glad to have finally heard this one.

Usually I am no fan of live records but this one is different. The setting is special and the energy is really great.

I had so much fun listening to this album. Live albums aren't usually my jam, but this was a great performance and his audience interactions make Cash more likeable. 4/5

I'd been craving some Johnny Cash so this was very welcome. SO GREAT!!! Though I think I do slightly prefer At San Quentin

i just think the conceit of these albums are awesome as hell. who's cooler than a bunch of random guys in jail

What a bad-ass to be playing this in a prison. The songs are all a bit samey, but I feel like that works for Cash rather than against him.

A lot of country music artists claim to be "of the people" while never having set foot on a farm. This album is the opposite of that, taking songs about doing time and crime and played to their ideal target audience to great effect. In isolation I wouldn't be as excited about these songs, but Johnny Cash proves himself as an authentic man of the people on this one, greater than the sum of its parts.

God imagine being there. Such a good live

I had his other live prison album previously and rated at a five star album. In some respects, since this one came first, I almost feel compelled to do the same here. However, I didn’t find this as interesting, simply because I felt like the reactions of the prisoners weren’t as great. Also, the songs weren’t either, at least to me. Still, four stars. Totally novel and since it came first, it’s worthy of at least this.

Solid album. Good songs, love live albums like this.

Context has to make this one of the greatest live albums recorded ever. Slightly repetitive towards the middle, but really cool connection between the prison folk music he’s singing and his audience’s reaction to it. Voice is raw and round and undeniably cool, he makes you smile even at songs like “Long Black Veil”

Solid, saunaus kaubojaus muzika

Great live Johnny Cash. Have this on vinyl. Always enjoy listening to this.

I love the little bits between songs, and how much you can hear the live audience through the whole album.

Songs relate to the context of the album being live in prison not my style but I enjoyed it

Shout out Reverend Garrett. Looks like that wraps up Johnny Cash for me and the rest of this list with 800+ still to go.

I’ve never listened to an album that offers such an immersive live experience, to feel like I’m actually watching in that prison.

There is just something SO fundamentally unappealing about the genre of song that goes "I'm a prisoner with a troubled past and I sure do miss my mom/wife/grandma :("... Maybe if you actually valued and respected your mom/wife/grandma half as much as you think/say you do now that she's an unattainable ideal/nostalgia-filled memory/symbol of Life On The Outside floating around in your head, then you wouldn't have committed the kind of senseless violence against your fellow man (or. You know. Her, maybe) that landed you in prison in the first place, which she would undoubtedly have warned your ass about. Your ostentatious musical performance of regret now that you've tasted the consequences does not do all that much to stir my pity. That said. Johnny Cash is Playing A Character here and, whether or not I care for the character particularly on a personal level, he sure is absolutely nailing the part—and the people he's parodying seem to think so too, if the crowd noise here is anything to go by. Final verdict: kind of an incredibly fucked-up album in concept, tbh, but in execution it mostly works for me. Somehow.

I liked it; it's not really my style, but it was entertaining.

Magnifico

One of the most emblematics performances by Johnny Cash. An icon of folk music that delivers a fun, yet sinister show between lyrics.

who knew how songs about prison, murder, and cocaine could be this good?!

Definitely a favourite, prefer the faster tempo songs especially using the harmonica. 25 minutes to go was the greatest interest of this album at the first listen.

Hell I'd go to prison just to see this

Classic

a classic

I am glad I finally gave this my attention. I like how you can tell it’s a prison assembly through and through.

It's raw and heartfelt, and I'm glad that this particular album was my first proper introduction to the beauty that is Johnny Cash's voice and storytelling. I absolutely adored the included talking between songs and the cheering from within the prison. What an absolute gem!

Really love it a lot

Good tunes.

At Folsom Prison is a raw, iconic live album that captures Johnny Cash at his most direct and uncompromising. While the overall musical style can feel a bit repetitive across the tracklist, the songs themselves are consistently strong and carry a distinctive charm that keeps the listening experience engaging. The real centerpiece, though, is Cash’s voice, deep, authoritative, and emotionally loaded, which commands the room and gives every song a sense of gravity and authenticity. Listening to the SACD version elevates the album even further. The soundstage is remarkably immersive, making it feel as if the concert is happening right in your living room. Audience reactions, ambience, and Cash’s presence are rendered with impressive realism, reinforcing the live energy that defines the album. Despite its stylistic uniformity, At Folsom Prison remains a powerful and enjoyable record, especially when experienced in a high-quality format. 7.5/10

Just an absolute classic

I enjoyed this quite a lot. Kind of strange knowing it was a whole lot of prison folk cheering along. Especially the last track when you hear the announcement to stay seated until the guards escort you back.

What a set 4 - great even among this list

Peak Johnny Cash.

Love it - great songs, good talking with the crowd, announcements over loudspeaker

A very undeniably iconic album. It’s not my cup of tea, but I do have fond memories of many songs in this album from karaoke with Jacob’s family. The title track is my favorite, and it feels wrong to pick a least favorite.

8/10 Favourite: Folsom Prison Blues Least Favourite: Dirty Old Egg-Sucking Dog

Review - a fun listen, such a unique idea for a live album. Probably not as good as his San Quentin album but still a good collection of songs. Rating - 7/10 Need to listen? YES

For en stemning!

Absolute banger

Hann var nú alveg ágætur karlinn, og þessir fangar eru passlega hressir. Segi ekki að ég hefði viljað vera á þessum tónleikum, en það er gaman að fá að hlusta á þá.

This is being recorded so I probably shouldn’t say sh*t or hell.

This is an excellent live album. You can’t not love Johnny Cash

While I don't listen to Johnny Cash often, this is a shining example of peak Johnny Cash. 4 stars.

This was great nice solid country and I don’t typically like country !

great album

hearing johnny's banter and the cheering of inmates definitely makes this album a much better experience than it would be if it was just a studio record. very fun listen

Absolutely remarkable! This is a significant piece of music history.

I have mixed feelings about this one. I really enjoyed some of the songs, but I probably won't listen to most of them again soon. The energy during the recording was very special and I could feel it while listening. I thought it was a bold move from Johnny Cash to play a concert at a prison. I've never heard of something like that before. Honestly, he's one of the very few artists who could make that happen in my opinion. If this album wasn't recorded live at such an extraordinary venue, I probably would have rated it lower.

Historical album. Johnny Cash is at home in Folsom and sings with respect.

Increíble, divertidísimo, absolutamente unhinged. Momentos risitas con lo de decir palabrejas malas y luego arranca un tema sobre ir hasta el culo de cocaína y matar a tu mujer. Que los presos griten cada vez que Johnny Cash habla de matar merecidamente a un jambo le da un puntazo. Same con cada vez que Johnny Cash hace chistes sobre los guardias. El tema countdown de 25 Minutes to Go también está increíble. Se va quedando sin voz desde la mitad y se la pela. Flush from the bathroom of your heart muy risas. Graciosísimo. Muy buen disco.

Good album

Synes lyden her er så fet! Og det gir en viss stemning med lyden av folka i bakgrunnen. En god lytteopplevelse!

Storytelling i verdensklasse.

I really enjoyed this. Rather dark but I would argue that is a highlight. Bordering on a 5.

it's a good album overall, and i do like the songs, johnny is just not really my preferred style of music.

Interesting live recording with interruptions from prison admin calling on prisoners, also can hear prisoners audibly booing at the mention of the rising staff.

Decent yeah 6/10

não é muito a minha praia mas é isso aí né primeiro album

Stronger of the 2 "prison albums". Great live album. Most immersive live album? Am I also in prison????

Johnny cash does good live albums. No further critique.

Loved

Im somewhere between three or four. Just for the sake of the live performance I'd give a five. This must be one of the coolest live settings throughout rock history. When it comes to music, I have always been okay with Cash. Perhaps abit too continuous song structures, but still good lyrics.

Love it. Haven't frequently listened through the entire album. Enjoy the live sounds.

God ol' (other) country

I have always had a high level of respect for Johnny Cash's music but never really felt he was the legend that so many make him out to be. This album, however, totally makes me appreciate the Man in Black... Not sure if this live album in a prison concept was intended as a publicity stunt, but it feels completely authentic listening to it. Singing bluegrass tunes about cocaine and crime to a room full of hyped up inmates? This is peak Americana and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

It’s absolutely wild that they managed to actually record this! A man singing about cocaine, whisky, being arrested, murder, and spitting in the warden’s eye while on death row to an audience of actual prisoners. The live setting, from Cash’s mistakes and banter to the warden’s announcements to the audiences enthusiasm and energy, is what absolutely makes this album shine. All that said, I am admittedly more intrigued by Johnny Cash’s persona as the Man in Black than I am with his actual music. Not that his music is bad; I do enjoy it and can absolutely appreciate his influence, but it’s not really something I seek out to listen to everyday.

Album feels very free and wild. Enjoyed it!

I love Johnny Cash. This is a really good live album

Wow, this album was fascinating. It was an immersive experience that left you feeling like you were in prison watching the show. From the warden announcements to the interactions with the crowd, you can clearly picture what was going on as Johnny was playing. Even though I am not a fan of blues, I really enjoyed each song and his storytelling.

*giggles in Johnny Cash*

The basis of this recording is brilliant - how many people out there can say that they've put on a live performance in a prison and put it to tape? Then you have a pungent sense of wit and humour wafting through the album courtesy of Cash's lyricism and his patter with the audience, providing for a consistent positive throughout. The arrangements here are simplistic, but raw and engaging, with a veil of darkness and irony shrouding them despite the minimalist instrumentation. Despite that, there were a couple of great individual moments here as well which bucked the trend - not least the wicked drum fills on "Orange Blossom Special" and the duet on "Jackson". I was worried at first that many of these tracks would blur into one and comprise a similar template, but there was just enough variation throughout the album to retain my interest. I've never really sat down with any of Johnny Cash's material before, but maybe I should.

Album shows Johnny s style

We got two live prison performance albums from Johnny instead of picking the best one and then maybe a studio album because despite this album being fun and the crowd giving some good energy, these songs sound better recorded in a studio. The album itself is a blast, dont get me wrong, there is a great song selection here to be sure, but the format leaves it wanting.

love a live album, such a unique voice and just a good time.

Songs were quick and fun. I enjoyed hearing the crowd banter as well.

Very cool concept for a live album (recorded at a prison, all the songs are about prisoners). Some songs were really sad and some were a lot more light-hearted. Never really listened to Johnny Cash so it was a nice intro to him.

I adore this lice performance. For me this is peak Johnny Cash. The smoothness and rhythm of soft guitar and Johnny's is absolutely unmatched, not to mention it is a love performance! 4.5/5

That was awesome - live album recorded at Folsom prison is so punk and the audience cheers and laughs and boos added a ton. Favorite song: cocaine blues

An absolute masterpiece - the very idea, songs and their lyrics, his ongoing personality and jokes he makes during this performance along with his strong baritone vocal make this album one-of-a-kind pillar of country music 😍👌

So much energy, so raw, an experiment that only Johnny Cash could pull off. A true classic.

classic

super fun, can't wrap my head around the fact that he's talking about such dark and violent stuff with a bubbly energy. can totally relate to "I've been flushed from the bathroom of your heart" I recognise the artistic excellence but its not my style

Classic... a voice that touches your soul and make you reconsider all the prejudices towards country music

He makes me cry, great Johnny Cash album

Great fun

"Woooo Reno!"

Great album!

Listening session: january 5th, while commuting to internship Listened to before: heard a few songs before but not the entire album Thoughts: there’s no one who can romanticize life in prison more than Johnny Cash and this album is a great example Favourite tracks: Folsom Prison Blues, Orange Blossom Special, Jackson

Classic bitch, however this one sounds more energetic somehow.Not saying that Johnny writes moody music but that's just my perspective. Of course I like it man, personal favorite gotta be I got stripes just because,no further explanation

This album is oozing in personality. Cash perfectly captures the feelings of guilt and yearning from prison life, while having the sense of humor to perform it within the prison he sings about. This album listened as a whole makes you feel like you are in the audience with the incarcerated. Lyrics are clever, and a testament to Cash's legacy.

A live album that 1. Sounds good, and 2. Actually sounds live and fun

Really enjoyed it. Knowledge of JC limited to greatest hits and the American IV album - particularly Hurt. He has a powerfully honest and lyrical voice that tells great stories with real empathy. I don't know much about country music but JC is the benchmark for me - and I have yet to hear anybody better. A great live set with real energy and chemistry with the crowd

Not usually a fan of live albums, but it's the location and the live aspect of these songs that make this album.

Such an awesome concept

Didn’t think I would ever enjoy a country/folk album as much as I did this one.

Unique atmosphere about this album. Live performance recording really helped it i think. Not a big country fan but Johnny cash does it amazingly.

An album where Johnny Cash sings about being a bastard to prisoners is not something I thought I'd enjoy as much. A good example of the location really adding something to an album

Aaah, Johnny Cash. The one artist that does make good country music. I should also say that through this site, and through albums like this I can finally see the appeal of love albums. Often when I listened to them they felt like poorer quality with some yelling in the background, but in albums like this it actually does enhance the music, and brings some extra mood of what that performance was like, making both the artist and the music feel more alive. 7.5/10

Bold, brave, empathetic and funny. I had no idea Johnny Cash could cover that range in his music.

I don't typically listen to live albums as I often lament that the production doesn't quite capture the full essence and intent of an artist's studio output, nor reflect the true quality of seeing the performer in a live setting oneself. This album manages to deliver on those two counts, and offers up something else altogether new entirely: a thrilling and frenetic performance in a rather unlikely setting that captures a singularly special live music experience. Many of the upbeat numbers like 'Cocaine Blues' and '25 Minutes to Go' threaten to come off the rails entirely, however Cash's baritone has such a sobering quality which helps to root this album in earnest, even in spite of the rambunctious rock'n'roll rhythms or his jocular patter with the inmates between and in the middle of the tracks. Many of his songs for this record humanise the prisoners in the audience by centering troubles like theirs at the heart of the track, and Cash's compassionate delivery and humble relatability makes songs such as 'The Wall' and 'Green, Green Grass of Home' shine. The album as a whole lulls a little in the middle but the latter half of the album sees the listener confidently home, with the rousing duet of 'Jackson' as a highlight of the piece.

ALBUM 1 (January 1-2, 2025): Interesting start to my challenge! usually not too much of a fan of country/folk rock but i was pleasantly surprised by it! songs that stood out: Folsom Prison Blues I Still Miss Someone Cocaine Blues Send a Picture of Mother Give my Love to Rose Green, Green, Grass of Home First Listen Review + Notes: 4/5 i feel like im indifferent towards it, but i honestly enjoyed listening to it.

Live albums have always been a challenge for me. I've always wanted to appreciate them for what they are, but I've struggled to put myself in the right place. I've never been to prison, never even spent the night in jail. With that said, my goal was to put myself in the right place to listen to this. I imagine the only proper place to be is in passion in the 1960s. To get into prison back then would likely take a more serious offense than today. Law enforcement didn't have as many resources at their disposal to track lower level crimes. Likely the charges would have been violent in nature. With forensics at a more basic level, I might have even been charged with a crime that I didn't commit. Regardless, I imagine music would have been a rare sound to hear and live music completely non-existent. This must have been an incredible experience. I'm not going to comment on the musicality or lyrics here, but I imagine everyone who was at the prison remembered this until the day they died. Maybe even during the last 25 minutes.

Get this man some water!! Favorites: Folsom Prison Blues and The Long Black Veil

Awesome

obviously legendary, a defining example of the outlaw spirit, and a really outstanding collection of songs even with the backstory put aside. deserves to be one of the 1001? it'd deserve to be one of the 10 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die

Very good. He wrote this imagining what life would be like in the Folsom prison based off the movie inside the walls of Folsom prison. I like Folsom prison blues and 25 minutes to go

Just nice classic Johnny Cash. Exactly what I would expect. I like that he made these songs for prisoners. Blues and folk like. Nice background music.

Enjoyable but blues not my thing. I did like 25 minutes to go, Folsom Prison Blues and Jackson. Live aspect also elevated the album.

One of the most landmark, pivotal live albums of all time.

This is quite compelling and I would like to know more of the story behind it.

Fantastic album. One of the best live albums I've heard.

It's been awhile since I first listened to this album. What I do remember was one, I'm not a huge country person but I really enjoyed this album. It had interesting lyrics and topics explored in the music and was a live album at a concert of his. I need to re-listen to it again but I would definitely recommend.

'oh my god these are so catchy. OH MY GOD NO HE DIDNT SAY THAT NO' - LIVE reaction of me listening to any song from this album

Realised it was telling stories and liked the atmosphere.

Ikoninen livelevy jolla country-musiikin paha poika Johnny Cash esiintyy vangeille Folsomin vankilassa Kaliforniassa. Useissa lauluissa kerrotaan murhaajista ja rikollisista, joten settilista varmasti miellytti yleisöä. Musiikin ohella tärkeässä roolissa on artistin ja yleisön välinen kommunikaatio. Country ei lukeudu lempigenreihini mutta tämä on silti yksi isoimpia klassikoita mitä tulee livealbumeihin.

I was tempted to just stick this on in the background as I’ve heard these recordings before and wasn’t particularly in the mood for Johnny Cash. This listen really captivated me though with the small interactions with the crowd in between the songs really making this a worthwhile listen. Then I ended up reading all about Glen Sherley, the inmate who wrote the last song performed, and yeah this album is really something special.

Pretty amazing 🤩

1. Cocaine blues - ironic, a fun and tongue-in-cheek listen 2. 25 minutes to go - so emotive, and his vocal storytelling??

Excellent album.

This is the definitive Johnny Cash for me. Always a joy to listen to. When I'm in the perfect mood for it, it's a 5, but today, it's a 4.

It’s pretty great, even if it feels a little like a marketing stunt. An all time intro. Ultra badass. I think it gets a little sleepy in the middle, but I’m always happy to hear this!

A more fascinating historical document than it is an album. I accidentally listened to the recent re-release that includes both of Cash's performances at Folsom prison, so I'm not sure I got the original experience which supposedly has the best moments of each performance spliced into one. My favorite moment of that re-release, which was the American tall-tale storytelling of "The Legend of John Henry's Hammer" on side 1, apparently didn't make the original release (the performance of the same song on side 2 didn't go as well). It tells a story (relevant once again) of workers trying to resist being replaced by machines. The stunt of recording a live album at a prison with these songs, which often have lyrics about outlaw characters who end up in prison, is very successful, and the audience reactions add a lot to the atmosphere.

Part concept album, part live album and all Johnny Cash

I am becoming a Johnny Cash fan.

A smash, improved by the audience and the electric ambience of this live prison album. - 1 star because I really didn’t like the song about his dog.

Enjoyed it. Wife said it was a racket

Cocaine blues is wild 😂 Entertaining and somber at times. Not my usual style but pretty good

very soothing album to listen to, he very much humanized the incarcerated n i fw that. Him talking in between was kinda funny. Only have heard his hits not a full length album so this was a refreshing album to listen to.

Listening Notes "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash" The banter is incredible, never has a live album placed me right in the moment like this. Atmosphere is just unmatched Standouts: Folsom Prison Blues, Cocaine Blues, 25 Minutes to Go, Jackson, Greystone Chapel First time? Yes Will it go into your rotation? No, but the Cash deep dive is needed

All time classic

Really audience interactive. Sounds pretty good for the year it was recorded. unique songs and perspectives - cool live performance. Not my typical genre, so not something I would've chosen for myself.

I was surprised how little of these songs I knew. Usually I don't care for a live album, but I appreciated getting his personality shown through this album. Laughing mid-song, ad-libs, audience reactions knowing it's a free prison show (booing the warden lol). 9/10. favorites: - folsom prison blues (have to) - cocaine blues - 25 minutes to go - jackson (duet with June) Interesting facts from wiki page: - born just J.R. Cash (Dad wanted Jack and Mom wanted Ray, so compromised on just initials lol) - thought to be the first American to learn of Stalin's death via morse code while he was in the Air Force - died less than 4 months after June - a new species of black tarantula was identified near Folsom Prison and named Aphonopelma johnnycashi in his honor

Another set of bangers from Cash

Guess I like Johnny Cash. Enjoyed the comedic interludes as well.

Great banter, nice tunes

Listened to this before, great vibes and I love the commentary by him

One of my favorites. I’ll always love Johnny Cash

ganske nice faktisk

Makes me actually feel like im in a 60s american jail, though its not my style

Infamous recording and performance. Amazing artefact. The audience participation adds so much to the listening experience. Do I like Johnny Cash? No. But this album is fantastic.

Pretty good, added a couple to my playlist so that's great

Awesome live album. Lovely appearance by June Carter, fantastic banter with the prisoners/guards, troll songs. Close to a 5

I really wanted to give this album a 5, because the whole concept behind recording a live album in a prison was so unique and I think it really paired so well with his whole “Outlaw Country” way of telling stories from the perspectives of criminals, and also was so revolutionary that it makes me respect the album all the more. However, some of the songs didn’t quite work for me, and only a couple are truly memorable after the fact. I also had trouble choosing a favorite track, and considered Folsom Prison Blues, The Long Black Veil, Give My Love to Rose, and Greystone Chapel. All were really good. Favorite Track: The Long Black Veil

Gonna start calling people Dirty Old Egg-Suckin Dogs. Johnny Cash has got soul, dammit, and I love the sentiment behind this album.

This is a great album, I had a long drawn out review that disappeared after I had to take a pause from the album to go to a meeting at work. The production and recording is better quality than San Quentin, but I think I like the San Quentin set list a little bit more. Great music, great lyrics throughout. I love how he interacts with the crowd. 45 mins of fun music, even the ballads. I would absolutely recommend this album. 3.92 stars, same as San Quentin.

Don't got much to say on this one. It's hard to argue that it doesn't belong on this list.

I visited a prison once (as an observer). I got a bit claustrophobic and fainted. I'm no Johnny Cash

So sick

Great live album. Highlights: "Folsom Prison Blues" and "The Long Black Veil"

The man in black ... In a prison ... Singing murder ballads ... To murderers ... That is all

i liked it, especially (an unusual one for me) the meaning behind some of it

seltsamer künstler: 2x auf der liste, 2x ein konzert im gefängnis - und es gibt noch zwei weitere solche! musikmässig ist es country, entertainementfaktor hoch.

Johnny Cash basically said ACAB over 50 years ago

The first country album I bought on my own. I went through a long period of time where I didn't like country. Turned out, I didn't like Nashville Fiddle-Pop. Country... hard music by hard people... was and always will be a worldwide staple. Always a joy to listen to this again.

the songs here are good , maybe not amazing, but very good but you cant escape the extraordinary setting in which it takes place and the context it gives everything.

nobody’s doing it like this anymore, country music without the boot licking is so class. southern people get back to your roots asap.

Great live album has great interactions between performer and audience

Not too many stand out songs just really solid overall

the reno incident...

A masterpiece of humanity, humour, grit and love. An incredible album from a beautiful soul.

Masterclass of classic country. The fact that you can hear Johnny engage with the audience and clearly have fun performing adds a unique charm to the album.

The prisoners all cheer any time Johnny says he shot someone

Like the last live Cash, im diggin’ the crowd banter and improvising that keeps this album from being corny and instead more of a fucked up, but authentic experience (what Johnny wouldve wanted). The Long Black Veil and Jackson were fantastic. That said, this is definitely an album to play in its entirety

FIRE FIRE FIRE One of the greatest live albums and I've never really listened to Johnny Cash before. bro was COOKING on that harmonica god damn 8.34/10

Didn’t expect to enjoy this as I don’t usually like live albums very much but this one was so good, and Johnny cash just comes across as so suave and charismatic!

Fun, cheeky, slightly comedic live album with a really cool concept and idea of performing at a prison. The recording quality is also considerably good. Johnny cash surprised me with the level of performance he has with this record. I definitely wasn't expecting to end up kind of enjoying his singing style, but it does grow on me. He knows how to get the crowd moving and laughing...at a PRISON no less. The songs themselves are silly and allegorical in that classic country way but still good throughout. His backing band is great and pleasant to listen to. His slower ballad songs are also very nice with their slight introspections and such. Honestly a good listen. Wouldn't single out any tracks to listen to by themselves but I didn't hate it by any means. All that holds the score back is taste!

I felt the connection between the music and the public. Each song told a different story - but there were some that really shed new light on emotions that I believe are often neglected when thinking of prison. "I Still Miss Someone" is about solitude - not necessarily related to prison - but most certainly what a convict might experience on a daily basis. "Flushed from the Bathroom of your Heart" can be read as a song about abandonment and rejection dealt with a great deal of irony. "A long black veil" was the most compelling of all: a man refusing to tell the truth - that he "had been in the arms of his best friend's wife" - thus receiving capital punishment. Was it love that pushed him to this decision? Was it shame? A combination fo both? The song leaves these questions unanswered and lets doubt transform into fascination

Probably some of Johnny Cash's best -- magnetic

Ich glaube, ich werde Fan von alten live-alben

4.3 - Leider klingt einiges zu gleich, aber die Aufzeichnung sprüht nur so vor Energie und Freude, dass der große Teil fantastisch ist. Highlights: Folsom Prison Blues, Orange Blossom Special, Jackson

Really cool music