Reviews (page 8 of 14)
Love justice, I do think WWW is their best but this one is pretty good too
Probably my favorite Johnny Cash album. Certainly better than Live at San Quentin. It’s funny though that early on the bleep “shit” but a later song about going on a cocaine bender and murdering his woman is A-ok.
I really enjoyed this album. Definitely sticks to what he knows but he does it very well and has some variety within the genre. Like slow songs and fast ones.
Love it
Have heard this before but not in a long time. Funny, lively versions. The crowd sure love murder! 4 Heard before? Yes Owned: No, 6/1001, 6/22 (27%) Will I get? Maybe Recommend: Yes
A great country album with a bit of rock from one of the greats!
cool
Could be a 4.5
Classic outlaw country; this is a great live album due to the reaction and energy of the crowd. "Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart" is a genuinely amusing track.
A plus!
The only bad parts of this album were when June Carter was singing. 4/5
His first live album. The best live album ever !? Maybe. Going to a prison and singing about murder, drugs and fighting etc is ballsy. Ha! The audience are as crucial to the album as Johnny and the songs. Great set list and Johnny Cash doing Johnny Cash things.
Pretty good country but still country 3.6 The opener is a banger
Hard because I’ve heard it so many times. But in 1968 to go into a prison and have the setlist and band to blow it away? Johnny knew how to put on a show and this captures it.
What stands out to me other than the raw talent on display is how well the album works live. The ongoing banter and interaction with the crowd bring such life to an at times somber, at times fun, and at times dark performance that encapsulates Johnny Cash as an artist in such a powerful way. It's perfectly authentic and atmospherically on brand in such a way you can almost picture Cash in front of you performing. Cash conveys the emotion of the songs and you're captivated by a magnificent storyteller who hooks you the way an invigorating show on streaming would. 1. Folsom Prison Blues 2. Cocaine Blues 3. Jackson Honorable Mention: Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart Musically, it's simple with its folky undertones while maintaining a level of purity that elevates it beyond what another artist could bring to the table. All the way through, there's not a song on here I'd skip as it'd take away from the experience. Every high and low is a journey Cash alone was capable of taking us through. I agree this could be one of the best live albums ever recorded. From legendary hits to harmonic solos, the album is full of life even in its simplicity. For these reasons, I give At Folsom Prison by Johnny Cash 4.5/5 stars
I loved the energy on this album - a really great live album. Sometimes the songs feel a little bit too similar, but I still really enjoyed it. Fav song: Jackson Least fav: Cocaine Blues
Always love a bit of Johnny cash. The announcements throughout like it’s someone on the mic in Tesco is ahite funny as well. Imagine you’re having a once in a lifetime chance to see Johnny cash live and you get called to reception. Specific rating - 3.9 Fav song- Folsom prison blues Least fav- the long black veil
I've said it a few times, I'm not a huge fan of live albums unless they're amazing. This one is amazing. 4/5 stars
Gear: HEDD Audio HEDDphone Two Artwork: 👨💼🥵🆒 Production: 🥩🙂👌 Music: 🔫💀🥳 Rating: 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️(🏛️)/5
Johneh
Ya lo había escuchado, pero está guapísimo tbh. Animalada por momentos. Increíbles las llamadas a los presos entre canciones y los comentarios de Johnny Cash.
I've never listened to a Johnny Cash album but have always been curious to. Yey. Ok so blues. But this is the kind of blues I can get behind. More rhythm based. Second track's cool too. Love his voice, really suits the genre. He's funny too. Third track's short and sweet. Cocaine Blues is a tale about drug, marital murder, and a trial. A lot of fun too. 25 Minutes continues with the fun times. Love the drumming and the harmonica on Orange Blossom Special. A lot of fun too. The Long Black Veil is a murder ballad, but also a love song (?) about cheating and betrayal. Send a Picture of Mother is sad and sweet. Jackson, with what seems to be participation from an audience member is, taking the risk of repeating myself, a lot of fun! The songs I didn't mention weren't bad, I just didn't have much to say about them. As this is not my genre, I can't quite comment on technique. So just saying that I like something is just boring. I really liked this album! Even if blues isn't really my genre of choice, this was very accessible. The playing's a lot of fun, and the vocals are great. Song subjects too. I do like the first half more than the second, as the first is faster and more dancey, and the second has some ballads along the way. Definitely worth a listen!
If y'all are interested in trivia, look up Mr. B, his brain implant, and his sudden obsession with Johnny Cash
Solid album.
Country music was much better when it was about doing cocaine, getting arrested, and doing crimes.
This album is fucking insane, right? It’s Johnny Cash singing about drugs and murder, in front of prisoners, who applaud it. Normally, I hate getting the live albums, but this is a clear exception. And not just because it’s recorded in prison. There’s just something between the warden announcements and Johnny’s Cash carefree nature that make this just… real. Even the set list is top notch. Outside the songs about the crime and stuff, there’s a lot of songs that reflect on the melancholy of the audience’s reality. It kind of humanizes them. Hell, even picking one of the inmate’s songs to end the show was a hell of a choice. I won’t say this pushed itself to the top of my list. Some of this album is a little samey, but nothing that made it feel too detrimental. This is a rare live album that everyone needs to experience. Favorite track: Cocaine Blues Other hits: Folsom Prison Blues, 25 Minutes to Go, Flushed From The Bathroom Of Your Heart, Jackson, Greystone Chapel, Give My Love To Rose, The Wall, Send A Picture To Mother
He's defiantly playing to the crowd, but I love how Johnny Cash is always making comments about how the guards hate him.
A good overall country music album. A GM always liked Folsom Prison Blues. Also liked some of the other songs.
I've never really connected with Johnny Cash, though I've heard this a bunch of times and admire it a great deal. The trappings of the setting and his banter are more compelling to me than the actual music, but that's no fault of Mr. Cash.
One of those reminders there's good country out there! Not the sort of thing I'd listen to at random, but it makes for a really good album and just absolutely solid listening experience. Really hard to beat Cash when it comes to country stuff.
I'm not usually crazy about live albums, and was surprised to see this one on here - but my girlfriend loves Johnny Cash and I was ready to give this a shot. I really loved this - so much heart, laughter, and energy. Learning about the background of this album was really cool too. Can't wait for more Johnny Cash!
A goddamn stone-cold country classic. We need more country with this energy today - Morgan Wallen would just say a racial slur if you asked his stupid ass to play in a prison.
Truly a GOAT live album. Good mix of upbeat and tragic and fantastic and the prisoner cheering gives it good atmosphere. This is a perfect intro to country or intro to Johnny Cash album too.
Fun album to listen to! Not a Blues fan, but this is a classic.
Me gusta cuando me toca un disco que se grabó en directo, suena más divertido.
#646. This is way better than the San Quentin one. 4/5: yes
Never understood the fuss about going to Jackson, Wyoming. Been there, it's fine.
Goes to play a live performance in a prison, nice and uplifting for the prisoners... Al song are about being stuck in prison or getting the death penalty. The prisoners seem to love it, it's a wonderful time to listen to it, then trying to make him laugh is another great touch.
I do like me some Johnny C.
Not my favorite style of music but I can appreciate how legendary this live album is.
Dark
Well, I don't like country and/or western music ... except Johnny Cash. Love it. Especially great are Fulsom Prison Blues, 25 Minutes to Go and Jackson. That June Carter can sing! 4/5
Cash sounds more alive in prison than he had in years. A rowdy crowd fuels him; the energy’s sharp, sweaty, and mean. One of the greatest live albums ever.
Done
Surprisingly dark
Excited for this one. I don't think I've ever listened to it all the way through. Track 1 is obviously famous. A track that probably couldn't be made today. I love the understated "Hello, I'm Johhny Cash" at the beginning. Track 2 find Johnny slowing things down. Funny "outtake" in the middle when he talks to the audience. Pretty good song overall Track 3 is a wistful number. Short and sweet. Track 4 speeds things up back with a track the prisoners really enjoyed. Another track that might not make past the censors these days which is a shame. A lot of fun. Track 5 is one of favorites from the album. I love the countdown theme. He does a great job with it, even though its a gimmick-y concept. Track 6 is incredible. I've always had a soft spot for songs that sound like trains. The harmonica work is fun. I really like how "live" this album is. It makes you feel as if you were there...as much as possible. Track 7 slows things down, highlighting his songwriting. And his beautiful baritone voice. Another great moment when he breaks into laughter. Track 8 highlights the juxtaposition between Johnny's outlaw lifestyle and his deep faith. It's always fascinated me. Track 9 seems to be written purely for this show. Another great laugh and comment to the crowd. I'm really enjoying this album Track 10 an ode to fido. "A man has nothing else!' Track 11 is a filler track. Silly metaphors. The crowd loved it though so who am I to judge. Track 12 is a duet with June Carter. The really appreciated the vigor in which she sang with. One of the standout tracks from the album. Track 13 is another love ballad. One of the better ones on the album. He really had a way with words, that the everyman could understand and relate to. Track 14 is fun and jaunty. He has done a good job ramping up and slowing down and than ramping up again. A nice mix. Track 15 begins with his full-full baritone which is incredible. A superb rendition of the this traditional ballad. Track 16 is the closing track. It was written by an inmate of the prison. A gospel tune to finish it off. It was a big hit with the inmates. That was fun. Not a lot of revolutionary music but a great insight into one of the 20th century's biggest character is the music industry. 4.1/5
Obviously a classic. I would even go so far as to say that of the MULTIPLE Johnny Cash live in a prison albums we have already covered, THIS is the superior one. And I also feel pretty confident that if you heard this one but not the other one, it would be OK to go ahead and die if you needed to. And welcome to the group, Willie!
Speaking of J. Cash, the movie was great!
The concept is so cool! An album recorded in a prison with songs which relate to them. Also Johnny cash seemed like a pretty funny and chilled guy.
It’s clear why Johnny Cash is considered one of the greats. Even if his music isn’t my preferred genre, the performance quality can’t be denied.
Super cool idea to have a live performance at a prison. Despite this I was quite surprised to see a live album here. Not only is it a novel idea, it's also a very cosy listen. The songs are nice, and perhaps get a bit one-note in some ways, but also have their own little things that make them unique and stay interesting, and the listen itself doesn't get boring at all until perhaps the final stretch, as you get little pockets of Johnny's personality poking through, and cleverly placed crowd ambience, which really sets the listen apart from the usual, studio recorded album. Folsom Prison Blues was a cool song to start on, being about the prison it's being sung at. Nice melodies and a soulful performance, with very nice musical intermissions. Dark as the Dungeon was decent, but the laughing in the middle, and the outro, make it stand out. Really drives home how this is all done live, and shows how easy it is to forget that, even two tracks in, as the quality of the performance is just that good. Aside from brief crowd noises, it still feels like a standard recording, tried time and time again for perfection. I Still Miss Someone was a bit short, and I found it weird how the outro from the last track bled into the intro here, but the song itself wasn't bad. Cocaine Blues is the most energetic performance so far and while Johnny doesn't keep up as perfectly as the other songs, it's still a great performance and doesn't fail to excite. The outro was hilarious too. 25 Minutes to Go is the most memorable lyrically so far with the whole countdown thing, and Johnny gives it some nice flair with his vocal inflections too. You can tell he's having fun as he does the performance. Caught me off guard when he said 'seven' more minutes instead of 'four' more minutes. Orange Blossom Special is a nice change of pace as he brings out the harmonica. Big prison vibes, if that's even a thing. The Long Black Veil was also pretty funny halfway through, and also a nice song to slow the pace down. Bit of a shame how long the outro is, but I love these humanising moments, going through these albums each day it's easy to forget about the actual people behind the albums, and this performance has so many little moments where it's like 'oh yeah, these are real people here' and it almost makes you feel like you're there, as cliche as that might sound. Send a Picture of Mother was nice. Not much else to say about it, but I did like it. The Wall is equally pleasant, even if it does talk about suicide. Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog is just funny to me, very memorable. Short but sweet. Especially how I'm pretty sure he described it as a love song in the previous song's outro. Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart was also kinda funny with how surreal(?) and creative the lyrics get. Jackson mixes thing up with a duet, and it works really well. The setlist of this performance is really good at keeping things varied and interesting. Give My Love to Rose was a bit boring to me, even though I did like the lyrics. Wasn't a huge fan of I Got Stripes either, though I can't quite put my finger on why. I think I must be fatigued at this point because Green, Green Grass of Home isn't hitting either. Having said this, I'm surprised it didn't get tiring earlier, since while they mostly have unique identities, a lot of the songs sound similar rhythmically and instrumentally. Greystone Chapel is a nice way to finish the record, being a song that someone else from the prison wrote. Has a nice vibe to it. I didn't really get what was happening in the outro though, and kinda ruins the replay value for an individual listen. Seemed unnecessary, apart from reminding you that it was in fact a prison lol. FAVOURITES - Folsom Prison Blues; Dark as the Dungeon; 25 Minutes to Go; Send a Picture of Mother; Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog; Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart LEAST FAVOURITES - I Still Miss Someone; Give My Love to Rose; I Got Stripes
It being live in a prison really adds to it, the album wouldn't be the same without the cheers of the crowd and other interactions with them. His voice is really good too and the band does great. The only real criticism is by the end it has become a little samey, the novelty having worn off somewhat, though they're still decent songs. Folsom Prison Blues - sounds good, idk how he's allowed to be saying this in prison, talking about shooting a man just see him die. Dark as the Dungeon - much less upbeat, I love when he calls out the laughing, a moment only a live album could bring. And the little jab at Columbia records, fun. I Still Miss Someone - good Cocaine Blues - way faster tempo, Im liking it, his voice is always good, I'm especially liking when the music cuts out, love when he clears his throat on that one line. Like the lyrics too. 25 Minutes to Go - this sounds decent, if it weren't for the vocal inflections at the end I wouldn't see much reason to listen to this over the tracks we've already heard so far. It's quite fun sounding despite the dark subject matter. Orange Blossom Special - does indeed feature his harmonicai and it sounds pretty good. The Long Black Veil - a slower song, quite nice. Send a Picture of Mother - another good track. The Wall - pretty good too, about a man who tried to escape. Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart - at this point I was thinking its getting a little repetitive and is going to feel weak on the backend (it still did) but the laughs and cheers throughout this really pulled me back in. Fun track. I Got Stripes - by here I wasn't paying most attention but as for the last bunch of songs this stood out as one of the better ones. Best - Folsom Prison Blues, Dark as the Dungeon, Cocaine Blues, Orange Blossom Special Worst - 25 Minutes to Go, Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog
3.5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5. Only not 5 because I like San Quentin better LOL - these prison albums are just perfection in my eyes. I love hearing the inmates, Johnny’s joy and grit in performance, and the music and covers are just perfection.
Album flows pretty good, nice country vibe. Its Johnny cash
The audience – whose caterwauling would indicate they’re being held captive by Cash’s charisma just as much as by the actual law – whoops notably a few times throughout this record. “The green, green grass of home” gets a sentimental, spontaneous applause; June Carter’s gravely attack in verse two of “Jackson” inspires some audible excitement; there are titters, I think, through the whole of “Flushed from the bathroom of your heart”. But the big one, for me, is the “wooo!” won by Johnny for killing a man in Reno “just to watch him die.” For a long time I’ve wondered what’s behind the longevity of Cash. It might be that his songs, sparse and direct, are the absolute embodiment of keeping it simple; or, on the flip side, that his talents go so far beyond those typically expected of a musician that he could stand as an important figure in a number of fields. What he’s doing is equal parts literary, historical, sociological, folkish and comedic – a special and refined artistry. So while my incarceration in this challenge might be voluntarily, it’s a pleasure to join the ranks of the late 60’s wrong-uns for a run through Johnny’s “idiot sheet”. My conclusion: this is a timeless collection of songs performed in a place where time is the ultimate punishment – a subtle symbolism that amplifies every intensity of the material, lionising the character at the centre of it all in the process. An experience that delivers you back to the moment every single time you play it. Johnny’s moment, forever.
This guy can PERFORM, enjoyed most songs even though some of the lyrics were a bit 💀 though. Highlights: Orange Blossom Special
Enjoyed most songs except, 'Dirty Old Egg-suckin' dog'
Terrific Johnny Cash music
What a voice, sense of humor, and interaction with the audience. Pure talent. Not 100 percent my cup of tea, but I still enjoyed it.
Great album, I've heard it many times. I love the vibe of Johnny being so chatty with the audience and how he relates to everyone there.
very funny bits of conversation i liked that part
9/10 Favorite Song: Cocaine Blues The record is a live album, but it's more than that, it's an experience. Cash strides into Folsom as if he is a king, and he plays to the audience like he cares. You can feel the anxiety, the roars of the crowd, the applause, everything about the recording sounds alive. "Cocaine Blues" is the first song, and it is fast and hard-hitting. The crowd loved it, and you can sense that they're not just being entertained, they are being understood as prisoners at Folsom. The rawness to the whole thing makes it connect more than a studio album would. The band sounds tight, Cash is dialed in, and even the mistakes he makes or the chit-chat between songs only adds to the appeal. It is gritty, real, and full of soul. This is the kind of album that you get why Johnny Cash was important.
Live albums have taken a while to click for me, but now they really do, thanks to albums like "Alchemy" (Dire Straits), and this is yet another one that really works for me. Cash is on fire here - laughing, joking with the audience, (Dark as the Dungeon has a great moment where he reminds the audience not to laugh as the performance is being recorded), and that voice is just...fun to listen to. I really enjoyed this. Solid 4.
A wildly entertaining evening spent with Cash, his wife June, and 2,000 odd prison inmates. As a live performance this is exactly what I love: the performer takes us into the room with him and his audience and give us a glimpse into the energy of that moment. Everything in the show has this off the cuff feel to it that is so obviously engineered by Cash to get a rise out of the inmates. But I can’t help but be charmed. The songs tell authentic stories about the damned and downtrodden, and they’re often amusing. This is a really great album. Well worth coming back to in my opinion. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Good prison music
Old time country, but surprisingly pretty enjoyable. Maybe it was because this album was the live rendition, really felt the energy of the performance. 4
Klassikko! Tykkään kovin kovin paljon. 4/5
Hyvä ja kiinnostava livelevy! En oo isoin cash-fani, mutta toimiihan tämmönen hittikimara.
Legend
One of my favorite live albums. The live audience is great.
I remember watching the live verson (and the Hollywoodized version) of this, and wow, Cash has such stage presence and performing in a prison lets you sing about the most depraved topics.
Live albums are hard, but this one pulls it off. I'd call this 4.5 stars, rounding down.
Ik zou dus zweren dat ik deze al had gehad. Blijkt dat dat dezelfde Jantje Contant was, maar dan in een andere gevangenis. Dus even serieus man, Robert D, je maakt een lijst met 1001 albums die men geluisterd moet hebben voordat ze het tijdelijke voor het eeuwige inwisselen en 2 albums daarvan zijn van één artiest, beide live opgenomen in een penetentiaire inrichting. Pure minachting van de luisteraar. Maargoed. Gelukkig betreft het Johannes Liquide die hier z'n verhaaltjes zingt en niet ik noem maar een André Hazes live vanuit de Koepel. En Jean Chartaal kunnen we goed hebben. Het blijft jolige country-achtige carnavals-achtige meuk maar dit is wel goed verteerbaar. Relatief hoog tempo, lekker veel liedjes, Jan heeft het naar z'n zin, het publiek heeft het naar hun zin. Joelende rowdy inmates altijd +1 moet oom Robert gedacht hebben. En gelijk heeft ie, onze ziener. Je moet wel heel zuur zijn om dit niet te kunnen waarderen. Sterretje of 3 à 4.
Rv/G
Very fun album, wish I was more into cash than I am but the music doesnt really do it for me. However, I loved this as a live album
The story behind this album is great. He stayed true to the concept for over a decade before he saw it come to life. So raw and real. I gained much more respect for JC after seeing “Walk the Line”, (Joaquin was robbed for best actor that year BTW).
This was my first trip into the Cash live prison series, so I always liked it best. San Quinten is also good, but on personal taste this one is just a bit better. The banter between songs and even within songs makes it that much more interesting and authentic. A truly “live” record. And today IRL I learned that “25 Minutes to Go” was written by famed children’s author Shel Silverstein? Wow.
Damn he sounds great on this. Charisma for days and I actually enjoyed the few times he laughed and bantered with the crowd. Get the man some god damn water!
Rating this slightly higher than San Quentin... hits about the same for me. 4/5
When I saw this, I could SWEAR that I had already listened to it. Turns out it was Johnny Cash At San Quentin. "At Folsom Prison??? At San Quentin??? They're the same album!! Doesn't anybody else notice this? I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!" In any event, I gave At San Quentin a 4, so I guess I have to give this one a 4 as well?
Standout Songs: Folsom Prison Blues Cocaine Blues 25 Minutes to Go Orange Blossom Special Dirty Old Egg-Suckin’ Dog Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart
Very good live album enjoyed a lot.
“Hello, I’m Johnny Cash” Has there ever been a more iconic opening line to a live album? Probably not. Some people might ask why there are two Johnny Cash prison albums on this list and I would say that they are both equally good, with distinct differences in tone. This album feels a little more playful, although the subject matter is as dark as ever - death, poverty, addiction, heartache and the brutal reality of life in prison. Cash even manages to find humour in a song about an inmate on death row counting down the minutes until his execution. The final track, Greystone Chapel, is notable for having being written by inmate Glen Sherley who was sat in the audience with no idea his song was about to be performed. He did actually work with Cash for a while after his release from prison in 1971, but he never managed to fully escape from his troubled past, Folsom having failed to deal with his many problems, and he sadly took his own life in 1978 aged just 42.
Good country rock.
Excellent
The only Cash album I’m familiar with and still a fav.
Punk rock before punk rock existed.
I enjoyed this, a great singer.
Before unconscious uncoupling we got ground up in the garbage disposal of our dreams
Previously rated: At San Quinton (4/5) American IV: The Man Comes Around (3/5) ********************************************** Either he repeated some of his shtick on the San Quinton album or I've heard this before. Either way, it's pretty much more of the same. This one I like more because of Jackson and I Got Stripes.
A classic country album, super cool concept. Not something that I come back to often, but good nonetheless. 7/10
After listening to the live performance from San Quentin, this recording is slightly underwhelming, although it was an incredible performance. I don't really have a lot more to say about this one after reviewing At San Quentin but whatever. What I personally love about Johnny Cash's live albums is the audience reactions to the songs, which we didn't really hear throughout this one. This audience was very chill compared to the rowdy audience in San Quentin, which makes the album have a lot less character than his later ones. However, we have to give credit to the fact that this is the first live prison album that Cash made, which turned out to be the best money move of his career, causing his team to abuse the system to pump them out like it was nothing. So although I would not consider this to be the best one that he ever did, it was certainly the most influential.
Best example of an artist playing to their audience.
Gooood! 4 sterren.
One of the greatest live recordings ever, it fizzes with vitality and just fantastic tunes with a backdrop of over a thousand inmates. Hard to beat.
I the Man in Black in top form, relating to his people in a manner that few could and none dared.
Not my usual style but loved it. Super enjoyable, loved all the extras to the live recordings that set it at Folsom
Houmous & Chutney tried to perform a similar gig in HMP Holloway in 2015. It was mad. The riots were insane. They actually closed the prison not long after. I mean, with hindsight, what were they thinking putting someone as attractive as Les Houmous in front of all those sex starved women? Madness! 4.4 5. 25 minutes to go
Quite samey but quite good
Loved it, although two live prison albums by Johnny Cash might be a bit unnecessary.
This was a real treat. Can’t believe I’d never heard it before.
Swear I listened to this one. But good one to run back
Rating: 7.5/10 Honestly Cash's engagement with the crowd brings this to four stars, the songs themselves are good but definitely elevated in this live setting.
God s. Live-plata trekker opp. Han er god mellom låtene også.
3rd day in a row that I got an album I have and like!! 4/5 #musicsky #albumsky
Funny. Probably the greatest day of a lot of peoples' lives
Sehr cooles Album, fehlt bisschen was auf 5 Sterne, dennoch top.
Great live album. Sure, it is a bit LARP-y on Mr. Cash's part, but nothing that a bunch o rappers didn't also do about 25-30 years later. Actually, the crowd plays a supporting role that adds a lot to the atmosphere of the whole recording. And also, a lot of these song never sounded better than they do here. Key tracks: Folsom Prison Blues 25 Minutes to Go I Got Stripes
Very good and personable live album.
Je suis habituellement contre la présence d’albums live sur cette liste, mais cette prestation est beaucoup trop iconique pour ne pas y figurer. En plus, j'ai écouté Walk the Line le mois passé, le répertoire de Mr. Cash était encore frais dans ma mémoire
stomping cheering rockabilly fun
Gosh, he has a lot of personality throughout this album. The songs are lovely, too. I do think this album is more about the lore than the music - but the lore is very, very cool.
Pretty good. Good story telling.
Loved the crowd noise/banter and the ‘mistakes’ like Johnny laughing in the middle of a song.
Totally
Great record and good songs in a different setting. Lively performance for the time and worth listening several times. It goes by full of emotion, and never getting bored at any point of the record
I love this album. It has some great songs on it, but even the ones that aren't my faves are buoyed by an incredible sense of life.
This is a really good album that I have listened to a fair amount over the years, but doesn't include probably any of my top 7-10 Johnny Cash songs. He covers Long Back Veil and while I like it more than the original -- The Chieftains definitely hold top spot for my favorite cover (along with Tennessee Waltz -- but I digress).
Vibe
This was a great ride! Haha. Very enjoyable. I like his voice, he's constantly referencing cocaine which is hilarious, and it's overall a fun vibe.
Johnny Cash singing about cocaine and killing people in front of a group of inmates is about as hardcore as it gets. His voice sounds incredible, the song choices were incredible, and the best part is that the cheers from the audience didn't distract from the recording but they added to it. This entire series of him performing in jails is incredible
Good ol rock a twangy , with down to earth lyrics and funny banter throughout. Enjoyed!
4
This mf has the prisoners whistling and cheering at a song about having 25 minutes til hanging "Won't somebody come and CUT ME LOOSE" Setlist and patter is a fucking masterclass in knowing your audience. A million out of ten cool points, cash sounds fucking awesome, masterclass live performance...stunt? Music is good.
I've been looking for an exucse to listen to this in full, and finally the album generator has granted me that chance. I was familiar with a couple of songs from this, and already loved them. Listening to this in full, however, is a much fuller experience. I love the live energy of this, the songs are country, but sung with soul and passion. This is one of the best live albums of all time for good reason. Sad, mournful, with the energy of a sinner on his way to redemption.
Нужно понимать контекст альбома, который был записан на живом выступлении в тюрьме Folsom. Джонни Кэш без преувеличения легенда, но не для наших широт, на данный момент слушается достаточно архаично, но приятно.
I've only heard his big hits but this was sick, definitely checking out his other stuff
Great tracks and chat from the man in black
For a 45 minute album that has a ton of songs on it. I'm a fan of shorter songs, so I'm ok with this. I also appreciate that the crowd noise isnt overly loud or distracting. I normally dont like live albums because they take me out of the music, but this one doesn't bother me. I am greatly amused that he said he can't say the word Hell, but he can sing about doing Cocaine. Overall, I can see why this is a classic. I won't give it a 5 because I probably wouldnt listen again on my own. But I think its solid and enjoyable.
Folsom Prison Blues - dying at the cheer after "just to watch him die" Dark as the Dungeon - obsessed with the lil giggle and ad libbing in the middle - and the swearing at the end - "how's that grab ya, Bob?..." I Still Miss Someone - "...they'll probably take that word out of it." SO GOOD. Also very cute song. 25 Minutes to Go - the voice acting yodelling is wild on this - "here I gOOOoooOOoooOOoooo" - also "harmoniKIE" love it. Wild how welcome all this literal gallows humour was in a prison. The Long Black Veil - "I'd been in the arms of my best friend's wife...*giggle* did I hear somebody applaud?" Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart - hilarious lyrics. Jackson - probably the first one I recognised. Really good.
What a great album
Good classic country
Skemmtilegur gaur. Fínasta plata.
Really good album. Cocaine Blues is absolutely brilliant
I wasn't expecting this to be so interesting, but it really was. This has got to be the best live album I've heard so far on this list. The performances are very raw and real, which just makes Johnny's personality shine. The setting and the crowd obviously add a ton to the recordings, and helps lift everything even more. The songs are pretty fun too, even if many of them are sort of joke-y, typical country fare. 8/10
A great album! Cash is in his element in front of a prison crowd. Listening to this made me realize that Cash is best known for sympathetic songs about really bad people. It’s a little creepy that he’s celebrating murderers who “killed a man in Reno, just to watch him die,” for instance. But, I’ll leave psychoanalysis of American culture for sometime when I’m really Jonesing for a hit of depression. Jonny Cash is an icon, and an American Original — and this album shows us why. His voice, delivery, and personality are all on display. But, unlike the other Cash-goes-to-prison album(s) on this list, the music takes center stage here. And the music is great. It’s a four.
Raw, hard, electric. The connection with the audience is two-way. Maybe an all time great live album.
Classic album from a classic artist! Don’t think I’ve ever heard it all the way through before.
More interesting as a capsule of a place and time than an album. The imprisonment and death in the lyrics seldom permeates the mood, full of fun and gallows humor.
3/26/25. Took a break for a safari trip! Got around to this live set, straightforward but effective + fun songs. Being in a prison sets up for a great atmosphere.
What a cool idea for a live album, and honestly the best way to listen to it is to only listen to the entire thing rather than any individual track due to the atmosphere that gets created. Love it.
I really like these live albums!
Iconic album, good listen and great back story.
Great classic country
Not a country person, but loved the energy and the humor in this performance.
I enjoyed this and maybe I just don’t know enough about Johnny cash but I was surprised all of the songs were about prison… did he write them for this performance or are a lot of his songs just about prison and he had enough to make a set list? It was a bit shocking but I still enjoyed the album quite a bit. It flew by as well. A lot of these albums seem really long but this one was nice and short or at least felt that way.
hadn't heard of all the live albums in prison's, which is pretty cool. solid album
Classic Johnny Cash. Nothing bad to say about this album, it's great
Easy to listen to all the way through. Love the history and thinking about the guys cheering and jeering along. Think I enjoy San Quentin a shade more though.
hell yeah Johnny Cash
I really liked this, but I couldn't tell when the cheering was real or added in post. I swear I heard the same whistling cheer used multiple times, which was pretty distracting.
The adlibs make this album way more fun than if it was just a straight forward Cash performance, Johnny wasn't there to patronize the inmates, just perform his songs and it gives a charm it wouldn't have otherwise
while it’s not without its flaws, there’s plenty to admire. This live album captures the raw energy of Johnny Cash like few records can, and I can’t help but get drawn in by the sheer magnetism of his voice. It’s deep, soulful, and, frankly, incredibly sexy. First off, Cash’s vocals are absolutely phenomenal. His voice carries a gravitas and warmth that feels both intimate and larger than life. There’s something undeniably alluring about the way he delivers every line; it’s as if his voice tells stories on its own, resonating with a gritty authenticity that’s hard to come by. The live atmosphere at Folsom Prison lends an extra edge to the performance, capturing that raw, rebellious spirit that defined Cash’s career. The instrumentation throughout the album complements his vocals beautifully. The acoustic guitar, the steady, unyielding percussion, and even the subtle bass lines all work together to create an atmosphere that’s both minimalistic and deeply powerful. The mix is commendable too despite being a live recording. it manages to keep every element distinct, letting you feel the weight of each note and drumbeat. There’s a real sense of place here; you can almost hear the echoes of the prison walls and feel the tension and energy of the crowd. That said, there are a few negatives that prevent this album from being a flawless masterpiece in my eyes. The rawness that makes Cash’s performance so compelling also means that the production isn’t as polished as some might prefer. At times, the audio quality can feel a bit rough around the edges. Typical of live recordings from that era. Which might not sit well with everyone. Additionally, while many tracks deliver powerful performances, a few of them come off as a bit repetitive or overly drawn out. The overall setlist sometimes lacks variety, which makes the album feel a touch monotonous if you’re not in the mood for that raw, unfiltered live energy. It’s a record that demands you’re in the right headspace to appreciate its rough beauty, and if you’re after something more refined, it might not hit the spot every time. In my perspective, At Folsom Prison is a classic live album that manages to capture the heart and soul of Johnny Cash’s performances. His deep, sexy vocals and the unvarnished sound of the live band create a listening experience that’s both moving and visceral. Despite a few production quirks and moments that feel a tad repetitive, the album’s raw authenticity and enduring charm make it a standout record. It might not be perfect, but it’s a vital piece of music history that continues to resonate with me. For all these reasons, I’m giving it a solid 3.6/5 stars.
I like mr johnny and his cash
Badass!!
Hello, I'm Johnny Cash. Great album, knew one or two songs from him and now have loads more songs I love
7,53
Sick. Achoo.
A classic of course - amazing atmosphere in the prison. Hard to imagine it being allowed now...
Solid Johnny Cash album. It's honestly a little surreal listening to him sing about murders and drugs to murderers. As another reviewer put it, it's super metal. I'm not the biggest fan of all of the songs that he chose to perform but the performance, itself, was impactful and will probably never be replicated.
Excellent. His charm and delight at performing there comes through. Classic.
This is a perfect argument for why album experiences are so important, none of these songs on their own would be five starts except maybe Folsom prison blues, but together along with all of the banter, noise, and applause it makes for a wonderful experience that put a smile on my face, whether that was from genuine emotion of the songs being delivered to prisoners or when everyone started cheering during the song about being on cocaine and killing your wife. No notes.
Great live album, has more edge than San Quentin. I'm not sure why both albums are on this list.
Pretty much see my review of At San Quentin. Just a solid live record. His voice is a little more strained on some songs, but it gives it character rather than taking away from the performance.
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would.
Some great songs. Give My Love To Rose made me cry. But there’s still just too much yapping between tracks for it to be a perfectly rated album.
It’s rare that I hear a live album that I like better than the studio version. This is an awesome mix of rock and country. Will definitely listen again
Cocaine Blues
Fun! Cool song written by inmate.
Super album une belle découverte 4/5
Johnayyyy Cashhhh
another prison album, can’t complain
Great. Loved the voice, the songs, the energy.
Loved this album since Walk the Line
I am not a huge country fan but this is a special album. Every time I listen to songs from it I try to visualize the scene where it was recorded.
Love this album for its humanity and the richness and depth of Cash’s voice.
jailhouse rock
A classic! It has its flaws as a performance, but captures an event
Kinda great live album if you’re in a Johnny cash mood
Johnny Cash’s music, as a whole, may not be overflowing with intricate hooks or vibrant melodies, yet it has an undeniable way of resonating deeply with me. His singing style is often described as monotone, even bordering on dull by some, but I find something profoundly compelling in its raw simplicity. I don’t mind the lack of vocal flourishes or elaborate instrumentation; in fact, in this case, I love it. There’s something about his music that feels honest, unpolished, and deeply human, and that’s what makes it so special to me.
Very strong live album. Some truly timeless songs on here.
I actually have listened to this album before. I know very well of this as well. Probably one of the best live albums.
Johnny Cash is the fucking man and this is about as iconic as live albums get. I've knocked off a mark though because should live albums even count? I'm not sure.
Love the interaction. Not as lively as San Quentin but great album nevertheless.
Boffen
Love that its live. Takes me in a time machine to be in the prison listening.
Pretty fun, can see why this is a seminal live album. Rating: 4
Historiskt album och det förtjänar absolut att vara med på en sådan här lista men för mig är det inte tillräckligt intressant musikaliskt för att få en 5a, så därför blir det en 4a.
The sound quality is surprisingly good for a live album in a prison, but you can still hear where the mics can’t keep up at times. About as good a live album as I’ve heard.
Great.
I’d give this 4.5 stars if I could—reserving 5 for something truly perfect. Incredible music performed with passion in such a unique setting. You almost forget it’s recorded in a prison—until the warden’s announcements snap you back to reality. At the end, they even remind inmates to stay seated until they’re escorted back to their cells. One of the songs was written by a prisoner in the audience and learned by Cash the night before the show, adding to the raw authenticity of the performance. It’s more than just a great listen—it’s a time capsule, a one-of-a-kind recording that everyone should hear at least once.
I believe this to be a seminal album, due to Johnny Cash's songs and performance but also due to the still unique circumstances of him playing live at a prison and recording it. Upon this latest relisten (as I've heard it several times), I was struck by how many things were not ideal about it - some issues with Cash's voice, him breaking and laughing in a couple songs, poor transitions between songs. However, it still captures something very real.
After listening to Jerry Lee Lewis, this was a definite step up. It’s a classic live album, really enjoyed it.
Charming, funny and always reliable.
I enjoyed it. I really liked his interacting with the audience between songs.
Vraiment cool, écouté dans les champs
Johnny Cash singing about guns and coke in a prison...amazing.
Not my genre of music by any means, but some interesting tracks, and if I have to listen to Country it would definitely be Johnny
Began this journey on 1/21/2025/ Classic and simple feeling country. There is soul and humor through the 45min performance. Favorite songs “Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart” & “Jackson”
His crowd work is great. Songs are solid. Quite a good album.
eeeh classic, hani scho kennt. de vibe isch scho haarscharf. s banter findi ziemli amüsant, dass d gitarre teils ziemli outta tune isch passt au, und d sängerin findi gaht ab.
Probably what he is known for in the popular zeitgeist for the most. This album is everything it purports to be within the context. A man of the people, great songs and great recordings.
Normally, I read the album's Wikipedia article while I listen. It's impossible to read while Johnny is telling stories through song; he just commands my complete attention.
one of the quintessential live albums, walk the line!! My mom is a huge huge cash fan. He's one of those artists that will probably never get the recognition he probably deserves, but that shouldn't take anything away from the impact he had on music in America at the time. He's so in control in this performance and what a badass performing at the prison. I do NOT like country music... but Johnny cash is fun. He's genuinely crazy and I fuck with it.
I generally don't like live albums, but this is really well recorded, and absolutely Johnny Cash in his best voice- he's so weary and silky on these recordings. I know Johnny Cash pretty well, and I have my favourites, of which Folsom Prison Blues is definitely one of them. Obviously, the set list was meant to appeal to convicts- a lot of it reminds me of Nick Cave's Murder Ballads. In Cocaine Blues (supposedly written by someone in the prison!) and The Long Black Veil the narrators aren't depicted that positively, but playing in the prison at all seems like an inherently liberal thing to do. I don't think Cash's set was designed to help reform anyone, but maybe the stories are meant to help analyse the men who have done bad things so they felt understood. That being said, "If only I had not tried to escape" in Send a Picture of Mother definitely does sound a bit didactic, and The Wall is basically a tale of how trying to leave is fruitless and will drive you to suicide. 25 Minutes to Go really stuck out for me, it feels like a dangerous thing to sing in front of prisoners- I assume no one who was allowed to go to the gig was on death row, but it's insensitive in a way I found funny, despite how horribly dark the subject matter is. All the live asides are wonderful, and give a great idea of Cash's fearlessness in being there- his reputation as an outlaw country star and many arrests meant this could have been bad PR, but in a very modern way he's owning that narrative. I'm reminded of Brandi Carlile's prison recordings at a women's prison, which I think she must have done in reference to this, but have a totally different energy- though they're both singing songs about how difficult life is for poor people in America, Brandi's feminist angle seems genuinely anti incarceration, while Cash is kind of glorifying the convicts he's playing to.
This is one of the best live albums I've ever heard, and it just makes me love Johnny Cash more and more. From reading up a bit, this was after he got clean from his drug addiction and was a turning point for his career, he even said so himself. He had been inspired from a film to write 'Folsom Prison Blues' and he always wanted to do a performance at a prison and so Folsom Prison was the obvious choice. To start his live show with that track is perfection ('I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die'....wow), and he keeps up the use of prison and law breaking tracks throughout which, again, is brilliant. Can we talk about Cocaine Blues though??? Not only is it great bluesy country track that keeps you bopping throughout but to hear Johnny singing to inmates about taking cocaine and shooting his woman down, and to hear them whooping and hollering. Just great. I am a big fan of 'The Wall', and the reception he gets from his audience is what makes it. Talking about the warden and getting the response he gets and then Johnny not being able to keep in his laughter or replying to them is why we listen to live albums I think, because it takes you right there and you can imagine exactly how it was to be there. The silence that follows from the audience though too is just as loud to me, as you remember these are all men in prison who probably have all had the dark thoughts in The Wall. Ending the album with a song written by an inmate, and then we hear from the warden himself with an announcement - a perfect ending. The album captures it all, and keeps going when the crowd is leaving. You are right there and Johnny has put smiles on faces that even though we have no idea why they're in prison, I can't help but being glad Johnny went and did this.
Guay
The unsinkable legend.
I have a personal leaning against country... Or at least that's what I keep telling myself. My slowcore preference and my love of Wilco says otherwise... Either way, this was really fun! The back-and-forth between Johnny Cash and the prisoners is fun as hell. Pretty much all good songs, both really dark and very funny at times. RYM was at 4/5.
Fun immersive theatre live performance and good old fashioned country
I got into the album, already informed about its uniqueness. An album tailored to the people of the Folsom prison. A performance that is clearly deemed brilliant from the people of Folsom. A once in a lifetime opportunity, created by a person that just overcame his battles with use. A scene created just for him to be at his best. These are not opinions of mine, rather the long list of brilliances from the educated public. I now share these few ideas and I am willing to add something of mine to the pool. With his strong background of struggles I am willing to bet money that this was no random choice of repertoire. This man is at ease around criminals, possibly thieves, murderers, people with danger written all over their face. Yet he feels at ease. He can perform. He can laugh. He can exchange jokes, conversation. He is willing to do that, not only with ease, but with class. I would give a 5 out of 5 just for the performance part. Nevertheless, I have to make justice to the tracks. I will take a leap and say that some of those laughs and claps were pure. A pure laugh even from a single corrupted soul is a premonition about the strategic selection of those smile-inducing tracks. The music intelligence of creating tracks that do not go over the line, that resemble the emotional staleness of having adapted to a place that is your never-wanted house. The type of controlled emotional expression required to get these men, that are probably emotionally detached or rather have sometime in their life learned to be, to let go and enjoy the show, I am not sure if I am overstating this but I feel that it is exactly what gives justice to the music. This is by no means a perfect musical voice, a perfect melody, a perfect album but it is one of the best crafted one’s that do not just relay on the music to be special, because it is more that music, it is a way to understand what music represents! With all that being said, I cannot give it a 5 out of 5 because this is not solely about the performance and uniqueness, this album for me lacks just one thing… This musical wow factor, a thing that I will find down the road and a thing that personally I value just a little bit more than everything previously stated. P.S. I wish I could see a video recording of this “concert”
It’s classic Cash for sure.
This was a fun one, I love a bit of Johnny Cash though most of my favourite songs by him weren't actually on this one except for Folsom Prison Blues. This was a really fun listen, I greatly enjoyed Johnny's banter with his unruly audience and the fun he was having. You could definitely tell this was live with his voice cracking and breaking at various points.
Johnny Cash does it again. Another excellent performance with an excellent set in another shitty prison. San Quentin had more involvement with the audience, which I really enjoyed, but it doesn’t take point away from this album. Cash is the original badass.
good album although not my style. Still, it's legendary.
It's pretty true what they say about Johnny Cash clicking with non-country listeners, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this given I have zero interest in Country music, but Johnny Cash's brand of Country, at least based on this album don't have the same feel as other country things I've listened to and just felt like it was absolutely not for me, especially modern country. I think if something helps with this feeling is simply how much fun energy there is here, Johnny is a great storyteller but doesn't shy away from showing emotions or laughing at something that happened during the performance or when interacting with the audience, it creates an atmosphere that's weirdly more approachable because it's not about country life or something, it's about the misadventures or tales that Johnny tells. I can't really comment about the instrumentals, something about them isn't repellent to me but beyond that Idk if there's anything else to point to Generally: Really fun!
A lot of Cash’s songs have high cringe-level violent lyrics (stomping on a dog’s head? Aside from Kristy Noem, I don’t think anyone would get behind that). But it’s hard to take it seriously when he follows them up with songs like “Flushed from the Bathroom of your Heart.” Staging a show like this in a prison was more than a publicity stunt for a man like him, though. It demonstrated a level of empathy uncommon in most of our society, and helped define the legend of Johnny Cash.
His cough, the way he interacts with the inmates, and these songs being performed in a prison are more interesting than the songs themselves.
Johnny Cash is a great performer, and does such a good job working the audience. He just has so much charisma. I don't know if this is a popular opinion or not, but I think I like San Quinton better. I think he just played more up beat songs at that one, and had more variety. Very high 4.
awesome and funny!
Love a good live album that really captures the time the recording was captured in. Also, full of bangers!
I continue to appreciate Cash's music as I grow older. Also, a nod to the production of this album. They do a great job of simply capturing the moment and allowing it mark it's moment in history.
What a bad-ass album. Johnny Cash performs in a prison singing about doing cocaine and shooting people in front of prisoners. Johnny's performance is flawed. There are little slips and laughs here and there but it doesn't actually take anything away, if anything it adds a charm to it. It's all about the atmosphere, the reactions from the crowd, Johnny's jokes between songs, the prison warden's announcements. Johnny has the crowd in the palm of his hands. At the time of recording, he sounds like he's the coolest guy on the planet. A track that stood out to me was '25 Minutes To Go' which sounded just like a countdown to death. At the end of every line, the clock ticks down and Johnny has less and less time left. It's brilliant. I would need to listen to this a few more times to be able to fully differentiate between every track on the album though. As is that case with this genre of music, it can be a little samey, but overall I really enjoyed this a lot.
Awesome concept, i give him credit (because he already has cash) 😅
I really liked At San Quentin and gave it a 5 - particularly enjoying the vibe with the crowd. This feels a little slower and lacking the energy of ASQ - its still a good listen and great performance from Johnny Cash - just not quite as good.
Just as good as San Quentin. 4 is harsh but there are no stand out tracks I'll go back to. I'll revisit the album as a whole though.
I give it 4 stars, just because of the mood and how cool it is. The music is 3 stars, some classics, but gets a bit boring at times. But to play at a prison and include audio of the prisoners and the people in charge of the prison is unique and damn right cool.
At Fulsom Prison is the first live album from Johnny Cash. Cash's career had a rocky period during the mid 60's; Cash kicked his drug habit, and during his rebound, he recorded this album. The live album he recorded became the biggest album of Cash's career. At Folsom Prison became a defining point for Cash's career; he has cultivated an image of an outlaw, and he grew into an advocate for some disaffected groups, including the incarcerated. The album features "Fulsom Prison Blues," one of Cash's biggest songs. He wrote a version in the 50's, early in has career. The live version from this album became a hit in 1968, and became one of Cash's best known songs. This recording captures Cash's simple, elegant version of country - just a baritone voice and a guitar - that he developed through years of touring.
Loved listening to this album - especially with the LIVE component. It was a very good way to market JC as the outlaw.
probably wouldn't listen to it repeatedly but it was enjoyable. The crowd cheering murder and booing the wardens was peak.
Kind of an odd concept that would never fly today. There’s definitely an energy to this that’s unique. That said, some of the songs aren’t great.
I normally don’t like live albums, but this is a notable exception. I feel like this one added a lot to the album. There was something amusing about the inmates cheering at the murder and drugs in Cash’s songs. The cheers added quite a bit to the album which I didn’t expect. And as far as the songs, there is Cash’s usual storytelling like songwriting. Guitar is good, if occasionally repetitive. And I like his voice
Another classic. Good album.
Liked thi a lot. Great story telling album
Not a huge fan of country music but Johnny is such a fantastic personality. Definitely would have loved to be in the audience.
It somehow seems a little more impactful when you play Jail songs within a Prison like that
Good ol classic, probably the most accessible country album out there
Very good album.
Better than I thought it would be! Would relisten!
It’s like I’m in prison!
So refreshing after the last album, as i believe that they are quite similar singers, but this is much more introspective. i really like the live aspect and the comments/bloopers he makes. no real downsides as i think that he completely nails this specific style, however all of the instrumentals are nearly identical. favorite songs: all of them, the album seems like such a full body of work that it feels incorrect to single out a specific song. overall around 8/10
Culturally relevant and fun. I dig Johnny Cash.
I don’t normally enjoy live albums. This is an exception. The warmth that shines through on this recording makes it standout.
The only time I've ever wanted to go to prison. Even as a Country Music hater, I still stand by that Johnny Cash is one exception. The greatest Country Artist of all time showing enough empathy to perform at a prison is a magic of its own.
This is a classic. Songs are good, setting is better. Historical.
4.75
classic album. i think the stuff in the american series is his best work, though.
pretty good but there aren't any songs about applebees so i'm not sure if it counts as country music
Maybe a little worse than the other prison live but still so fun
- 2/16 songs added to main playlist - Live album, I will have to give the studio recordings a try - Love the personality live albums have - Smooth voice - Orange Blossom Special — never knew harmonicas could sound so interesting - Overall pretty enjoyable, I’m not a country fan but it was a cool listen - Favorite song: Cocaine Blues
Enjoyed it
4.5 out of 5, you feel like you’re there watching the show.
Don’t really like Johnny cash much but I loved this live album i think it’s great and really like how he interacts with the crowd
Disco central en la discografía de Johnny Cash, con él fundó el mito del famoso 'Man in Black', cantando sobre conflictos sociales, forajidos y cárcel. No romantiza ni al crimen ni a los criminales, pero consigue forzar la reflexión sobre el contexto y las causas de una sociedad salvaje. Difícil destacar alguna canción, porque todas tienen un valor más allá de los musical. Por supuesto, "Folsom Prison Blues" es una de mis favoritas, y cómo no, "Cocaine Blues" o la inspirada por Leadbely, "I Got Stripes".
Hello, I'm Johnny Cash. Legendary artist, even if you don't like country you can admit that Johnny Cash was great.
Some of the man in blacks best.
This album is such a unique piece of history. I cannot imagine a world where artists not only perform in prisons, but are able to make records there. I really love the quality and bass of Cash’s voice. The songs are enjoyable, but the circumstances really make this album worth a listen.
Loved it!
This is quintessential Johnny Cash. Very good. The live commentary is so endearing. Greystone Chapel, which I think he says is written by a guy while he was at Folsom, was the surprise of the album. That being said, this isn’t my preferred genre and I don’t know if I would just pick it up and listen to it.
SO good
Simply iconic. Johnny Cash may not have written some of history’s more complex lyrics. He may not have been responsible for some of the most complex or captivating melodies. Hell, from what I’ve seen he wasn’t exactly a thrilling showman. But his personality and his attention-demanding baritone voice, his style and his gravitas all make him a compelling performer. This might’ve been his best live performance. Even the songs that feel like duds to me, either because of their silly, dated humor or for simply being less exciting, stand out as great performances. Cash has always been an artist I wanted to know more about. I’d actually only heard “Folsom Prison Blues” from this album but never the rest of it. I definitely wasn’t disappointed, but I wanted more from it. It’s iconic, it’s great, it’s fun. But I don’t know. There’s some oomph missing here. Not enough to put it below four stars, but enough it isn’t worthy of five. Don’t get me wrong, I loved it. But I just feel like there was something a little lacking here in terms of energy. Standout Tracks: Folsom Prison Blues, Cocaine Blues, 25 Minutes to Go, Jackson, I Got Stripes
I mean, obviously this is a classic live album. I haven't changed my tune on whether live albums should be on this list or not, but if any deserves to be here then Cash at Folsom is it.
Not sure we needed this and San Quentin. That said, this is the better of the two. More interaction with the audience, than I recall, no san quentin reprise. Man June's singing sounds kinda dated on Jackson. Did Glen Sherley's song at the end that's a good wikipedia deep dive, and introduced me to spade cooley, a wild and horrific story there.
Fav: Cocaine Blues Least Fav: Dark As The Dungeon Best country album I’ve received so far
Its Johnny Cash, I mean its such a classic. The banter, the songs it was amazing the whole time. A perfect album artistically? Nah. It was a really fun time though and I think its one of those music things that gets referenced so much in pop culture I think you owe to yourself to listen to the album at least once
Not as tight as San Quentin but still a master class in working a crowd and connecting with an audience. Johnny Cash is a force of nature.
Listened while stripping paint off the stairs. Great album!
Classic album, classic singer. Great live album and extremely enjoyable
One of his classic albums. Great live album, great songs and a great singer and performer. One of the best.
Classic from the man in black. Gritty songs with that signature voice and performed in a prison, it’s a good album.
Classic.
My second spin of this classic album. I’m a fan. This is so Johnny Cash, to record live in front of the incarcerated, bringing a speck of the outside to their otherwise (rightfully) miserable lives.
79.4%
I'm being open-minded with this one because it is not my preference. However, respect to Johnny Cash for his music. He has a unique ability to bring his personality and experience into his music. Even though I've never done hard drugs or been in jail, he is relatable and real. Normally I'd rate this 3 stars for being neutral to my taste, but I'm giving it an extra star for being unique it musical quality.
nice lively vibe, but at the same time pretty low-key. Like a calm sort of lively. Very interesting that it was recorded at a concert given to prison inmates.
Wow, talent and fun. This is so unique...draws you into history with the banter, and prison announcements. Kind of crazy to hear the applause at some of the darker lyrics
Great performance. Tune your guitar John
Shuffle blues. Old school
From the way Cash blends his ditties with the supporting cheers of the prison crowd, you’d think him one of their own - with the light-hearted interruptions and intermittent prison announcements making this a truly unique listening experience. Though within this time capsule there isn’t much to see past the clever gallows humour songwriting and Cash’s supreme charisma, it is just this that makes this album so homely, in the least homely of settings.
hier en daar een minder puntje, maar bovenal een steengoeie plaat van een steengoeie zanger...
Good album! I like his faster more jazz/jug band style pieces over the ballads.
I'm not a fan of live albums, but this one seems to do the most for me in adding to the zeitgeist of an album and the artist when recording it.
But, soft! What train through yonder bend rolls? It is the east, and Johnny is the Cash. - - - Yes, he does deserve to have two live albums on this list. They’re both that good.
Live Classic
Surprisingly fun, a genuine bop
This album was honestly so fun, especially the parts where he started laughing mid-song.
Very cool album. Nothing groundbreaking musically. Just a storyteller with an inimitable voice.
Ashamed to admit never listened to the whole thing. Some real amazing stuff here. Also a bit repetitive. But holy hell hard to believe they did shit like this back in the day.
The only thing that’s ever bothered me about this amazing recording is the use of a fake audience track. The times you can hear the actual inmates without the arena track being faded in makes for an even more intimate experience. Other than that this is an incredible performance from Cash Money and his funky band of Millionaires. I love the banter going back and forth with inmates and the odd times someone laughs or applauds at the scenarios presented in these classic songs of murder and mayhem. Cash’s road-worn baritone voice sounds great as he proves he’s the king of storytellers. Listening to this album given the context of its recording location is the perfect set up for a movie. If only someone would make a Biopic that starts with someone like Joaquin Phoenix preparing for this performance by sitting alone and thinking about his whole life first. That would make for a funny parody scene too. Overall, this album proves why Johnny is the Cash Money Millionaires most gifted country rapper and also why Folsom Prison has the best acoustics for recording and should be utilized more often. Easy 4.5 for me.
Johnny Cash is the man. This is a cool album, and interesting concept to play and record at a prison. After awhile, the songs begin sounding the same, but Cash is a great story teller. I give a bump to Cocaine Blues.
If you write "Folsom Prison Blues", you gotta be willing to play it in Folsom Prison, at least if you have any credible grit. And we hear the unmistakable grit of Johnny Cash throughout this whole album. He goes straight into the belly of the beast and sings of watching a man die in Reno, doing cocaine and sleeping with his gun, pushing back against authority, pleading one's case to a judge, being hung for his sins, and wearing stripes and chains in jail. This crowd can relate, and they let him know.
Nice. Johnny Cash's voice is so recognizable. I guess it's considered to be in the baritone range? This is old school country music. Even though I am not that big of a country music fan. I find this stuff to be authentic and real. I wonder what made him want to play at a prison to begin with, and could something like that be pulled off today? Could someone like Chris Stapleton play at a prison? Some of these songs reminded me of old school calypso....the story telling aspect. Maybe this is why my dad was drawn at times to this kind of music. I remember seeing some of his country albums as a kid (Marty Robbins comes to mind). (here's the Mighty Sparrow for comparison: (https://open.spotify.com/track/1LfS3MtG65yVVgReCMe0Cc?si=kbPzRWE8T62KSVqRW64i_Q&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A5wIqQb2zDEI1RHJAdrxrMy). I think that was one of the key aspects about old school country music was the story telling. You just don't get that same vibe anymore with a lot of modern country music. My favorites were Folsom Prison Blues and Dirty Old Egg Suckin Dog. I'll be giving this another listen for sure.
A real time capsule of a record! Really enjoyable.
Ok this album was much better than I thought it would be. Live albums just hit different because the artist is able to show their personality and you can hear them feeding off the energy from the crowd. Plus the different instruments just sound so real and raw when you record them live like that. Great album!
I know this has a reputation of being one of the best live albums ever released. I had never listened to it until today and boy oh boy I enjoyed it a lot. From the songs, to the commentary, to the audience reactions and the prison announcements. Loved it and highly recommend even if you are not really in to Mr Cash like me.
One of my Dad's favorites, I've always enjoyed this album.
Top notch
Not a huge fan of country but was a cool listening experience. The 25 minutes song sounds like a hiking song and it’s cool he did a concert in a prison
3.8 - I like it, but feels very similar. Maybe this is what people that aren't into bob dylan feel. It was good, but just not into it as much as other people are I guess