At San Quentin
Johnny Cash
1969
Album Summary
Johnny Cash at San Quentin is the 31st overall album and second live album by American singer-songwriter Johnny Cash, recorded live at San Quentin State Prison on February 24, 1969, and released on June 16 of that same year. The concert was filmed by Granada Television, produced and directed by Michael Darlow. The album was the second in Cash's conceptual series of live prison albums that also included At Folsom Prison (1968), På Österåker (1973), and A Concert Behind Prison Walls (1976). The album was certified gold on August 12, 1969, platinum and double platinum on November 21, 1986, and triple platinum on March 27, 2003, by the RIAA. The album was nominated for a number of Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and won Best Male Country Vocal Performance for "A Boy Named Sue." There have been several releases with different songs and set order. The album cover photo by Jim Marshall is considered to be an iconic image of Cash, with Marshall Grant's Epiphone Newport bass guitar famously silhouetted in the foreground.
WikipediaI mean, if the songs don’t do it for you then there’s still an entire comedy act in between them all.
Well, that's just a damn good album. Cash can be hit and miss for me but this was 100% a hit. Every track perfect and powerful. Even more so knowing his audience for this one. Just damn good. His reputation is earned. Elvis be damned. Cash is King.
On the face of it, the music is quite rudimentary. The atmosphere, though, is absolutely electric, and Cash sounds like he's having the time of his life. Incredible, we won't hear anything like this again
Great albums transport you, this album transports you to a time and place like almost no other. Great tracks, great vibe, a true classic deserving of this list.
so cool — the cheer after “San Quentin, I hate you through and through”, JC singing “Peace in the Valley” to violent criminals, and the introduction of “A Boy Named Sue”.
I have a T- shirt from this concert - a shirt with the photo of him giving the finger to the filming crew during the show since they were blocking the audience's view. I have ultimate respect for Johnny doing the series of concerts at jails. He was likely the only person of substance who gave respect to inmates who he didn't know. Before "Don't Know Where I'm Bound" Johnny says that an inmate wrote that song and gave it to him the day before. Johnny played the song and gave the inmate songwriting credit. Respect. Zeppelin and others could learn from him. San Quentin is a powerful song about the problems with the prison system. Of course the inmates loved it. Johnny was able to give the hard message about the prison system while being careful not to blame the particular prison or disrespecting the guards. It's hilarious how Johnny mentions to the crowd that he might play "Boy Named Sue" and gets no reaction. I guess this concert is when he first recorded it so the audience had no clue. Great idea to release the live version of this single since the audience reaction hearing it the first time adds a special dimension. Johnny would know that the prison audience would relate more to this song than other audiences since a substantially higher portion of prisoners are raised without their fathers. Many headline artists get musicians who have independent careers to play with them on tour. Most, however, don't let them sing their own songs. Johnny not only had Carl Perkins, Statler Brothers and Carter Family sing their own songs, but also left the stage so as not to distract the audience. Johnny still did this with his bandmates when I saw him in the early 90s. When I saw him he also brought his reverend on stage and said anyone who was having problems with life could talk with him afterwards. He also introduced his reverend at San Quentin after "Outside Looking In". The medley to end the show is amazing. Johnny lets the others on stage sing the final songs. June singing the first verse of Folsom is the highlight. As much as I complain about drum solos, I quite like the quick solo in the medley. The show ends with Johnny giving a shout out to the prisoners who, probably for safety or disciplinary reasons, couldn't leave their cells to watch the show. I give the album a 4 based on the music but +1 for the respect he shows everyone (well, perhaps not the filming crew but to everyone else.)
Been way too long since I listened to this; I just love how loose and joyful it is. Interesting to listen now as I've been thinking more about prison abolition, decriminalization, etc. over the past few years. Johnny Cash was pretty damn radical and badass.
Great album already liked Johnny Cash. I did not like the bleep sound they used. My distaste for censoring in songs aside, it's an awful sound
Johnny Cash comes out swinging with a raucous album of outlaw country. Where ‘Live at Folsom Prison’ took a more contemplative tone, this album was high energy throughout. An absolutely exhilarating show
The second album in Cash's "prison albums". This concert may be slightly overshadowed by the great "At Folsom Prison", but it's still great nonetheless. Cash is such a natural performer, his rapport with the audience makes you feel like he was a prisoner himself. Oh, wait, he was! They don't call it "outlaw country" for nothing, eh? He puts on a damn good show. You'll hear mention of Cash speaking of the cameras from the UK telling him what to do. Those very cameras would capture the famous image of Cash giving us the middle finger. You can tell, in that little bit of trivia, that Cash is a performer of the people. He doesn't care about the cameras, he cares about the people in front of him. It's a great measure of showmanship. There are natural highlights on the album: I Walk The Line and A Boy Name Sue are some of his best performances of all time. Even the lowlights are worth hearing too, especially the audience banter. This leads him to play the song "San Quentin" twice in a row, which is awesome. Yeah, this is an all-timer.
What are the odds our group would get this album the day after we listened to Cash Live at Folsom Prison!? I'm trying not to let the fact we just heard Cash live from a prison affect my rating. It feels strange to have two live albums from Cash here, but I think they represent different things. Live at Folsom helped revitalize his career, and Live at San Quentin feels like a continuation of that success as his fame grew - British TV filming him, Cash still actin' gruff and wanting to perform for locked up men. Also where his famous middle finger photo was from! || I'd say both Cash live albums deserve to be on this list, as strange as it seems, because of how different they are! This one in particular is great to hear the crowdwork chat and some of the other acts.
The Godfather Part II of live prison albums. The Man In Black sings a few too many slow, depressing tunes in front of his captive Folsom audience. This album is more of a party. Be sure to listen to the Legacy Edition, which includes many more songs, since Johnny not only brought June Carter to San Quentin, but the freaking Statler Brothers and Carl Perkins as well. Johnny must have liked the inmates at San Quentin more than the ones stuck in Folsom Prison.
The man in his pomp! Not entirely sure why we needed live in San Quentin and live in Folsom in the same list though!
Pretty incredible to have this many talented folks playing in a prison. What a party!! I gotta give this a 10/5
This album made a fan of me. It was such a crazy thing to hear live. Possibly the best live album I've ever heard.
I dont normally like live albums and it took me a minute to get the right version of this one. I know all these songs and I think the live versions were the originals I heard. So I agree with this album being on the list.
Cool Dude. Incredible "album" because of the context in itself, but songs obviously awesome too
Couldn't stop smiling the whole way through. Fun, funny, and a worthy sequel to Folsom Prison.
Look, it's not At Folsom Prison, but if this doesn't embody what it means or what it meant to be country (because country is a rotting corpse now), then I don't know what does. It's brilliant in its anti prison industrial complex premise. It's brilliant in its support of the working class. In Johnny's iconic simplicity. In his silver tongue. The crowd is happy and you're happy because there's nothing to complain about. A classic, through and through. Also features one of my first and favorite Cash songs of all time, a story of a drunken bar fight with your dead beat dad who named you "Sue".
Johnny Cash and live recordings are two things I've never really listened to much before, but I think I might be changing that. An all-round great album. You can really feel the humanity of it.
This album just oozes atmosphere, I usually hate 'live' albums but there's something special about this particular one that I can not only forgive it but revel in it. Only drawback is the censoring beeps.
The prison’s antennas quit after seeing the reception Cash gets from the inmates. Loved the interaction with the crowd and him stirring them and the guards up.
A great showman, you can feel the great atmosphere. Love the funny little bits between songs I’ve heard hundreds of times.
I'll admit I was surprised to see this over his album at Folsom Prison, but after listening to it for the first time, I get why it's included (though I hope they're both on this list somewhere). Incredible energy from Cash and the audience alike. Plus, Cash's laid back attitude with regards to people telling him what to do is hilarious. I have massive respect for Cash for his series of prison performances. Just an outstanding, fun album.
I always just love Johnny with all my heart and he never fails. So great hearing him chat with the prisoners and just fuck around. San Quentin is solid and ofc a lil Folsom prison blues to close out. Wish I could’ve been alive to see him irl 😫
I knew this would be somewhere in the list. Not as absolutely 200% fucking classic as Folsom Prison, but compared to so many albums on here this still deserves full marks and then some. 5/5.
What a fantastic album. Johnny Cash sounds particularly motivated on this album and he really seems empathetic to the audience who of course feed off of his empathy and his energy. Johnny Cash at his absolute best 5 🌟
IMO this is one of the best live albums of modern music. The dynamic with him bantering with the inmates is so uniquely strange, energetic, tense, and yet somehow he is comfortable (naive?) enough to invite his wife, June Carter on stage to sing with him for a song. I think the setlist is fantastic, the performance is fantastic, and I think this album is fantastic. It's not only fitting for this list but also is an easy 5/5 for me.
As long as I can remember, Mr. Cash has been one of the few exceptions to my "I don't listen to country music on purpose" mantra. His voice is smooth, the stories are interesting, and his delivery is captivating. I'm familiar with most of the songs, but to hear them live like this brings new life to them. I am shocked he nearly incited a dang riot with the "San Quentin" song!
This has it all. An iconic performance, social commentary, humour, audience interaction. And of course, some great songs. Not least San Quentin, penned for the occasion. But in some ways the high point for me is the tender duet, accompanied by the under-rated Carl Perkins, on Darling Companion. You can hear the warmth, both on and off stage. An all time classic.
I was never much of Cash's target audience, but hearing (and seeing) him play in front of dozens of inmates was a powerful experience. Going to jump to At Folsom Prison real soon too.
I do have to be in the right mood for live albums, but when I am this one is a solid 5.
This is one of the greatest live albums ever made. What Cash did in this album to a higher degree than I have ever heard is that he spoke to the prisoners from *their* point of view as peers. Listen to the humor, the politeness, and the anti-authoritarian comments. And the crowd responds incredibly because it was so rare for anyone to treat them this way. I've listened to this album scores of times over my life. It is one of the greatest examples of artistic empathy I know. I love Johnny Cash and I definitely love this album. I bet a lot of those guys were seeing June Carter on the back of their eyelids as they fell asleep that night. Worth going to prison for to see this performance? Maybe.
Phenomenal album. I have personally never listened to Johnny Cash, and I am glad this was my first listen. I love the banter between Cash and the prisoners, hearing the overwhelming cheering and booing really adds to the listening experience. 'San Quentin' and 'A Boy Named Sue' are magical. I would definitely listen to this again.
always wanted to get into johnny cash but never actually listened. good stuff i liked it quite a bit. shall listen to more of him
The atmosphere is amazing, I really enjoyed it. I didn't think live albums are for me, but this proved me wrong
Amazing album. Possibly the greatest live album ever and what a genius. Love this always
yep, already know johnny cash, his songs, and his personality -- damn, what a badass. best country artist in history. one of the most badass live album ever to date, along with at folsom prison. music is great. sound is great. ambiance is also great -- the conversations with the prisoners add to the feel. it makes me feel i'm within the san quentin prison, vibing with cash and everyone within the prison. damn, what a feeling. (but, i still think that at folsom prison is better.) rip johnny cash, the man in black forever. 10/10 (maybe from 9 to a 10, could be an 8) -- 9/23/2022
This was a blast. I don't know if I have ever listened to a whole Johnny Cash record before and I'm happy I did.. such a fun discovery through this.
Excellent album, great slice of cantankerous rebel music history. Love the hooting prison guys throughout. The cheek and humour. Showmanship. The songs are excellent too. Johnny Cash at his most extraordinary. Wonderful
The performance here is clearly something magical. It's marred a bit by the artifice history made clear was there: Cash wasn't actually as close to the prisoners as he made himself out to be. But the bridging of the outside and inside worlds is important, as is the fact that he sang about tearing down the prison walls twice, back to back. The recording itself is marred by the short length, sequencing, and censorship. It's a testament to Cash and his prison concerts that the record is fine despite all that.
Johnny's got great banter in between songs, something missing from Folsom, if I remember right. He seems really at ease and funny. Songs are great too, but it's Cash; we knew that already. Favorite tracks: "Starkville County Jail", "Boy Named Sue", "Peace in the Valley"
Johnny is a legend. I’ve never heard of anyone else playing a prison let alone several. This isn’t Folsom but it’s great to hear him rile the inmates. This is the type of country I can get behind.
Odd to say, but a really "fun" album. He seems like such a nice guy. The music is entertaining.
Interested in the history of all these prison shows. Boy Named Sue is an all time classic
Qué discazo se aventó Cash en San Quentin; de hecho el show está tan bueno que la versión extendida (con todo y Carl Perkins y las hermanas Carter) vale mucho la pena. Además, es un tipo que ya en el status de ícono musical (¡este es su dicso número 31!), se mete a una prisión a cantar para los reos incluyendo su rola acerca de lo mal que está la prisión.
Tengo que ver ese DVD para ver todo lo que te transmite la grabación 'naked'. El tremendo respeto que le tienen los reos a Cash y su familia es algo que no cualquiera puede lograr. También tener los tamaños para ir a una prisión, escribir una canción sobre lo que sucede dentro y que no comience un motín ha de haber sido muy divertido. 'A boy named Sue' siempre es garantía.
Antes de comenzar un disclaimer: la versión que escuché de este disco fue la "Legacy Edition", de casi 1:50. Este disco es una joya, porque más que la música, me impresionó el tipo de concierto: dentro de una cárcel, y además televisado. Es como una pequeña cápsula de tiempo que refleja cómo eran ciertas cosas en esa época y lugar. Imagino que para los reos que estuvieron ahí ha de haber sido una experiencia única, y también un "break" de su rutina. Por último, me impresiona la entrega de "A boy named sue". Es una canción con un ritmo inusual y una letra que es más bien una pequeña fábula, y Johnny realiza una presentación impecable. Lo hace de una forma tan natural que pareciera que está contando una anécdota personal. Casi diría que me hubiera gustado estar ahí para verlo en persona, pero pensándolo bien, qué bueno que no :)
What a great time capsule. Talk about context. It would be hard to believe this was a real event if this didn’t exist. Still totally not music I’m interested in, but the package. Great package.
Era o este disco o el de Folsom, la verdad son distintos, musicalmente creo que me gusta más Folsom pero no puedo negar que este concierto se siente mucho más cercano, crudo, real y quizá hasta en algunos puntos casi llegando a tocar la posibilidad de peligro. Toda la plática de Cash y sus comentarios, especialmente cuando se dirige a los custodios son maravillosos. Tocando muy bien como era lo normal, la grabación no es lo mejor pero ayuda quizá a la sensación de crudeza que uno quiere de un concierto en una prisión. A pesar de todo lo que me gusta tengo un par de puntos con el disco como tal, el primero es que hay un par de elecciones de canciones que no entiendo. Sobre todo tomando en cuenta el disco original que sacó, incluir DOS veces San Quentin creo no viene al caso y se come tiempo que podía usar en otra canción (entiendo el querer comunicar la emoción de los reos pidiendo un encore, pero la verdad creo es innecesario), también para nada siento viene al caso que cante Folsom Prison Blues... es como ir a cantar el himno del otro equipo al estadio. Eso es lo que lo detiene para mí de la quinta estrella, la versión original es tremendamente corta y tiene esos puntos que siento desaprovechados, ya cuando escucha uno la versión ultralarga remasterizada de dos horas no es un problema, pero la verdad no habría por qué verse obligado a escuchar esa versión tan larga y siento se tiene que tomar al disco como el album original que salió a la venta. A fin de cuentas es Johnny Cash y sigue siendo un excelente disco, ahí no hay pierde.
Its a pretty amazing and subversive recording, I spent the whole time wondering what it would have been like to be there, either as a prisoner or as a performer. Amazing recording. Can't say its something I'd put on and listen to, but the tunes are fun and the atmosphere is special.
Awesome stuff - love the songs, love the chat between songs. So much more compelling than your average live album. Favourite track - "San Quentin". I mean, I like a lot of Cash's tracks more overall, but that song on this album in context - WHOAH.
Not really a country fan, but - Johnny Cash, playing live at San Quentin prison...wow! Will have to watch the movie at some point
Jonny Cash ist mal wieder jeden >Penny< wert! Absolut geile Country Musik zum im Pickup durch die Gegend eiern und sich American Spirit ins Paper rollen bis man die Trucker Kabine zugequalmt hat wie Karin Ritter ihr Wohnzimmer. Kleiner Downer, da es ein Live-Album ist, aber bin jetzt ned >hurt< deswegen. Insgesamt auch einfach gute Laune Country vom Cashmeister. Klare >Line die er da läuft<. Für mich einfach geile Musik zum alt sein. Holt mich als Trans-Ager mehr als nur ab. Stelle mich mir dazu auf meiner Veranda in Tennessee mit nem Krug Moonshiner vor und ab 11:00 geil besoffen. Aber is ja fine, bin alt. >Rundes Album und absolute fire!< Punkverrat out!
I'm a big fan of Johnny Cash. His first performance at a prison was in 1957 and I'm guessing he was one of the first musicians to do that on the regular. Great road trip music.
Shouldn't we be consistent here? Are live albums allowed? If so, then this list is all screwed up... Live albums are on the same level as Greatest Hits, no? There is nothing wrong with the album, but I would say it is unfair to give it 5 stars.
Great length, good songs, he works the crowd well, and it leaves an enjoyable album. Not sure I understand the concept of prison concerts.
Ceo que nunca le he agarrado tanto la onda a Johnny Cash. En definitiva me hace falta escucharlo mucho más porque hizo un chingo, pero este álbum en vivo me parece un buen extracto para conocerlo, valorarlo, con una energía y una desfachatez muy particulares. Disfruté sobre todo "San Quentin", junto con "San Quentin (reprise)". El final con "Folsom Prison Blues", pues ya, todo bien, me uno a la celebración de los reos. 8/10.
Liked it more than I thought I would. The way he interacts with the crowd makes the music more fun and it was a good listen overall.
Seminal live album from a very particular time and age. As good as Folsom's and among best albums in Cash's discography
A fun listen! Probably wouldn't listen to the whole album again, but it was enjoyable and nice to have live. "Darlin' Companion" was so cute.
I love that this is the whole show. Johnny Cash was a cool motherfucker. And June Carter is funny
Very interactive with dialogue between Cash and the inmates, part of his protest against the prison system. Wonderfully visual songs and comedic stab-at-authority through ‘San Quentin’.
Cash was talented and charismatic; I don't think I could play at a prison this successfully!
I feel like an absolute 2000s millennial hipster stereotype saying that Johnny Cash is the only country artist I actually like listening to, but damn this album is so good. I don’t know if this is the “definitive” Johnny Cash recording, but if it isn’t it’s got to be close. The Legacy edition is worth a listen, specifically, because it feels like a recording of the whole concert straight through, without the weird abridged version of Folsom Prison Blues cut out of an outro medley that was originally included on the album.
At first I listened to the original 10 track version, which was heavily edited for time. It was OK. Then I realized that the Legacy Edition was different and sounds like the full show. Classic Johnny Cash. Carl Perkins’s Restless is a revelation.
Sounds like a great show. Would have loved to see it live except for the being a prisoner part
I always think I won’t like Johnny cash and I always do. Live music isn’t a thing I miss a ton but this made me miss it.
A legend for good reason. Lyrics and voice on this are one of a kind, and the live performance has so much charisma and personality. I’d go 9.3 or so out of 10, but 5/5 is like 10/10 right, so I’ve gotta be super judicious with the 5’s.
Interesting how he tows the line between allowing the prisoners to experience some catharsis by booing and disparaging the guards, but also thanks the prison warden and staff to boos from the prisoners. A different kind of anti-prison/anti-establishment sentiment than NWA for instance. Potentially caused in part due to differences in racial makeup at these prisons as well as the existence of white supremacy then and now in the USA.
There's such a natural, laid back rapport between Cash and the audience on this. Really great live album
although i did not listen to all of the songs, i liked all the ones i did listen to. i liked how on some of the songs he included himself talking/interacting with the audience. it was a bit long though. he sounds great live. love johnny cash.
Sfeervolle klassieke country in een setting die je tijdens het afspelen ‘voelt’. Niet te vergelijken, maar ik kreeg een blues brothers gevoel bij het luisteren. Heerlijk album dit.
Historicamente relevante y musicalmente histórico. Tengo que aprovechar este disco para proyectar una frustración: escribir una canción como A boy named Sue es todo lo que yo hubiera querido en mi vida.
Johnny Cash is geweldig! Die stem is fantastisch! En de grappen tussendoor zijn in deze gevangenis-setting zelfs ook nog goed te hebben. Wat een vent 😁
Just Johnny and his simple on the first view music, but how much magic it produces. This is the sound of liberty, of real America, I really appreciate the moment i found or it's better to say open to myself his peaceful and calming guitar. This is my debut in reviews and i write every idea which has come to my mind and while i am doing it, i'm listening to johnny. He is saying that everything is okey, you are alive, you have anoter day, so wake your fucking ass and do something, it will ve great
Live album performed at a prison. Johnny has a personable attitude, southern drawl and sense of humor my grandfather would love
Enjoyed this immensely. June Carter far more prominent than other live albums I have heard of Johnny
Johnny Cash's best albums are this and Folsom. This one is nice because it has Carl Perkins, the Carters, and even the Statler Brothers. I would hate to have to go to prison to see that lineup.
This was my first ever live album, so needless to say I was excited to listen, yet also worried, because I usually prefer studio recordings over live recordings. But the vibes here were awesome! Having the little breaks in between songs where Johnny speaks is nice, and it makes you feel as though you were right there in the prison at that time (solely to hear the concert, I am not a criminal, I swear!). It makes the listening experience so much more genuine. But my main focus is obviously the music, and I enjoyed it a lot! If I ever listen to country/rock & roll, it's usually contemporary alternative country from indie artists, but getting to hear the voice of a classic country guy was really great. His voice is very soothing and melodious, and has just the right amount of southern twang for me. The bits where his wife June Carter popped in were beautiful; their voices really complement each other. The band is also amazing. And this might just be me, but the backup singers in Peace In The Valley sound a lot like The Andrews Sisters... (I know it's not them, leave me and my weird voice associations alone lol) My one complaint is the censoring beeps. They surprised me as a first-time listener, and they ruin the flow of the music or speech. However, considering I only heard four throughout the entire record, they are not huge of a weakness. There is always the legacy edition ;) Overall, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys live music, but I would encourage them to listen to the legacy edition and adhere to the tracklist of the original.
Hard album to evaluate since the only available version is greatly expanded from the original release and features a number of other musicians. Normally you ignore expanded versions... but the added material is the rest of the original concert. I guess at the end of the day, it's a great concert, just not as tight or iconic as Folsom.
Know all the songs, but never gave this album a true front to back listen. More of an experience when done this way and is one of the most unique live albums ever made.
It's pretty tough to beat Johnny Cash performing live at a prison. The man seems to do his best work there because the way he comes off on this album make it feel like these performances are where he's most at home. Loved hearing all the classics plus some that I hadn't heard before. Fav songs: wanted man, I walk the line, boy named sue, folsom prison blues
I know Folsom Prison better. Sure I've listened to it before, and I know most of the songs already. He's on gloriously naughty form with his banter - so far as to play San Quentin twice after it nearly instigates a riot, and calling his guitar a very rude word. The songs fairly zip along, the band seeming well drilled but still enjoyably loose.
Was good, but felt like the chord progression and overall album sounded kinda the same
Surprised to see this album come up, I'd have thought "At Folsom Prison" would have covered the "prison concert" entry for the 1001 list. As a live album, it's raw, real, and Cash doesn't pull his punches. Like Folsom album, the prison setting gives a new perspective to having a captive audience. The Legacy Edition is too long for me, the original release would have more impact. Still a good album.
Gotta love that voice, the Johnny Cash drawl. He was a great story teller and this live album does just that. It bit samey, heck he even plays the title song more than once. The album rolls along with Cash in good humour. Yeah I enjoyed listening to this one.
Johhny Cash i pjevanje u zatvorima jednostavno uvijek ima smisla, cak i kad nije tamo da reformira sistem.
This was a lot of fun. At Folsom Prison was probably the best of his prison performances, but At San Quentin has a similar spirit. Cash's live albums capture his talent and charisma in a way that's simply missing from a lot of his studio recordings. The raucous energy of the audience is on full display. And it's that interplay between Cash and his audience that really gives this album its fire. Fave Songs: A Boy Named Sue, I Walk the Line, Darlin' Companion, Wanted Man, Wreck of the Old 97