At San Quentin

I love me some Johnny Cash, but this is the third album on the list I've come across, one of which was a cover album and the other two are live at prisons. Hoping to get an actual album like One Piece At A Time and not a live from Walla Walla album on his prison tour.

Such a cool album. The fact that he played at prisons is incredible. I know he was a complicated man, but I appreciate Johnny Cash’s story and I’m grateful for his music.

Quintessential Johnny Cadh…what’s not to love??? ❤️ ❤️❤️

Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Johnny Cash

Iconic performance, fun listen.

listened 2x. enjoyable 3.8/5

I don't consider myself a country fan but Johnny Cash definitely stands out with storytelling. The beginning song where he's saying "wanted man" and the fact he's performing at a prison is quite amazing. And he really has the crowd. I've never been into live albums but this is definitely feeling... like an outstanding one. Sure the sound isn't as good as studio songs but him being at a prison is just genius, I am wondering who was the first performer to do that... because I think I have heard Elvis doing it?

What a shithouser!

This album has a certain charm to it. Listening to Johnny Cash's banter is great on this record, and I think it really adds to it. The Carter family is present. A memorable moment is his story about being arrested for picking flowers. And then it leads into a funny song about said incident. The mixing in this record is awful though. The sound levels are inconsistent. When the crowd cheers, they dial that up to 11. Very unnecessary... And honestly, it comes off fake, as a 'cheer' track. Also, music shouldn't be censored. He talks about burning down San Quentin in the song San Quentin... And that's slowed, but they bleep out vulgar words like 'ass' and 'shit' during between song banters. Different times of course... But still. Johnny Cash's songs all sound sort of the same, musically. The guitar work is very similar. But it works for what they're trying to achieve. I've always enjoyed this sort of Country music. And particularly Johnny Cash. Unfortunately, this record is bullshit. 10 songs. 30 minutes long. I have to make note that 2 of these songs are the same song. San Quentin (the song) has a reprise. So he played a shorter version of the initial, sans banter. There are way better and stronger live records of Johnny Cash. This live record sounds incomplete. They must've cut half the set. Also, Folsom Prison Blues, arguably one of the most well known songs of Cash was just one verse. And that was it. Hilariously, the increased volume of the crowd at the end sounded like they were booing at how short that song was instead of cheering and applauding the show. What should have been a great closer, was a big disappointment. Started out strong! Finished horribly. Now, I have no doubts that this show was incredible, if you were there. But why record it and not release the full thing? What's the point? Money! That's why. Record labels wanting to capitalize on Cash's popularity. Not to mentionz these prison shows are a gimmick to uphold Johnny Cash's "bad ass" image. I love the songs, but I can't in good conscience say this is a must heard listen. Maybe I must heard listen to not repeat.

Incredible, not much else to say about a live performance like that. Cash had a mastery of how to command the room, and his performances to boot.

Un café, un colacao, un día de lluvia; yo leyendo artículos y tú editando carteles y el vinilo de esto de fondo, nada más.

Although I'm not a huge Johnny Cash fan, you've got to love this album. I love the under his breath comments he makes to the prisoners, you can tell he understands where they are.

Not as good as Folsom but still a lot of fun.

At San Quentin is a pretty alright live album. The quality of the music was fairly high and Johnny Cash's stage presence was always fun and charismatic. My big problems with this album mostly stem from the fact that the songs aren't long enough and in most cases, don't give enough time to really sink in, and most of the other ones stem from the fact that this is a live album and it is at it's best when you were actually there but is kinda wonky when it is turned into an album. These problems are mostly givens when it comes to live albums so this is not an exclusive problem to this album so its not enough to really bring it down. Best Song: A Boy Named Sue Worst Song: San Quentin (Reprise)

Johnny Cash does a great job of givimg his audience what they want. A live album that is good at delivering well crafted songs.

The atmosphere at St. Quentin seems to have been really good. Johnny Cash also seemed to have had a lot of fun. And I would have liked to have had the same with the album. Unfortunately, I'm not interested in this kind of country music. 2/5

At San Quentin The History of Rock Music in 500 songs has a good episode about Cash and Walk the Line, and the genesis of the Tennessee Three, basically how they weren’t really musicians but found a way of backing him that suited him but was quite unusual in its simplicity and didn’t sound like much else at the time, particularly Luther Perkins guitar lines and Marshall Grant’s extremely minimal double bass (basically he could only play every other note at the beginning as he didn’t know where the notes were on the bass and he couldn’t move his fingers quick enough). Obviously this is Carl Perkins here, which is cool, you can hear him embellishing a little on There’ll be Peace in the Valley. I like Johnny Cash a lot, but I’ve always been a greatest hits and American Recordings man - I suppose the problem is that there isn’t necessarily a definitive early studio Cash album or set of albums, he released so many and many were just tracks put together from various recording sessions. I’m not generally a fan of live albums so I’ve kind of overlooked this and Folsom Prison, but they really are such a part of his legend that I should actually listen to them. It is great. All the elements of Johnny Cash are there, the fantastic, resonant baritone voice, simultaneously hard and empathetic, but always full of feeling, the myth making outlaw persona and the overall charisma and presence. It’s amazing what he can conjure out of such seemingly sparse and simple musical backing. The Wreck of the old 97 really fizzes. I Walk the Line is obviously superb, in whichever form. I love how each verse is in a slightly different key giving a sense of unsteadiness before resolving in the last verse. San Quentin is great, particularly the reaction from the crowd. Carl Perkins also sounds excellent on this. I think this is the definitive live version of A Boy Named Sue? It’s definitely the one you hear the most. Reading about it, it was a surprise in the set and was improvised by the band. Nice. I listened to the original version, but the legacy version is meant to be very good and possibly even better. I’d like to listen to At Folsom to compare but I thought this was great, up there with Live at Leeds and Get Your Ya Yas as the only live albums I like. A foot tappin’ rock solid 4. Keen to listen to it more ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great album, the atmosphere of the crowd really makes it.

Short album and even shorter when you consider how much is Johnny Cash working the crowd between songs. I Walk the Line and A Boy Named Sue are the only ones I properly enjoyed, but the others are ok. I would’ve enjoyed Fulsom Prison Blues if he’d done more of it.

Bad ass

Another arist I'd like to listen to more. Johnny Cash seems like a cool guy, and this album was pretty good.

I wanted to just listen to the music I didn't need all the bits in between, like I don't need to hear you asking if the guitar is in tune. Music when he played was good, but you can't play the same song twice in a row and count it as two tracks on an album. I feel like I had a visual recording of this I probably would have scored it slightly higher.

To paraphrase El Grande, it’s not even his best live album. That being said I enjoyed it, I really like Johnny Cash and think his live recordings let him shine as a performer. Definitely an album I could have on rotation

Being in my 70’s I have a different perspective on this album's place historically. Johnny made a habit of playing prison concerts for free which was cool a lot of his hits are available on this album and since it is also live with the usual interactions that happens with a live audience adds to the spontaneous nature of this show if I was a bigger fan of this form of country music I might have given it a 4 because of of its historical significance

I didn’t expect to like this as much as I did - I have listened to Cash’s songs here and there, but have never listened to any of his albums. But there was a such a fun and lively energy to this performance that I couldn’t help but smile as I listened. I felt transported to another time and place, and could imagine the scene of Cash playing at San Quentin to a prison crowd. The banter between the inmates and Cash, and the numerous references to the guards that I visualized lining the room, helped create a sense of place that I haven’t experienced before in a live album. “San Quentin” (the song so nice, he played it twice!) was the standout for me. The crowd reaction elevated an otherwise “eh” song to a pretty unique experience. The downside is that some of the songs are not very memorable once they are over. The album is great because of the experience listening to it, and less so for the individual tracks.

This was fun to listen to and I think the stage banter elevated it. I thought the songs themselves were good but not great!

Hell of a performer, and a fun, rowdy crowd. Johnny Cash truly was a champion for prisoners in America

Johnny Cash is a force of nature. I'm part of the generation who rediscovered him via Rick Rubin's albums with him. I'm not a country fan but this bridges the gap due to the quality of the songs, the driving rhythm, his voice and the sheer magnificence of the man. This album has a really cinematic feel and it's certainly adds to the album and dovetails with the reputation of the man.

If I had a nickel for every album that I've gotten on here that involved Johnny Cash performing at a prison I would have 10 cents, which isn't a lot but it's kind of weird that it's happened twice. At Folsom Prison was album #13 for me, so back at it 146 albums later. This one came out a year after At Folsom Prison. A brief sidebar to note how odd it is that he decided to do a whole series of prison performances. And then write songs about how much it would suck to be a prisoner there. I can't even imagine the social media firestorm that would happen if Taylor Swift or someone decided to do a prison concert series today, the internet would explode. Like At Folsom Prison, I think there's a ton of value in this as a cool piece of history. Hearing him interact with the crowd in the live setting is a pretty interesting historical record to have. I think I like this quite a bit less than At Folsom Prison though. For starters, it's only 34 minutes total and I didn't count but probably 40% of that is random crowd noise or him talking. He also performs the song "San Quentin" twice, so there's only 9 unique songs on here. It comes across as really disjointed from a musical perspective. They also censored some of the songs on here with really annoying loud beeps, which I get probably wasn't his decision but is still jarring. On the positive side, it does have a few a couple of iconic Cash songs like "Walk the Line" and "A Boy Named Sue". He generally sounds good, though I read somewhere that he sounds "tired" on this record, and I think I agree with that. It feels a little less engaging than At Folsom Prison. I find these prison albums really hard to rate, since I think they're a little annoying musically but really interesting from a music history perspective. I tend to lean towards rating is as an album not a history piece, and I like this less than At Folsom Prison, so my rating reflects this. Favorite song: I Walk the Line Other: Wanted Man, San Quentin, A Boy Named Sue 3/5/24

I said before I’m not a big fan of live recordings, but this is one of the exceptions. His talks between the songs are even nice to listen to. And the location (prison) give some songs something extra. Loved it !

it’s a performance in a prison. music resonate with people in the jail a lot, everyone was really just having fun and laughing and enjoying a slight bit of humour in the strict life of prison really achieved one of the the purpose of music or performing, it’s to bring people together and make them feel easier about life and stuff

Música para hacer un viaje por carretera a un bosque alpino.

Some alright parts, but I think this album really reminds me why I don't like country. Even with that in mind, I just don't find the music all that fresh or compelling.

Classic! That’s all I can say. It doesn’t need any critique with frills. Ain’t no frills at SAN Quentin. Cash is at his best.

Well articulated performance during a critical point in history.

I could take it or leave it. There's a lot of banter and crowd noise, which I think is the point, but I wouldn't really just sit and listen to this. No hate on the music though. Fav tracks: N/A

Good live album wanted more grit

Nice to know he would do that for the incarcerated

Kannte ich schon, hat mein Nachbar mir geschenkt.

Could not force myself to get through it all. Absolutely not it. Some people may like it and I'm glad those people are not in my vicinity. You do you, though💲

Great album, great songs. Just to think that it was recorded in a prison makes it special.

Classic Cash

Не ожидала, что понравится, но понравилось. Всегда хотела послушать Джонни Кэша.

The recording sounds like shit, he only knows two chords and the drummer only does the train chugging beat, but the songs rule, his voice is incredible and it's a hell of a performance. The harmonies and playful back and forth with June Carter bring a dose of levity to a set that's mostly dark story songs about dying at work, being on the lam or getting locke dup. This one isn't quite as good as Folsom, but the cover is way cooler.

Never really listened to Cash, so I wasn't sure how I'd feel, but I don't like live albums much... And I think I would have given this a 3 if not live. I was just getting tired of the talking and cheering. I don't mind that in person or on video, but audio only its never been my thing.

Rating: 8/10 Great album. Many very enjoyable songs and good storytelling and humorous interludes by Johnny Cash. The guitar playing is great throughout, not much variety but Johnny Cash is a master at country so it's still great from start to finish. Favorite songs: Wanted Man, Wreck of the Old 97, I Walk the Line, Darlin' Companion, San Quentin, A Boy Named Sue. Worst song: (There'll Be) Peace in the Valley.

I've listened to this in the past and have a vinyl copy from Third Man Records. Its fantastic. I don't have much exposure to Cash, but you can hear the passion in his performance. I can't imagine what it was like to play in a high-security prison like that.

A little like Dave Matthew’s Band

His personality shines through in this live record. Enjoyed the strut-worthy setlist

He's a great showman, he works the crowd well. The stories that preface the tracks enhance them a bunch. Cash's vocal feels pretty flat sometimes but it picks up as the show goes on. The backing is strong but not that diverse. It felt a bit underwhelming, though the big moments did shine. It felt heavily edited.

This album was a meh for me. wasnt fantastic but wasnt awful

Okay, I'm not a fan of early work of Johnny Cash, but this album has a different feeling than the others, like Folsom Prison one. I liked the style, the songs, interactions with prisoners and audience. Really good live album.

While not as consistently entertaining as his previous prison live album, the legendary country singer knows how to create an engaging live scene, while appearing just as laid back as he is talented.

Good banter, weird censors but makes sense for 1969. Best songs: Boy Named Sue, Peace in the Valley, and Wanted Man.

I like Johnny Cash, but I don't like live albums.

I know this live album recorded in a real prison was groundbreaking, but I can only listen to Johnny Cash in small doses.

Awesome album. So fun hearing a “live” concert from 1969.

Cash displays a great amount of passion, emotion and humility on this live LP, even when the band goes slightly out of time or when his vocals falter in pitch, with each performance punctuated by the roaring of the prison crowd so eager to hear him sing and tell his anecdotes. The sound is as strong as could be expected given the venue and time period, though on the original LP the track list is cut rather short compared to the full concert. A strong showing by Cash & co.

Really enjoyed this live album. Didn't like country music much but since signing up for the 1001 albums you must listen to etc...its opened me up to music I would not have listened to otherwise.

I'll need to check it out again

The audience certainly seemed to enjoy it! While I recognize the quality of this, it's not really my thing though.

horrible recording.

Unexpectedly, overwhelmingly good. And funny. And iconic. This one is a gem. 5/5

First album since giving this a go... honestly not a style of music I'd normally listen to but actually started to really enjoy it as it went on. Loved even just listening to him talking between the tracks. Had a good laugh. Thanks for this!

Una pasada!

I didn’t realize this was San Quentin prison but I loved the crowd interaction and liveliness of this album. LOVED Boy Named Sue that was a silly story but it was wonderful.

A great album. 4 stars

It's definitely a different album than Folsom Prison. They are not the same album. It's good to hear a clip of Cash live and the cool stage banter, but I'm not sure what it provides beyond that? Is there something intensely musically important? American V seems like a better choice.

Does Johnny Cash not know how to tune his guitar? I found this kind of boring. Most of Johnny Cash's music is kind of samey but at least the studio recordings for some reason feel more exciting. This bland live performance of his kinda bland music and his bland speaking voice just weren't interesting to me. I just realized I've never listened to "A Boy Named Sue" all the way through.

Je préfère d'autres albums a lui

Stupendous! 5 stars.

Not quite Folsom, but awesome. Cash is a national treasure.

Never liked live albums, still don’t

The songs were good and Cash has a great personality.

I didn't think I particularly liked country music. I'm still not sure I do, but then there's so much different stuff going on here that I don't really think it's country music - folk, blues, bits of rock and roll. Maybe it's just Americana. So, I really enjoyed this. Being live helps for me, but the music was really enjoyable as well. So much so that I dug out the extended version with Carl Perkins and the Carter Family stuff as well. I almost never do that, so this must be good. So, 4 or 5. Hell, the live nature does it for me so 5 it is. First one for ages

Fantastisch live album, ook de interactie met het publiek is heerlijk om te horen zo. Dit is echt Johnny Cash op z'n best.

Really nice and wholesome record. It’s so cool how he engages with the prisoners and fully involved them in the act.

Raw

Not a huge fan

Wowsa.

Great album, I love the energy, charisma, album cover, and the down to earth nature.

A collection of Johnny Cash's hits, along with some lesser-known and new numbers, all played well. But the thing that makes this a special listening experience isn't the music, obviously - it's the way Cash was able to cast a spell over a room full of society's roughest, to both commiserate with them (he's genuinely hilarious here) and to make them forget about their troubles for a while. A special night with a special man. Easy 5.

Un maestro. El hombre de negro definitivo.

I'm not sure how random this generator is when this immediately follows "At Folsom Prison" but I didn't mind having a second night of Johnny Cash. I think the Folsom recording is just a little warmer; if we could do half stars, this album would be 4.5 stars rather than the 5 I'm going to give it. I do like that there are no duplicate songs, plus "A Boy Named Sue" debuts here, and that song is *classic*.

is country

Good album, but At Folsom Prison is better in all aspects. It has a great rendition of I Walk the Line though.

Grew up with this one and love it

Didn't get a chance to hear this on Friday, so I'll listen now. It's only 34 min. Pretty cool that he would go to prisons to play. Walk the Line is on this! Giving prisoners some cheer in there. What a G. LOL all the prisoners booing the guards.

I own this on vinyl. Epic performance. 10/5.

Country is not my music, but Johnny is an great entertainer. Therefore 4stars - I‘m impressed!

Johnny Cash is pretty unmatched. I don’t usually like “live at” but this one has a story.

get the man some water!

Great live album, really transports the listener to a time and place.

p162. 1969. 4 stars. Not as good as "At Fulsom Prison" - there is some definite filler here - but it's still fine. Makes you realise how good Cash was in his heyday.

i dont like live music albums but i do enjoy the music. its fun and lots of instruments. kind of repetitive, a lot of the songs sounded very similar

I don’t usually like live albums, but Johnny Cash is an exception. The interplay between himself and the men incarcerated at San Quentin is almost as good as the set list.

The concerts that Johnny Cash did at prisons bring a completely different vibe to the usual live album listening experience. Knowing what a unusual occurrence this was for those behind bars and hearing how they reacted to some lyrics bring forth a sense of urgency, joy, and an undercurrent of menace when you listen to these recordings. My favorite of these albums remains At Folsom Prison, but this is a great album with the best live rendition ((IMO) of a Boy Named Sue, a favorite song of mine. Other fantastic songs like I Walk The Line, Big River, Ring of Fire, and, of course, San Quentin make this a fantastic album.

Music is five stars, and I like it more than the other famous JC album At Folsom Prison. Still, live albums should not belong to the list in my view, but this one is a bit of an exception, 4 stars then.

It must have been awesome to witniss such a concert in jail; listening to it as a record is nice but not more than that.

Would have been an iconic recording, had it not already been done and done slightly better by... the same Johnny Cash. But it's still worth a listen, cause even if the energy is similar, the songs are different. 4 broken curfews out of 5 🚔🚔🚔🚔

Grew up with JC et al. I enjoyed this live album as it reminded me of his great stage presence.

Fun recording. Dumb that they censored parts of it.

I really liked this. Not usually a country fan, but loved how these songs told a story.

Honestly, I didn’t think I was a big fan of Johnny Cash, but I enjoyed this album. I liked seeing his personality.

Really enjoyed the songs, wasn’t great because it was live but music was good

Entertaining to listen to, but nothing I would play again for fun.

I usually prefer live albums, and I understand that this is from 1969, but not a fan of the quality of the recording. I know most of these songs and like the songs.

fun show!

This was a great listen! The toe-tapping, and handclapping was out of control! It sounds like it would have been an amazing concert to have attended. What a performer - I was familiar with about 1/3 of this albums songs and I listened to it all morning! Loved it!

I'd love to hear this if I was in prison - what an atmosphere he created! (fingers crossed in never go to prison though!) While I'm not a huge fan of the style of music or Johnny Cash, I did start to get into it on a second listen through. I found the bleeps a bit distracting and don't think its an amazing recording (which is fair enough, it'd be pretty hard within that kind of space and at that time I imagine), but that aside from that it was pretty alright.

More rollicking and raucous than the Folsom Prison recording (aided in large part by the audience.) Great as it is, Folsom Prison has a stronger list of songs and better overall sound.

Johnny Cash is always great!!

Classic. Not much new here, but always a pleasure.

Man in black. Probably had to be there for san quentin reprise

I keep hearing more and more Johnny Cash and I like it a little more every listen.

Ok kantri album

Johnny Cash is a great songwriter and singer. He was really pushing it and playing up to those prisoners. 4/5

Great concert album. Cash WAS the man in Black! He has wonderful stage presence and had command of the audience of thise prisoners.

Another good album by Johnny Cash. I liked San Quentin and A Boy Named Sue the best.

So great to listen to in full, the way he interacts with the crowd is great. I don’t think any song particularly will stick with me too much, but great album in totality. 3

It's a good album, the sound quality is impressive for being recorded in a huge concrete room. The reason to listen to this album is to hear the rapport and camaraderie that Johnny Cash finds with the incarcerated people at SQ. He so clearly understands the inhumane nature of a prison, and without directly insulting the correctional institution he lets the men know he is on their side and there for them, no one else. Playing his new song twice through is a great document in terms of his solidarity with his audience, and the nature of live music "back in the day". If the audience wanted to hear a song again, you best play it or be prepared to deal with potential harassment.

It's definitely unique that Cash was able to set up these performances in prisons. It's neat that the recording includes not just the songs but also the banter. Cash is really good at working up the crowd (pandering?). If he wasn't a musician, he could be a good standup comic. I know several of his songs and I think they're fine. But somehow it still doesn't rise above a 3-star for me. The music is 100% Americana, which I appreciate.

One of those albums where the story and vibe of it might be cooler than any individual song. Great listen.

Classic. Between Cash's always great story telling of his songs, the fun between-song patter and the couldn't-do-that-today ballsiness of playing to a crowd of prisoners, this is hard to beat.

Idgaf about Johnny cash

Legendary singer and story teller. I love how these recordings show off his personality and sense of humor. What an amazing artist.

I have heard of Johnny Cash but never listened to his music because I’m not a huge fun of country. This album confirmed that. I never liked live albums so this album was a set up for failure in my books. I will not listen again.

Buena idea, tiene su gracia, es corto y las canciones están bien. Certificado como mejor que la media.

I tried to find the 1969 recording but ended up listening to the 2000 CD release version instead, with 8 extra songs. Didn't regret it at all. Loved the between-song banter. This is my favorite live album I've listened to for this 1001 albums project. I would probably give it a 4 for just the music, but for the concept behind the recording it gets a 5.

Live albums are rarely good and this is not an exception. Love Johnny tho

I'm honestly just not a huge Johnny Cash fan. I don't love his style of music, and I didn't like the parts of his personality that were showing when he was talking. I also just generally don't love live albums unless they are really well done. I can't deny that he and his band were talented, but this album wasn't for me.

Super glad I happened to be off work for this, because I thought I was doing fine avoiding my emotions by skipping the Carter Family songs but then Daddy Sang Bass walloped me. I always get that tune/tempo of "Will the Circle be Unbroken" in my head and can never find a version that matches it but I guess this is where I heard it growing up. This is a real "my dad put on something while puttering around and I'm off to the side entertaining myself where he can keep an eye on me" sort of music for me. My grandma who passed recently, she and her sisters would sing Carter Cash or Patsy Cline stuff and her house was always where family members would sit and play guitars and mandolin and sing and it's just really nice.

This was a very fun album Hearing him talk to the crowd in between songs was cool. “Excuse me, I couldn’t hear you I was talking” it’s a really great response to a heckler. I usually don't love live albums but this one was good, maybe because the crowd wasn't screaming excessively. I've never listened to Johnny Cash before but a lot of the songs were fun and had a good story/plot to them, like Starkville City Jail. I walk the line just made me want to go listen to the Halsey cover instead, so I queued that up right away and then returned to the rest of album San Quentin was neat to hear the crowd's first reaction. I didn't realize at the time it was about the prison I thought everyone just really hated the town they lived in I was going to give this 4 stars but I wore a bunch of good stuff so maybe it deserves 5??

Country certainly isn't my favourite genre, but Cash's charisma and personality really stood out and captivated me throughout the album

I loved this, the passion of the audience, the conversation between the songs and how good the songs were, the back story of these gigs as well, an unexpected surprise

This album is good, fun time. He certainly knew how to connect with his audience. I wish they edited out the encore of San Quinton and added another song or had a longer version of Folsom Prison Blues. Also, more June Carter! Favorite track: A Boy Named Sue.

Not sure if I like Folsom or this better but it's good. Weird how the swears are bleeped out

A unique individual and such a distinct voice. An icon.

Can't stand live albums. Extra point for Johnny Cash. Expected Marc rating: 4

No m'ha impressionat tant com l'altre àlbum que vam escoltar del Johnny Cash, però la veritat és que té temes com a boy named sue que m'encanten, i l'home tenia un talent innegable. Expected Lorenzo rating: 3

I took an edible and made a paper plane cocktail before listening to this album Good south feelings and rhythms, good crowd work captured

Energy, charisma, wit, musical twists and turns. Favourite track: the closing medley.

Johnny Cash never disappoints.

Classic from my own childhood. The stereo mixing! The way the audience is a character! An artifact.

I don't know what I liked more, the songs or audience reactions.

Track 1: fun song. Track 2: I like the crowd interaction he has. Track 3: Classic song. Track 4: fun little duet Track 5: funny song and I like hearing the laughs in the back. Track 6: good song and applied to everyone there. Track 7: just the same song Track 8: okay song Track 9: I like the slow vibe to this one and the background guitar. Track 10: classic. Overall: 5.7/10. It’s a good album but it’s kinda just in the middle but Cash is definitely a legend.

Another fun live album.

This album made me understand why people like live albums.

Not as good as Folsom.

So many live records lack specificity and originality. A paint by numbers enterprise. Conversely, "At San Quentin" is chock full of character and uniqueness! Not only do the songs shine and Cash's voice exude confidence, but the banter between songs and the prisoners cheering, whooping, and hollering as if on cue add a life that makes this one not to miss. A stunning slice of history, captured perfectly to enjoy for generations to come!

A concert and comedy show 4

Great album.

fino si si, guitarrita, carsel bad

Classic Cash!

I didn't know Cash did multiple jail recordings. Not as good as Folsom, but still really good stuff!

Cash Money

Loved the banter

A fantastic album from back when country music was good; before it was co-opted by the America First, love it or leave it, blind patriotism, pro-military/pro-cop without question, alcoholism celebrating crowd.

Love albums are not typically my thing, but I enjoyed the banter and the songs as well

absolute balls of steel, a hilarious live album

Love it.

Heard of Johnny Cash but not the album. Country from 1969. Had to listen to a live album. It’s not terrible but not really my vibe - he’s a bit annoying in the live bits too.

Historic album. You can almost visualize this one with the crowd and the things Cash says between tracks. Boy named Sue is the obvious standout but there were some other great tracks on here.

Good stuff

"Johnny Cash Live at San Quentin" is a powerful and iconic live album, showcasing Cash's charismatic performance before a captivated audience of inmates. The raw energy and emotional depth in his voice, combined with the connection he establishes with the crowd, make it a memorable musical experience. The inclusion of the famous track "A Boy Named Sue" adds a touch of humor to the overall intensity. It's a must-listen

What an experience, cash at his best

An excellent collection of songs, beautifully performed to the criminal and condemned. The spoken elements give a real insight into the man in black, his warmth and humanity shine through.

4 for me, i'd give it a 3.5 of I could. It's not as good as the original prison record he did and the bleeps where they try to cover bad language is really jarring.

It’s hard to find any fault with this piece of music history. A compelling listen that always makes me wanting more. Sublime.

Pretty cool, seemed like a pretty special concert

Listening to this album makes you feel the vibes and the energy of that very special live.

Yeah, damn good. Damn nice. Happy to listen to this. Lyrics are clear. Music is solid. Issues are engaging. I like it. Is it 5 stars, almost. Lets go 4. I'll listen again.

I can't believe they let Johnny Cash into San Quentin to sing "San Quentin." How did he get permission to shit on the prison in concert? Also, brilliant marketing.

Nope, nope and nope, I know a lot of people like this guy and his country music... but I just don't get it!! I got to 20 seconds into the second track... and I was already full on pissed off listening to this. That repeat track recipie of annoying bass guitar twanging away with a chickity chick drum skiff and that mournfully droll voice of Johnny just grinds the life out of me. Johnny Cash music never was and absolutely never will be anything I would listen to. It's of an era from 55 years ago Americana country music... the world has significantly moved on musically since then.

Legendary

Love the humour and music. Great album

Amazing. Love this.

Solid live album with good audience connection. Not quite as good as live from Folsom.

At Folsom Prison” is the celebrated one, the ground-breaker, but “At San Quentin” might be the better of two. It feels like it knows its purpose, and because of that, it’s more powerful and more dangerous. The crowd swell at 1.03 during his first run through of “San Quentin” is about as cathartic as live music gets. Best thing is it’s as authentic as it gets, too—nothing performative about inmates cheering along with a singer who’s on their side, righteously hating on their place of imprisonment. Cash is a professional throughout and makes being a bandleader, prison crowd wrangler, storyteller, and folk hero look easy (we suspect it’s absolutely not). His ease is contrasted by some raw, unbalanced takes of some of his signature tunes. Goes without saying that the satirical “A Boy Named Sue” is an instant, stone-cold-classic and a deserved fan favorite. This is one of the most satisfying live albums of any genre, and it continues to earn its acclaim more than 50 years later. Ask yourself—what other artist could have made this record? Bob Dylan compared Johnny Cash to Mount Rushmore for a reason. Listen to that reason here.

4.5

Man there is a lot of interaction with the crowd.

The right amount of banter for a live album. Fun listen.

You can't have a concert at a prison today, because the prisoners are busy working as free-labor for the privatized prison system...

Great piece... I hate every Inch of you!

Johnny Cash at his best, playing live for the marginalized and forgotten.

One from my childhood!

loved it

I've heard songs from this album a lot but never really sat down and listened to it all in one go, enjoyed it even more that way.

One of the best live albums I’ve heard because of the banter and historical context. Johnny commanded the room

I love his audience interaction. Abolish prisons!

Thoughts before listening: I love it. Johnny Cash is one of the greatest voices of all time and his music is part of the fabric of America. Both of his live prison albums are legendary, but San Quentin has always been my favorite. Review: Johnny Cash is absolutely on fire on this album. He's telling jokes between songs and delivers a high energy set that really riles up the inmates attending the performance. This is punk rock before it even existed, and the crowd noise acts as an additional instrument that elevates these recordings while making you feel like a member of that audience. The Legacy Edition of this album is absolutely the best way to listen, and is the version I once owned on CD. The original is only 30 minutes while the LE expands this to capture not only the full Johnny Cash show, but also bits of the openers in Carl Perkins, the Statler Brothers, and the Carter Family. I especially enjoy the Statler Brothers' "Flowers on the Wall". From the Johnny Cash songs, these are absolutely definitive versions of these songs that add a certain fire missing from the studio versions. "Big River", "I Still Miss Someone", "Wreck of the Old 97", "I Walk the Line", "Folsom Prison Blues", "Jackson", "Orange Blossom Special", "San Quentin", and "Ring of Fire" are all timeless songs enhanced by the live setting. The true star here (of both the original and LE version) is "A Boy Named Sue" with Johnny dropping naughty words (including the infamous bleep) and the inmates loving every minute of it. This is easily a 5-star album.

Fun listen.

Some decent stuff in here, Johnny's songs all kinda sound the same structure wise and it's more about his stories and his philanthropy. Lost points for the record being censored as he said cuss words at literal prisoners.

Fulsom Prison Blues part 2. Good live album.

Junk. Feels kind of cringey getting into a prison and singing about how much you hate prison to a bunch of criminals

3.5

I'm generally not a country music fan, but have listened to some Cash before. What really elevates this album is the audience and the atmosphere that they lend.

It's an album and a comedy show!

I'm sure it's a great album if you like the genre, but it's not my cup of tea. But I really enjoyed the spoken parts, made you feel like you were part of the audience.

Too much applause.

Nice listen

What is there not to like? His voice, his storytelling, the banter w the audience, the guitar, the band...the man in black is a legend. I'm more familiar w Folsom than San Quentin, but this did not disappoint.

Yasssssss. Its a good un

You could really tell how much he had aged in this album, but he still very much had the rebellious spirit in him. Cash was able to relate and joke with the inmates of San Quentin and that energy showed in his playing.

Nothing against Johnny Cash's idea of recording a live album in prison, but it wasn't as exciting for me as it might been for the inmates.

Great album, I love Johnny Cash anyway! 4 stars

•Not owned: Streaming •Once owned; will get again •I forgot how much I enjoyed this album—probably haven’t listened to it since the Required Johnny Cash Period of my 20s. The energy between Cash and the crowd feels almost like communion; Cash and Co. play with such spirit, you’d think they were playing for early release. (I can’t be the first person to say this.) What a fantastic album. •5/5

Cash has a great voice. Deep and smooth. I can see why he is so well known in the country genre. I appreciate the lyrical content of the songs under the context that he's singing to a group of dangerous prison inmates. He controls the crowd well, is comedic, and has good energy. Where the set falls short for me is how simple the music is. A little bit of background vocals and a bass guitar. But it's mostly just acoustic guitar strumming and Cash talking/half singing.

honestly the bit where the prisoners are cheering during san quentin and how he playedc it twice earned an extra star. so good

As far as this style of albums go, its pretty good,

Liked how he engaged the prisoners and had an air of 'get the man off my back' which I liked a lot. Certainly reminded me of Uncle Bobby. Good, simple music.

Oddly short album, and he repeated the title track. Plus a lot of between-songs chatter, so the actual music content is very thin. Not sure why this exists.

Precisely played.

Love this album and the general feeling it conveys. Johnny Cash stands out for these performances, which have had a huge impact on country music, and non-country music that persists to this day. Take Merle Haggard, for example, one of the greatest country artists and songwriters of all time. Prior to his music career, Merle was in attendance at one of Johnny’s prison performances, which inspired him to change his life and pursue music. In performing for convicted men, Johnny Cash provided hope and a vision of a better future, not to mention this album contains some of the greatest songs from Johnny’s career.

6.5

ok, not my favorite but I get it

Nice

Fantastic Album, up till now, I only knew one or two songs by Johnny Cash, now I am a fan.

Ist es die Band zur Stimme oder die Stimme zur Band? Auf jeden Fall passt das sowas von zusammen! Das das den Country-Sound vieler späterer Bands (und die Begleitautomatik diverser MIDI-Keyboards) definiert, ist eher Nebensache. Cash erzählt Geschichten. Und dazu reichen drei Akkorde. "Starkville City Jail" (witzig, da Cash hier ja live im Gefängnis spielt) und "Boy named Sue" sind meine Favoriten. Inhaltlich tolle Songs mit (witziger) Pointe. Das Album hätte ich mir wohl nie angehört, wenn es hier nicht vorgeschlagen worden wäre.

Würde ich gerne mal die Videoaufzeichnung sehen. Ansonsten eher ein Erlebnis und interessanter Einblick als musikalisch interessant.

Bit rambling

The best to ever do it

I hate live albums, but this one is really fun

Favourite tracks: san Quentin; starksvile city jail; peace in the valley; wanted man; a boy named sue

Soft 5

When i first saw it i didnt want to listen to it, but it wasnt half bad.

Not sure both live prison albums needed to be one the list. Could have made space for something different.

Great record, loved his interactions with the audience. Performing the San Quentin twice was a treat!

A great live album that I will certainly be returning to. I love the interactions between Cash and the crowd, especially when they convinced him to play San Quentin for a second time.

An absolute classic album with a charismatic Cash.

I’m not sure if there is anything cooler to me than this.

Dad:”there are way better Johnny cash albums than this”

This music doesn't do much for me but it's fun hearing the audience in this one and the guy clearly has a commanding stage presence. Standout Track: San Quentin

This doesnt have quite the fire that Folsom Prison does, though the reprise of San Quentin is nice. A Boy Named Sue is a great tune.

I do not like country music at all, it’s an easy 1/5 for me, but Johnny is an exception. What isn’t an exception are live sets, I honestly don’t think they have a place here.

Legacy edition, it’s more than just Johnny. Seriously the 2nd track Flowers on the Wall by The Statler Brothers was one of my favourites.

A classic of its time and his life

Johnny Cash playing at a prison is so culturally important that this is an instant 5.

“I’m not really a live album person.” “What about ‘At San Quentin?’” “Oh, well yeah. Of course ‘At San Quentin.’” I think the context of live albums is as important as the music itself. It’s as much fun to listen to Cash’s banter here as it is to listen to the songs. This album cements true outlaw status for the Man in Black.

A Boy Named Sue is amazing. Told perfectly. The rest is kind of the same as what he did at Folsom. Good, but done before.

Following his legendary series of concerts at prisons, Cash brings another live recording, this time immortalizing his San Quentin prison show. The man in black does it again. He practically started a riot with his guitar and rebellious lyrics. The most interesting element is his interaction with the audience. Cash empathizes -organically, at times- with the prisoners and their agony. I admire Johnny's decision to leave the song "San Quentin" two times on the tracklist. It is a testament to how prisoners felt represented by the lyrics and free for a few minutes.

I like how they played "San Quentin" twice

1. 4/5 2. 3.5/5 3. 5/5 4. 3.5/5 5. 3.5/5 6. 4.5/5 7. 4.5/5 8. 5/5 9. 3.5/5 10. 3.5/5 = 4.05

Excited when this popped up, but honestly a bit disappointing. Really short runtime, about 30% of which is him chatting to the audience. Once song inexplicably appears twice in a row. The duet is cringy. The good songs end too early. Surely he's had better albums than this. Boy named sue brings this up to 2.5*

Didn't listen can't stand beeping

Loved it

Hell yeah. Why don't they make live records at prisons more often? Basically this and the Lone Rangers from the Airheads movie. Sex Pistols too. What if Vampire Weekend make a "Live from Rikers Island?" That shit would be rad. Weird coincidence that Steve Buscemi plays bass for Lone Rangers and his nephew plays bass for Vampire Weekend.

This and Folsom Prison are two of my fav live albums. Love the banter

Was really good! I have wanting to get into Johnny Cash and I think I have found my starting point.

I'd listened to this album many years ago, but I forgot how funny Johnny Cash was. His musical performance is great, and deserves every bit of the reputation this album has as one of the great live albums of all time. His charisma on this album while entertaining the prisoners in between songs is incredible. Truly a great concept for a live album that was executed to perfection 4/5

3 of his albums made the list. This is the best one. Favorite song: it's not really about the songs, it's about the performance and the interaction with the audience. The songs are not that special.

Even better the Folsom Prison. I like how they had the faith to leave a lot of the dialog in. Great songs, amazing atmosphere.

FUCK YEAH!!!!

love the man in black

Cash is a legend and this performance was so cool. Hearing the banter between him and the prison crowd put me in the setting. San Quentin was a badass ass song to sign in front of actual prisoners and guards in San Quentin prison. I’ll be grabbing this on vinyl next time I see it.

Great band, origin of the version of Boy Named Sue we all know. Not a well, structured album, and not a well structured show.

AJ: Legend. Legendary.

Timeless

Well done!

"San Quentin, I hate every inch of you." The audio quality of this album is good given the time and location. Thankfully the banter between Johnny and the audience remains. I can't add more to what is already been said by many. This is an important live recording. Overall: 6/10

When I was young I never understood why Johnny Cash kept singing to these prisons. As someone born in the mid 90s, lacking the context, it always felt like a nice old time grandpa singing to a bizarre crowd of misfits. What I never realized is that Cash singing to a prison is less an artist doing charity, and more a community member preaching freedom and hope to his congregation (See the San Quentin track with all the howling jeers, cheers and boos from the crowd). It almost feels like Cash is more at home in this prison than on a big stage in a city. Both the prisoners and Cash are this cohort of maladjusted, angry, selfish, men who represent the rowdy, untamed, base components of the American West in all their bravado, masculinity, pain, and fear. As for the tracks - I've heard the Cash catalog up and down, so I love this stuff, so its less of a musical critique and more of a cultural one. As always a great album.

It’s Johnny Cash singing about cocaine and prison time despite not spending any time doing time. Concept is cool for its time but not sure it holds up. Album did grow on me after a few listens specifically the songs “A boy named Sue” and “Darlin Companion”. I do think it is META to perform songs that’s like Fuck San Quentin Prison in San Quentin prison. In truth this is 2.5 for me but since I can’t do half ratings I’ll round up.

Appreciate the idea of the album. Wouldn’t listen to it again. Favorite part is the interlude between songs.

Good, just not quite a 5, maybe 4.49.

Johnny Cash comes off so cool on this album, man. He's quick to a joke, he is so blunt that his aggressiveness also comes off as super charming, and he just deserves the title of "the man in black." I do wish I liked country music as a whole more, as the music here doesn't grab me too much, but when it comes to being a live album, I can't imagine the audience to performer contact gets much better, and I just like it on that alone.

A Classic (Boy named Sue is one of my favs)

Sounds like these prisoners were having the time of their lives. Johnny really knows how to identify and speak to a crowd. He treats them like he’s one of them, and whether or not that is true is moot. He is an excellent entertainer and the music and comedy act put that on full display. Really unique and interesting performance.

A really unique live album, great set showing Johnnie's lifelong camaraderie with prisoners. Personally really enjoyed it

I watched the TV special for this and then listened to the album. I don't know what I think about the album musically. I do know what I think about a big country star understanding that prisoners are still human beings and getting serious about reform in the 1960s. I gave a Bob Dylan & the Band live album a 5 for just fucking around, so this one can't be any less than that. music: respect. (⌐■_■)

This thing has the most deranged energy. The back and forth between Cash and the audience is friendly and tense at the same time, and like 40% of the whole thing is the back and forth. If a live album’s aim is to capture a moment that happened, this is one of the most worthwhile live albums there is.

Not really into country, musically not very impressive, but the way he interacts and captures his audience is a whole show. Love the comedic act in between songs.

The same song over and over, but the vibes were immaculate

All songs sound the same somehow

A country classic! Great to hear the live dialog in between songs.

Holds up years later

Good. Had a lot of his classics. I prefer Fulsom overall.

A lot of live albums are pretty pointless, but the interactions and anecdotes are excellent. On top of that, the music as a whole is upbeat and enjoyable.

peak johnny cash, cowboy campfire music

Fun, second to folsom prison blues. Boy named sue on it. 5/10

Johnny Cash love performances are always a winner.

Couple great songs and the between song banter is pretty good but not as good as Fulsom.

I think Johnny Cash is so far the only country musician I like. And I think it's because he says is straight without any langauge "beautifiers". Just simple, life stories.

FUCK jeg ville godt have været der. Top 5 vildeste livealbums jeg nogensinde har hørt

Ok ok jeg har lige mega brokket mig over live albums men med den her føler man sgu lidt at man er i rummet, og Johnny Cash lyder bare pisse godt her. Men han lavede jo famously to fængselsplader og det her er altså den mindre kendte. Hvis Folsom Prison også er på listen, er det så ik lidt overkill? A Boy Named Sue er så god

Lyder virkelig som om at det var en fed koncert at spille og jeg kan måske godt forstå at den her plade er på listen..

Not quite as impactful as At Folsom Prison but still a great set

not for me

Delightful. There are a few different versions of this album floating around. Try to seek out the version (legacy edition?) with Big River, I Still Miss Someone, and Jackson. I love those songs.

A nice collection of live Johnny Cash songs, but as much as I enjoy hearing Johnny banter, there was way more talk than singing for my taste.

Finally a true country album. This album is fine, but I feel like it’s only held in any regard because of the Folsom Prison album, which is far superior. But Johnny Cash is a legend for a reason. And we get A Boy Named Sue. Carl Perkins is on this album and if you listen to the Legacy Version, you can hear a great version of Blue Suede Shoes.

The concept of Johnny Cash's prison performances is still a wild idea even in 2023. The fact he wrote 'San Quentin' the day before, went in and performed it in the prison, not once but twice sums this album up. A great live performance, Johnny Cash's rappor with the crowd is incredible. There's so much swagger in this performance, it makes for a great listen.

For the good vibes but i wouldnt really listen to this again

OK

Damn good album. The electric atmosphere and setting make this album quite unique. ..is what I thought before learning this guy has FOUR prison albums? Damn dude calm down. I wanna know the logistics here. Are there murderers and rapists in this crowd or what? Just embezzlers? Tax avoiders? Strange.

more like a 3.5

There seem to be a surprisingly large amount of albums conserved to be essential that also happen to be live Johnny Cash albums. Live albums in general seem fairly sparse, so to have multiple all by one artist is very unusual. However, I have enjoyed each one so far, so let’s see how today’s goes. Songs I already knew: I Walk The Line, A Boy Named Sue, Folsom Prison Blues Favourites: A Boy Named Sue, Folsom Prison Blues Although this album was enjoyable, I honestly don’t understand why both this as well as At Folsom Prison are both considered essential, when they both deliver very similar experiences. If I’d heard this first, I’d likely have enjoyed this a lot more and Folsom a lot less. Basically, everything in my previous review still stands. He has good crowd banter, a good voice, and good rockabilly sensibilities. I just don’t understand why both albums were released.

3 stars, I would have to listen more attentively to the lyrics. Folk is not my style aprarrently...

Starkville City Jail e A Boy Named Sue são ótimas! É notório que San Quentin é a favorita da plateia. O álbum é bem divertido.

I feel like there are better Johnny Cash albums to put on this list

Censorship in the first song, disgusting