At San Quentin

Yeah I mean it’s great. I’m basing this on the original 10 track version which is so cool and hype but also pales compared to the more complete versions.

I think the Folsom album has more energy to it.

Legend and comedy 5/5

Se que es bueno aunque no es mi tipo de musica

Great album.

Leuk!

This was pretty much a perfect pairing, the outlaw of country music performing for imprisoned outlaws in real life. Cash knew his strengths and he used them. He knew his audience and he played them like a guitar. This album is a classic and enjoyable from front to back.

there was a lil too much crowd work included in the recording for my taste, but the music was super good

he rocks

When I first saw this album for today I was surprised because I had already gotten his 'At Folsom Prison' and it seemed a little overkill to have both of these on the list but this is an awesome live album. It's great to listen to Johnny Cash interacting with the audience and the energy from the crowd is so palpable. It's also really fun to hear him debut new songs like 'A Boy Named Sue' and most importantly 'San Quentin', which gets such a great reaction from the crowd that he plays it twice. Standout Tracks: Wanted Man, I Walk the Line, Darlin' Companion, Starkville City Jail, San Quentin (both versions), A Boy Named Sue, Folsom Prison Blues

Decent album. Listened to this as a kids because my Dad had it. Usual tunes from Cash, but sound better live and with the environment they were in, sounds even better

It's a historical recording that's worth listening to of course. Yet I can't help feeling that having *Folsom Prison* AND *San Quentin* in such a list is a little overkill, as much of a fan of Cash's booming voice as I am. And if you had to select only ONE of his "prison concerts", *Folsom* is the one to choose, obviously. I also sense that Johnny's natural swagger sometimes becomes a little "forced" for that particular prison gig (Am I the only listener to sense this? I'd be curious to know...). I understand that he was wary of that English TV crew shooting the performance--to the point that he feels the need to mention them during the proceedings (and also flip the bird at them--at least according to that famous picture!). Somehow, my feelers tell me that Cash was a little ill-at-ease that day--as if the whole thing was much more of a burden to him compared to his previous similar experience. Maybe some listeners appreciate those confrontational undertones... But as far as I'm concerned, I think I prefer his more elated mood for the Folsom gig. Then again, the presence of June Carter and the other guests is admittedly a huge plus that *Folsom* can't boast about. So I'm still in two minds over all this--at least when it comes to *San Quentin*'s mention in a list of essential albums. But maybe i'm just in a bad mood as well today, who knows? Waiting to see if this record grows on me in the future... 3/5 for the purposes of this list (at least for now). Which translates to a 8/10 grade for more general purposes. Number of albums left to review: 379 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 282 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 148 (including this one) Albums from the list I won't include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 200

Maybe I've missed smth but this was not all that: it just seems like a pretty average live record to me. As country goes it's definitely one of the better albums, Johnny Cash himself is always a solid bet, it never caught my attention tho. From the start it sounded like some average vintage country music which you could find at any pub band night. Definitely was expecting more but overall it was slap bang in the middle, not good or bad.

One of the purest examples of a performer connecting with their audience. Cash understands these imprisoned men implicitly; he’s funny, he’s honest, and he plays a lot of damn good music.

I'm extremely biased against live albums being considered in any "best" lists. This may have be one of the rare exceptions. Johnny Cash's voice has a way of gripping you by the chest and holding onto your spirit. 4 out 5 stars.

Love the interaction with prisoners.

Country but still some decent songs, wouldn't listen to them regularly though

Lovely to hear a legend like him in what seems to sound like his prime. Much charismatic talk in between that slows it down a little too much, but a fun record nevertheless.

so so good!! Every song is so soulful and exciting and the fact it’s live too damn

I don't listen to live albums often and in this case I think it added to the experience rather than if it was a normally-recorded tracklist. Cash's charisma really shone through and the interactions with stage crew/band/audience were entertaining. I feel like I can hear the Shel Silverstein behind A Boy Named Sue. Want to be in situations in my life where I can kick back and throw music like this on. 6/10

If Johnny Cash came on the scene today, he would be laughed out of an American idol audition. His voice isn't perfect, but it's incredibly intriguing. He makes you believe the stories he tells through song, even if you know it's not really his story. So captivating and his voice only got more interesting as he got older.

Live recording give the album an energetic and intimate feeling. Political as heck.

It’s Johnny cash, what more can I say

Johnny cash was a cool mf.

Can’t get past the very poor audio. I understand that a liver album from 1969 isn’t going to have great audio, and I understand this albums historical significance. I really enjoyed the stage banter.

The atmosphere and crowd were great!

I usually don't like live albums, but in this case it enhanced the experience. I liked the songs, but also enjoyed listening to his interactions with the inmates.

found it a bit uninteresting to my ears. not really my sound

I loved it. My dad had this album as a kid and I wore it out.

Wanted Man- 4.7/5 Wreck of the Old 97- 5/5 I Walk the Line- 5/5 Darling Companion- 4.6/5 Starkville City Jail- 4.2/5 San Quentin- 4.7/5 San Quentin (Reprise)- 4.8/5 A Boy Named Sue- 5/5 (There'll Be) Peace in the Valley- 4.9/5 Folsom Prison Blues- 5/5 Total- 4.8/5

BEEEEEEP

Almost as good as Folsom Prison

Country music for people that don't like country music!

2/5 didn't like its live aspect

I don’t love country. BUT this makes me think about my family history. I think I remember my mom saying that her parents listened to a lot of Johnny Cash. So it makes me think of them and the past. This album came out in 1969, when my parents were 4. Crazy. - I like I Walk The Line - The songs are nice and short 😂 - Darlin’ Companion is cute when his wife June Carter joins him - since it’s a live album, all of his commentary and the crowd etc is cool. A lot of commentary. He has an amazing voice even just speaking. So deep and rich. - I do see some of the common roots of country and blues. Some of the bass lines and tunes are quite bluesy - very interesting. I don’t know that I need to listen again, but I’m glad I did one.

4.25

Just somehow too american vibe for my taste

If Americans had invented reggae.

Wow. I’ve heard tracks from this before, but never sat down and listened to the entire show. I was blown away by how entertaining Johnny was - even through the low quality audio recording of the day, the show had me hooked the whole time.

Solid live album

I love that he did performances in prisons. Classic songs and excited audiences.

The social implications of this album seem to eclipse the fatigue in Cash’s voice - they almost seem to buoy his spirit to fight the demons he was likely tortured by at this point in his life. Truly a heroic artist. His art was never more starkly evocative.

What a legend!

Skipped it on purpose

I love Johnny

Johnny cash is boring to me, never understood it

Classic, some of his best songs and an insight into his character as well. Fantastic live album.

I love everything about this. The special bond that Johnny obviously shares with the audience is so great. I'm not sure when it happened, but at some point we forgot that prisoners are human beings and deserve compassion. This is a great reminder for us all. Not to mention there is also some great music here. 4 stars.

good live album, plays to the crowd.

Live albums are just not my thing. The less talking on an album the better. That being said, I was never going to give Johnny less than a 5. Let's be reasonable.

Kind of nice, first time listening. Gonna check out more of Cash

At Folsom Prison again. So 5 stars.

Cool to hear him live, and hear him talking with the inmates.

Love Johnny Cash, his vibe, his performances, his story telling. I love that he worked with Shel Silverstein, one of the greatest poets. I love June Carter Cash - the prisoners! It's all just the best 👌🏾

Irrefutable proof that Johnny Cash is The Man! It’s amazingly sweet even when he’s saying fuck you. I especially loved the reprise of San Quentin and would love to see the footage. I was surprised and pretty bummed the album was so short. I honestly felt bad for the guys at San Quentin and thought Johnny kind of screwed them out of more fun time, but then learned the full concert was much longer - you can listen on Legacy edition of the album. It’s pretty great!

If there's something I enjoy even less than live albums it's country music. It's just not my thing. Sorry. It was okay but it sounds all the same.

Man i miss when country was anti authority

Country music used to be like this. What happened

Honestly I think I like it more than live at Folsom prison

Didn't like that his curse words were bleeped

Wow. The most personal I’ve heard Johnny Cash. I guess maybe I’ve never listened to this in full, but his banter between his mumbling jokes about needing a drink or getting his dope are very unhinged. Love hearing him just go right into songs and telling stories. Not the best live record but fun to listen to in a car. Not something I’d want to put on at home often. This is a well known version of Boy Named Sue, which I had definitely heard this version before.

Pretty good album, not the most exciting or innovative though.

Pretty, pretty, pretty good

I like the idea of Johnny Cash, but the twang gave me a headache and I didn’t finish.

i accidentally logged into this person's project trying to see the user submitted list, album's probably fine

Good twang, anything authentic Cash feels good compared to some of the secular stuff they sang. comedic timing with the entire track about their visit to Israel rn very prescient.

More interesting as a “moment” than a musical collection. It seems like Cash made a living playing prisons, and this is one of those shows. The interactions with the inmates are as interesting as the songs, but there’s an awful lot of random talk that doesn’t add anything. Even still this is only 34 minutes, and includes playing the song “San Quentin” twice. And an abbreviated version of “Folsom Prison Blues”. It leaves me wishing for more meat. Perhaps a bit more editing of the talking would’ve allowed some additional material. Overall OK, 3 of 5. I won’t be adding it to my collection. 3/5

Nah Im not listening to another live album.

Kinda slap but it’s pretty painful to listen to a live album of an artist you don’t know or care about

Absolutely and completely epic. The music is great but the experience of the album is the real treat

ez 5 star

Great album. So so so good. Much better than the last live van Morrison album

I think this landed better than Folsom for me, musically it felt tighter but also Johnny is more charming. Folsom is perhaps more of a novelty but I enjoyed this more.

Такая американская классика, что-то стереотипное, когда говорят про американскую авторскую песню Но прикольно слушать, как зал смеётся, живо реагирует, как артист разговаривает с публикой Мне сложно оценивать, поставлю серединку

Well, for me the album was meh, but maybe that's because I just don't like Johnny's style of talking into the mic instead of singing. I'll say this though, he does have charisma and it shows between each song. Probably won't listen it to it again :)

This is classic Cash. He has a great report with the audience and you can feel how excited everyone is to hear him perform. The Legacy album is also great if you wanted to extend the experience.

Great album, will defo listen again - so surreal that someone would be able to go and play a concert in a prison - especially with songs written about the prison he's performing in

A few cool little diddies. 5/10

Cash's guitar tone is so good here. His banter is excellent alongside a really rowdy crowd. I cant say I've ever heard anyone be *bleeped* on a live concert album! Sad we only got 30 seconds of Folsom Prison, but psyched we got a reprise of San Quentin!

While not as popular as the live at Folsom album, San Quentin is great in its own right. I particularly love the overdrive guitar tone and flourishes added to class Johnny Cash tunes. Wanted Man and San Quentin seem extra tough with it. The sped up version of some favorites isn't my favorite though.

Great performances and you can feel the special connection the audience has with the music. But I listened to the original track listing, and it really lacks in length. You can tell there’s a lot of the concert you missed out on. I’m excited to listen to fuller versions, but I enjoyed what was here already.

ACAB.

Pretty enjoyable album

A classic

Amazing show. Haven’t listened to much Cash but would love to now.

What's there to say about so many classics performed live? It's a fantastic album and a great slice of history.

Nice album, great ambiance despite on the many American peeps

Ja. Johnny Cash. Niet echt wat ik snel zou opzetten. En dan ook nog live, ik houd niet zo van live albums over het algemeen. Ik vond Wreck of the Old 97 wel aardig, beetje tempo erin, fijn. Natuurlijk A Boy Named Sue, prima, maar gewoon niet echt mijn muziek. Het leukste vond ik (There'll Be) Peace in the Valley. Op een op andere manier moest ik bij dat intro denken aan een nummer van Chris Stapleton. Zijn muziek vind ik de laatste tijd wel erg nice.

Pretty fun. I’ve listened to Folsom Prison Blues a few times before and liked it. Other than that the album wasn’t that special. More monologue than music too. Probably would have been way better actually listening to this live

This is legendary offcourse. Yet somehow i never heard it. I think its super cool to literally hear how he performed and interacted with the inmates of San Quentin. They eat out of his hand. And i can understand that.

3/5 Johnny Cash was a badass Riling up prisoners with basically stand up comedy San Quentin is easily the best track This version of Boy Named Sue us also the best

John was a legend, a god amongst men, but remained as humble as ever, and it shows on this album and Live from Folsom. I loved this, however there were some parts where I thought "do they know they are recording an album?" - overall it was great.

This live album is pretty great. This and the Folsom prison album are such a unique time capsule with great music and great stories.

Johnny Cash was just an anomaly. He was bigger than life yet completely relatable. He loved performing. You would have to,to go to multiple prisons like he did. He didn’t seem to put himself above anyone. Glad we got to hear it.

Historical and a great sound

Johnny Cash will always be the man

Listened to the extended version and it was great. It was interesting to hear the "full experience" with all the supporting acts as well. Definitely a pioneer for his time.

Great live recording of one of the best songwriters ever

I've never listened to a full Johnny Cash album. Something tells me this was not the one to start with. While his connection with the crowd is undeniable, I wasn't really drawn in by the tunes, and the recording sounds kinda shit. I look forward to checking out his other more well-regarded stuff. This one's a skip for me.

Always love hearing my hometown getting bashed in a Johnny Cash song.

Johnny Cash is not a gimmick, but the live album playing at San Quentin is. I'll take the studio versions over live. I do appreciate some of the asides between songs.

Historical live album is still just a live album.

This album marks a few firsts for me, with perhaps the most notable of those being my first country album of the project, my first 60s album of project, and my first live album of the project. I definitely enjoyed listening to this. This is kind of a similar thing to the previous album I reviewed, "Bossanova", where the experience of the album is better than listening to its individual songs. This is made even more prominent with this being a live album where you can hear the reactions of the audience during the transitions between songs. Honestly, the energy of the crowd and Johnny himself are what make this such a fun listen. The songs are pretty good, but they're a bit basic and not really my thing. I do really like Johnny's singing though. His voice is iconic for a good reason. What's potentially even better than the songs, however, is just the feel of the whole show. The way the crowd reacts during songs like "San Quentin" is pretty entertaining, and the way Johnny plays along, clearly knowing how the prisoners feel, is just as good. I don't like the censorship though. Overall, I liked the experience, as well as the context behind it all, but I don't really see myself listening to it again. I have a lot of respect for Johnny Cash, however. Perhaps I should've listened to the legacy edition instead. From what I've heard, the legacy edition content includes some pretty neat things involving other artists. High 3/5.

johnny cash :)

It was a lot of fun to hear Johnny interact with the crowd and make jokes. It added a lot of enjoyment to the album.

The best part of this album was the live aspect and Johnny interacting with the prisoners and the guards

Another classic that I won’t be going back to

definitely one of the albums of all time. idk it was kinda underwhelming, each individual song was shorter or worse than the album version, but its cool to hear something recorded 50 years ago in a prison, and I played folsom p. blues with a band so little bit of nostalgia there. overall kinda boring, but nothing was unlistenable or harsh, so 2/5.

8/10

This was really fun to listen to, and a great experience! I really liked it and the festival experience really makes it so much fun. I walk the line is my favourite.

Enjoyable but not my cup of tea

This was a right joy to listen to

Johnny Cash is not a good singer. He constantly sounds like he's about to cry. His wife is worse. Boy Named Sue was amusing, but I could have lived without listening to this album.

This is a blast, what an atmosphere

What a great time. Johnny Cash is such a natural in front of a crowd. Not a long album but still as quality as it gets.

Contender for the first ever podcast rather than an album and whilst the voiceover is interesting the first time heard, for me it gets somewhat tedious on repeat listens. Obviously Walk the Line is a classic, but that's about the only high point for me

awesome but makes more sense as a concert film because i don't really see myself coming back to any individual tracks

Honestly was dreading this but it wasn’t too bad! I can see why he’s influential and I didn’t hate this. His voice can get a little much after awhile, but I was okay.

What the ... how many prison albums does this guy have... I mean - do you need more than 1? You do not. The "At Folsom Prison" album is pretty great but this one musically isn't nearly as enticing. Two (consecutive!) versions of the same song is really ... yeah, say it: it's stupid. OK admittedly there's something fascinating about listening to it all play out in real time - the inmates are asking for the same song ("San Quentin" of course) again and at the same time that it's interesting hearing the raw as-it-was aspect of it, just fade out after the request for the album. FILLER MATERIAL! (it's not even a good song) eh just wasn't into it, even though it might be interesting watching a video of the entire proceeding if this wasn't "JOHNNY CASH™" I'd absolutely not have given it as much a chance as I did, he doesn't even sound particularly good singing or playing. Pass. 4/10 2 stars.

This was an excellent listen I thoroughly enjoyed. Recommend.

Went into the album blind only recognizing the album cover. Fantastic live album and the dude of course has the voice of an angel. I feel though that this album being so great hides the fact of why it's significant. Aside from the awards, it has the story of the legendary middle finger photo and that San Quentin and Boy Named Sue were both played and released for the very first time on the album live. And even better, this iconic concert, and many of his others, were free for those incarcerated within. Historical meaning and weight of this album is large but just as significant as the music.

Johnny Cash was one of the realest motherfuckers on the planet! His genius, among other things, was his authenticity and his ability to connect with his audience. That was on full display in this recording.

Badass

Brilliant

How have I never heard this one before? 10x better than At Folsom Prison, and I love that album. Johnny Cash must’ve been just the coolest motherfucker ever

Awesome album, Johnny truly was something else! Guttural and true album. Feels like you’re there and it’s tremendous.

Wonderful

Like the character of Johnny.

One of the original rebels... JC told great stories

decent album, but American IV is better

Not as good as Folsom but still damn good.

Tää liveyleisö kyllä tuo kiinnostavan lisänsä musiikkiin, vuorovaikutus on loistavaa. Eli: on hyvä meininki! Mikä ei aina edes livelevyistä välity. Hyviä kappaleitakin.

Akateemisesti puhuen tästä puuttuu "uusi kontribuutio": hyvät biisit on kuultu, vankilakeikka on kuultu. Kyllä tämän silti kuuntelee.

Fantastic live album! Practically the felt like one of the prisoners. Johnny has a wonderful stage personality.

Fine sange men det er fra live koncert så der er meget klappen og diverse larm

The background and history of this live concert is what really did it for me. How special.

I love Live at Folsom Prison but somehow had never sat down and listened through this one. Very similar in content but I actually liked the songs on this one more. Love me some crime ballads

If I were to ask you about your earliest memory, would you recall it? At some point or other we all gained sentience. I couldn’t tell you at what moment I gained mine, if I ever did. It may have involved a Mark McGwire home run in his final season, complete with an onslaught of fireworks that likely left snotty tears on my dad’s shirt and an ice cream cone in my hand. It may have involved 9/11, where I of course had no idea there was anything wrong but was happy to see my great-grandparents after their vacation to DC was canceled. Or it may have involved something as trivial as snooping around the local plant nursery searching for “clues,” otherwise known as “price tags,” that had fallen off their respective merchandise (yes, that is a great strategy for occupying toddlers). But at the end of the day, I couldn’t tell you when or how I gained sentience in this world of ours. But I can tell you when I gained sentience in the world of music. It was Johnny Cash, in February 2007, at my grandparents’ 40th wedding anniversary in the town of Mexico, Missouri. “I Walk the Line” played over the speakers, and I had to know who it was. The mahogany voice and rhythm that could make you sway in your sleep put me in a trance. But the Man in Black wasn’t done; by the end of the night I was all over “Ring of Fire,” too. In the coming months and years I would learn more and more music, hardly any of which was written on this side of 1990. In December 2007 I listened to my uncle’s iPod for the first time and fell in love with rock and roll. The fact that I quickly learned the hits from AC/DC, Aerosmith, the Beatles, and Bob Marley makes me think I should’ve gotten more creative than just going in alphabetical order. But hell, if I’d gone the other way I might’ve just wanted a clean shirt, new shoes, a silk suit, and a black tie. Regardless of how far I expanded my rock and roll repertoire, Johnny Cash was always there as the old oak to look back to. He gave us stories in “Ballad Of A Teenage Queen” and “Tennessee Flat-Top Box.” He gave us humor in “A Boy Named Sue” and “The One on the Right is on the Left.” He gave us family in “Jackson” and “Daddy Sang Bass.” Fast forward a decade and I’m with my grandparents for their 50th anniversary visiting Sun Studio in Memphis, where Johnny Cash got his start. We pose for pictures where he sang with Elvis, with Jerry Lee Lewis, with Carl Perkins. He may be long gone, and while I never met him and never thought about it much, he probably had a greater impact on my life than I realize. For all I know my grandparents walked the line at some dance hall in rural Missouri all those years ago.

Striking, still

This one gets over the hump to a 4 purely on the balls and dedication it took to do these prison shows and get them recorded. This one felt a bit more like money-grab by CBS/etc than the Folsom one, but it's recorded well and the songs are great.

Exceptional ! A must have album to grace any musical collection.

His cheeky dialogue was the best

This is not just music, it's a piece of history. It's a great live album, the atmosphere is so energetic, and even if you don't like the music I'm sure you'll love everything in between.

As I meant to write under the Dylan review, but just as pertinent here: who am I to judge the genius of Messrs Cash and Zimmerman? San Quinten is a little less finished than Folsom, but feels all the more real. And Freewheelin’ might not be my fav Dylan but there’s no denying its importance.

Heard before: some I'd listen to 37 minutes of Johnny Cash talking to inmates any day. Unfortunately, his compelling rapport is interrupted by uninspired performances and repeated songs. Even A Boy Named Sue, the hit, sounds improvised, an off the cuff moment of fun during a record that sounds like a career move. There might be a good album to be made from this concert, but this is slight and disappointing. Top tracks: A Boy Named Sue, Starkville County Jail (with the intro, annoyingly on the previous track), San Quentin (the first one, not the reprise)

Interesting to hear the prisoners and his conversations on stage. Im not crazy about live recorded albums though.

I really enjoy Johnny Cash and this was no different. The fact he recorded this in a prison makes for an interesting historical piece as well.

4.5

The chat and stuff could get a bit intrusive for some, but it's an excellent album.

Good concept for an album, not a huge country fan but I did find some enjoyment out of this.

Great

Performance in a state prison? Was that a thing those days? Anyhow, prime country music. There is beautiful synchrony in the duet with his wife. All the tracks are on the same 4 beats, sometimes slow sometime fast. This is a case of when lyrics win in the music vs lyrics battle

J'ai vraiment apprécié, première fois q'un album live avec autant de "discours" ne m'a pas fatigué. Ça donnait vraiment l'impression d'être sur place. L'exécution des chansons est impeccable. On comprend bien le statut de Cash. Un peu court par contre (surtout considérant qu'il y a beaucoup de blabla). 8/10

This is a live album and thus I am not listening to it. like an auto 2/5

Such simple songs that moved so many people. Not just those in San Quinton, though it did speak to them quite succinctly.

Great man, great album. Unlike the previous "live from a jail" album, this one actually adds something to the tracks with the banter, etc. I do have to question why "San Quentin" was recorded twice back to back - there is little difference between the two and it seems a poor decision

Love the concept. Cool that this was recorded in a jail and was a prison blues album. For that, 3.5

Johnny cash is a classic. Really enjoyed this live set. Would give it a 3.8

It was a fun listen to. I actually recognized some of the songs on this one, so that was neat. I like the energy. My favourite song was I Walk The Line.

Fun, very cash. Audience awesome

Listening to this album for the first time since 2019. It's fine, I've never been a huge Johnny Cash fan, but the album is enjoyable. He comes across as witty and charming. The songs are ok, the performance is decent. Just not my thing really. Between a 2 and a 3

Wow excellent album! Finally got a Johnny Cash album and it's a corker! A great mix of tracks live in a prison??? Excellent! That classic story-telling, unique voice, and killer guitar paired with a cool setting and vibe.

Wow what an incredible album. I remember Mr Marr teaching is about the importance of Jonny Cash and this particular album and I haven't listened to it for a while. The whole thing tied together so beautifully and his little bits of stand up in between and how he commands the crowd is amazing. What a thing to visualise. I don't know so much about Cash's outlaw image but it whatever I think it is amazing he humanised these prisoners, which I can only imagine how grim they were back then (well and now) and did these concerts. A genius with words and comedy and storytelling

Absolute belter. Johnny Cash is just a character and just sticks to what he is and what he knows. The whole prison gig thing is genius and his little talks between the songs give you a good sense of what he's like. Brilliant.

Awesome live album. Had all 3 factors of my favorite live albums: 1. Songs have more energy than studio version 2. Great crowd noise 3. Great banter between songs What else could you want Rating: 4.4

One of the best live albums ever, I love the atmosphere

Johnny is a legend. This album was great. The songs were some of his hits, but the real magic was in his interactions with the audience. 8/10.

Gostei bastante. Johnny cash é muito irreverente e carismático. Em Sam Quentin é muito bom e deixa um gosto de quero mais.

first listen man, just like Folsom this is a blisteringly real performance and historical event

A gem which hit me without notice, I'm glad tho. Highly entertaining, a perfect voice. Cash singing a song about destroying the San Quentin prison WHILE IN said prison is a cherry on top. Doing a bis makes it legendary.

Pretty neat. Didn’t love this one as much as his other stuff but this put me on to Johnny Cash

This was a blast! I enjoyed it so much I even watched the film that was made of the performance. I'm not going to give it a 5-star rating, as musically it wasn't really my cup of tea, but it's a well-deserved 4 stars. There's definitely some bonus points there for the sheer persona of Johnny Cash. He oozes coolness throughout and turns some basic music into something special.

pretty good, relaxing and I liked the banter

Amazingly I love this album. I never really vibe with country but this somehow clicks.

Surprisingly nice. This live album fairly captured Cash's signature grooves and voice. I also liked the audience interaction and the clean, raw sound of the guitars.

Wanted Man // I Walk The Line

Pretty good for a Johnny Cash record.

This sounds like it would have been one helluva show. Love how he humanises the audience so naturally.

не знаю

Love it. What other album on this list playa song twice in a row

😎

Good

Favourites: • Wanted Man • A Boy Named Sue

I don’t normally like albums, but this was more enjoyable than most.

Interesting! Pretty awesome. Listened on Neil's record player as he happened to suggest this album on the day it came up?!

Ambiance de fou

c’est juste du stand up dans les annees 50

I certainly expected Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison, but I got this one that I didn't know first. It is most fun for his banter with his audience (I certainly can't imagine such a thing happening today) and for some good old Johnny Cash songs sung live.

First time for me and this album. It had me from start to finish. I very much appreciated the songs and the banter. It felt very genuine and the energy both from Cash and the listeners touched me.

A raw and moving performance by an exemplary human.

Grew up with this music around me. Thinking about it now, how cool is it that Johnny Cash made it big with not one but two live albums recorded in prisons. The crowd energy is fantastic! I really love Cash’s delivery. He scares me just a little at times, but stops short of inciting a full-on riot. His performance so perfectly imperfect for a live album. The delivery on here has the patter and impromptu interactions that make a live album worth hearing. Two criticisms: the album is too short and I want an unbleeped version. What an amazing performer we had in Johnny Cash.

Not quite as good as At Folsom Prison, but it ain't half bad on its own. Standouts include Wanted Man, Wreck Of The Old 97, I Walk The Line, and Folsom Prison Blues.

Doesn't feel quite as full of an experience as Folsom Prison, but it's still a great listen. Part country album, part standup comedy. Hearing the crowd cheer at every vulgar lyric, or boo at any mention of the guards or wardens is hilarious every time.

6.5/10 version live. comprend pas le but de mettre des versions live. une chanson qui a jouée deux fois

Falls short of the glory of the Folsom prison cut but is still quite remarkable.

Nice and interesting, because it’s Johnny Cash.

Some choose to play festivals, some choose to play prisons. I've now listened to both of the Man in Black's prison albums (At San Quentin & Live at Folsom Prison), and I enjoyed both of them. They're very similar in sound and set list, too. From the unique way in which crowds were recorded in 1969, to the bleeping of swear words, Johnny Cash's At San Quentin is a gem. I particularly enjoyed A Boy Named Sue and the song he wrote for the show, called San Quentin. Whether you were there short term, or for life imprisonment, I'm sure all of those prisoners worshipped Johnny after his show.

lovely

Johnny rockin’ it with inmates, great songs, great on-stage interaction and awesome crowd reactions…

Don't love live albums, but Enjoyable nonetheless.

Class

Can’t really understand the need for it

Enjoyed for a first listen. I wonder if the chat would be annoying on repeated listens. Liked the story telling

Brilliant all the way through

Loved this one

Cash songs tend to sound the same. He's more of a storyteller though. Easy listening album though with a good vibe and relationship between cash and the crowd. At around 30 minutes it's quite short so doesn't feel too much.

Favourite song: San Quentin (Reprise)

Johnny Cash playing music directly to his target demographic. What a great moment in time to have captured.

I'm a sucker

3/5. Johnny cash at his rowdiest. He did not give a damn this whole album, seemed like he had a grudge honestly, which it made it all the more funnier. The only issues I have really is that it was too short, and not all of the songs were super good choices, which made for an overall mid album. Best song: San Quentin, A Boy Named Sue

I think I enjoyed the Folsom one more

Johnny Cash will always be a legend but for me personally I am not a fan of live albums.

This is Folsom Prison encapsulates all that Johnny Cash is about. Absolute classics

A legend playing Country music in a prison in Western America. Speaking to the prisoners like they're good friends he haven't seen in a while, telling jokes, messin' around... Now that's what I call Country!

Johnny Cash at San Quentin might be my favorite live album ever. Can you imagine a crowd of prisoners enjoying a show from their #1 idol after years and years of not seeing a single show. And furthermore, Johnny Cash arriving with the song "San Quentin" for them, playing it twice. The most responsive crowd I've ever heard. The crowd is overwhelmed and the fun is 100% there.

I don't usually like live albums but this one is entertaining as is the banter with the prison folk.

Cash knows how to energise the crowd, but I still can't say I like the music (or the awful recording quality).

Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Wanted man, I walk the line

Very touching due to Cash being an absolute darling with the men. He plays anything and the crowd goes wild.

Fantastic energy. I've heard most of these songs before but never listened to the album the whole way through. Really an experience.

3.9 CUNTry. fave songs: wanted man, san quentin

I wish country music still sounded like this.

I listened.

An absolute classic. There's just a great energy to this album and the music is amazing.

конъюнктурщина)) но в целом не так плохо - хотя бы не резкий вокал как у Коэна

Don't usually listen to country but this album is beyond any genre. The phrase "man of the people" must have been based on Johnny Cash. San Quentin I hate every inch of youuu. Legendary stuff.

probably one of the best live albums ever recorded

Fun to hear Cash talk to the inmates and production was really good especially considering where it was made! Probably won’t repeat so giving it a 3.

Pretty dece, cool that its in a prison

Johnny Cash is the best

Good

Live Johnny Cash: easy 5 stars.

Classic American sound with lyrics that speak to a time and place much different than today

not super complex, but done so well.

Light 7

Very short. Enjoyed the love chatter from Johnny, but wish it was longer. Probably give the legacy version a listen.

Has a few of his more knowable tunes than Folsom. Overall it's not quite as strong as that. Still has so much character - the little chuckles in songs, the audience being as much of the performance. Can't believe this is so good compared to most country.

They were wild back then

This was cool. Mostly different songs from Folsom live.

24.05.2023

It's not massively my jam but this is a really good live album, with lots of great audience interaction and lots of energy. What a character.

I really don’t like live album and Johnny Cash just isn’t for me :(

I like this one a bit better than At Folsom Prison, which is also good.

The art of stage banter has definitely been lost on the current generation of artist. Johnny Cash is a master here, chatting with the inmates at San Quentin and has them entralled with his performance. An unreal performance of A Boy Named Sue is the cherry on top. 4/5

Honestly, I'm into it. Probably won't really listen to it again (except San Quentin, I do like that one) but it's fun if you're in the mood. 3.6/5

Love Johnny Cash and this album is pretty great but there is definitely a few better.

Better quality than I assumed going in and his stage presence is out of this world. First Cash album front-to-back for me - had such a good time that I went back and listened again.

It's a live album wich is interesting. Not a fan of Johnny Cash but it's not terrible. Has a classic 60s sound (with a bit of a 50s sound). I think you should put it on as a fun listen and not a serious deep musical masterpiece. Cash's doing some funny ahh shit between the songs. That's what makes this a good album and from the three I rated so far on this site (Tom Petty & tHB; Machine Head) I enjoyed this one the most. It's really funny but the music itself is not THAT good. Still 7.5/10 (4/5)

Whether you like him or not, when a crowd demands you play a song that you just finished playing, that’s good live energy. Johnny Cash is one of the best at live performances, but given that it is a live album, he can choose his best songs to perform so I have trouble giving live albums the same type of rating as studio albums. That being said, it’s on hell of a banger and I love it. All songs very enjoyable. 4/5

Kul type, kul kontekst og kul musikk

Sikkert egentlig en 4, men jeg liker ikke så godt live-stilen til Johnny Cash. Småpraten mellom sangene blir litt for klein, rett og slett. Heldigvis kan det slippes!

In the middle of the counter culture movement, Cash, a country music icon at this stage in his career manages to stay relevant by doing a tour of prisons in the US. This album marks a pretty insane moment in the music history and should be given its due for that. But on a musical level, is it any good? I suppose it’s really going to depend on your feeling of Johnny Cash himself. He’s tired on this record, his vocal performance is pretty unstable, but somehow it’s a perfect fit for what’s happening.

Come for Cash’s raw, live vocal performance for a crowd of convicts, stay for the stage banter directed at said crowd of convicts.

I wish more artists would do this. I love it so much. This album is incredible.

Cash was a master of stage banter.

Can’t beat some outlaw country. Also the Bob Dylan cover was cool

i don't like his voice the instrumentation is "goofy", maybe kinda fun at times

A really good country album... Really transports you to that prison. And if you dont like the music, there's a few comedy skits in between I really liked A Boy Named Sue

this is not my style of music. Oh, even though I enjoyed quite a few songs of it, but this album held my attention from start to finish, and I just fucking loved it. The rapport that he had with the inmates was amazing. Love it.

Great music…. 4/5

I love Johnny Cash but not for everyday listening. Classic

Love johnny

Hard to argue with Cash, and this is one of the few times I've actually really liked a live album. The reprise was fun to listen to, hearing the crowd and Johnny talking to them. Great stuff!

I only knew a couple of Johnny Cash songs but I wasn't expecting to like this album as much as I did. Especially because I've never really enjoyed a live album in the past.

This man is like butter, full and beautiful

I thought this was an incredibly raw and powerful album. Sounds great despite it's age and the atmosphere comes in perfectly. 8/10.

I thought this was a fine live album. Obviously the hits are great (tho I’ve never been a “Boy Named Sue” fan) and the song he wrote for the show is touching (title track), but it’s about what you’d expect. I like hearing his live band in action. They don’t under or over play.

Nope

fascinating piece of music history and super interesting to hear this live recording. Songwriting is great and Johnny cash is brilliant but unfortunately this is a live album and is not really something to enjoy as much as an archival work. If you listen to this for fun you’re insane. best tracks: walk the line, a boy named sue, San Quentin.

I see a lot of negative comments towards live albums on this site. Personally I have come to realize the last years how powerful live albums can be. Especially during the pandemic it was a great substitute to the sense of togetherness and the energy of a live audience. I think live albums like this will have a more lasting cultural significance than many of the coveted album oriented rock albums on this list. The album as an art form had its time between the late 60’s and the early 00’s. It had about 40 years to shine. Although I still listen to the physical media of records (vinyls, CDs, tapes etc) it’s with few exceptions a nostalgic old man’s game by now. Of course a lot of great records are still being produced in the digital age but I think songs and live performances (not on record but the real thing) have eclipsed the importance of albums. At San Quentin showcases two of Cashs gifts. His story telling ability and his rapport with an audience. Perhaps an audience of inmates starved of entertainment is a grateful task, but it’s obvious Cash can talk the talk and walk the walk. Every song on this might not be a certified banger but I listened to the original release, saw the video recording and then listened to the legacy edition with the whole concert. Powerful and entertaining stuff. Cash’s delivery on A boy named Sue is one of the highlights. This is how myths are made.

He chats a lot huh?!? Born entertainer and despite the songs pretty much all sounding the same, a great live album with JC working the crowd

Very inferior to Cash at Folsom Prison (much better album). Tried to catch lightening in a bottle twice, but failed. San Quentin is a good song, but skip the rest and listen to At Folsom Prison instead.

I'm sure most of the crowd noise is faked/overdubbed, but it's still a fun listen as a live album. Johnny Cash is probably one of the more captivating performers of his time. Pound for pound, I would say Folsom > San Quentin in terms of his live records, but this one does have the benefit of having Wanted Man, my favorite song of his (written by Bob Dylan). It's basically a better version of "I've Been Everywhere."

I’m no fan of live album but this makes sense. Really tailored for the audience, you can feel the energy in the room. Damn this guy was prolific, 100 albums in his life time? Maybe milking things a little.

Classic album

I agree that this is an excellent album that everyone should hear. 5/5

This is a live album which makes it automatically bad as it shouldn’t be on this list!!! Anyway As interesting as the concept of performing at a prison is, I am not a Johnny Cash fan. I did not enjoy this. The songs were just not my style and I wasn’t entertained by his endless talking. He also played one song twice! This is not an album to listen to before you die, it’s an album to listen to in hell. 1.5 … rounded down

I thought it was very cool that he performed in a prison. I am not sure I have ever heard of a prison putting on a concert for their inmates. Johnny Cash’s raspy, live voice was enjoyable.

Lovely to hear a great favourite

Quite the comedian, isn't he? One would've preferred another song or two than all the pandering banter. "Boy Named Sue" is the highlight, the opener "Wanted Man" and "Peace in the Valley" also good. Folsom Prison is better, and not just because it was the first.

Just great. Apart from the songs, he has a brilliant rapport with the audience and some witty repartee to boot. Loved every moment of this. Classic songs! They didn’t have to beep out the swear words (which was slightly grating) but it was fun filling the words in for myself.

I like this recording. I'm not big on live performance albums but this style is interesting considering the captive audience. I preferred the "At Folsom Prison" album and sure why both need to be on the list. I'm also not sure why none of his studio albums made the list. I love the songs and respect the recording techniques required to produce this album but it's just a Cash and company greatest hit.

My first reaction to this album was that it was very cool of JC to be playing for the prisoners. I went down a whole rabbit hole of thoughts about the prison system and morality, etc. that ended up with me wondering what would happen if Taylor Swift performed at a prison. I bet the fans who paid lots of money to see her concerts would be angry. The song choices, and especially playing ‘San Quentin’ twice, were on point. ‘A Boy Named Sue’ has always intrigued me.

Damn, what a wild album. The energy buzzes throughout, Cash is obviously enjoying connecting with this group of outlaws, and they sound crazed and on the verge of a riot. It's a 5 just for having the balls to perform the set.

Yeah, this album is fantastic. I like it even better than Folsom. The Legacy Edition is the way to go, with all the great bonus songs and performances by the Statler Brothers, Carter Family, Carl Perkins, etc. Johnny Cash was amazing as always. Cool and empathetic. And his band is so tight here. There are so many moments where they have to pivot based on Johnny's ad-libbing or to wait for the audience to laugh or cheer. Not easy stuff to pull off. One of the great live albums.

I wish I were friends with Johnny and June. Or at least had the opportunity to see him perform live. One cool cat.

Yeah

Short and sweet and a nice delivery of classic Cash

Overall, "At San Quentin" is a must-listen for fans of Johnny Cash and country music. It showcases Cash's talent as a performer and songwriter, and captures a moment in music history that is both powerful and moving.

Not the best I've heard from him, some nice bits though

Favourite song: A Boy Named Sue

Legendarily awesome

This is my last Johnny Cash album. It’s fine. I don’t really know how to differentiate this one from At Folsom Prison in my mind. This one also has Folsom Prison Blues on it. I liked American IV the most.

I'm not really sure why he started to play prisons, and suspect the motivation was sincere. But this is basically a 'best of'. If this can be considered for that, then, and maybe more so, Nirvana Unplugged should be included. Yeah, my rating is inconsistent, but it really should look at one of his other thirty something albums before this one.

Wow, this is unusual. It's totally outlaw Johnny Cash attitude and the simple country vibe... but 10 songs, 34 minutes, and he plays the same song twice? His delivery on Boy Named Sue is incredible, not enough else to quite make a 4 for me.

Highlights: "The Wreck of the Ol' 97," "San Quentin," "A Boy Named Sue" Not sure why this is nominated over so many Cash albums *in addition to* Folsom. I'll save the pragmatics of the prison tour for that review. This packages together some of his career highlight songs, I guess. As far as performance, his theatrical jokes and audience interaction land wooden and contrived, and he jerks his band around pretty selfishly, but it has the same steely confidence as his recordings. One of the biggest issues is the edit on this album; it feels jumbled. It's hard to imagine a worse choice than to end the album in the middle of the first verse of "Folsom." What?! His sense of humor shooting through his eye for detail is such a draw of his songs. We'll get some exemplary songs for that, but the album as a whole doesn't necessarily have the same strength.

No me gusta, pero está mejor que el de los franceses fumetas. Ana no llores porfi.

un boomer cantando country y encima live. no me gusta tener que comerme 30 segundos de aplausos antes de la canción la verdad

I didn't know Johnny Cash recorded more than one prison album! It's interesting to hear his commentary between songs especially.

Tällä livekeikalla on ehkä enemmän kulttuurillista merkitystä kuin itse musiikillista. Keikkana ei mitenkään ihmeellinen mutta taustat luettuani nostaa arvoa.