At San Quentin

Probably the best live Album ever recorded. JC owns this prison. Fav: A Boy named Sue

This was great. It's been a while since I listened to Folsom, but this one might be better.

I listened to this on a Friday evening after 1 pint. Which is why I think I liked it. Surprisingly this is a re listen. I listened to this in France, on a road trip with Harriet punt in about 2014. We listened on the way to a lake with her dad and brother in the car. I remember them laughing at I will eat out every in if you and me not understanding what that meant at a 13 year old. On second listen, I actually enjoyed it, but I don’t know if that’s just nostalgia. I think the commentary along side it because if the live element, it was easy to follow. I do usually like a live album though. I think it is more of a comedic album than Willie Nelson’s first album, which is story telling I prefer. Although country isn’t my favourite genre I enjoyed this. Kind of liked the mention of granada television. Sorry Alfie #itv Favourite song: San Quentin

First impressions not strong, doesn’t feel like my kind of music. Don’t love his character when he’s speaking either. The duet wasn’t great. Overall I found parts I liked but not to my taste. Made me go and read about Johnny Cash and he sounds an interesting character. Second album in a row with a singular Bob Dylan song on it.

a great album

There are live albums, and then there’s At San Quentin. It’s not just a concert — it’s a moment in time, the sound of a man who had been through darkness connecting with others who were still living in it. Cash’s empathy and defiance radiate through every note. You can feel the tension in the air and the way he channels it into something human and redemptive. I love that he plays San Quentin twice — it’s raw, unpolished, and perfectly in character for a man who didn’t care much for polish anyway. And A Boy Named Sue? Legendary. It’s one of my go-tos whenever I’ve got a guitar in my hands. The humor, the rhythm, and the way Cash tells that story — it’s everything that makes him great in one song. What really sets this record apart, though, is how it walks the line between rebellion and compassion. You can tell Cash isn’t performing for the inmates — he’s performing with them. There’s a shared understanding that music, for a few moments, can make everyone in that room feel free. It’s one of those rare albums that feels both historic and personal — and it’s easy to see why it still resonates.

Good guitar and funny guy just very long periods of him talking to the crowd

Even better than Folsom, 5 stars from start to finish

Nobody else could’ve played San Quentin State Prison in ’69. The connection between Cash and the inmates pulses through every song. You can feel the tension, the humor, and the shared defiance in the room. Hard to think of a moment like this ever happening again. Pure, raw American myth captured on tape.

I had so much fun listening to it, and it's definitely staying in my rotation. It feels like I'm listening to something truly historical and genuinely important.

Phenomenal

Liked this more than the Folsom prison album. Great music, great performance, and the crowd energy was infectious. Did we need two live prison Johnny cash albums here? Probably not.

Gritty, honest and fun

damn he was chill as fuck. never been a JC enjoyed but I understand why he was so big. not huge on the genre but yeah, I get it. 4/5

Absolute classic. Extraordinarily tight for a live album. Genius at work.

I like it but it's very clam

A concert and a show

I think Chief Keef should release a similar concept album

I feel like there really doesn't need to be two johnny cash albums in prison on this list, but this is barely music. It's pure attitude. It's good but not really an album of music per se.

Great pivotal point in Johnny cash career

one reviewer bravely asked: “Johnny Cash released 97 albums in his career, 3 of which are on this list. Did 2 of the 3 need to be live albums from prisons?” And I would like to say yes. All 3 should be on the list and maybe 50 out of 97 should also be here

makes me wanna go to prison :/

Nothing makes me go crazy go stupid like a Johnny Cash live from prison album.

I can definitely see where the appeal would be, (there were some moments that had me grinning to myself in my room), but I really don’t think that this sort of music is for me. Like I enjoyed it, but I wasn’t blown away by any means. Favorites: Starkville City Jail, San Quentin, A Boy Named Sue

Legend. No notes.

This is the second conceptual live album after the Folsom and i find it genius to say the least to select an audience like this for a live.It definately saved the atmosphere of that particular day in 1969 and that makes it timeless.Albums like this comes out in once in a lifetime so i can fully understand why it's on the list.I saw the official release had 10 songs but i found in youtube an 18 songs version so i'll go with that.There is also a video version with some footage which by the way you should also see.Extra respect for Johnny Cash for not playing what he was allowed to in this.Like he would.I mean this guy was fearless,and every single song had a meaning,the tracklist in this version was the best ever made.And for you to know San Quentin was one of the toughest prisons out there so there was real danger!But then again music has no boundaries.And i think JC contributed more with his music and by showing real respect and humanity to make those prisoners weight more to the good side than the system. Still Miss Someone legendary I Walk The Line Darlin' Companion cover with his wife June Carter! I Don't Know Where I'm Bound for it's meaning Starkville City Jail for sharing his experience,the storytelling that totally resonated with the audience, in video version asks the guards for water and after drinking some,he kicks the tin cup,iconic, San Quentin which is a fantastic follow-up from Starkville and the audience felt important enough to be part of the song,The lyrics made the crowd go wild!And extra credit for the second time! Wanted Man,the Dylan cover which was perfect for the situation,he reffers to Dylan as the greatest song-writer,another historic moment, The Boy Named Sue was also a cover that Silverstein wrote about a friend being bullied for his name which by the way wasn't actually Sue,the title itself though can have so many meanings for each person,genius song,i think JC won a Grammy for this performance,i mean you need to have guts to say the word kill and describe violence in a prison!But in the end is a enpowering song, the Dorsey cover (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley along with the female choir was the perfect song to calm down the crowd sweetly,genius move as well Folsom Prison Blues is the perfect song,the perfect connection to the previous album which also resonated as hell with the crowd, Ring Of Fire was also a courageous move since you literally play with fire when you say fire in a prison, He Turned The Water Into Water although it's a biomatic piece it was so acurate since JC was drinking only water and the crowd was allowed to some tea i think and although he was describing a jesus miracle everybody in this room were kinda wishing they could drink something else,wine perhaps? Daddy Sang Bass for his homage to Carl Perkins that i think had recently passed away,and is a joy to the ears, Closing Medley: Folsom Prison Blues/I Walk the Line/Ring of Fire/The Rebel-Johnny Yuma,although i was a bit dissapointed that San Quentin was excluded this time. 5/5.If this is not 5 stars then what is it? Great vibe,great songs! Just realised in the video version that had already selected songs were some songs i didn't listen to,so make sure you do both versions.

How to make a live album, 35 minutes of pure attitude. 5 Star.

This album is a masterpiece of storytelling; what it lacks in instrumental virtuosity is more than made up for by the lyricism and storytelling. Cash's unique baritone narrates stories of outlaw living and being behind bars like no other ever could. His songs paint vivid pictures of life as an outlaw, and he remembers to engage the crowd with often-entertaining banter. Country may not have the best reputation, but this shows just how good it can be when done properly.

4 out of 5 Such a great collection of live songs. Love this album. Getting those prisoners all riled up.

I don’t like live albums but this one’s alright

Good but there's some songs I don't particularly care about, he has better live stuff

Johnny Cash 🥰 En ollut kuunnellut putkeen tätä legendaarista livelevyä. Nyt kuuntelin ja pidin kuulemastani.

😈

ganske kult live album, ikkje heilt for meg då

4.5+/5

Really good

Once, on a small domestic flight in the United States, I was the only East Asian passenger among older white Americans. As the plane began its descent, the pilot started giving an enthusiastic commentary about local landmarks and recent news, adding jokes that everyone else — except me, of course — clearly understood. When he finished, the cabin erupted in applause. I felt an indescribable loneliness — a sense of being completely outside of something invisible. That feeling stayed with me all through this album.

Great stuff. I like how he played San Quentin twice in a row, you can’t get away with that otherwise but Johnny Cash did. This is real music.

The Live in Prison concept is mind-blowing. But for me this is another odd choice. From a musical perspective, Folsom is a stronger album: Cash sounds much better, the band is tighter, the songs are better, the recordings are cleaner. And Folsom, as the first, is more historically important. Maybe, given this lists love of unnecessary redundancy, we'll get TWO live in prison albums from Johnny Cash.

Nej detta är verkligen inte min kopp te. Ogillar verkligen country.

Det kändes inte riktigt nödvändigt att plocka med två fängelseliveskivor på den här listan. Tycker mig kunna återanvända min recension från Folsom-skivan: ”Helt klart underhållande lyssning, även om det musikaliskt inte är helt fantastiskt. En del texter är rätt kul, särskilt i den här kontexten. Inramningen och att det är live är ju halva grejen.”

The crowd added a lot of energy, but the recording definitely suffered from it. Tough mix at a lot of points. Still very enjoyable listen though

Klassiker. Liker greit. Men sjansen for at jeg vil høre på det her på eget initiativ er minimal.

This is the two hundred eleventh album I’m rating. I was just listening to Norman Fucking Rockwell! and I'd much rather that album was on this list because I really hate Johnny Cash. I doubt anything here is better than Bartender. Adding to my Playlist - Nothing. Not Adding to my Playlist - Wanted Man, Wreck of the Old 97, I Walk the Line, Darlin' Companion, Starkville City Jail, San Quentin, San Quentin (Reprise), A Boy Named Sue, (There'll Be) Peace in the Valley, and Folsom Prison Blues. Darlin' Companion - June Carter Cash's vocals almost make up for my hatred of Johnny Cash's vocals, but it still isn't better than Bartender. All in all I liked 0/10 songs. His voice isn’t as annoying in the 60's but he still isn't as good as Lana Del Rey or Fiona Apple.

Johnny Cash тип, конечно, харизматичный, но впечатление портит запиканная матерщина (может, есть версия без цензуры), да и амплуа артиста очень уж американское для меня.

Live albums not great too much hard to understand talking.

old school did not finish hahppy about the experience

Better than most live albums I've heard, still a live album

Nostalgia wins every time. Thanks dad, your skewing the results. Live music usually isn't my thing but these recordings are great! Everything is crystal clear.

This is a good enough album but a great bookmark on a moment in time. Cash's stage banter, vocal presence and interplay with the live prison audience is the real magic here.

This was delightful. The energy from the crowd is palpable. The album is not the songs, but the experience.

Classic and listening to this should be a part of any decent American grade school curriculum.

Another solid prison album by the Man in the Black, although it's hard to top "At Folsom Prison" (and this one doesn't really come all that close). This felt a bit more like a USO tour recording than Folsom's more dark and confessional tone, but it's still fun to hear Johnny Cash belting out tunes. I liked the train rhythm of "Wreck of the old 97"; having June Carter accompanying on "Darlin' companion" (as well as the extended monologue at the end); the powerful track(s) "San Quentin", made even more powerful from the prisoner's reactions (and striking how similar this song is to his much much later song "The man comes around"); as well as the largely unrehearsed "A boy named Sue" (another intriguing Shel-Silverstein-penned song). Given where it was performed, I'm glad I wasn't there, but I'm guessing everyone who *was* felt lucky for the time he was on stage.

Great songs but not the best renditions of them. Still, "A Boy Named Sue' makes it worthwhile (and reminds me, again, that Shel Silverstein is much more than a children's author).

Really cool, very funny as well! It's really interesting how openly critical he is of the prison

The serving of the prison concerts. A little more contrived sounding but still a big impact. Sound quality leaves a little to be desired. But a classic.

I've only heard a couple Johnny Cash songs before, but I really do need to hear more of him. The songs were pretty good, just not a fan of live albums. San Quentin was really nice (although I could have done without the same song again, that seemed pointless). The rest of the songs were solid. Best song: San Quentin

I generally don't like live albums, but can you imagine a high profile artist in 2025 singing songs for prisoners in a prison about how much it sucks in there? I can't see something like this happen anymore. That reason alone makes it far more interesting than a standard concert album or even a studio album.

Probably one of the most fun (live) albums I’ve listened to.

Absolutely phenomenal Album from a Legend

Bloody great album, I enjoyed this a lot more than Folsom Prison. In fact I think if I had heard this first I would’ve marked Folsom a bit lower. Can’t really fault this, no bad tracks on it and for a live album the energy definitely comes across. Top Track - A Boy Named Sue

Johnny cash igjen:) Lige an jo. Mye fengende. Like godt at me får med oss det han seie mellom sangene. Beste sang: A boy named Sue

What an entertaining listen! A great entertainer, Johnny Cash, especially in that setting, feels like he was made for it. My father showed me a clip of "San Quentin" when I was a wee lad, so it's fun to hear the whole thing now. Although, I sort of wish I'd seen the concert with video

I love the one two punch of the late 60s prison records. And I love how Cash sounds reckless, worn, loose. Wild energy on "Wanted Man" "Wreck" and "Boy Named Sue." I might prefer Folsom, but this is good stuff

There’s a staggering immediacy and intimacy to this album. It’s hard to believe it was recorded over half a century ago. Imagine writing a song for the audience (“San Quentin”), performing it for them (twice!), and the experience becoming a legend.

Well its not Folsom but its still a hell of alot of fun. The crowd interactions are great and make me think back to some of the experiences I have with live music. The set list is very good, my only gripe being playing san Quentin and then reprising it immediately. The 1st version is messy but thats more my style. Its just a damn solid live record. Crazy thing to think of now but imagine Travis Scott doing a show on rikers island. You just cant. In the end, I had fun.

C’est pas At Folsom Prison, mais la vibe est similaire. C’est juste pas la même énergie, le Johnny y semble fatigué

I'm sure that every performance this man has had has been such a delight to watch, as it was as delightful to listen to. You can tell that the audience is having a great time. Favourite Track(s): San Quentin, (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley Least Favourite Track(s): Wreck Of Old 97

Disfrutable Sr Cash

I've consistently really enjoyed the live albums on this generator, and this is no exception. Hearing the atmosphere of the concert makes you feel as if you are really there, listening to Johnny Cash sing in that prison. I'm not a tremendous Cash fan, but the songs that he performed here I really enjoyed. The song he sang with his wife was incredibly sweet, and I liked the song he wrote for the show as well.

A wonderful Cash-masterpiece.

Aanstekelijke muziek, lekker tempo. Live opname met gejoel is leuke toevoeging

Johnny Cash: "They're filming this for England. But I'm not here to do what they want. I'm here to do what you want and what I want! What do you want to hear?" Prisoners: "Jackson! Jackson! Jackson!" Johnny Cash: "This one's called I Walk The Line." Not as consistently funny as An Evening with Quentin Crisp. 1.5 This was a grim listen. Clodhopping guitar and drums while Cash half mutters over the top and that’s when there is an attempt to play music. A good portion of this record is Johnny Cash doing banter and inmates hooting and of course those things are why this record exists. The vicarious thrill of visiting one of America’s most notorious prisons. Millions of copies were sold. Rotten playing and near worthless music was transmuted into dollars courtesy of the nebulous hollering of incarcerated men. 1/5

Shit

If I was in prison I'd fw it

What makes this album a must-hear transcends all of the popularity-based bullshit that seems to qualify the excess of britpop or experimental wanking. This album represents in some senses a journalism piece on Johnny Cash's role in, and impact on, American music and society. It offers a transparent lens for Cash's commentary on the underbelly of the American dream. I can't imagine a better setting for his performance than an institution within which America locks away its problems. 5/5, must-hear.

This one was fun! I do always like a live album and while some of the tracks are very similar, I enjoyed it. I always thought it was cool that Johnny Cash played in prisons.

Reminded me of when I was in the clink

Yeah. Good for a worn out train trip home. Probs more like a 3.6 but that gets it a 4.

Yep. That's Johnny Cash 👍

At first I thought this didn’t have the edge of the live at Folsom but it really took off after San Quentin. More originals than Folsom too. Great listen!

Would love to have it as a record, would probs not listen to often but the quality of the recording was great

buena onda

1. Wanted Man - 9 Solid opening. Amazing opening in fact. Cash sounds amazing on this track. Lyrically it's brilliant and the guitar sounds excellent. The crowd play is also excellent given how this is a live album. 2. Wreck of the Old 97 - 7 The vocals get drowned out a little but the pace of the song is great and the guitars do so well in between the lyrics. Good track. 3. I Walk The Line - 7 Very simple yet fun song. Is over in a flash but it's a solid song. 4. Darlin' Companion - 6 It's a solid love song but I don't think it's lasted the test of time. I think it's a solid track but it's definitely overshadowed by the first three tracks on this album. 5. Starkville City Jail - 9 This is a fun track. Just overall a really fun track lyrically that tells quite an amusing story. Great track. 6. San Quentin - 10 Brilliant track, especially given the environment and the album. Absolutely fantastic crowd play as well from Cash on the track. 7. San Quentin (Reprise) - N/A It's a replay of San Quentin. 8. A Boy Named Sue - 8 Interesting song. At times it's just talking at other times singing and at some times pure comedy. It's brilliant. 9. (They'll Be) Peace in the Valley - 10 Excellent track with some incredibly strong background/supporting vocals. Superb track. 10. Folsom Prison Blues - N/A The actual singing part is only twenty seconds long so it is too short to be rated. Average Rating: 8.25 Adjusted to 5-Point Scale: 4.13 Rounded Down: 4 Stars

Man, I love these live albums. I also love old country (though if I was forced to choose Johnny Cash music for the time capsule, I’d have to say I prefer Cash’s American recordings to his old stuff). And I think him heading into the prison system was pretty great of him. So, all that plus the feeling is the crowd and the joy of being asked to sing the freshly written “San Quentin” again and then the roar of cheers transitioning into jeers after they pulled the power is untouchable by anything they could’ve planned. It left me wondering what might’ve transpired thereafter, both between Cash and the warden and also between the inmates and the guards. Outlaw country indeed.

One of favourite cash albums, just behind Folsom prison. I never understood why cash was so revered until I heard both of these albums. I went straight out and bought a the johnny cash autobiography, Cash by Johnny Cash, and I finally understood why Dylan was in awe of this man. Great energy on the album and cash commands the crowd perfectly.

Great music and great back and forth with the inmates

Plus court, plus sale et plus intime que le live at Folsom. Bon délire.

There's nobody more gangster than Johnny Cash, and he's near his best here. Unfortunately, the music isn't the star here - the record also makes a point of documenting the interactions with the inmates and chatter between songs. Although it's amusing, the pacing suffers some. 'At Folsom Prison' is a bit more balanced for my tastes. Regardless, this is a treasure and enjoyable to listen to.

8/10

Good album, wish it wasn't edited. Funny there is a song twice but also a little annoying for a recording

Just brilliant.

What can I say? The man loves being in prison. And the prisoners love him back.

I’ll admit, I’ve never been a huge Johnny Cash fan, but I’ve always had a soft spot for live albums—and At San Quentin is one of his most famous. I went into this with curiosity, and I’m glad I did. Cash’s catalogue can feel overwhelming, with plenty of hits and misses scattered across it, but this record cuts straight to the good stuff. The energy of the crowd, the rawness of the performance, and the banter between Cash and the audience make it feel more like an experience than just an album. You can almost sense the tension and excitement in the prison setting, which adds so much weight to the songs. The setlist is packed with powerful performances, all delivered with that unmistakable Cash presence. For me, this has become the definitive Johnny Cash album—the one I’ll come back to. Favourite track: Wanted Man and, of course, the timeless I Walk the Line. Least favourite track: None—every song feels essential to the flow of the performance. Album artwork: A striking and iconic cover that perfectly matches the grit of the music.

Only Johnny Cash could pull off not one but two live albums in prison and make it work.

malade

Listened on the way home. Awesome!

Another fine Johnny Cash live album recorded in a prison. I couldn't necessarily tell them apart or pick a favorite, but this one is good. The songs are good and memorable, featuring I Walk The Line and A Boy Named Sue. The track San Quentin was so well received, it was essentially played again as a reprise immediately after. The commentary between tracks was cool as well. Fun album!

3.0 - Ok

mec a la guitare, il restera pas dans ma mémoire

A Boy Named Sue

Respect the hell out of this. It's fun, and it's old Johnny.

I never liked this album. It is an inferior version of At Folsom Prison

Doesn’t quite capture the same magic as Folsom. Love the spirit of bringing music to the incarcerated but the energy is a bit low and the setlist is a little uninspired.

So real classics live.

It’s Cash in prison. Iconic.

Must

These live prison albums are fascinating listens. I like the Folsom Prison album a little better, but this one is great too. 4/5 #197

liked his little commentary but had to turn it off after a few songs because the music was driving me coconut bananas trying to work from home x

A v worthy first 5*, I loved it - Reece and Joaquin forever

Another 5 star from me

YES. I prefer the 2010 release that's "The Complete 1969 Concert." It's about an hour long.

"I listen to all music (except country)" Idk what to say on this one. This is the first piece of country I've not actively disliked, but it's also widely considered the greatest country album of all time. Cash's songwriting is obviously incredible and his interactions with the prisoners make this album so much fun. It's like an 8 or something

5/10

These live recordings are phenomenal.

Didn't I hear this already? Oh yeah, at Folsom Prison!

I like Johnny cash. As far as a live album goes, this was a pretty good one. They’re always hit or miss for me. This was most of the big hits and overall enjoyable

I don't know - it was just OK. Why two versions of the same song is beyond me. This could have used an editor.

Worth getting thrown in prison for

Good album. I love the original Boy Named Sue, but kind of a bummer that it is bleeped out in this version. Not my favorite Jonny Cash overall.

Oh Boy; tossed me back to my Dad and his love of country music (and my distaste for most country music). Johnny was a staple on the radio when I was growing up. Johnny as The Man In Black was preferable to Conway Twitty (who I pray has no entries on this list). Dad would sing some Johnny here and there in his lovely voice. Miss that so much. Listened before? N Saved to library? N Favorite track(s): Wreck if the Old 97, I walk the Line, A Boy Named Sue, Folsom Prison Blues ⭐⭐⭐: Liked it.

Never heard this full album, I’ve always listened to the Folsom/San Quintin combo. The pennants of the statler bros and Carter family is great!

The music is good. The yammering between songs is not. I don’t really think it was necessary to have the same song played the same way twice in a row. Maybe if you were there it would be more powerful, but it doesn’t work on an album. (The negative of that one is cancelled out by how good “A Boy Named Sue” is.)

Nice

At San Quentin>At Folsom

Johnny Cash is 100% on the country western Mt. Rushmore. We aren’t here to talk about the other three, so let’s dig into JC. In the mid to late 60s, Cash was on a comeback. Seems crazy since it’s still toward to beginning of a long career. Live at Folsom had come out and was doing well, so he and a slough of other rockabilly types toured other prisons and venues throughout the country singing about drink, drug, murder, love, prison, and god, and they made pretty good legendary careers for themselves. I will preface this by saying I listened to the Legacy Edition of the album to get the full show experience and it was superb. Carl Perkins, Statlers, Carter Family, and Johnny all putting on a show. The best parts are the little imperfections in rhythm or forgetting a lyric or vamping to give the audience time to react to a lyric. JC and band are tight. They bust out a brand new “San Quentin,” June joins them on “Jackson” and we get an amazing performance of “A Boy Named Sue.” Not to mention a grip of classic Cash Golden Country Greats.

While not as well known as Live at Folsom, this is still an excellent live album in the Cash catalogue. His interaction with the prisoners and his self deprecating humor are signatures of Johnny almost as much as his voice. All this fighting over what’s “Outlaw” nowadays, and none of those pretty boys would be caught dead playing live for maximum penitentiary prisoners, not to mention have the compassion to do so. This album came out in 1969, twenty nine years before KISS released their overblown flop “Psycho Circus”, but it will continue to inspire singers, songwriters, and music lovers forever by providing an open window into an important slice of American history.

I love live albums of any genre.

Honestly great live album. Loved this.

San Quentin, yet another pretty good Cash album.

Basically 50% spoken word. Same song is played twice. Slightly janky editing. Should be a total failure. But it really does make you feel like you’re there! And A Boy Named Sue is still one of the best Cash performances of all time.

Amazing album, not as good as Folsom but still up there. Really enjoyable listen

Obvious legend. Love the underlying tone that the rehabilitation system doesn’t/won’t work.

A really good live album, the songs by themselves are pretty good but it’s the context and the comedy act that make this so good, there’s few artists that can pull off a prison act like Johnny Cash, especially with some of his discography which just matches so well with the scenes he plays in. Favourites: wanted man and I walk the line. Overall, 7/10.

01) Wanted Man - 9,0 02) Wreck of the Old 97 - 8,5 03) I Walk the Line - 10,0 04) Darling Companion - 9,0 05) Starkville City Jail - 9,0 06) San Quentin - 9,5 07) San Quentin (Reprise) - 10,0 08) A Boy Named Sue - 10,0 09) (There'll Be) Peace in the Valley - 9,0 10) Folsom Prison Blues - 8,5 TOTAL: 9,25 (93/100) Current ranking: 30/676

This is my first Johnny Cash album for this project. I generally prefer studio albums to live ones, but he sure did have a stage presence. Censorship is lame, though. Peace in the Valley made me cry. I got to thinking about my late Papa. He loved him some old country music. Listened before? N Saved to library? N Favorite track(s): San Quentin, A Boy Named Sue, Folsom Prison Blues ⭐⭐⭐: Liked it.

I do like Johnny Cash, and I certainly appreciate the significance of this album, and it's an enjoyable listen - between-song banter and all - but I doubt this is the album I'll ever choose when I want to listen to Johnny Cash. I see no compelling reason to abandon my live-album rating parameters for this one.

I love me some Johnny Cash. This is a good record. Not his best. You can feel, though, his appreciation, possibly affection, for the prisoners. And there's in retuen. Of course, this is pre-War on Drugs, pre-carceral state stuff. I can't imagine this happening now. Anyway, i'll probably lsten to this again. But, still only 3 star material.

This is most of what I love about Cash. Only doesn't get 5 because of the truncated Folsom Prison Blues; could have used a few more songs in fact. "San Quentin" is amazing.

3/5 - I needed to hear this once as a strong social statement and to hear how Cash commands and plays to the (literally) captive audience. Solid Cash songs as expected, but unlikely to revisit.

When you have Johnny Cash preforming a live concert in a prison, you already know it is going to be gold. Something about Cash performing these kind of concerts always seemed authentic to me because he always preformed as though he was an outlaw dressed in black. Even though I never really liked country, his music really resonates with a city boy like me. I love these kind of albums that Johnny Cash made. Favorite Tracks: Wanted Man, I Walk the Line, Darlin' Companion, San Quentin, A Boy Named Sue Rating: 5/5

Irriterande sensurert versjon på Tidal.

4.5/5 just beating out cheap trick bc of the length and rawness of the performance great stuff johnny cash

A really nice listen, not the greatest writing ever heard but a lot of the songs were really good and got the message across. Was definitely good as a live album despite this causing slightly subpar recording quality compared to the likes of studio album but added to the atmosphere and story of it so think that was definitely a plus.

Brilliant album. I know it gets knocked as not as good as folsom, but I love it.

country. sympa

Country music isn't really my cup of tea, but the album wasn't bad, and the cover is fantastic

Not as good as Folsom but still a good time. Cash sure does know how to play an audience. I love all the banter, it really adds to the charm. I do wish the curse words weren't bleeped out in such a disruptive way. I'm not sure if every version of the album is like that but its pretty annoying. Favorite track: A Boy Named Sue 3.5/5

Why to much talking. Im not a fan of live recordings.

Interesting to hear an album made in a prison setting – just don't enjoy his style of music enough to make me want to listen again.

One of the best Americana (NOT C&W) of the 20th century.

What I like about this live recording is that it displays the raw feeling of the Man In Black. So raw in fact that it feels like an edited bootleg with songs mixed together to make 33 minutes of a historical snapshot. Bits spliced and words censored by that jarring bleep. Not to mention the songs are good too and he invited the whole gang with him. I love to hear June Carter Cash on vocals; she was the original country diva before Dolly, Tammy or anyone else. The banter may be too much, but what am I gonna do about it? *middle finger* (8/10, 5/5 on this scale) (Update: More like a 4 now, but still real good)

Nice blues live album but was a bit short with a lot of talking.

Cash songs are a great act, and the live performance at a prison for the inmates adds to the legend. I like the Boy named Sue.

Great

1969 I'm constantly told that it's 'cool' to like Johny Cash. I guess I'm not one of the cool kids. I just don't like this, and it's not helped by the bootleg feel to the production. Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ✅️ Some, had to end it early. Revisit ❌️ Not for me No thank you★★☆☆☆ (3/10)

Classic. Not a fan of live recordings

Музыка: 7/10 Разнообразие: 6/10 Тематика и вайб: 7/10 Цепляемость (отдельные песни зашли): 6/10 Реиграбельность (можно ли рандомно врубить на фон): 8/10 Итог: 6.8

It's a Johnny Cash album. Nothing more to be said.

JC sounds great but his music takes a backseat on this record and you get a real sense of the man himself. Charismatic, irreverent, compassionate and funny.

- bem diferente dos outros albums por ser ao vivo - é uma música regional bem influente nos estados unidos - não é meu estilo favorito de ouvir particularmente

Gear: Focalman Cleardara Artwork: 👨‍💼🆒🟦 Production: 🥩🤨🆗 Music: 🔄👀🤔 Rating: ⛓️⛓️⛓️(⛓️)/5

Johnny Cash is one of those artists I always point to when I talk about the sort of country music I actually like, but I had admittedly never listened to a full album from him until today. The timing is quite interesting as well, as I listened to "Hurt" less than two weeks ago after hearing the original NIN record! Part of me is a little bummed that my first full Johnny Cash experience isn't a studio LP and that it's the second album in a tetralogy of live albums, but another part of me is happy that this was the one I got to hear first, because it's a good one. At San Quentin is a special album – not just for the music itself, but for everything that happens in between. The prisoners add so much atmosphere to the LP, from booing a guard bringing Johnny some water to laughing during relatable parts of the songs to shouting song requests up to him before he plays "I Walk the Line." It might sound corny, but I don't think I'll ever forget the reaction to Johnny telling the story of how he ended up getting arrested/fined in Starkville for picking some flowers or him playing through "San Quentin" (a song he wrote the day before the concert) twice in a row because the crowd loved it so much. This is an album that tells a story so effortlessly, cover to cover – it's no wonder why it made this list. One could probably make a case for this being a five star album, but the rough recordings and the occasional miss in the curation department does honestly hold the LP back (if only slightly). I also want to leave space for At Folsom Prison to blow me away even more, so I'll give At San Quentin a very respectful four stars! Highlights: Wanted Man, Darlin’ Companion, Starkville City Jail, San Quentin, A Boy Named Sue, (There’ll Be) Peace in the Valley

First one from prison is cool, second one is a little derivative for me. There are some really great ones on here, I mean, Boy Named Sue! But I’ll take Fulsom over this one. Still cool as hell to play a huge show in prison.

2,8/5

Honestly Johnny is such a don. Love his tunes and the audacity of playing at prison is incredible. It adds to the raw appeal of the songs and also to his persona. Hell of a dude and I’m one hell of a fan

“$36 for picking flowers…” Johnny Cash is one of the great storytellers and his stage presence on this is electric, he has the prison eating out of his hand. The legacy version has a wider selection of tracks, and is most certainly better! I’m not the biggest fan of live albums, hence the rating, also I have no idea why this is censored. 4/5

That’s another 5. Classic again.

another live johnny cash album, this one performed at the san quentin state prison, now turned rehabilitation center. this wouldn't be the first time he'd performed in a prison, but i would say this performance is much more iconic than the last. man, johnny, you're a ruthless one. he seems to relate to a lot of the inmates, the crowd cheering and whooping whenever he gets vulgar and brings up certain topics or critiques, especially about the prison itself. i wish i didn't have to dig a bit to find an uncensored version of the album, johnny occasionally swears like a sailor and all modern streaming copies have the poor guy bleeped out. i think this album was awesome. i love johnny cash, even if people like my mother think otherwise.

Through this album I found out Johnny Cash played at a prison which is pretty cool. I am not a fan of live music on an album that I listen to in the car. I’m still pretty young and I thought the music was okay but he had a good voice.

It's a live Johnny Cash performance, a classic one, for better and for the worst. Setlist wise, it's alright. Performance wise, is good, but clearly not a regular concert. Good for a listen and to share with music fans, but only if they're country music fans, imo. Gets a small rating bump upwards due to the context of the venue and the show, and the way he relates to the audience. There's a certain magic in that.

I hate the bleep but I love the hate for prison-industrial complex

Good live album -3.5/5

Nice. But one Johnny Cash live prison album is probably enough for this list. And Folsom feels the better choice.

Just great. Never listened to this one!

Solid 5 stars. All day every day.

I really enjoyed this album. The stories in the songs are very funny. I would love to watch a live show on YouTube and see Johnny Cash’s reaction to the crowd, and how he talks with them.

Not really into country, but i make an excepetion for them man in black.

I remember my dad showing me this album. It is historical. Favorites: San Quentin (both times) and Folsom Prison Blues

Good live album

Odio il country!

At San Quentin – Johnny Cash (1969) | Country / Rockabilly / Live Album | Avg: 8 | Favorite Song: I Walk the Line At San Quentin is clearly trying to recapture the lightning-in-a-bottle energy of At Folsom Prison, and while it definitely has its moments, it doesn’t quite reach the same heights. The performance is strong, the crowd is electric, and Cash sounds fully committed, but something about it just doesn’t reel me in the same way. The rawness is still there, but the emotional gravity that made Folsom so compelling feels a bit more scattered here. That’s not to say this isn’t a quality live album; it absolutely is. There are standout moments and plenty of that rebellious spark you want from a Johnny Cash prison recording. But San Quentin feels more like a sequel trying to live up to a legacy rather than an experience carving out its own. It captures a lot of the surface energy, but doesn’t dig quite as deep. Still, it’s a powerful listen with undeniable historical weight. It just lives in the shadow of the album that came before it. All's that to say I'd still give it 4/5 stars.

Enjoyed it, the immediate reprise was great.

It’s funny how much I loved his album recorded at Folsom Prison and how much I disliked this album. I found it derivative and not as well done.

★★★½

Amazing

Quality recording of a very well-performed live show. Cash has a great voice and a great storytelling voice throughout the songs. Compact, with many great songs. 4/5

a classic

That was great, amazing to hear the prisoners reactions to the music. Nice banter by Cash too.

Such an innovative album (concept wise) not the best Cash songs on this album, but for a live album it cannot be beat. The banter alone throughout the album is amazing and this is truly one of a kind. I think I may enjoy it more than Folsom Prison.

Interesting collection of songs, that Johnny cash seems a real character and quite a unique concept with some classic tunes in there but not sure I really class this as an album

Exactly what I'd want in a Cash album.

This is a guy who knows who he is, who knows that not everyone likes who he is and who couldn't give a damn.

10/10

great, love his personality and the songs aswell.

I knew Johnny Cash sang at San Quentin—I’d seen Walk the Line. But hearing this album, I felt how much he truly cared for the prisoners. He didn’t see himself as better than them, and that made a damn deep impression on me this morning. Anything less than five stars would be too low. Thank you, Johnny.

It’s Johnny cash!

Johnny Cash is always a great musician and storyteller. This performance is no exception. I'm not usually a fan of live albums, but the fact that Cash recorded this at the San Quentin State Prison is pretty ballsy.

I don't hate it. I didn't enjoy it.

Fun album, interesting as Johnny Cash curses at points and is bleeped out. I honestly might enjoy this more than At Folsom Prison. Johnny was on his A game this night with playing but also being a entertainer.

isn't laid down in the order it was recorded. some of the story's are disjointed. as for the music, exactly what you would expect from Johnny.

It’s unfathomable that these shows even happened. How fast would Johnny Cash be cancelled in 2025? Celebs can’t even advertise jeans without causing national uproar. Anyway, the nice thing about this expanded version is you get the between songs banter, which highlights his humor and humanity. The Fulsom album was probably better production value, but this is worth listening to.

This is one of those must hear albums that boggles the mind. I don't really care too much for Johnny Cash regarding genre or listen too often. I love some aspects of his music and his life. He IS a cultural icon. I love LOVE how he interpreted some more contemporary hard rock/ alt songs before he died. It literally changed the way I view music, how I interpret it. Anyhow, this album... a performance in a prison with little hope and diminished spirits... Some of these songs must have meant so much to some of these hapless souls... Incredible!

Playing a song about how much a prison sucks while you're doing a live show at that prison is definitely a flex.

For a “country pop” album that I definitely thought I was going to hate… I didn’t hate it. It was nice, it was calming, never really thought about skipping any songs.

Didn't listen on this day, but I know it well.

An incredible live album that has that rare ability to transport you to a time and place. Cash is in peak form, with terrific performances in front of a raucous crowd, including the inaugural performance of “A Boy Name Sue”. Outlaw Country never felt so outlaw, and Cash’s ability to connect and empathize with the prisoners without instigating a riot is impressive. On the short list of great live, country, and Johnny Cash albums.

Begrijp mij niet verkeerd, ik houd van Johnny Cash, maar tijdens deze liveshow wordt er meer gepraat dan muziek gemaakt, ik snap daarom ook niet dat dit album een must listen is. Echter, de momenten waarop de muziek wel wordt gemaakt is genieten, met I walk the Line, A Boy Named Sue en Folsom Prison Blues. Daarom kom ik op 3 reten uit.

I'm not even a fan of country music or Johnny Cash, but this was a very entertaining listen. I find that too many live albums feature live tracks, but feature cuts between songs. Maybe that happens on At San Quentin, but by capturing Cash's playful banter, it opens up a new dimension of the album. Cash is damn charming, and quite funny, in addition to playing a good show. As a live performer, Cash sounds just like he does on record. Disregarding the album as a country album, this is just a flat-out solid live album. Kudos, Mr. Cash.

Fun

What can you say - he's a classic! Fun.

This is as Johnny Cash as Johnny Cash can get.

Fucking great. Laughed my ass off. What a storyteller

I really appreciate the storytelling, but it all fell a bit flatter than I remembered hearing. Maybe because I was recalling at Folsom. The presence of hard censoring bleeps was disappointing but also a capsule to the time. Cash is incredible, but I'd rather pick up folsom

Why is this the third time these songs are on this list?

(65/100)

it's just live songs.....

Own It. Love It.

Country Live-Album, late 60s. He's fantastic at this. Loads of chatting.

A good album but not as good as the Folsom Prison one. Odd to have two prison albums on the list with an artist like Johnny Cash. 4 stars or B.

I enjoyed it. I don't think I'd listen to it regularly, but it was a nice experience. The audience interaction added to the experience.

While I like a lot from Johnny Cash, I dislike this live album (too much talking) and the song selection. 2/5

One of the finest Live Albums in Country Music. The audience was "captive" throughout the performance.

I'm not shy about the fact I dislike live albums. Cash's prison concerts were special. But they're still live. It has it all: sections that are just Cash talking for minutes straight; people whistling and hollering during the music; we even get an immediate reprise of San Quentin. The album has its charm, but the live aspect is too much of a distraction for me. Ends up sounding more like a comedy act with music than an album. So even though I like the music itself, it's no better than a 3.

4/5. Tämä oli aukko sivistyksessä. Johnny Cash oli nimenä tuttu, mutta musiikki ei. Kivaa, reipasta musaa ja yllättävän hyvä äänenlaatu ollakseen livetaltiointi.

Vangeilla ollut kivaa. Mulla ei hirveen...

No ei todellakaan paras Cashin levy mutta Cash jokatapauksessa. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Oli hyvä kuuntelu! Hyvä että olivat jättäneet kaikki välispiinit kommelluksineen mukaan.

You can tell he's a great perfomer. Every song was very lively, I loved the interactions with the crowd. He has a great voice too, the instrumentals were always really good and it was overrall a very enjoyable album.

I think Cash’s “prison series” of live albums demonstrates one can have empathy and still be a “tough guy.” The deference he shows to his audience should remind us of the humanity people in jail deserve even if they have done wrong.

I don’t know if we needed to hear both prison albums, but I like hearing cash’s dialogue and humor with the inmates. Less coughing than the other one.

Classic, especially if you like Johnny. And really, why wouldn't you?

216/1089 - For all the moral grandstanding on this website about musicians like Kanye or Morrissey saying mean words or even the more understandable complaints on the criminals on this list, I'm surprised Johnny Cash doesn't get any flack for entertaining criminals. I try to not be biased when reviewing things and think separating art from the artist is a reasonable value but I admit it is challenging sometimes. I'll try and do my best for this one. There's barely any music. Very rudimentary stuff playing the same looping progressions so he can say a story. I get that strophic form exists but the way to have a convincing song that utilizes strophic form is to spice up the instrumentation or dynamics, maybe play with the rhythm a bit if you're a vocalist. If you just have the same crap over and over in the background what's the point of having it in the first place? As for the vocals, Johnny Cash has a voice that really takes the life out of the room. Dry and lifeless, at least the instrumentals were somewhat pleasant. I guess I'm glad I encountered music that doesn't align with my personal values so I could see a different point of view but I'd be more convinced if the music was actually musical. Non-list rec: Alone - Bill Evans (1970) amazing solo piano record. One of my top 10 favorite albums.

Johnny don't miss

Енергетика топова

Один з найкращих концертних альбомів, у першу чергу завдяки енергетиці яку можна відчути і на записі, що не часто буває з концертниками. Є на вінілі.

Oddly funny

Highlight Song/s: Wanted Man, San Quentin and A Boy Named Sue What a nice country album. I love the twang the guitars have and that nice rhythm classic country songs tend to have. Johnny Cash does some good banter on this album especially in the second half of "Darlin' Companion," which he uses that to transition into the next track "Starkville City Jail" which is some nice comedy country. Another part I like from the album is where he plays "San Quentin" twice, right AFTER each other. That is straight baller, Johnny really sticking it to the prison authorities. It's nice to see that Johnny Cash debuted I think 3? songs. Very solid songs as well. I find "At San Quentin" a lot more sweet and comedic than "At Folsom Prison" which the latter exemplifies the Outlaw Country sub-genre, with murder, loneliness and anguish themes. I thought I wasn't going to like this album, because of other people's opinion, they made it seem very black and white. Just a reason why you shouldn't let those people corrupt your mind and instead experience it first-hand. Ranting over, this is a seriously solid album.

Enjoying

Wow! Cash would have been investigated by the FBI in a hot minute today if he had released this album. The era of prison albums reflected a dissatisfaction the law and order agenda of the Nixon presidency. The fact that is was tolerated seemed just fine. Boy have we changed our attitudes since then. Law and order rules the day, constitutional protections be damned.

Very raw, can see why Johnny Cash performed in Prisons, he clearly has a lot of sympathy, though the album doesn't really follow much, though the addition of San Quentin as a bespoke song was interesting

3 Stars (8/15)

Am I Arthur Morgan? Siento que tiene mas ritmillo por ser un directo pero tambien creo que eso le ha aportado y quitado encanto por igual a algunas canciones, se acaban haciendo repetitivas la mayoria, pero esta guapo para tenerlo de fondo. La que mas me ha gustado creo que "San Quintin" y "(There´ll Be) Peace in the Valley", la segunda se va para la lista de Agosto 2025.

Just listened and I appreciate his improvisational style and his ability to interact with the crowd. It felt like a dance with the crowd rather than a performance. Very down to earth.

Johhny Cash is really funny 4

Lol making a song on how shitty prison is then asking thr guards for water

I do not enjoy live albums. I will never enjoy live albums. I just don't get them. So I will give yet another live album on this list a low, biased review. 2/5

The Man is on top form here

4/5. Legendary performance from a legendary artist. As a live recording it does have a fair amount of talking which I can see getting old after a while.

absolutely classic

Wildwood flower Sounds like prairie home companion

Fine. Too much live.

Love me some JR

Johnny F'ing Cash. Hell yeah.

Conflicting biases going in Don't like live albums generally but do like Cash quite a bit. So torn on this one

More ladsy than expected. Music bit cringe but guess he was the original!

If you are compiling a list of 1001 albums that should be heard, then this album needs to be included, if for no other reason than the uniqueness of recording it in a prison with prisoners as the audience. Apparently this also was filmed for TV, which is another story. The music itself is average, although the interaction between Cash and the audience was interesting and something you rarely hear on other live albums.

OK, some real talk here: I've had an irrational dislike of Johnny Cash ever since his cover of 'Hurt' came out and 500000 people said "this is so much better and more meaningful than the original!", which of course I disagreed with because the original was super meaningful to ME and Johnny Cash, a guy I never heard of until then, meant nothing to me. Now I understand that (a) most people don't like Nine Inch Nails, so the cover was more accessible and (b) Johnny Cash dying soon afterwards added a lot of emotional heft to the song, especially if you already knew who Johnny Cash was (or maybe were a bit older than I was). Nevertheless, country music isn't my genre of choice, and I think it's natural to dislike covers of songs you imprinted on, especially covers that are more lauded/successful than the original (see also: 'The Book of Love'). Now, should I have carried this grudge with me for 20+ years? Maybe not. So, I'll try to give this album a fair shake. But wait, it's a live album. How can I give it a fair shake!? Live albums are for people who already like the artist (or maybe for jazz). I like that they over-the-top bleeped the swears though. So... is it cool that he recorded this at a prison and sang 'Wanted Man'? It seems kind of insensitive, but the crowd is clapping, so I guess they're into it. That's OK then. Unless they're being forced to clap. How does this prison concert thing even work? Can anyone do a concert at a prison? If so, shouldn't more artists be doing that? Maybe things were different in the 60s. Or maybe the prisoners would boo other artists who didn't have as many prison-themed songs. But they should play through the booing! The crowd clapping for the country of England was funny. Cash's got that Hank Hill accent in the talking bits, which is fun. But also his whole "I'm not gonna do what they tell me to do, man" isn't winning me over, I tell you hwhat. Maybe I'm misreading the vibe, but it feels performatively "tough". There's a cool study (Kiesling 1996) of how frat guys swear(&etc) more in their frat meetings than in the rest of their dealings in order to demonstrate masculinity/power, and this feels a bit like that. I do like 'I Walk the Line' though. It's a bop. Having the same song twice in a row on an album is crazy. 'A Boy Named Sue' is quite a rich text. Sue shoulda just gone by his initials or middle name or something. Something tells me this version of 'Folsom Prison Blues' isn't the complete version, which is unsatisfying. Anyway, the songs were OK to listen to, but not good enough for me to start liking Johnny Cash. Maybe if he has a non-live album later. Highlight: 'I Walk the Line' Lowlights: Johnny Cash, prison

Great album but the skits really kill the flow

All bangers. Great crowd work.

Normally I find banter in a live album kind of annoying but this was pretty charming

Not many live albums generate so much electricity from their exact location and interaction with the audience, but this one definitely does

Lite kul. Lite OK. Lite lagom. Inte dunder alls förutom att det är "den store Johnny Cash WooOoOooW". Dåligt ljud. Samma låt två gånger. Lite märkligt.

Enjoyable if dated. My version was censored. 🤬

Great album.

Cash er en legende, en del sjarm i dette live settet. Noen slagere som blir spilt, men foretrekker studio versjon.

Classic songs. Folsom is better but still a great live album. Some songs just have to much lull however.

At only 34 minutes long this goes by pretty quickly. I liked it! I've heard that for one of Johnny Cash's songs they overlaid the sounds of the crowd cheering but I can't recall which. It kept coming to mind as I heard the cheers, I hope they were real! It added to the album and Johnny Cash's voice is so crisp. He reminds me of black coffee and burnt toast, in a good way.

Good solid country fare. Vibes from the crowd are quite enjoyable as well. Mr Cash employs a lot of nice simple but effective storytelling in his lyrics. Music has good vibes too.

Johnny cash is just SO COOL

An easily digestible album! I love live albums because you get a sense of how the music touched the people there plus Johnny Cash was a showman. And of course the music is undeniably!

I enjoyed this album much more than “American IV..” that I had earlier in the project, he was well past his prime in that one, but not here. Not usually a fan of live albums but the nature of being in a prison felt more authentic with the crowd noise. I’m having a hard time reconciling why albums like this are part of the project, as it’s more a compilation/hits record and I don’t particularly like that.. 4/5

I’ve listened to this probably at least 100 times through the years. Great example of “they don’t make them like they used to”. RIP Cash & RIP the sound of country that I hold near & dear to my heart. 10/10

Never really been one to like listening to live performances but this was so enjoyable. He's got such a good sense of humor haha, and obviously the songs are fire

Oozes charm and soo much audience interaction and banter

Not my cup oft tea

I was running around a hotel and a beach. I could breathe in but not out

Johnny Cash to był gość. Dzięki tej płycie można wyczuć, jak bardzo był charyzmatyczny na scenie. June też zawsze mile widziana. Nie bez powodu człowiek jest legendą. Ten folk/country/rock trafi niemal do każdego, a jeśli nie to chociaż posłuchają sobie jego dobrej gadki. 7.5/10

A fun way to see a bit of Johnny Cash’s personality. Music is good but surprising how basic all of his backing is. It’s all in the vocals.

Talented, entertaining & effortless artist- truly one of a kind.

Great performer, fun and joyful

Cute to listen live

Più che un album un esperienza e perciò siccome live e registrato un poco male è invecchiato male, peccato.

4/8

I'm not a big fan of country, but Johnny Cash is something else. Like a lot of people of my generation, I was introduced to his music via the Walk the Line film. Since then, I haven't delved too deeply into his catalogue, but usually enjoy listening to whatever songs of his I come across. This is one of the best live albums I've ever heard, and a great compilation of his best songs. I enjoyed the short version so much that I went and listened to the 90+ minute Legacy version, which flows better and has more songs from the other artists. Some of the songs are a bit ordinary, and the recording is a bit rough in places, but Cash's rapport with the crowd is incredible. He had them in the palm of his hand. It's very transportative as well, a great window into that time and place. Really glad to have finally listened to this, and looking forward to getting the Folsom prison album.

Fine. Not fussed either way about Johnny Cash.

Should have stick to the shorter version. Half this thing wasn't even Johnny Cash.

Not sure I like live albums.

Brilliant but live albums are cheating

Slightly generous rating. A fan of his music generally but a lot of these songs have better versions elsewhere and not many of the extra songs with the other musicians on it were particularly memorable

Too much talking

Wanted man: 3 [Lyrics 3/10 + Instrumental 6/10] Wreck of the old 97: 4 [Lyrics 5/10 + Instrumental 8/10] I walk the line: 8 [Lyrics 8/10 + Instrumental 10/10] Darlin' companion: 8 [Lyrics 7/10 + Instrumental 10/10] Starkville city jail: 7 [Lyrics 8/10 + Instrumental 7/10] San Quentin: 9 [Lyrics 9/10 + Instrumental 10/10] A boy named Sue: 9 [Lyrics 8/10 + Instrumental 10/10] Peace in the valley: 9 [Lyrics 8/10 + Instrumental 10/10] Folsom prison blues: 6 [Lyrics 5/10 + Instrumental 10/10] I walk the line es una canción muy bonita, después de escuchar Wanted man no sabía qué esperar del álbum, para durar tan solo 34 minutos entre canción y canción hay una mini charla con el público, me parece muy bonito ya que esto se está perdiendo últimamente. La voz de la mujer en Darlin' Companion hace que sea maravillosa. Que se meta con San Quentin mientras el concierto sea en ese mismo lugar es muy gracioso, especialmente cuando dice San Quentin, I hate every inch of you y el público grita animado haha. Me gustó tanto que no me importó escuchar de nuevo la versión (reprise) aunque debo decir que escuchar la misma canción dos veces seguidas es un poco meh.. por eso no voy a puntuarla. A boy named Sue, yo te pongo un 9.. pobre, bastante con tener ese nombre hehe! Wow qué paz transmite Peace in the valley, puede que una de mis favoritas. Top 3: I walk the line, Peace in the valley, A boy named Sue Least Fav: Wanted man Me parece muy fuerte no haberme dado cuenta de que estaba cantando en una prisión hasta que escuché en Peace in the valley agradecerle a los guardas, es una pasada. Muy humano por su parte, entiendo porque son 10 canciones y el álbum dura 34 minutos. El único skip sería la canción repetida de San Quentin (Reprise). Score: 6.3 Lo recomendaría? Si y no, pese a que no soy fan del country os diría que le dierais una oportunidad, no es un álbum común por lo que vale la pena.. pero ten en cuenta que es un álbum de 1969 y para más inri, está grabado en una prisión, igual te molesta el ruido de fondo o sus comentarios. Supongo que si quieres escuchar su música como tal, lo mejor sería escuchar la versión estudio!

Love JC

I moved to the Nashville area in 1999. While I knew of Johnny Cash before I moved, I really learned what a legend he was in this town! You can't help but start to like his music while living in Nashville! I certainly became a fan! What a great live record that really showcases his personality and some of his biggest hits! R.I.P. Johnny!

I like Johnny Cash's prison albums, and I love a June Carter feature! Great tunes and great banter! San Quentin inmates were lucky to get to enjoy this performance. It's some pretty good rock 'n' roll!

Might have to rethink my “I’m not really a live album fan stance”. This truly was like listening to a slice of history. When again will an artist ever perform outlaw hits to actual prisoners? And it’s FUNNY! I was giggling like crazy when Johnny Cash asked the crowd what “rotgut” they were drinking and someone shouts back “TEA!”

You got to hand it to Johnny Cash, for doing the same thing twice and killing it both times. At San Quentin is an energetic live album that features more rambling from Johnny Cash than at Folsom Prison, but he gets away with it, because it feels lik he's performing in your living room.

A great live set with a great crowd. I especially loved the medley at the end with all the country stars. Not as original or fresh as the Folsom Prison album, but still a great listen. I am unsure why the listmakers determined they needed two Johnny Cash live albums on the list. 4/5

Standout Songs: Wreck of the Old 97 I Walk the Line A Boy Named Sue

...are prisoners.