At San Quentin

Actually so cool

Johnny Cash is always great! Ring of Fire!

Yeah, it’s a bop. I don’t know if I’ll ever not loathe pop country, but old timey country western like this? It’s all right. It certainly has its place.

Johnny Cash is a pretty cool cat and a great entertainer. Man, he's also proving himself to be a king of outlaw country. I knew he was an outlaw country kind of guy, but this is a whole other level. I'm not the biggest fan of live albums, but this one is definitely worth listening to. Cash has a great time interacting with the crowd and is clearly there for them and to have a good time. And the bits and moments between songs don't take away from the actual songs themselves. Favorite Song(s): I Walk the Line, Boy Named Sue

I liked it, would listen to again, and might even go listen to more Johnny Cash.

Great fun

This album is so charged with tension and emotion, anything could happen. Johnny Cash understands the prisoners so well, and has them so hooked they could riot any second. Love this album.

Album: At San Quentin Artists: Johnny Cash First spin mood: I was really excited when I saw his name pop up because I’ve never really listened to his music other than the popular songs (ring of fire lol). So it got me thinking that I can see what’s all the motion behind him. With this being a live album it exposed me to the great performer he is, the way he interacts and gets the crowd going. Feels like you have been life time friends. I enjoyed the music a lot especially a boy named sue, walk the line and wanted man. I felt like San Quentin the song was a bit of a milk from being arrested for picking some flowers haha What it stirred in me: curiosity and mystery One lyric or sound that stayed with me: definitely the plot twist in a boy named sue with that being his father, so wholesome yet fucked Where I was: working outside in the trenches on a snowy day, pretty shit weather but music always has a way of making things lighter What I felt: I felt cool to get an in on Johnny cash

bella, anche il fatto che sia in live in prigione, il fra mi sembra un tipo simpatico e in generale apprezzo questo genere e queste vibes

I usually hate live albums--I can't stand the artists' chatter and the audience reactions, but I quite like Johnny Cash's plain-spoken criticism of the prison system and law enforcement. His attitude backs up the music.

Listening session: january 9th, while fixing up a wooden cabinet at my parents house Listened to before: many times, mainly when my father listened to this when I was a child Thoughts: this album is such a classic and even though I’ve heard it many times before, it was nice to listen to it front to back again Favourite tracks: A Boy Named Sue, I Walk the Line & (There’ll Be) Peace in the Valley

Was really good. 4.1

Not as strong as At Fulsom, but can listen to it top to bottom. Would love to check out the film and full set list. Boy Named Sue

I really liked it, it was fun! The folk influences make everything feel so lively.

4.0/5 - I like the personality of Cash, fun album, classic tunes. Liked the immediate encore of San Quentin.

A classic, easy 4 stars. I enjoyed the music as well as the banter throughout the album.

The vibe is spot on. Production quality is (perhaps understandably) a little meh, especially in the first leg of the record, but adds to the atmosphere. Curious to see the visuals now.

I don't normally enjoy live albums, as they are usually inferior to studio recordings of the same material, but this is a fantastic exception.

Incredibly good. All of it. The idea, the music, the fact that it’s live.

Throughly enjoyed the chatting and crowd work between the songs. You could tell this was Cash wanting to play the show on his terms and for the people.

love live sessions, not much a fan of country music

An iconic album in history due to being recorded inside San Quentin prison. Johnny Cash has one of the most recognizable voices and this album is full of popular songs that are supported all along the way by the cheers and laughs of the inmates. Cash is one of those unique artists that will never be duplicated.

The man in black commanding the stage and the audience in a way few performers ever could. Both Cash and the band were a little out of tune and out of sync in places but the overall effect was a fun, rollicking good time for all of the murders and rapists in the audience. Great sense of being there with this album.

really makes you realise how great country music can be. very remarkable live album i must say!

The second of Cash's live prison albums, following Folsom Blues. I only listened to the original release here (33 mins), not the full set, though I will have to do that too. Great live album, as expected and deserves the hype. I Walk The Line and A Boy Named Sue featured and he gets his Mrs and friends up on stage too. He's pretty funny and charming in the interludes, makes you want to hear more of this sort of shit.

Ignoring the 1 octave vocal range, this is a great live album. Humour and some great uptempo music.

I just can't make myself like it but I appreciate it

Second live Johnny Cash album I’ve been assigned in almost as many weeks. I’m becoming a Cash convert. The banter is as much as a star as the songs. 4/5

Not quite the album Folsom is - that one is more primal and Cash isn’t quite as off the rails. Certainly understandable as Luther had only been dead a few months. The legacy edition is the better version. A Boy Named Sue is hands down the draw to this almost as great great album.

It must have been a great day to be a serial killer in San Quentin that day. I mean, Johnny friggin’ Cash played a concert for them. Those lucky undeserving (BLEEP).

This is how you do a live album. The audience energy makes the whole thing better instead of being distracting. Cash's interactions with the audience might just be better than the music.

Iconic live album, delivered with authority, grace and humor and raucously appreciated by the captive audience. They had a ball. No scramble for tickets for this one!

liked it, was not my cup of tea but was still quite fun.

Me ha encantado.

great companion to 'Live at Folsom Prison' and some comedy skits inbetween

This is a full concert recorded that Johnny performed at San Quentin PRISON! It doesn't cut any of his interactions with the crowd; you can tell Johnny Cash is incredibly charismatic & likeable. I really enjoyed the music, his voice is so recognizable and consistent. The song Starkville City Jail was particularly memorable (& funny)—it's a true story about Johnny going on a peaceful walk, picking flowers, then getting arrested & thrown in jail. The crowd was laughing along to each line. San Quentin offered some interesting criticisms on prisons & how they "[do] no good." Really bold of Johnny to shit on San Quentin while performing there! It didn't register for me until now that he was performing at a prison. -> The crowd clearly resonated with this song, asking him to play it again & he immediately did! He also cheekily had the (prison) guards get him a cup of water in between. He got a ton of applause after the reprise. A Boy Named Sue was another memorable song—really strong storytelling. Apparently written by Shel Silverstein??? I do think I would be able to pick up more details about the music in a studio version, but I think hearing him live really brings me there and helps me get a better sense of the kind of person Johnny was.

Didn't realize this was actually recorded in the prison. Classic Cash, fun to have his interludes.

The album is an overall great listen, it has a consistent light mood and joyful beat through the 10 tracks and I like his lyricism all the songs on the album are pretty well written and I feel like he’s telling me a story each song. His vocals aren’t dramatic but he is a good singer and I would listen to the album again, I even added songs like wanted man, I walk the line, San Quentin, and wreck of the old ‘97

The songs are great, but the banter is greater. His talking ties everything together perfectly, although the censorship beeps are very abrasive. I would have Luigi Mangioned to get myself to that gig.

My quest to find a Country album that is actually worth listening to has so far been fruitless. But today we have Johnny Cash, the dude everyone who hates Country music, likes. I've heard plenty of Cash songs before - I don't dislike him, but I don't love him even as much as those other County haters do. Next up - I think only an exceptional Live album should ever be on this list, exceptional both because of the performances, the songs, and the surrounding circumstances. Unplugged In New York for example. Will this hit the spot? It gets off to a solid start, by bringing other artists and some of their hits. Thankfully the opening songs are not Country, so it gets me into a positive mood. There's good crowd noise, banter, interaction. June Carter brings the first Country song, and it isn't terrible. It's flirtatious and fun. She then raps out some farm-related poetry. You have to wait a while for Johnny to join. Cash is better than most Country vocalists because he doesn't sound Country - no whining, no hootin' and a hollerin'. He doesn't exactly have a voice for melody, but he gets his point across clearly. The up-tempo songs work because they boil with energy, and there's none of that dreary violin or steel guitar nonsense. A lot of the inherent garbage of the genre is here - the same melodies and rhythm which you can immediately pull from memory and instantly craft a new song from. It's the intensity and intent of the performance which makes that garbage tolerable. The majority of the songs aren't interesting in the slightest - the best ones are either the big Cash hitters or the Carl Perkins songs. But again, the performances are great and the banter is solid. Throw in the circumstances and it's worth the four stars. Normally this would be a three star album, but for cultural significance you have to throw in that extra star. I never need to hear the whole thing again, but I'll slap a couple of songs on my rotation.

Johnny Cash is a great unifying force and never disappoints

Really enjoyed the set list. I liked hearing Cash talk with the audience. It’s an easy listen and I can see myself listening to this album again

A classic recording.

can't believe i got country on day 1

cool album but not the type of music i'd listen to. Still very catchy and fun !

Deepe, rusty voice vs the first prison album. Seemed fun.

Pretty good overall. They literally played the same song twice in a row. Lots of fun banter.

I had always wondered what the point of a live album was, but this gave me an answer: it's something /kinda like/ attending the concert in person. The multiple pieces of banter and tangents give this album a presence that I haven't found in any other live albums I've heard (not that that is very many). Johnny Cash has a voice like a warm blanket. Maybe it's the Texas girl in me, but I could listen to him talk or sing for hours.

I'm usually wary of live albums, but this is rather good. It was entertaining, loved the storytelling within these songs, and Cash was engaging, with a voice I could listen to for hours. I found it uplifting, and it made me smile.

Lots of energy and atmosphere. Classic album.

music is so powerful. listening to the prisoners cheer and interact with cash is something really special. it makes me that much more aware that THIS is real country - not what the modern “country singer” posers are doing. so many moments gave me chill. favorite tracks: - folsom prison blues - san quentin - a boy named sue

Goes hard as ever

Great snapshot of our society at that time and good listen

i love these live johnny cash albums

legendarno, jako dobro i zabavno. ježio sam se od nekih reakcija publike

Always a good listen

love that he is singing about prison to a prison

I was introduced to this album when I was eleven years old, when it showed up as my folks Columbia record club selection for that particular month. I listened to it a lot more than they did, as I was really enamored with A Boy Named Sue. Listening to it today was a stroll down memory lane, and although the production quality isn’t great with it being a live album recorded in the sixties, I really enjoyed it, (and hey, it’s Johnny Cash!) Four easy stars.

Really fucking enjoyed this - the live aspect added to the album for me and it's so damn cool. Big fan.

rv/g

Johnny Cash is the man. An interesting listen even though it's live. I'd rather listen to one of his studio works then this again, but I'm still giving it a floor.

Incredible. Not sure how often I’ll come back to it but it felt so immersive.

Well, it's Johnny Cash. You know what you're going to get and this delivers. Honestly can't believe that the prison allowed him to sing anti-prison songs to prisoners in a prison, but I guess things were different back in the late 1960s!

I did not enjoy Johnny Cash's music very much (not much of a country fan personally), but what an absolutely incredible stage presence, even through a recording. Very few live recordings really improve music for me, but Johnny Cash really knew the vibe of the room at that prison and molded it. Listening to the crowd response to "San Quentin" literally from the San Quentin audience was a really cool experience, and the reprise was just plain funny. I'll never see Johnny Cash live, but I'm sure it would've been an incredible yet down to Earth show. 4/5

Historical event.

-he’s a master of stage banter and knowing his audience -wanted man rules -the train sounds he makes on old 97 -his voice is so haggard. cough after every song. -boy named sue is perfect. shel silverstein’s words, johnny’s delivery, and carl perkins’ lead guitar lines -we’re lucky to have documents like this and folsom. -4 because the one verse version of folsom blues at the end is bogus and always leaves me unfulfilled.

bad ass.

This was fun and respect to Johnny for doing this in a prison.

i listened to it twice!

Two songs in now and so far I like it. Good ole johnny cash stuff. Love the talking to the crowd. Got some staples of Johnny in here with Walk the Line, A Boy Named Sue, and Folsom Prison Blues. Definitely would recommend to people who are into country or Cash. San Quentin prison song is really cool coming from the viewpoint of an inmate and his hatred of the prison and how everyone thinks going to prison will make them automatically better when they leave. Great song. Solid record. 8/10 4 Stars

Love it

Iconic!

87/100. So extremely good and fun to listen to. Packed with personality and charm, this live record captures Cash at his most raw and rebellious.

Incredible songs, amazing banter with the crowd, a legendary performer giving a legendary performance.

28/1089 интересно почему именно лайв, но все понравилось: ненавязчиво, уютно, весело

classic

This album is great, so raw and vibrant at the same time. I mean, Johnny Cash has a power when singing that is capable of resonating on the inside, of transmitting so many things. And the songs are great too. I won't say it's perfect, as I don't think so, this album is not one of the best live albums I've ever listened to but a very decent one, with a really good repertoire and a fantastic sound. But, well, it's Johnny Cash, of course the album is great.

Pretty classic Johnny Cash hits, all in one place. You'd hardly know he was barely familiar with half the tracks. The crowd banter and funny little asides that show Cash's charisma and character were also pretty fun and gave it a very intimate listening vibe, though I'd imagine it'd make it less re-listenable. June Carter's performance on Darling Companion was a surprising standout, making it my favourite track of the album (although hearing the reprise on San Quentin was pretty excellent too) fav tracks: Darling Companion, I Walk the Line, San Quentin

I’m sure the wardens benefitted financially from the Johnny Cash prison albums, but I have to imagine it wasn’t fun listening to a singer with an outlaw reputation get the inmates worked up with songs about how much prison sucks.

Maybe an unpopular opinion, but some of these songs are pretty dumb.

Fantastic album. The banter is almost as good as the music.

i generally don't love the presence of live albums on this list, but exceptions must be made, like for this one, or Dylan at Royal Albert, or Sam Cooke in Harlem. they are unique documents, infused with energy that was only possible at that moment, in that place.

I wasn't used to listening live music. But here, the music being played live is the core of the album. The interactions with the crowd - the shouts, applauses, laughs by the convicts in San Quentin - help us listeners understand how these songs resonate with the people who are actually experiencing life in a cage - not just as a metaphor. The lively, country rhythms evoke a homely atmosphere.

I really liked this, more so than the Fulsome prison one. That crowd is going fucking nuts, it's infectious.

Another fantastic one, its just really immersive and I love the comments and stories he adds in between songs and jokes and stuff. The songs are really fantastic, I get the sense that he had loads of songs stashed up over the years where he could just choose whichever ones he wanted to do. The songs themselves are also amazing. I obviously love his storytelling and songwriting ability to make such beautiful songs with often very dark themes, while also fusing in a lot of humourous or more throwaway lines. I feel like case and point is the Boy called Sue song, which really is incredible, and I feel like shows an element of abstractness and surrealism, like something the Lou Reed or some 60s psych rock band would sing. The song that he sings with (I think) his partner is amazing, the harmonies are great and also the female backing singers are amazing. Favourite songs: All, as I said with the last one it feels weird to pick out a certain one as being the best when it feels so complete as album. Overall around 8/10

Cómo que tocó en una prisión excuse me Iba a poner que dejen de salir lives pero este me encantó y johnny cash me cayó super bien. Se me hizo mas un performance de el con la gente mas que de él solo, desde por como los teseaba hasta por la canción de que literalmente los odia a todos lol Muy buen álbum y en mi opinión una pieza de historia musical, se gano mis respetos Favs: las dos primeras y las dos ultimas

Very interesting album. The way the recording equipment is set up makes it sound like we are listening to the album from within the audience itself. Mastering and engineering are not the focus of this album, instead it feels like it was meant as a personal experience rather than an audio testing album.

Me sentía reticente de escuchar este álbum en primera instancia. Ya sabía que se trataba de un álbum de country clásico, cosa que generalmente no me gusta y tenía cierta idea de la historia detrás del álbum en tanto a que fue una interpretación grabada en vivo en una prisión. Me costó conectar con los primeros temas, casi siempre siento que el country es todo igual, no me gusta el groove ni la sonoridad. Pero como es usual que pase con este tipo de música la riqueza está en la historia que la circunda y las letras. Lo especial de este álbum no solo es que fue grabado en una cárcel, sino que no excluyeron de la grabación los momentos en los que Johnny Cash interactúa con los prisioneros. Esto es para mí lo mejor del registro y hace que la música cobre vida y suene mucho más cool, ya que Cash tiene muchísimo carisma y se expresa con sinceridad y humor. No sé si escucharía el álbum de nuevo por su música, pero el valor de esta grabación es enorme.

Johnny Cash was one of the most based musicians to ever live actually

Ok, that was pretty cool. The atmosphere and crowd really makes this recording.

Such a great album. You can tell he is leaning into playing in a prison, the songs the banter, he is playing to the crowd and it works. It feels like a much larger concert than it was. This was apparently part of a series of shows he did at prisons and the famous picture of him giving the middle finger was from this show. He was upset the crew was blocking the view for the prisoners. You can also appreciate his songs about jail more because it wasn't just lip service. Great album...

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.

a great album

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

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

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

Really good

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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!

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

So real classics live.

It’s Cash in prison. Iconic.

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

"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

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

Worth getting thrown in prison for

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!

Nice

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.

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

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.

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.

Irriterande sensurert versjon på Tidal.

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

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)

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.

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.

“$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

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.

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.

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

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.

It’s Johnny cash!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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 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?

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.

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.

Johhny Cash is really funny 4

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.

Wildwood flower Sounds like prairie home companion

Love me some JR

Great album.

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.

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

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

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.

Great performer, fun and joyful

4/8

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!

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!

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

4.5

This is one album that's really gone down in my ratings over the years. This album copy is my dad's so I've actually been listening to this as long as I can remember. I would have given it a full five stars back then. But when I finally first heard the Folsom Prison album I realized that that was a good head over this one and though I still absolutely loved this album it just was no longer a fiver for me after listening to Folsom Prison. Then when Columbia released the full San Quentin concert in 2006, that became my main version to listen, and has pretty much been the (9.6) 4½★ rating I've held for many years. This is probably the first time I've listened to the Lp version probably in 20 years and even though I still love it quite a bit some of the janky fade editing does kind of get in the way. But I guess what really stands out is that quite frankly there's really only five songs that kind of stand out as far as the performance, "Wanted Man", "Wreck of the Old '97", "Starksville City Jail", "San Quentin", and "A Boy Named Sue". The other four aren't really my favorite live renditions... And the ultra cut down version of Folsom Prison is downright heresy. Though it still brings back fond memories and for that it's always going to get a pretty high rating I just can't even give it the four and a half that I used to (8.85) ★★★★

Quite good song selection, too much joking. 4 stars

Good live set from Johnny Cash. Performing one song twice is a bit weird, but give the people what they want, apparently. 4 stars.

Cultural significant. Fun to listen to.

Tremendo álbum

Cash sounds great on this record, and the response from the audience, as well as Cash's banter with them really gives this a very different edge to his studio albums.

Wish I was there, sounded like a great time

Excellent album! It is shorter then other recordings like Folsom so marked it down a little. The highlight is the chat between the tracks for me - really pulled it together.

The blueprint for ALL Metal that came after it. 'nuff said!

Un clasico

He’s a funny guy. I like how the album is really live and not just signing its sweet. He’s sweet.

I am not a country fan, generally, but I love Johnny Cash, and this album is how I love my love albums. You can sense the atmosphere - I also admire that Cash played in prisons, it must have been ground-breaking (still is I suppose). Can't say much bad about this album, except that I love Live at Folsom Prison even better, so I'll keep my 5 for that, assuming it will be in the list. (and because it's not THAT creative musically, to be honest...)

What a voice!

I like Mr. Cash. I hope he comes to my cell soon.

Fav: San Quentin Least Fav: Starkville City Jail Johnny Cash just oozes charisma, even if this album was terrible I still would appreciate how he works with the audience

the man just loves prison

Short, sweet and playing to a captive audience (dad joke). Quality is live show perfection. Johnny Cash was an authentic man and performer, and professional. At just over 30 minutes, there is not a bit of dead space. This is dense and flawless considering it was recorded in a prison cafeteria. One of two (Folsom being the other).

One of the best live albums ever.

I really enjoyed this, will listen again

Now that’s an album

Tremendous concept. Some great songs.

I might go and commit a crime if it means I get to see shows like this.

Banger! Love the prison crowd!

A quintessential Johnny Cash album that showcases his charm, wit, and musical prowess all in one go. Such an interesting idea to perform at a prison, and he carries himself well on the stage and you can hear many positive reactions from the inmates. Cash manages to perform some of his hits while infusing the album with songs written for the inmates of that very prison. An album I've treasured for a long time and one I'm glad to have seen on my list this week!

Cash talks the talk while walking the walk. Legend.

This was Johnny at the height of his popularity. Seems dated to me now, but this is where I began to have a greater appreciation for country music and other types of music. I was just listening to rock and pop. Then I started hearing Johnny Cash, Miles Davis, Anton Dvorak and others. My musical palette exploded. Thank you Johnny.

I don't normally like love albums but this was spectacular. hilarious chatter, entertaining music, special guest June Carter. Johnny Cash had so much charisma

johnny cash was just a funny little guy how could you not like this

Classic, well done. 4/5

I find it hard to rate live albums against studio albums. This was thoroughly enjoyable, wish I was there.

#DÍA 5: 1001 Discos Que Hay Que Escuchar Antes De Morir (English Translation Below) En un principio me pareció raro que en una lista como es ésta se añadiese un álbum en directo, pero tras escucharlo no puedo estar más de acuerdo. Desconocía que a Johnny Cash le dio por hacer conciertos en cárceles y sinceramente me parece curiosísimo, y ha dado de resultado una experiencia de álbum bastante única (Aunque hizo otro antes, el de Folsom Prison, que también tengo ahora ganas de escuchar). Es genial lo natural que Johnny Cash actúa durante todo el concierto, tranquilamente cuenta anécdotas, pregunta qué desea el público y se pide un vaso de agua. Te sientes ahí mismo y te olvidas que se trata de una cárcel, parece un ambiente de lo más jovial. Por encima, las canciones y los rendimientos musicales son de lo mejor, desde el maravilloso ritmo Rockabilly de Wreck of the Old ‘97, hasta las bellísimas melodías cargadas de espíritu en Peace in the Valley. Por otro lado, las letras son geniales, con rimas naturales y enriquecedoras, así como cargadas de un mensaje, que puede ser variado, como la rabia ante el sistema de cárceles en San Quentin o la historia tan ingeniosa de A Boy Named Sue. Es en general una experiencia maravillosa, sólo quisiera que fuese un poco más largo, y parece que hay una versión extendida así que… Favoritas: Wreck of the Old ‘97, Darlin’ Companion, San Quentin, A Boy Named Sue, (There’ll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) Menos favorita: Wanted Man (supongo…) #DAY 5: 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die At first, it seemed odd to me that a live album would be included in a list like this, but after listening to it, I couldn't agree more. I had no idea that Johnny Cash used to perform concerts in prisons, and honestly, I find it absolutely fascinating—it makes for a truly unique album experience. (Although he did one before this, the Folsom Prison one, which I now really want to hear too.) It’s amazing how natural Johnny Cash is throughout the entire concert. He casually tells stories, asks the audience what they’d like to hear, and even asks for a glass of water. You feel like you're right there, and you forget it's even a prison—it seems like such a cheerful atmosphere. On top of that, the songs and musical performances are top-notch, from the wonderful Rockabilly rhythm of “Wreck of the Old ‘97”, to the beautifully spirited melodies in “Peace in the Valley.” The songwriting is fantastic as well, with natural and rich rhymes, full of meaning—ranging from anger toward the prison system in “San Quentin”, to the clever storytelling of “A Boy Named Sue.” Overall, it’s a wonderful experience. I just wish it were a bit longer—but apparently there’s an extended version, so… Favorites: Wreck of the Old ‘97, Darlin’ Companion, San Quentin, A Boy Named Sue, (There’ll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) Least favorite: Wanted Man (I guess…)

Rollicking good time

I haven’t rated the country folk stuff as high due to their simplicity or lack of outstanding moment … this being live cuts through the problem for me somehow , glad to have heard it

It’s raw and rowdy and a little chaotic. You can almost smell the cigarettes in the air. Let's take requests from inmates mid-set and make it work! Musically it's pretty straightforward, but the vibe is the selling point. Spins: 3 Playlist Additions: - Wreck of the Old 97 - Darlin' Companion - San Quentin - A Boy Named Sue

Felt like a piece of American cultural history more than an album.

I'm just visiting San Quentin Prison, I get to sleep at home toniiiiiight

What a life this man lived. Against any other album I'd give this a 5, but as far as Johnny Cash himself goes I know there's better out there, so it's a solid 4.5 from me.

I just love Johnny Cash. I’m not a huge country fan but Cash just does it for me. I love everything this man does and his banter with the audience was hilarious to listen to. He was a hell of an entertainer and I always enjoy listening to his music. We miss you and your spirit Cash!

Ótimo disco, mas não é muito minha vibe

Love a bit of Johnny cash these days, part country, part comedy show with the songs to match

Folsom Prison gets the attention (I think mainly just as the song is popular) but this is a far more engaging live performance. The performance of the tracks could better but there’s no denying the charisma and sheer effrontery of Johnny Cash in this live performance. As a piece of cultural history it is superb.

I enjoy these live albums because they really capture the atmosphere of the venue and the essence of Cash's showmanship and sense of humour. For music of this genre, this has got to be nearing best in class and I think the live recording is a great way to experience it. I love the gall of openly sledging the venue and it going down so well he does it again. This is a tough one to review because as a piece of cultural history it's top notch, but it's not the music that makes it what it is.

Never knew about his prison tour. The fact alone he’s at San Quentin makes this at least 4 stars, and his humor doesn’t hurt either

The music is simple, but it still manages to be very entertaining. The vocals are great, and Cash is quite the performer - the entire comedy act in between is charming. I also love the lyrics of "Boy named Sue". Great album.

Really liked it. Boy named Sue is great

Was good, not something id pick, but im glad i listened to it. I'll rate better later.

Goed album, maar mist de elektriciteit van Folsom Prison.

I like rockabilly a lot, however I don't like live albums. Alas...

You might think that I'd go harder on this album, given that we already had At Folsom Prison, which is inarguably a more important album, but At San Quentin is arguably a more fun album to listen to. It's clear that they improved their recording process from Folsom the year before, but the song selections here - aside from "San Quentin" getting the OG "N****s in Paris" in Paris treatment - are stronger, especially the debut(!) of "A Boy Named Sue", which kills.

I like Johnny Cash but I don’t think live albums generally belong on the list

now that's what i call country music. the energy of this live album (performed in a prison for inmates!) is unmatched; it's witty, catchy and you can tell just how much the audience are eating it up.

The atmosphere of this one's not nearly as much of an asset as At Folsom Prison, I guess because maybe it had to be cleaned up more for television than for just an album? But on the bright side, it gave us "A Boy Named Sue", and honestly might have a better song selection if not for playing "San Quentin" twice back to back?

8/10 A little too disjointed as an album - half a Folsom prison, two San Quentin, a whole lot of talking. But the songs here are good, especially A Boy Called Sue

Don’t know that I needed the song straight up repeated.

I don’t know that they needed to include the same song twice on the album

Una joyita, tiene algo que quizas se lo da el lugar donde fue grabado o el carisma de johnny

Folsom reigns supreme

His thirty first album overall and second live one. Classic Johnny Cash vocals and lyrical story telling. Big balls playing in a maximum security prison. I Walk The Line, A Boy Named Sue and Folsom Prison Blues are all great songs. The music is basic but the stories in the lyrics and the vibe of what he's doing and where he's doing it is great.

Gotta love Johnny Cash, and he's fully in his element here.

Sounds nice, but mostly gotta appreciate the setting and the idea behind it.

This one crackles with energy, humour and a freight train of a sound. Hearing the inmates talking, hollering and shouting adds to the experience of listening.

In the beginning I wasn't being really impressed because 60s country/rockabilly are not genres that are up my alley. However, the best part of this album is not the production or instrumentation, it's the concept and the storyline. When I got into the space of San Quentin Prison, I understanded why this album is in this selection. I loved how Johnny Cash interacts with the crowd and how they respond to him, and how he manages to criticize prison system in the middle of this album. My favorite moment of this album is when he sings "San Quentin" and then, he sings it again given the reaction the prisoners give to him. Such a great live album and an amazing listening experience.

Another live album and an interesting piece of music history. Cool reading up on Cash doing a series of live albums where he performed in prisons, this one being funded by the BBC as a documentary. The audience involvement makes this seem like an event.

Johnny is great, especially on live recordings. Great crowd energy and banter. Not as good as Folsom prison for me, but great nonetheless.

I walk the line San Quentin

4.2/man's got jokes!

I enjoyed it. Historical but, frankly, more like a novelty than anything. I enjoy Johnny Cash.

I've heard of this album for years but never listened to it. Live albums can miss on sound quality but this one holds it together great and the energy is fantastic. It's kind of an interesting call to do this and Folsom on the list though. If you only get 1,001 it can't just be really good albums, they all need to add something and I'm not sure if this does much beyond what Folsom did first. Great listen, really enjoyed it, awesome show, but not quite as strong as Folsom. That being said, what a damn showman. He connects with the audience so effortlessly and is so earnest.

Johnny Cash has top tier charisma. His timing talking to the crowd is perfect. Not usually a fan of live albums, but this one had me engaged and the sound quality was great. I found one song repelling. Darling Compaion had a nails on a chalk board effect.

So good

Coolt!

I have never listened to this album before, and I have to say it was an interesting experience. I think it’s a testament to Johnny Cash’s talent that a live album with a majority of songs I’ve never really listened to before, can still be so enjoyable on the first listen. There’s a number of classic Cash songs too, none of the versions on this record do I feel are the best versions. But it’s still a really solid live recording, and the banter/conversations between Johnny Cash and the inmates at San Quentin are really interesting. I really enjoyed this record, but there’s quite of a few other Johnny Cash recordings that I’ll put on before this one. 3.5*

I wouldn't consider this live recording to be some of Johnny Cash's finest work musically, but what makes this album special is hearing Cash interact with his inmates at San Quentin prison. It's very fun to hear him work the crowd and play comedian a bit, but more than that, it is evident how much Cash genuinely cares about the prisoners. His belief is clear that regardless of whatever they may have done to have found themselves in San Quentin, they deserve to be entertained, to be respected, and to be treated decently not just by him but by the prison system. It takes some cajones to get on stage at an institution hosting you as a guest, where you are at the mercy of people as notoriously power-trippy and cruel as prison guards, and do a song as vitriolic as "San Quentin", not once but twice. It makes me wonder what Cash would think of the abhorrent living conditions prisoners in this country are afforded today; I'm pretty sure concerts from major recording artists are not so common anymore, to say the least. I originally listened to the LP cut of the San Quentin performance, which I would've given 3 stars. I just realized there is a "legacy edition" that is significantly longer that has a lot of tracks that I like a lot and I'm gonna listen to it later and go ahead and assume it's at least worth 4 stars.

A listening experience—like watching a film.

Actually one of the best live albums I ever heard, adds so much to the music. I means it’s basically a stand-up set in between. The bleeped swears are so funny.

Not quite as good as Live at Folsom but great album & live interactions & the songs are great too

Huge nuts. Nearly perfect live record. Back and forth yackin with an unconventional audience is unique even for today. Live duet with June rules. Only thing it’s missing is MORE.

I thought it was silly that there were two Johnny Cash prison albums on here, but I actually think I preferred this one over At Folsom Prison. Funny banter, energetic songs, short enough to listen a couple times and let it grow on you.

Johnny cash is great. This was fun, I liked the live version of I walk the line alot. There was alot of recording of the stuff that wasn't the singing so I dont know that id listen to this version really.

Love Johnny, but prefer his non-live albums!

i listened to this half asleep on the bus and sometimes it felt like i was there. very cool and effortlessly charming guy

Three stars for the original LP. Five stars for the expanded edition.

Decent

I've railed against including live albums on this list for the first 990 albums - but .... this one is pretty great. I would have loved to see Johnny Cash in concert, especially at this point in his career. He just doesn't give a shit and I love it.

Cash's standup between songs on these prison albums is so so good

The recording is decidedly bad but idk if I can get on it's case too much for that. The songwriting and energy are great, it's a fun listen

I enjoyed it.

Honestly, really enjoyed it. Shame I blinked and it was over.

I came into this not having listened to much Johnny Cash before and I enjoyed it a lot. The live format works really well, it gives the whole thing a tangible human quality and I liked being able to see the two-way communication that music can create that you don't always see from concerts. Favorites are Starkville City Jail and San Quentin

Cash can be hit and miss for me but this was 100% a hit. Every track perfect and powerful. Even more so knowing his audience for this one. Just damn good. His reputation is earned. 4⭐️

I think this is better than live at Folsom in almost every way. The concept is still a bit questionable, but the songs are solid.

4/5. Much better than I was expecting. He is so cool.

Kind of interesting

I the quintessential, classic live albums that give you more than a music listening experience; they give you a taste of the artist as well. This album feels like one of those, sitting comfortably amongst great equivalents such as the Sinatra at the Sands album. I'm also a big fan of Johnny Cash and his particular flavour of sultry-voiced country. Unfortunately I found this album disjointed and overly-heavy on the auditory representation of the logistical aspects of the concert and disappointingly lacking in music, the most criminal example being the unexpected cut-off of folsom prison blues - it only lasts 1:29 including talking!? If this album was longer and more music-filled it would be a 5.

Really cool and fun 8/10

The banter was enjoyable and he sounded sooooo good. Loved the duet of Darling Companion

The Man in Black had such an incredible voice and the stories he tells in his songs will suck you in. Boy Named Sue brings me back to the early Napster days when I first started discovering his music, that was a regular in the playlist rotation for years! I haven’t listened to the full album until today, basically a quarter century later! I like Live at Folsom Prison a little bit better but this is classic. His interactions with the crowd are amazing to hear.

High on the list of most important performances of all time. The music is great, but it almost doesn't matter, Johnny connecting with the men stuck in that horrible place is one of the most profound acts of kindness imaginable.

Fav song: A Boy Named Sue This album is not as good as Folsom Prison but still enjoyable if you like JC. I learned Shel Silverstein wrote Sue. That's a delightful factoid.

Ok, ok, ok. I think I might finally “get” Johnny Cash and why he’s truly the legend that he is. This whole album is badass. He sounds great. June sounds great. The band sounds great. JC throws shade at the establishment, pretty gutsy. I’ve been bitten by the bug and now want to dig through the archives more. Also, love the fact that he played “San Quentin” twice back-to-back. No rules. Love it.

Legendary album. Respect to the MIB

As a prisoner, getting to watch this superstar disparage the warden and guards and then be served by them, must have felt really good.

Enjoyed this.

Fun listen

Classic, charismatic, awesome voice

oh yeah!!! great album. It has a unique energy to it, Johnny was bantering a lot(probably his addictions had something to do with it), but the crowd was much more raucous than at Folsom also.

There's a "Johnny Cash Live at Folsom and San Quentin Prisons" CD compilation that got released at some point in the 90-00s and is how I first heard this album. It's led to the two concerts/albums living in the same space in my brain, so it's hard to think about At San Quentin without also thinking about At Folsom Prison, and I'm fine with my headcannon being "Johnny's Prison Album". But if I have to think about them separately, I'd say that while I love this album, I prefer At Folsom Prison. This one has "Boy Named Sue" (which I adore, possibly my favorite Cash track ever) and "I Walk the Line". Folsom has a half dozen great tracks and Luther Perkins. But they're both great.

Good stuff. So foreign to me that there was a time where there could be a prison show. What a scene to imagine.

Compared to the last live albums I've listened to for this project, this one is a vast improvement. I don't mind Johnny Cash's brand of country, and his presentation at San Quentin really comes across well. Shout out to English TV coming up with a list of songs, and Cash going, "Yeah, no." Three points for the music and one for the live show.