At San Quentin

Great album. I usually don't like live albums, but something about the atmosphere and interaction between JC and the crowd really did it for me. Favorite Song: A Boy Named Sue

Great crowd. He's good with the crowd too

Cash is een geboren entertainer, aan het gevangenen-publiek te horen. Leuk live-album waar je merkt dat de setlist aan de omgeving is aangepast

San Quentin, I hate every inch of you!

Disc 1 Track 01 - 3.5/5 Track 02 - 3.25/5 Track 03 - 3/5 Track 04 - N/A Track 05 - 3/5 Track 06 - 3.75/5 Track 07 - 3.5/5 Track 08 - 3.25/5 Track 09 - 4.5/5 Track 10 - 4/5 Track 11 - 4.75/5 Track 12 - 3.25/5 Track 13 - 4.25/5 Track 14 - 3/5 Track 15 - 2.5/5 Track 16 - 2.75/5 Track 17 - 3.25/5 Disc 2 Track 01 - 4.75/5 Track 02 - 4.75/5 Track 03 - 3.25/5 Track 04 - 3.75/5 Track 05 - 4/5 Track 06 - 3/5 Track 07 - 4.5/5 Track 08 - 3.75/5 Track 09 - 2.5/5 Track 10 - 4.75/5 Track 11 - 2.25/5 Track 12 - 3.5/5 Track 13 - 2.5/5 Track 14 - 4/5 Overall: 4.25/5 Album Art: 3.75/5

mr cash the goat

scheun en heel leuk om zijn vrouw te horen praten tegen die gevangenen

Great record, full of atmosphere

Classic. Just classic. You can feel the energy, and a great companion to Fulsom Prison, which is one of my favourites. Interesting this was chosen over that.

This was a lot of fun. At Folsom Prison was probably the best of his prison performances, but At San Quentin has a similar spirit. Cash's live albums capture his talent and charisma in a way that's simply missing from a lot of his studio recordings. The raucous energy of the audience is on full display. And it's that interplay between Cash and his audience that really gives this album its fire. Fave Songs: A Boy Named Sue, I Walk the Line, Darlin' Companion, Wanted Man, Wreck of the Old 97

Has anyone already joked about "captive audience" in the context of this album?

Johnny Cash is a lot funnier than I expected lol

Johhny Cash i pjevanje u zatvorima jednostavno uvijek ima smisla, cak i kad nije tamo da reformira sistem.

Great album, great performances and songs, a little long.

Gotta love that voice, the Johnny Cash drawl. He was a great story teller and this live album does just that. It bit samey, heck he even plays the title song more than once. The album rolls along with Cash in good humour. Yeah I enjoyed listening to this one.

If I want to listen to a bit of country this is what I’d choose

Classic Cash, loved the live banter between tracks.

A banger

Surprised to see this album come up, I'd have thought "At Folsom Prison" would have covered the "prison concert" entry for the 1001 list. As a live album, it's raw, real, and Cash doesn't pull his punches. Like Folsom album, the prison setting gives a new perspective to having a captive audience. The Legacy Edition is too long for me, the original release would have more impact. Still a good album.

hard-nosed country music performed for a very appreciative crowd. excellent recording

Performance was nice. Not my vibe though

Was good, but felt like the chord progression and overall album sounded kinda the same

Just as entertaining as the Folsom album

Good live album

I know Folsom Prison better. Sure I've listened to it before, and I know most of the songs already. He's on gloriously naughty form with his banter - so far as to play San Quentin twice after it nearly instigates a riot, and calling his guitar a very rude word. The songs fairly zip along, the band seeming well drilled but still enjoyably loose.

It's pretty tough to beat Johnny Cash performing live at a prison. The man seems to do his best work there because the way he comes off on this album make it feel like these performances are where he's most at home. Loved hearing all the classics plus some that I hadn't heard before. Fav songs: wanted man, I walk the line, boy named sue, folsom prison blues

Know all the songs, but never gave this album a true front to back listen. More of an experience when done this way and is one of the most unique live albums ever made.

Johnny Cash is so fucking badass. What an iconic live performance that really highlights Cash's attitude alongside his musical skill. Almost worth getting arrested just to see a show like this.

Incredibly entertaining.

Hard album to evaluate since the only available version is greatly expanded from the original release and features a number of other musicians. Normally you ignore expanded versions... but the added material is the rest of the original concert. I guess at the end of the day, it's a great concert, just not as tight or iconic as Folsom.

This was my first ever live album, so needless to say I was excited to listen, yet also worried, because I usually prefer studio recordings over live recordings. But the vibes here were awesome! Having the little breaks in between songs where Johnny speaks is nice, and it makes you feel as though you were right there in the prison at that time (solely to hear the concert, I am not a criminal, I swear!). It makes the listening experience so much more genuine. But my main focus is obviously the music, and I enjoyed it a lot! If I ever listen to country/rock & roll, it's usually contemporary alternative country from indie artists, but getting to hear the voice of a classic country guy was really great. His voice is very soothing and melodious, and has just the right amount of southern twang for me. The bits where his wife June Carter popped in were beautiful; their voices really complement each other. The band is also amazing. And this might just be me, but the backup singers in Peace In The Valley sound a lot like The Andrews Sisters... (I know it's not them, leave me and my weird voice associations alone lol) My one complaint is the censoring beeps. They surprised me as a first-time listener, and they ruin the flow of the music or speech. However, considering I only heard four throughout the entire record, they are not huge of a weakness. There is always the legacy edition ;) Overall, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys live music, but I would encourage them to listen to the legacy edition and adhere to the tracklist of the original.

what a man!

Johnny Cash's best albums are this and Folsom. This one is nice because it has Carl Perkins, the Carters, and even the Statler Brothers. I would hate to have to go to prison to see that lineup.

Never listened all the way through before. Quite the historical artefact

Enjoyed this immensely. June Carter far more prominent than other live albums I have heard of Johnny

It's Johnny Cash with a loud, raucous audience. How can you not like it?

Дед крут

Live album performed at a prison. Johnny has a personable attitude, southern drawl and sense of humor my grandfather would love

Just Johnny and his simple on the first view music, but how much magic it produces. This is the sound of liberty, of real America, I really appreciate the moment i found or it's better to say open to myself his peaceful and calming guitar. This is my debut in reviews and i write every idea which has come to my mind and while i am doing it, i'm listening to johnny. He is saying that everything is okey, you are alive, you have anoter day, so wake your fucking ass and do something, it will ve great

4.4

Cool vibes! Lorena lislikes

The atmosphere generated by this album is brillaint.

Love Johnny Cash en een klassieker

Johnny Cash is geweldig! Die stem is fantastisch! En de grappen tussendoor zijn in deze gevangenis-setting zelfs ook nog goed te hebben. Wat een vent 😁

Is toch geweldig: ben je gevangene, komt Johnny cash voor je zingen. Ik houd ervan.

Historicamente relevante y musicalmente histórico. Tengo que aprovechar este disco para proyectar una frustración: escribir una canción como A boy named Sue es todo lo que yo hubiera querido en mi vida.

Love the energy of this album, live performances are always fun

Really enjoyed. Would listen again

Five stars without the beeps.

Sfeervolle klassieke country in een setting die je tijdens het afspelen ‘voelt’. Niet te vergelijken, maar ik kreeg een blues brothers gevoel bij het luisteren. Heerlijk album dit.

although i did not listen to all of the songs, i liked all the ones i did listen to. i liked how on some of the songs he included himself talking/interacting with the audience. it was a bit long though. he sounds great live. love johnny cash.

There's such a natural, laid back rapport between Cash and the audience on this. Really great live album

Great live album. I loved hearing the prisoners cheer during the song "San Quentin".

Interesting how he tows the line between allowing the prisoners to experience some catharsis by booing and disparaging the guards, but also thanks the prison warden and staff to boos from the prisoners. A different kind of anti-prison/anti-establishment sentiment than NWA for instance. Potentially caused in part due to differences in racial makeup at these prisons as well as the existence of white supremacy then and now in the USA.

already listened to songs from this album, but it's nice to hear it all in one go

A legend for good reason. Lyrics and voice on this are one of a kind, and the live performance has so much charisma and personality. I’d go 9.3 or so out of 10, but 5/5 is like 10/10 right, so I’ve gotta be super judicious with the 5’s.

Y'a pas 3,5 mais cool

I always think I won’t like Johnny cash and I always do. Live music isn’t a thing I miss a ton but this made me miss it.

Sounds like a great show. Would have loved to see it live except for the being a prisoner part

At first I listened to the original 10 track version, which was heavily edited for time. It was OK. Then I realized that the Legacy Edition was different and sounds like the full show. Classic Johnny Cash. Carl Perkins’s Restless is a revelation.

I feel like an absolute 2000s millennial hipster stereotype saying that Johnny Cash is the only country artist I actually like listening to, but damn this album is so good. I don’t know if this is the “definitive” Johnny Cash recording, but if it isn’t it’s got to be close. The Legacy edition is worth a listen, specifically, because it feels like a recording of the whole concert straight through, without the weird abridged version of Folsom Prison Blues cut out of an outro medley that was originally included on the album.

Surprisingly interesting. Enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

Cash was talented and charismatic; I don't think I could play at a prison this successfully!

Very interactive with dialogue between Cash and the inmates, part of his protest against the prison system. Wonderfully visual songs and comedic stab-at-authority through ‘San Quentin’.

I love that this is the whole show. Johnny Cash was a cool motherfucker. And June Carter is funny

I like that JC was clearly on the side of the inmates. Good jams.

Legend! love the announcements and interacting with the crowd, great sound aswell!

8

Class

Great live album

It’s Johnny Cash - nuff said

Extra star for tailoring for the crowd and the bants.

Cash's charisma and rapport with the audience makes the album

A fun listen! Probably wouldn't listen to the whole album again, but it was enjoyable and nice to have live. "Darlin' Companion" was so cute.

Guapo

Muy bueno, pero hay un poco de música en el ruido de presos

Seminal live album from a very particular time and age. As good as Folsom's and among best albums in Cash's discography

Liked it more than I thought I would. The way he interacts with the crowd makes the music more fun and it was a good listen overall.

4/5

Ceo que nunca le he agarrado tanto la onda a Johnny Cash. En definitiva me hace falta escucharlo mucho más porque hizo un chingo, pero este álbum en vivo me parece un buen extracto para conocerlo, valorarlo, con una energía y una desfachatez muy particulares. Disfruté sobre todo "San Quentin", junto con "San Quentin (reprise)". El final con "Folsom Prison Blues", pues ya, todo bien, me uno a la celebración de los reos. 8/10.

Great length, good songs, he works the crowd well, and it leaves an enjoyable album. Not sure I understand the concept of prison concerts.

Shouldn't we be consistent here? Are live albums allowed? If so, then this list is all screwed up... Live albums are on the same level as Greatest Hits, no? There is nothing wrong with the album, but I would say it is unfair to give it 5 stars.

I'm a big fan of Johnny Cash. His first performance at a prison was in 1957 and I'm guessing he was one of the first musicians to do that on the regular. Great road trip music.

Cash

Iconic, very playful and a fun recital overall

4 - nice atmo

Jonny Cash ist mal wieder jeden >Penny< wert! Absolut geile Country Musik zum im Pickup durch die Gegend eiern und sich American Spirit ins Paper rollen bis man die Trucker Kabine zugequalmt hat wie Karin Ritter ihr Wohnzimmer. Kleiner Downer, da es ein Live-Album ist, aber bin jetzt ned >hurt< deswegen. Insgesamt auch einfach gute Laune Country vom Cashmeister. Klare >Line die er da läuft<. Für mich einfach geile Musik zum alt sein. Holt mich als Trans-Ager mehr als nur ab. Stelle mich mir dazu auf meiner Veranda in Tennessee mit nem Krug Moonshiner vor und ab 11:00 geil besoffen. Aber is ja fine, bin alt. >Rundes Album und absolute fire!< Punkverrat out!

Not really a country fan, but - Johnny Cash, playing live at San Quentin prison...wow! Will have to watch the movie at some point

Awesome stuff - love the songs, love the chat between songs. So much more compelling than your average live album. Favourite track - "San Quentin". I mean, I like a lot of Cash's tracks more overall, but that song on this album in context - WHOAH.

Its a pretty amazing and subversive recording, I spent the whole time wondering what it would have been like to be there, either as a prisoner or as a performer. Amazing recording. Can't say its something I'd put on and listen to, but the tunes are fun and the atmosphere is special.

Well I am a coyote...

Era o este disco o el de Folsom, la verdad son distintos, musicalmente creo que me gusta más Folsom pero no puedo negar que este concierto se siente mucho más cercano, crudo, real y quizá hasta en algunos puntos casi llegando a tocar la posibilidad de peligro. Toda la plática de Cash y sus comentarios, especialmente cuando se dirige a los custodios son maravillosos. Tocando muy bien como era lo normal, la grabación no es lo mejor pero ayuda quizá a la sensación de crudeza que uno quiere de un concierto en una prisión. A pesar de todo lo que me gusta tengo un par de puntos con el disco como tal, el primero es que hay un par de elecciones de canciones que no entiendo. Sobre todo tomando en cuenta el disco original que sacó, incluir DOS veces San Quentin creo no viene al caso y se come tiempo que podía usar en otra canción (entiendo el querer comunicar la emoción de los reos pidiendo un encore, pero la verdad creo es innecesario), también para nada siento viene al caso que cante Folsom Prison Blues... es como ir a cantar el himno del otro equipo al estadio. Eso es lo que lo detiene para mí de la quinta estrella, la versión original es tremendamente corta y tiene esos puntos que siento desaprovechados, ya cuando escucha uno la versión ultralarga remasterizada de dos horas no es un problema, pero la verdad no habría por qué verse obligado a escuchar esa versión tan larga y siento se tiene que tomar al disco como el album original que salió a la venta. A fin de cuentas es Johnny Cash y sigue siendo un excelente disco, ahí no hay pierde.

Great chapter of Johnny. Funny guy.

Yep

What a great time capsule. Talk about context. It would be hard to believe this was a real event if this didn’t exist. Still totally not music I’m interested in, but the package. Great package.

Enjoyed him speaking with the crowd and the set list was solid

Great mix of talent

Cool, raw Country Music. Nice gospel touch :)

Antes de comenzar un disclaimer: la versión que escuché de este disco fue la "Legacy Edition", de casi 1:50. Este disco es una joya, porque más que la música, me impresionó el tipo de concierto: dentro de una cárcel, y además televisado. Es como una pequeña cápsula de tiempo que refleja cómo eran ciertas cosas en esa época y lugar. Imagino que para los reos que estuvieron ahí ha de haber sido una experiencia única, y también un "break" de su rutina. Por último, me impresiona la entrega de "A boy named sue". Es una canción con un ritmo inusual y una letra que es más bien una pequeña fábula, y Johnny realiza una presentación impecable. Lo hace de una forma tan natural que pareciera que está contando una anécdota personal. Casi diría que me hubiera gustado estar ahí para verlo en persona, pero pensándolo bien, qué bueno que no :)

Tengo que ver ese DVD para ver todo lo que te transmite la grabación 'naked'. El tremendo respeto que le tienen los reos a Cash y su familia es algo que no cualquiera puede lograr. También tener los tamaños para ir a una prisión, escribir una canción sobre lo que sucede dentro y que no comience un motín ha de haber sido muy divertido. 'A boy named Sue' siempre es garantía.

Qué discazo se aventó Cash en San Quentin; de hecho el show está tan bueno que la versión extendida (con todo y Carl Perkins y las hermanas Carter) vale mucho la pena. Además, es un tipo que ya en el status de ícono musical (¡este es su dicso número 31!), se mete a una prisión a cantar para los reos incluyendo su rola acerca de lo mal que está la prisión.

Interested in the history of all these prison shows. Boy Named Sue is an all time classic

Some of the best songs of all time. Bummed I was never able to see him live.

Gute Liveaufnahmen

Odd to say, but a really "fun" album. He seems like such a nice guy. The music is entertaining.

Classic. Johnny Cash is so comforting and familiar. Reminds me of home.

I might have made a huge mistake partaking in this endeavor.

Interesant live-album, kunne faktisk ret godt lide det

4-4.5 stars

Such an experience. Love that Cash performed for inmates so often.

A darn good live album!

Not on the level of At Folsom, but I'll always dig Cash in front of inmates.

- Literal Jailhouse Rock

Песни, которые помогают не пасть духом

I mean, it’s Johnny cash. It’s good. He’s good at stuff. Buy named sue is funny.

Predobar live

Good album, great runtime, good crowd working, nice songs

Johnny is a legend. I’ve never heard of anyone else playing a prison let alone several. This isn’t Folsom but it’s great to hear him rile the inmates. This is the type of country I can get behind.

Live Show with June Carter and more

Johnny's got great banter in between songs, something missing from Folsom, if I remember right. He seems really at ease and funny. Songs are great too, but it's Cash; we knew that already. Favorite tracks: "Starkville County Jail", "Boy Named Sue", "Peace in the Valley"

Definitely a slow burn album. Some duds here and there, but it grew on me.

The performance here is clearly something magical. It's marred a bit by the artifice history made clear was there: Cash wasn't actually as close to the prisoners as he made himself out to be. But the bridging of the outside and inside worlds is important, as is the fact that he sang about tearing down the prison walls twice, back to back. The recording itself is marred by the short length, sequencing, and censorship. It's a testament to Cash and his prison concerts that the record is fine despite all that.

The songs are nice enough but I do find myself enjoying the banter in-between even more. The duet was super nice. Favourites: I Walk The Line Darlin' Companion

Jakiś taki starszy gość skoczny taki miły do słuchania ale nie wysłuchuje sie w to co mówi to jest taki live show że słychać widownie w tle ranczo amerykańskie vibe 5/10

not a great fan of this type of music, although the lyrics were entertaining and made me smile. He certainly liked performing in prisons, maybe he liked a captive audience!

I could feel the energy at this concert just through the recording.

Classic Cash, solid record.

Only knew Johnny Cash for Ring of Fire, but I was very interested in listening to more of his music. When I realised this album was performed live in a prison I was intrigued and decided to read more about him. Although I don't think the album was amazing, the back and forth between Cash and the audience was fun and it was piqued my interest about him and the rest of his catalogue.

5/10 I love Johnny Cash but I don't usually enjoy live performances unless I'm going out of my way to watch it. The songs he performs here are banger and I hope more Johnny Cash albums are in store for me.

Good

Pas hyper client, même avec une version live, sympatoche quand même

Not really my taste but the album felt like u were really at the concert

(Sir, there are two Johnny Cash prison albums on the list.) About the same as At Folsom Prison, it's pretty short unless you listen to the complete concert version. Didn't need back to back San Quentins. Good version of Boy Named Sue.

Easy listen. Not necessarily a huge fan but a very listeneable and charming album. The fact that it’s live makes it more entertaining. 3/5

Not bad! Give it a three at least

This album existed. I had already heard Folsom prison blues and that’s great and this is more the same not in a bad way.

3⭐️/5 06.12.2026

I'm not a big fan of country music.

I think this album is ok but I don't really like country music and the sound so I'd give it 3 stars.

the individual songs didn't really stand out to me. they all kinda sounded the same but not bad! i liked it still. and an electric live performance to boot. it's a good time fave track: darlin' companion

This was the second Jonny Cash record live from a prison I found in this list. A bit redundant. Still, he is charming, reminiscent of simpler times when a big star as him could still be so close and personal with the fans during a live performance. The music is, of course, quite old. But the few words in between, the jokes, the feeling is what drove this live home to me.

Toto country sa celkom dá...

Loved the song about Starkville

Have in my collection. Not a regular on the table but nice to have.

Не знаю чи зайде, але цікаво. Мені не чужа його творчість. Трохи насторожує, що лайв, але розраджує що в тюрмі. Johnny молодець, вміє спілкуватися з зеками на расслабоні. Трохи дивно, що він притаскав до них свою жінку співати. Досить багато монологів, що цікаво для фенів, але тримати лайв на плеєрі не дуже, бо цілу дорогу з роботи додому можна слухати тільки його чьос. Плюс лайва: коли він співає "San Quetin I hate every inch of you..." публіка дуже задоволено вигукує і вибухає оплесками.

Not a fan of country but there are a couple of good tracks

Not my favorite Cash record. Just doesn't have the punch of Folsom Prison.

Cool as a cultural/ historical relic, but not much to write home about musically

7.5 / 10

This was okay. However, if you want to hear an awesome Johnny Cash live album get Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison. Outstanding!!!

Too much talking to listen to whilst working. Prefer other cash

Not for me

Quite enjoyed this for what it is. Must have been quite a n experience to play in the prisons. some classic Cash songs.

I usually don’t vibe well with country music, but this was a pretty decent album

I don't really like his music that much but I do respect the prison shows Will I listen to again: 2%

Country migth be my least favprite genre ever. Its either super boring or annoying. This album is the best country album Ive listened so far but im not a big fan. The little sketch were the best part. "A boy named sue" was funny as shit.

Oppfølgerne bruker som regel ikke å være like bra. Gjelder her også.

Blir litt underveldet da plata ikke er like bra som At Folsom. Cash har fått to femmere tidligere så her er jeg litt streng.

Is this the most extraordinary music ever? No. But boy, it's fun, and holy shit what an incredible environment. Once again, only Johnny "Big Dick" Cash could pull off a stunt like this. I don't think this hits quite as hard as Folsom, even though he's clearly more comfortable here with a little more practice. But regardless, he's effortlessly cool, pays respect to a lot of guys who never get it, and keeps it tight. Fave tracks: - Starkville City Jail - San Quentin - A Boy Named Sue (so not PC, but so fucking funny)

Muy guapo, pero no llega al 4

An interesting concept for the album but you probably had to be there….. or maybe not…..

3.5/5. Johnny Cash’s San Quentin performance is often overshadowed by its older sibling live-album “At Folsom Prison” and if you ask me, that’s because Folsom is the much better option of the two. That being said, the San Quentin performance is still a good record with a handful of great songs, whether that be “a boy named sue” or “Starkville city jail.” I also love how Cash opts to play the song San Quentin twice in a row, and how when he thanks the staff of the prison basically the entire audience boos.

Ett skönt album att lyssna på med bra musik och humor. Sen om man har vetskap om bakgrunden så blir det ännu bättre.

Hard to be critical of this album. In the 60s to play in a prison was both daring and reckless. Cash had the songs to back it up though. The only downside is the sound and for that reason alone it does not bear repeated listens

3.39

Beautiful voice of Johnny Cash. Good interaction with prison audience. I was impressed. However, songs sound all the same to me. I only want to highlight Ring of Fire, I knew this song already.

Not bad by any means, but compared to Folsom, it’s less of a fun and interesting album, but still a great performance and a decently enjoyable listen.

I'm not so sure you have to listen to more than one Johnny Cash at such and such a prison.

Where is Liza Maneli at Sing Sing?? What about Lionel Richie says HELLO to Attica?? Instead we have two live (from prison) albums by Johnny Cash. This sure isn't Godfather 2. This is the cash grab sequel that is bereft of the emotion that made the first record captivating. There is a bunch of catatonic rambling that sounds like it was recorded by 2009 Johnny rather than 1969. I don't know if there was a switch from uppers to downers, but the finished product suffered. This was mostly just horrible stand-up comedy, sprinkled with a collection of decent songs. If this was the one prison album, it would be a nice change of pace but alas, we have yet another confusing (and repetitive) stepping stone on our trek up music mountain. 2.5-3 HIGHLIGHTS: Johnny Cash is here again?? Jeez I think I'll head to the hole.

Was a good listen

I’m not quite sure why both live albums need to be on this list as I’m not sure what it offers above and beyond the Folsom prison album. It has the same vibe - the feeling of authenticity I get from Cash performing here, for the inmates, rather than the wider audience. ‘San Quentin’ here obviously has much more poignancy, reflecting on the futility of their incarceration and appeasement of the wider politics surrounding it. The banter between the songs is the most interesting bit about it I found.

удивительно, что в конце я даже влилась немного. тоже есть мысли переслушать. хорошо, что это именно лайв альбом, потому что джонни кэш явно очень многое вывозит на своей харизме и юморе. буду честна, над "the boy named sue" даже хихикнула пару раз

A nice country album, one the series of "in prison" concerts he did. I always wonder how do those happen. I really liked that he genuinly seems to enjoy its time there. Favorite songs: I walk to line ; San Quentin ; A boy named Sue ; Ring of Fire

Very easy listen. Only 30 minutes. Great southern style storytelling mixed with comedy targeted at the inmates. Unique album for sure.

Decent stand up routine. Found it jokes that a bunch of cons were losing their mind at a swear word. Think if if wasn't live I wouldn't have been that arsed though

Cash is great, and this album is good. Folsom Prison is better, but not by too much.

Ohhhh… looking forward to this. I love Johnny. Old and new. Well… I love the concept. I love Johnny’s attitude. But musically - this just isn’t that good an album. I can’t go higher than 3. Boolean rating: yes, yes I am glad I heard this before I died.

It started a bit slow, but picked right up after Darlin Companion. Not a whole lot to say, I was looking forward to it and seems I was right to do that. Had a good listen, got some evocative American frontier type stories and lyrics and it's over now. Thanks, Johnny Cash, see you in Folsam. High 3.

I really enjoyed Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison, so listening to the follow up At Saint Quentin was a lot of fun. Cash’s fun banter and personality come through on this album as well, and I enjoyed the different setlist, but if comparing them I’d say At Folsom Prison is the better of the two.

Good listen. An icon.

Foolishly i listened to this back to back with At Folsom Prison, which is far superior (likely a 5 star if/when it crops up). There are some great versions of great songs, but it feels somehow lacking as a whole album.

Johnny Cash is always good. This is a very short album, and it has the same song repeated twice (San Quentin) which makes sense in terms of why they did it Live - but makes for a kind of strange listen. Not as good as Live at Folsom Prison but still a really solid live album.

It was nice. The album is made so you basically listen to the entire concert.

Raw live country built on twangy guitars, steady rhythms, and commanding, deep vocals unfolds with a rough, unfiltered edge. Listening feels like sitting in a loud hall where constant cheering and talking interrupt the flow of the songs. The performance is energetic and authentic, but the live atmosphere feels distracting and intrusive.

5 - AVERAGE

not a fan of country music. couldn’t finish listening to it. annoying cuz i didn’t find the original album.

Yaper final boss

Pretty sweet, can't imagine I'll go back but it's a good reminder of how good country can be despite current trends

Ok, I can understand this one could be close to the hearts of some of our fellow American friends, but let’s be honest - it has zero cultural significance outside the US. Nought, null, ноль, शून्य. And I’m not even sure about the US, it’s important only because “man performing prison songs at prison”; purely musically - is there anything outstanding? Still, can’t really say it’s a bad record per se. I mean, it’s ok.

Good but populist playing to his audience an anti establishment establishment figure.

That was a fun album, more enjoy than I expected.

Johnny Cash, inget att klaga på. Spännande med livekonsert från fängelser. Han spelade tydligen på Anstalten Österåker på 70-talet också. 3/5

Solid. Ekkert út á þetta að setja en ekkert framúrskarandi heldur.

It's the harsh reality of life in a capitalist society that puts some people in a position where they're forced to make choices that'll ultimately ruin their present and future. 1969 or 2026, you'll find plenty of people in similar situations. Some things never change. However, I find his whole fascination with prison aesthetics unsavory and honestly, he'd been way too empathetic to a group that deserves none. Murderers and other scum. You can be dying of thirst and hunger and still won't hurt a fellow human being. And as usual with those types, there's themes of religion and redemption... I don't believe in rehabilitation. They didn't give a chance to their victims, so why give them one? And to make songs about their "predicament"? As for the music itself, looking past the context of it all... I guess it's alright for a country album. His voice isn't jarring to the ears at lest.

I like it but for me it matters how I feel when I listen to music and I felt this wasn't what I needed for the mood I was in today, still, good rhythm and sound, I haven't heard much of Johnny Cash in a long time and it was great to listen to him again to remind me of music like this.

Not as good as Folsom Prison, but not bad in its own right.

***A good album

On 2026.04.04 - Samedi Saint Album authentique au sein de la prison, échanges avec les prisonniers entre les morceaux, résistance de Van Morison contre sa maison de disque. Audio très moyenne mais écoute rustique.

One of my early memories is listening to A Man Named Sue with my dad. He said, boy, aren’t you glad I didn’t name you Sue? I said, dad, that’s super unwoke of you.

The stage banter is a lot of fun, but the performances really aren't anything to write home about. Also, apologies to Shel Silverstein, but "A Boy Named Sue" is fucking stupid.

My mans way feeling sassy on this one! Not nearly as good as Folsom, but just as entertaining. Listened to: shopping at target in downtown Denver. Favorite tracks: Wreck of the Old 97, San Quentin, A Boy Named Sue

i can imagine situations in which this slaps, however, i dont see myself in that situation at the moment. its generally not really my genre of music either, country, bur the show was fun and entertaining to listen to! so im giving a three!

Cool style

The clapping and reactions of the prisoners is so vivid. Im not crazy about the music but this is a beautiful album and the emotions are so clear.

Short and sweet, a lot of rambling between tracks

If I remember correctly Johnny Cash’s two prison albums – this and At Fulsom Prison – were the biggest selling country albums of all time until Garth Brooks turned up. Personally, I think Fulsom Prison is the better of the two, though San Quentin has plenty of fine moments. The first being the opening number, a version of Bob Dylan’s “Wanted Man” - which he’d only learnt from Dylan the previous week. It feels custom written for Cash, and it may well have been. The song written specifically for the show “San Quentin” is pretty good, though no “Fulsom Prison Blues”. The inmates are suitably enthusiastic and insist on an immediate repeat performance. In fact, several of the album’s highlights are Cash’s interactions with the audience, which, once the novelty wears of, doesn’t make for repeated spins. 7/10

I like the album, normally I’m not a fan of “live at” versions of songs when listening online; however I didn’t know much about Johnny Cash and so this felt good. Also the fact that it was performed at a prison felt kind of special. I like the music, not my favourite and not sure when I would really listen to this type of music again, maybe in the car. Overall wasn’t perfect but was good. 7/10.

Johnny Cash live albums are fun.

Standouts A Boy Named Sue

This is very charming and lively, but I never did get into live albums that much, even if it's an interesting locale.

not my style but it’s okay, it was interesting to hear

Jeg liker ideen og attituden. Men å faktisk høre på musikken? Det er helt greit. Har ingen sterke følelser for musikken til Cash. Litt slitsomt at censorene har skånet meg for stygge ord med en høy pipelyd slik at jeg ikke kan la være å registrere at Cash sa noe jeg ikke burde få høre.

It is the context and atmosphere that makes this album so poignant.

it was alright, nothing special, decent live album

Johnny hebben we door deze lijst al eerder in een gevangenis horen spelen. Dat vraagt om een vergelijking. De setting zorgt in beide gevallen voor een bijzondere sfeer. In dit geval wil je daar niet perse bij geweest zijn. Maar het werkt zelfs op een schijfje. Bij het optreden in San Quentin zat meneer iets meer op zijn praatstoel. Niet erg op locatie zo te horen. Het publiek waardeert het duidelijk. Op het schijfje pakt het optreden daardoor net iets minder dan het optreden in Folsom. De aanleiding voor Folsom bestond al. Voor San Quentin heeft Johnny snel een tekst op zijn standaard geluid uit zijn mouw geschut. Sterk natuurlijk, dat hij iets speciaals doet voor de plek waar hij optreedt. Toch ook een beetje lui. En dat blijkt ook als hij het nummer herhaalt. Niet aan het eind van de set om het nummer van de dag te benadrukken. Nee, echt direct achter elkaar. Ach, het is het ergste niet. Maar als je het gaat vergelijken, scoort At Folsom daarmee wel net iets beter.

The bones are the money

not my cup of tea

pretty good

Not my cup of tea.

It's a decent live outlaw country album. Cash's voice is a bit tired sounding in parts but it just adds to the overall live vibe of the record. The song selections are good but a couple I don't really care for. Folsom is a much better album, not sure this needed to be included in the 1001 list.

Cool, but we can definitely drop this if we have At Folsom Prison

6/10

As with a good portion of live albums, this one is lacking the visuals that generate the vibe of live performances. Hearing the audience helps this one a little.

Biisien puolesta en varmaankaan antaisi kahta tähteä enempää, mutta tällä livellä on niin käsinkoskesteltavan kova meno, että kyllä siitä irtoaa vielä yksi ylimääräkinenkin pinna.

Johnny Cash loved performing in prisons, despite never having served time. Cash's most iconic performance is considered to be his concert at Folsom Prison, released a year earlier. He hadn't originally planned to record this show, but an English crew filming a documentary about prison life came to film it. The label accepted the bonus, and they were right – thanks to the San Quentin concert, Cash was nominated for three Grammys, one of which he won. The cover photo of the artist became one of his signature images, but this album gave us (and the owners of bootleg merch stands) an even more iconic shot, where Johnny clearly expresses his feelings about the cameramen (https://www.nme.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/SnapGalleries180311.jpg) blocking the prisoners' view of the stage. A fine record, one of the pillars of country music. But whether a list of essential albums really needs two Johnny Cash prison concerts is an open question.

BEEP yeah!

Loved Starkville City Jail, San Quentin, and A Boy Named Sue. the energy in this show is so enviable, I want to be there. Johnny was very funny and charming. from -4 to 4, I give a 2.

Pretty great! I like live at Folsom prison better but you cannot beat Johnny Cash live at a prison. It’s where he’s meant to perform.

Johnny Cash, inget att klaga på. Spännande med livekonsert från fängelser. Han spelade tydligen på Anstalten Österåker på 70-talet också.

Fun and easy to listen to, it shows Johnny's mastery and great character in this live album. Liked it!

Pretty good! not generally a fan of live albums but this one was nice. The parts where Cash was interacting with the crowd and the overall vibe of it made it a nice one-time listen

I didn't score this one individually, because it felt more like a complete piece from being live. Favourite song(s): Folsom Prison Blues, San Quentin (Reprise) Least favourite song(s): I Walk the Line (though still love it, but loved all the others more!) I loved that you really feel transported in this album. Mr Cash you are a legend :)

Extra point for the vibe and the personality. Not really my music

The talking annoyed me ngl lol

Not quite as good as Folsom Prison, but still a fun show.

I would have loved to see one of these prison concerts live, but also not be in prison.

entero choro juanito efectivo no me gusta el country, pero su agresividad lo hace más interesante me gustó el concepto y la movida de tocar en cárceles, no la conocía

maomeno no ma, not my cup of tea bolas gigantes por tocar en la carcel oesi

The Concert at Filsom Prison was an extraordinary album. Cash was coming off a drug addiction and the first attempt at a prison recording came to nothing because Cash was too "tired and emotional" to go on. The Folsom Concert had the atmosphere of one man at the end of his tether talking to an audience of men at the end of their tether. It was raw, it was emotional, it was intense. The recording revived his career and was a huge success. It's become legendary in the years since. This San Quentin album has the slight whiff of another trip to the well. It's all a bit showbiz: bringing on the guest stars; the engineered encore of "San Quentin"; bringing on a guard with a glass of water (a repeat of a Folsom Prison bit) so the audience can boo; the fact that it was being recorded for British television. It just seems a bit more commercial and contrived than Folsom. It's also not nearly as good. Folsom has the killer set list of: -Folsom Prison Blues (I shot a man in Reno, he sings and the crowd goes wild - Cocaine Blues, about a man who murders his girlfriend after taking cocaine - 25 Minutes to go, about a man going to the gallows - Long Black Veil, about a man who goes to the gallows to protect his lover's reputation - Send a Picture of Mother (I mean, to prisoners in jail) - Give my love to Rose - about a Manet out of prison who is killed before seeing his girlfriend - Green Green Grass of Home, about a man returning home after getting out of prison - Greystone Chapel, written by a prisoner sitting in the audience. It's more a shared communion than a Concert. San Quentin is entertainment. Even the song about Cash's arrest is presented as a comedy about picking flowers. And then there's the pretty execrable Boy Named Sue. It hasn't aged well. Folsom Prison literally changed lives - Not least amongst them Cash's own. San Quentin made a lot of money and landed Cash a network deal for his variety show. It's all right, but it's not his best.

Step below Live at Folsom Prison, but the live versions of San Quentin and A Boy Named Sue are all good. A lot of monologuing for a 30 minute album.

Good man or bad man he's definitely engaging. Heartf lt honky tonk with a wry smile.

very clear sound for a live album. he did an extremely good job of catering for this specific audience. the atmosphere seemed so fun. I think bleeping swear words ruined parts of it and made it seem a little tacky. the songs were very simple country and yay America vibes which isn't my kind of music, but that aside it was fun. 7/10

Cool setting for a live performance. Not my usual listening so it was a nice change of pace. Enjoyed it and may listen again but wont be regular. 3/5

Ful kul k je live

The 99 minute Legacy album is better than the 33 minute vinyl release from 1969. You actually understand what they are talking about but the Legacy version is rambling, rehashes songs from the Folsom album, and is fine.

Another fun live recording from The Man in Black, though not as fresh feeling or as well recorded as Live in Folsom.

Probably a little more impactful for those (not me) with more context. But the songs are good!

Not my kind of music but loved the atmosphere. Highlight: Boy called Sue

Este va para mi amigo personal, Howard Cooper

"At San Quentin" — Johnny Cash, 1969 Для сайта Если "At Folsom Prison" был репетицией, то San Quentin — это уже настоящий взрыв. Кэш приехал в тюрьму Сан-Квентин второй раз, и атмосфера там была на грани бунта — буквально. Зал кипел так, что охранники нервничали, а Кэш подливал масла в огонь: он исполнил заглавный трек трижды подряд, потому что толпа требовала ещё. Это была не просто концертная запись — это был акт солидарности, где Человек в Чёрном смотрел в глаза системе и не моргал. Музыкально альбом сырее и злее Folsom'а. Bob Wootton на гитаре режет как бритва, June Carter Cash добавляет человеческое тепло в самые жёсткие моменты, а сам Джонни звучит как человек, которому нечего терять и именно поэтому можно говорить правду. "A Boy Named Sue" — написанная Шелом Сильверстайном буквально накануне концерта — стала неожиданным хитом и единственной песней Кэша, попавшей в топ-2 Billboard. Весь альбом — живое доказательство того, что настоящее искусство рождается не в студии с идеальной акустикой, а там, где что-то реально поставлено на кон.

70

Very fun album to listen too. Kinda feels like I'm immersed into the crowd in a way. They just sound like they're having such a great time

Aurally inoffensive.

No skips, every song is a classic. He's so charismatic and sassy. I love that he's performing in a prison, the crowd are off their nut and I don't blame them. There's the perfect amount of talking between songs and it adds so much to the set. He has beef with everyone at this show. This is the best way to listen to him, its raw and chaotic and you lose all that when its not live. It perfectly captures what made him so iconic. As an album this isn't going to be something i listen to a lot. It's more of a documented proof of character and the kind of thing you'd put on at an afters.

Jag gillar att albumet är live och publiken som skrattar åt vad han säger. Det verkar som om alla verkar ha en bra kväll och musiken är ganska bra och ger samma känsla som Elvis Presley och jag tycker att det är positivt. Det är också lungt och inte för skrikigt vilket är ett stort pluss. Älskar när han pratar och sedan går in på en låt!

So much character and charisma. Not something I would listen to all the time. But the man was a legend. Love that they kept all the banter in

It's cool to have this documented in full, historically interesting and great recording quality for an old live recording. Still not a big fan of country music, though. Too many songs sound soo similar to my ears. Fantastically performed, of course, a derserved entry in the list.

I love it, Johnny is such a great and funny person and the album is fantastic

It’s good, solid live Johnny Cash. Just what you’d expect.

Assuming At Folsom Prison is on this list, there is no reason to require one to listen to a fine, but secondary, Johnny Cash in prison record to fulfill this 1001 album sentence of life. Seek out the Freddy Fender at Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola) where he actually did time or Buck Owens at the LBJ White House instead.

Can you imagine a recording artist, much less one as big as Johnny Cash, performing a concert in 2026 in a prison for the inmates and the folks watching (likely on YouTube or Netflix today) from the comforts of home? I’m sure this was a significant logistical feat in 1969; today the idea would be dead on arrival. Has our world-leading carceral system really grown that much worse since that time, or do we just look that much more dimly upon imprisoned convicts and their need for entertainment and other gestures of humanity? Anyway. This is a rollicking good time when the music plays and the inmates roar in appreciation, but man, there’s a lot of extended between-song filler, which makes it hard to get a feel for the set. And it’s weird that “San Quentin” is repeated back-to-back. Also, and maybe it’s a bad YouTube mix, but holy high-hats, Batman — those puppies are front and center in the mix on “Wreck of the Old 97.” Never heard them so prominent in a song.

Enjoyed it, not revelatory.

Good but too short.

I mean it was just live at folsom, I dunno which one was first

Look, it's not something against Johnny Case, but I don't really see the point in this album. "At Folsom Prison" was so good and the set list this time around isn't as great. I'll say 2.5 rounded up to 3 for Johnny Cash, but this seems like an unnecessary live album.

I'm not the biggest live music as an album fan, but I definitely enjoyed that addition to this album. It felt less like a recorded live performance and more like a man in the back of a bar playing his heart out.

This album has great energy and you can feel the electricity of the prison crowd reacting to every line. Johnny Cash clearly commands the room, and the rebellious spirit of the performance is fun to hear. But since I’m not a big country fan, a lot of the songs just don’t do much for me musically even though I can appreciate the moment and the atmosphere.

Cash is great, live albums can be tough

First time I have listened. Very cool. The banter is very funny considering the audience.

очень спокойный такой вайбовый альбом мне оч понравилось но в плейлист не добавил бы

Ah, my final Johnny Cash album and my final album of the 1960’s. It’s been a hot minute since I’ve reviewed an album by The Man in Black, so I’m glad to see him today. Johnny Cash isn’t the type of music that I normally gravitate towards, but I appreciate his artistry and what his career did for music. I was talking to a friend of mine last night, discussing a documentary about the prison system in Alabama, so it’s apt that I would get this album today. Time for a trip down to San Quentin. I thought this live effort from Johnny Cash was fine. I’m picky about country music, and this album was a bit boring to me, but the live aspect of it was great. The sounds of the prisoners cheering created a really unique atmosphere for this album. I can't imagine what it would have been like to perform for a bunch of incarcerated men, and trying to give them an energetic performance without blowing the lid off the place and causing a riot. How crazy is it that the only choice these men were probably able to make that day was which song they wanted to hear Johnny Cash play? I liked Johnny’s gentle ribbing of the guards, and his banter made this performance really unique. Of particular interest to me was Johnny talking about how he didn’t like being told what to sing and where to stand. I think it goes to show that record executives and other people on the business side of music have been shit heads for quite a while, sticking their noses into decisions that should be left up to the artists. When it comes to the actual music on this album, I wasn’t blown away, but I didn’t hate it either. “I Walk the Line” and “A Boy Named Sue” are classics, and it was great to hear them in this live setting, especially as Johnny chuckled his way through “A Boy Named Sue.” The song that stood out to me the most though was “Wreck of the Old 97.” The guitar work was fantastic, and I loved how the percussion sounded like a train chugging along. I feel like the live aspect took away some of the emotional weight of the more serious songs on this album, but on “Wreck of the Old 97,” that weight was still there. While this album may not be up to my personal tastes, I think it’s an important piece of music and pop culture history. Johnny Cash has become like a folk figure of sorts, and this album shows just why that is.

Favourite Songs: Starkville City Jail San Quentin A Boy Named Sue

This is fine but I am just not a huge fan of a live album

vibes were immaculate and the audience were immaculate-er.

Strange to think that gigs like this used to be played in prisons. Can’t imagine it happening now.

Pretty cool very interesting

The booing at the guards got me

Live albums don't really do it for me in general but this one is fun I have to say.

i love a good live album! johnny cash is a silly guy... i don't know if it's just the version i listened to but the censor bleeps took me out of it LOL. johnny's music has never quite been my thing and he seems very tired and frustrated in this one which, like, fair. a couple nice ones here of course

I love Johnny Cash and can respect his playing shoes for inmates but I’m not crazy about the recording and set here.

Was pretty good. 3.5

Songs are great but not a fan of live albums.

This isn’t something that I would put on just to listen to, I mean it’s ok as a live album, but it really feels more like an important historical document. Totally understand why its on the list, glad to have listened to it,

Not as good as Folsom but worth a listen

Very nice, upbeat. Singer has a nice, slightly old, sense of humour. Country isn’t exactly my thing, though.

Saved 4/31. His voice is incredible and I love the concept but an entire album hearing applause was too much. It took me out of the songs.

"so what do you want to hear?" A critique of 1001 Albums as a whole: I understood the significance of a johnny cash prison album from the other one I heard two weeks ago. I did not need to listen to two before I died.

I like his voice and the themes of the songs. Censoring swearing is so corny

everything kind of sounded the same, but country's not bad!

This is the first time I've listened to this kind of old-fashioned music, and it's quite positive and interesting in places. The live performance itself is memorable for the interaction with the audience. Rate 5/10

Great with the crowd

Iconic performance! But - as always - I rate it down just because it is a live album. 2,5

Lots of fun! I love how Johnny's character comes through in the recordings.

Don't like this style of country particularly. Very samey. Much prefer Johnny Cash latter output. That being said, it's a unique album and interesting listen between songs.

This is alright, though I definitely feel like I didn't need two prison-based live albums from the same artist. Plenty of the songs are good. The raucous energy of the crowd adds something. But then it gets kind of annoying having all the cheers after every bad thing Cash sings about their prison in "San Quentin". The in-between banter is mildly fun at best, and cringe-worthy at worst. "Huh, the record producers want me to stand in a particular spot, but I do what I want man" seems like a cheap way to get a cheer from your (literally) captive audience. It's a good listen overall, but not more than that. 3*

Johnny Cash’s singing and lyrics are amazing - the guitar on this album was just very boring. Like taking a Casio and pressing the preset beat and doing a full album to it. He’s witty and fun and great - and all the songs probably sound twice as good when recorded in a studio. For some this version might be their favorite! But not as much for me.

That was wild! This is the Johnny Cash I think of when I hear his name. Not sure I've heard another live album or an actual live performance, for that matter, where the same song was played twice in succession! I guess if the inmates are yelling at you to play the song again, you play the song again?

lots of talking but the songs on their own are good cash was a funny guy

Johnny Cash was such a good performer! A good album, but I question why there needed to be two of his prison series on this list when the man had something like 70 albums Fav songs: I Walk the Line

Nice change, interesting concept of an musician performing at a jail. Don't think that happens any more