Customer Reviews

At Folsom Prison (Remastered / Expanded)

5 star:		(62)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've never really like live albums, live shows yes, but a live recording seemed like seeing a lion at the zoo as opposed to seeing one on a african plain. Similar but a little disappointing. But this recording is an exception. Johnny's patter with the cons, the quiet noise in the background of prison speakers and cells opening and closing all add an amazing amount of atmosphere. Ive recommended this to cure fans and black flag fans, everyone loves it, spend the 12 dollars for a slice of heaven

I'm not much of a country music fan, but I've always had an affinity for the late, great John R. Cash. And this 1968 concert album is one of his very best records, combining the resignation and worldweariness of country with the bluntness of folk music and the roughness and rebelliousness of rock n' roll.

Johnny Cash takes full advantage of the unusual circumstances, drawing energy from the literally captive audience, and creating an intense atmosphere which results in one of the most raw and stimulating performances you'll ever hear.
("This show is being recorded for an album released on Columbia Records", Cash says, "-so you can't say hell or sh*t or anything like that!")

Country weepers like "I Still Miss Someone" and "Green, Green Grass Of Home" may have seemed smaltzy if performed by an artist with less panache, but the imposing Johnny Cash imbues every song with dignity and sincerity.

Almost all of the nineteen songs performed has do to with death, prison, violence, drugs, loneliness, loss and regret, but "Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison" never becomes morose; Cash delivers songs like "Cocaine Blues", "Folsom Prison Blues", "The Wall" and "25 Minutes To Go" with conviction and a singular mix of seriousness and dark, acerbic humor, making this album a sublime concert album, one which truly couldn't have been recorded in the studio. One of the finest records of the 60s, and a must-have for anyone even remotely interested in the music of Johnny Cash.

The impact of Johnny Cash's proto bad-boy on country, blues, and rock is inestimable, which doesn't even speak to the fact that the man is a great entertainer. If you are a serious music fan, your musical education isn't complete without Live At Folsom Prison.

This isn't a singles record, this is an album; you put it on to hear the whole thing. The performance itself is tight and structured, just like the venue. The recording is especially atmospheric - the reverb bouncing off the concrete walls, the sounds of doors slamming in the background, and an interruption by a prison announcement. Cash and the band (which includes the brilliant Luther Perkins, and his brother Carl - think Blue Suede Shoes) seem unflappable and completely at ease, belying the actual tension of the gig.

This reissue restores the original recording to its raw, warts-and all-feel, in direct contrast to the sanitized version that I grew up with: four songs have been restored to the set due to increased available length, plus Cash's interaction with the audience and the profanity (tasteful by today's standards) has been re-introduced, revealing the incredibly gritty nature of this record. Plus, the packaging is incredible: the handwritten note from Cash, describing why he felt compelled to make this album, the liner notes, and an appreciation from Steve Earle round out the package to create not merely a reissue, but a full restoration.

If you are hungry for something more substantial than the latest Clapton disc or Zeppelin reissue, you won't regret a minute of this terrific album.

This re-mastered version of the previously released album is, without a doubt, one of the best Concert albums ever released. There are certain events that, regardless of your personal taste in music or performers, transcend the genre of the songs. Cheap Trick's "Live at the Buddokan", Nirvana's "Unplugged in New York", and Billie Holiday's "At Carnegie Hall" are a few such records. "At Folsom Prison" blows them all away. The Tennessee Two backing Cash are in unbelievable form in one of their last full shows. June Carter's defiant country sexuality jumping in on Jackson and other songs ramps up the crowd that much more. And Cash is at his peak playing to the audience; picking the right songs, emphasizing the right lyrics, siding with the crowd in cracks about the guards, food, etc. The music in this concert bangs off the bars and concrete walls and comes back filled with hoops, hollers and the sound of clanking doors. Each song fits perfectly and rocks along at a pace steadier than the passing of days in the prison. Absolute musical perfection and a must own for any music fan.

I am Definitely NOT a country music fan. Never have been, never will be (I think so?). I am into alternative, indie music like White Stripes, PJ Harvey, U2 etc. But this album blew me away and I had to buy it as soon as I heard half of track 1, while the CD was playing in a Used CD store. Cash was a true bad-ass and has such a magnetic personality and I wish I was a kid back in his prime in the 1960's. Since I'm 27, I missed most of his career though not before he covered the song 'Hurt' in the excellent Video from 2 years ago. This CD is so powerful and really attests to the charisma of Cash. I love his interaction with the Prison crowd as the inmates take a quick liking to one who was in their shows for a while.-------------------One of the Top 10 CD's I own!!-------Its THE BEST!!

At Folsom Prison (Remastered / Expanded) by Johnny Cash
another old one but a great one. this guy started alternative country. this album is a classic, recorded in a prison, this album has surprising good sound. the song list is like a greatest hits. if your not sure about him and his music take a leap try it out. he has some of the most interesting lyrics. he was a rebel in the country world till his death. he also had one of the best pickers of his era in his band.

Give 'em Johnny Cash!

From the opener "Folsom Prison Blues," through the addictive (no pun intended) "Cocaine Blues" and the epitomy of gallows humor ("25 Minutes to Go"), this CD is a pure classic. Through such classics as "Orange Blossom Special" and the powerful adultery/murder song "Long Black Veil," you'll wonder how the CD could get any better. When the humorous tunes "Dirty Ol Egg Suckin Dog" and "Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart" meet your ears, you'll think you're in heaven. When June Carter lets loose her growled vocals on "Jackson," you'll know your beyond heaven. The pounding "John Henry" will hammer it in that you're listening to PURE COUNTRY MUSIC, while the closing "Greystone Chapel" (written by one of the inmates present at the concert) reminds you what this album is all about.

Wow. That was a lot of words right there--but not enough. You know who Johnny Cash is. You've probably heard of this album before. JOHNNY CASH AT FOLSOM PRISON is an album that you need--whether you're a fan of country, rock, disco, hip-hop, what have you. Cash trascends typical musical genres. Cash is a legend who will be sorely missed. AT FOLSOM PRISON is just a small piece of his legacy--but it's a damn good piece.

This CD is one of those rare experiences which seem to encompass so much.

Cash is in roaring form here, delivering a wonderful mix of humour, sadness, joy, rebellion, comedy and spirituality on one short disc. The atmosphere is as other reviewers have hinted at - electric. You can hear howlsd of approval as the folk hero bad boy sings Cocaine blues and the howls of laughter through his comic tunes in the middle of the show. As an agnostic I can truly say I can still tap the power of belief when I hear 'Greystone chapel.'

Cash's talent as a performer extends beyond just the ability to sing the songs, but to really make you listen. Cash is the real deal, in his life his failures and succeses were laid before all. The outlaw, the comdedian and the christian, were not characters of Johnny Cash but aspects of him.

The quality of the performance is almost universally excellent (bar his excessive banter between songs) with the band delvering a resounding backing and June singing superbly.

And lets not forget this has THE definitive recording of Folsom prison Blues (many Cash compilations have this instead of the downtempo original recording) - after all the concert is at Folsom prison.

great record - I am not a country music fan - this record is folksy and warm and really makes you feel for all those !*&@(# prisoners....cocaine blues is my favourite - along with 24 minutes to go....

This album transcends all the labels. Johnny Cash was a great American original and this album is one of his best. You certainly don't have to be a fan of country music to appriciate the music on this disc. It's just great music. It begins with a classic, ends with a song written by an inmate and never falters in between.

If you're not a fan of country music (I'm certainly not!) but you've heard about this record, believe me, you won't be disappointed in the least. It's fantastic.