Johnny Cash - At Folsom Prison

After borrowing a copy of his last album before his death, American The Man Comes Around IV: I began to look into more Johnny Cash. I decided to start with the classic At Folsom Prison, seeing as I love live albums and it was highly recommended by a friend.

Upon looking at the tracklist, I expected it to be very long, but I forgot to take into account that country songs (or songs in general during that time) were much shorter. So 19 tracks go by real quick. The music is of course, not very complex... but at least for me, the main focus is Johnny's voice, which has a certain charisma about it that makes the music great.

The second thing I loved about this album is his sense of humour and how he doesn't take himself completely serious. During this album, it was not uncommon to hear a prisoner yell something out, and then Johnny starts laughing while hes singing, then works a comment into the song. The songs themselves are pretty funny sometimes too, which adds to the charm of this album. Another thing I liked was hearing the crowd so active during the performance, cheering and laughing along with the lyrics.

Definatley a very unusual addition to my collection. I actually think this is the first non-rock album i've bought.

10/10 from me.

Love this album. I remember my grandparents playing this old album when I was a kid and thinking it was soooooo cool that this guy was playing a concert at a prison.

I just listened to At San Quentin the other night. Another great one.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Love this album. I remember my grandparents playing this old album when I was a kid and thinking it was soooooo cool that this guy was playing a concert at a prison.

I just listened to At San Quentin the other night. Another great one.

I love the part where he goes "Sorry for the interruption, but I just wanted to tell you that this show is being recorded for an album on Columbia records, and you can't say hell or sh*t or anything like that."

DeathCult wrote:

Thanks for your knowledgeable and vastly valuable input buddy

I just dont like Johnny Cash. I heard the album back when my best friend was alive because he loved him. I suppose if anything, its probably the best country Ive heard, but I'm still not into it.

DeathCult wrote:

I just dont like Johnny Cash. I heard the album back when my best friend was alive because he loved him. I suppose if anything, its probably the best country Ive heard, but I'm still not into it.

Okay, thats fine. But don't come in making a throw up icon and not expect a response.

Johnny Cash was the punkest of the punk. He even has the same initials as the greatest punk in history - JC!!

SAXON1500 wrote:

Johnny Cash was the punkest of the punk. He even has the same initials as the greatest punk in history - JC!!

Uncle Sax for the win!

Not bragging or anything but my Dad was in the audience, part of the program when you are raised in a biker environment. It was kewl that he did something for those who could basicily at the time, do nothing for him.

Chairman_Smith wrote:

DeathCult wrote:

I just dont like Johnny Cash. I heard the album back when my best friend was alive because he loved him. I suppose if anything, its probably the best country Ive heard, but I'm still not into it.

Okay, thats fine. But don't come in making a throw up icon and not expect a response.

Oh, I knew Id get a response, thats just my feelings on country music.

JC as a personality though, Ill agree with Sax

Quote :

Not bragging or anything but my Dad was in the audience, part of the program when you are raised in a biker environment.

That's a neat little fact. Wasn't another soon-to-be country star in that audience as well? I wanna say Merle Haggard was doing time in the pokey and was in the audience when Johhny came to town. It was either Folsom or San Quentin. I seem to remember reading that somewhere.

I love CASH...He was a timeless boundriless icon...labeled country but more than that...There is not a single artists today who does not know of or no to "The Man in Black"

Sadly, he was not as appreciated late in his life as he should have been..all his American Recordings discs are incredible..



...and this album is a great opening experience for the novice listener...it sums up what he was about....

As well as 'Flushed From the Bathroom of your heart" being one of the funniest tunes this side of "Beans For Breakfast"

I was gonna mention that I always thought if Shiney was gonna get some ink, it would be a young Johnny Cash with that patented pose w/guitar. That would be a COOL TAT!!

would be...But Shiney is a big puss and won't get inked.....

Johnny is the man and his music transends genres. I don't like modern country but some of the classics like JC and Waylon had balls. Those men owned a room and you knew if they were in the same building as you.
Metalguy-it was Haggard but I can't remember the show.

I want to get that album. He had a great personality.

That album contains one of the most chilling moments in live album history IMO. During "Folsom Prison Blues" when Johnny sings "I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die," the audience cheers. That's pretty darn metal!

man what a great album this is!!! It's cool how he relates to the audience so much.

QuothTheRaven wrote:

That album contains one of the most chilling moments in live album history IMO. During "Folsom Prison Blues" when Johnny sings "I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die," the audience cheers. That's pretty darn metal!

haha, i love that part

DeathCult wrote:

I just dont like Johnny Cash. I heard the album back when my best friend was alive because he loved him. I suppose if anything, its probably the best country Ive heard, but I'm still not into it.

You will now go "Down, Down, Down in a Ring Of Fire, A Ring of fire" LOL

assault_attack wrote:

DeathCult wrote:

I just dont like Johnny Cash. I heard the album back when my best friend was alive because he loved him. I suppose if anything, its probably the best country Ive heard, but I'm still not into it.

You will now go "Down, Down, Down in a Ring Of Fire, A Ring of fire" LOL

Sounds like a roundabout reference to sodomy. Not surprising from someone with ass and attack in their name.

BACK OFF!

Actually Assault_attack is used in reference to my favorite MSG LP w/Graham Bonnet on Vocals. I'm not sure where your coming from. Strange response.

I know the Johnny Cash song "Ring Of Fire" From a cover version done by the Eric Burden Band in the early 70's. A slowed down hard rock version.


My response to your you post was a joke, Get it? I guess not.

I know where Assault Attack comes from, I love MSG.

My response was a joke too.

Cool!