features in: (B-list) Album Chart of 1968 ● (B-list) Album Chart of the 1960s ● 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die  |
Ever since releasing “Folsom Prison Blues” as his 2nd single away back in 1955, prisoners had been writing to Cash, asking him to come and play in theirs. And he did too, many times from 1957 onwards. This album works well on all levels. Right songs, right place, right time. It helps that Cash has superb backing throughout - good rhythm guitars and intuitive percussion. Not bad for a 9:40am showtime - they’d clearly had their weetabix! Cash is backed by his long term core three of Marshall Grant (bass), Luther Perkins (electric guitar) and Fluke Holland (drums). Carl Perkins is on second guitar for added beef. Co-vocals and backing vocals come from his new bride, June Carter and from vocal quartet, The Statler Brothers. The sense of fun is palpable - it’s a pleasure to re-live the concert, and my prejudice against live albums is hypocritically swept to the side for this one. Although, on a low note, and according to biographer Michael Streissguth, the cheering from the audience following the line “I shot a man in Reno / just to watch him die” was added in post-production. A special on the “Walk the Line” DVD indicates that the prisoners were careful not to cheer at any of Cash’s comments about the prison itself, fearing reprisal from guards. Do I not like that - there I was digging the underlying threat of riot. Grrr. As ever, I’ve scored on the 16 track original - the 19 track CD re-issue (which added Busted / Joe Bean / John Henry) would’ve nudged it up to 6.92 / 10.
The Jukebox Rebel
25–Aug–2008
| Tracklist |
| A1 | [02:42]  Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues [live at folsom prison] (Johnny Cash) Country |
| A2 | [03:04]  Johnny Cash - Dark As A Dungeon [live at folsom prison] (Merle Travis) Country |
| A3 | [01:38]  Johnny Cash - I Still Miss Someone [live at folsom prison] (Johnny Cash, Roy Cash) Country |
| A4 | [03:01]  Johnny Cash - Cocaine Blues [live at folsom prison] (T.J. Arnall) Country |
| A5 | [03:31]  Johnny Cash - 25 Minutes To Go [live at folsom prison] (Shel Silverstein) Country |
| A6 | [03:06]  Johnny Cash - Orange Blossom Special [live at folsom prison] (Ervin T. Rouse) Country |
| A7 | [03:58]  Johnny Cash - The Long Black Veil [live at folsom prison] (Wilkin D. Dill) Country |
| B1 | [02:05]  Johnny Cash - Send A Picture Of Mother [live at folsom prison] (Johnny Cash) Country |
| B2 | [01:36]  Johnny Cash - The Wall [live at folsom prison] (Harlan Howard) Country |
| B3 | [01:30]  Johnny Cash - Dirty Old Egg Suckin’ Dog [live at folsom prison] (Jack Clement) Country |
| B4 | [02:05]  Johnny Cash - Flushed From The Bathroom Of Your Heart [live at folsom prison] (Jack Clement) Country |
| B5 | [03:12]  Johnny Cash with June Carter - Jackson [live at folsom prison] (Billy Ed Wheeler, Gaby Rogers) Country |
| B6 | [02:43]  Johnny Cash - Give My Love To Rose [live at folsom prison] (Johnny Cash) Country |
| B7 | [01:52]  Johnny Cash - I Got Stripes [live at folsom prison] (Johnny Cash, Charlie Williams) Country |
| B8 | [02:13]  Johnny Cash - Green, Green Grass Of Home [live at folsom prison] (Curly Putman, Sheb Wooley) Country |
| B9 | [06:02] Johnny Cash - Greystone Chapel [live at folsom prison] (Glen Sherley) Country |
