115. Johnny Cash | At Folsom Prison (1968)

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Wikipedia Entry

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Tracks

Original release

1. Folsom Prison Blues
2. Dark as a Dungeon
3. I Still Miss Someone
4. Cocaine Blues
5. 25 Minutes to Go
6. Orange Blossom Special
7. The Long Black Veil
8. Send a Picture of Mother
9. The Wall
10. Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog
11. Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart
12. Jackson
13. Give My Love to Rose
14. I Got Stripes
15. Green, Green Grass of Home
16. Greystone Chapel

Re-release

1. Folsom Prison Blues
2. Busted
3. Dark as a Dungeon
4. I Still Miss Someone
5. Cocaine Blues
6. 25 Minutes to Go
7. Orange Blossom Special
8. The Long Black Veil
9. Send a Picture of Mother
10. The Wall
11. Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog
12. Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart
13. Joe Bean
14. Jackson
15. Give My Love to Rose
16. I Got Stripes
17. The Legend of John Henry's Hammer
18. Green, Green Grass of Home
19. Greystone Chapel

Legacy Edition

First Show

1. Opening announcements from Hugh Cherry
2. Blue Suede Shoes
(performed by Carl Perkins)
3. This Ole House
(performed by The Statler Brothers)
4. Announcements and Johnny Cash intro from Hugh Cherry
5. Folsom Prison Blues
6. Busted
7. Dark as a Dungeon
8. I Still Miss Someone
9. Cocaine Blues
10. 25 Minutes to Go
11. I'm Here to Get My Baby Out of Jail
12. Orange Blossom Special
13. The Long Black Veil
14. Send a Picture of Mother
15. The Wall
16. Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog
17. Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart
18. Joe Bean
19. Jackson
20. I Got a Woman
21. The Legend of John Henry's Hammer
22. June's Poem
23. Green, Green Grass of Home
24. Greystone Chapel
25. Closing announcements
26. The Old Spinning Wheel

Second Show

1. Opening announcements from Hugh Cherry
2. Matchbox
(performed by Carl Perkins)
3. Blue Suede Shoes
(performed by Carl Perkins)
4. You Can't Have Your Kate and Edith, Too
(performed by The Statler Brothers)
5. Flowers on the Wall
(performed by The Statler Brothers)
6. How Great Thou Art
(performed by The Statler Brothers)
7. Announcements and Johnny Cash intro from Hugh Cherry
8. Folsom Prison Blues
9. Busted
10. Dark as a Dungeon
11. Cocaine Blues
12. 25 Minutes To Go
13. Orange Blossom Special
14. The Legend of John Henry's Hammer
15. Give My Love to Rose
16. Dirty Old Egg-Sucking Dog
17. Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart
18. Joe Bean
19. Jackson
20. Long-Legged Guitar Pickin' Man
21. I Got Stripes
22. Green, Green Grass Of Home
23. Greystone Chapel
24. Greystone Chapel
25. Hugh Cherry Introduces Johnny's father, Ray Cash, Associate Warden Walter E. Craven and Floyd Gressett, and closing announcements

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Note: As the track listing indicates, there are three different versions of At Folsom Prison: the original release, an extended release and a so-called legacy version. The extended release adds three songs not included on the original release. The legacy version a complete uncut recording of the two shows Johnny Cash performed at Folsom Prison for the recording. The legacy version includes several songs not found on the original release, as well as opening songs performed by Carl Perkins and the Statler Brothers. It also includes a poem recited by June Carter.
The legacy version is important as a historical record and perfect for die-hard fans, but the original or extended releases are sufficient enough. I think the extended release is the best because of its inclusion of The Legend of John Henry's Hammer.

At Folsom Prison is an entertaining album. Most songs are country. Many of the songs deal with prison life or criminal acts. The songs are full of black humor. I suppose the choice of songs are apt for Johnny's reputation and because they are performing at a prison, but perhaps the prisoners might have liked something more upbeat.

No matter, the prisoners seemed to enjoy the performance and Johnny Cash is a great showman who easily connects with his audience. I think it's great that he performed for prisoners. I wonder how many entertainers perform for prisoners these days.

This is certainly an album worth owning. Johnny Cash and his supporting musicians—June Carter, The Tennessee Three, The Statler Brothers and Carl Perkins—sound excellent live. The songs are great. Johnny Cash's strength and appeal lie in his lyrics and his voice; he sure knows how to convincingly tell a compelling story. The stand out songs are Folsom Prison Blues, Cocaine Blues, 25 Minutes to Go, Orange Blossom Special, The Wall, Jackson, Green, Green Grass of Home and Greystone Chapel.

★★★★★★★★★★