Johnny Cash At San Quentin
by Johnny Cash

Shortlisted for the album of the year at the 1970 Grammys. The eventual winner was the self titled album by Blood, Sweat & Tears

funny and historical. 4th visit

From hereforashortime 02/22/2018 18:18 | #209241

Pales in comparison to Folsom Prison, but still a great album on its own.

From planetneutral 01/07/2018 22:39 | #204932

Dominating the prison crowd while at the height of his powers.

From 21stCenturySchiz 10/14/2016 19:41 | #176887

This is such an underrated album. Johnny has done a great performance

Another 'live in jail' album from the rock'n'roll outlaw himself, Johnny Cash. Like Folsom, it sounds a little tame to modern ears, but it's still an enjoyable album, just not as great as it's reputation suggests.

From Graeme2 04/05/2015 21:04 | #138901

What others said basically. This album is in no way inferior to the Folsom one. I may even slightly prefer this. Splitting hairs though.

Recorded just a year after his classic set at Folsom Prison, JOHNNY CASH AT SAN QUENTIN is far from a rehash of that now legendary show. Not only is the set list completely revamped, but Johnny's performance is even more engaging and often comedic between songs. At one point he pays tribute to original guitarist Luther Perkins, who had died the prior year. While many of the songs featured are related to prison life, Johnny and wife June briefly take a more spiritual tone towards the end of the set without getting being preachy or overly pious. I would view this album as a perfectly complement to the FOLSOM PRISON record because it is so different and can easily stand alone in it's worthy achievements.

Favorite tracks are "San Quentin", "Starkville City Jail". and "A Boy Named Sue".

From junodog4 07/14/2012 19:20 | #46416

Almost as good as Folsom Prison. Don't overlook - it covers new territory, and is just as connected.

From johnnyonthespot1 04/07/2012 22:33 | #39729

"At San Quentin" is one of the all-time essential live albums. Johnny Cash had released the live album "At Folsom Prison" just a year before but "At San Quentin" is its equal in every way (well, except for the fact that this album lacks the song "Cocaine Blues").

The defining moment comes on the song "San Quentin." The crowd of convicts simply EXPLODES with adoration for Cash and vitriol for the prison as they hang on to every word of the song:

"San Quentin, may you rot and burn in hell!
May your walls fall and may I live to tell!
May all the world forget you ever stood.
And may all the world regret you did no good."

The response is so thunderous that Cash plays the song a second time immediately thereafter. Here you have one of the biggest stars in the world speaking directly to the hearts of some of the "lowest" men in the world and the connection is electric.

Add to that the fact that you have Cash favorites "I Walk the Line" and "Folsom Prison Blues," plus the premiere of two great new songs: the Bob Dylan/Johnny Cash penned "Wanted Man" and Shel Silverstein's hilarious "A Boy Named Sue." And of course, if you pick up an extended CD re-release of the album, it has even more classics than the 10 issued on the original release.

Cash always amazes me with his ability to mix humor, vulgarity and spirituality. His mastery of all three are what made the prisoners love him, and why this album will always be one of my favorites.