142. Johnny Cash - At San Quentin

Release Date: 1969
Label: Columbia

The second of Johnny Cash's prison albums is, unsurprisingly, similar to the first. There were plans for JC to tour the prisons of England - Wormwood Scrubs, Parkhurst, Slade but the Man in Black couldn't stand the porridge. The album has less songs about murder and death, and more spiritual hymns.

Favourite Track: Peace in the Valley
Rating: 7/10

115. Johnny Cash - At Folsom Prison

 

 Release Date: 1968
Label: Columbia

We're going back a few steps here because I forgot to post an entry for this album. This another album I've owned for a while, along with '... San Quentin'. It was probably bought at the same time Joaquin Phoenix played the title role in the Cash Biopic, 'Walk The Line'. I may have confessed before that I'm not often a fan of 'Live' albums (I'm thinking of James Brown and Jerry Lee Lewis here) but I think Johnny Cash excels at this. It probably helps that the acoustics are better, the sound clearer, and the songs stronger. Also, Johnny Cash has a way with audiences that means he seems to appeal to both the prisoners and the guards.

Rating: 8/10
Favourite Track: Jackson