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Johnny Cash at
Folsom Prison is the best example of why Johnny Cash had so many fans. This album is
simply raw and honest. Recorded live at the famous California prison in 1968 it contains
songs about life behind bars, going to the death chamber, a man’s love for his mother,
and a couple of comedy tunes.
In the background you can hear the normal
noises of a prison—the heavy iron doors clanging shut, excited whoops from men who didn’t
get any entertainment, and dozens of other sounds. These sounds and the trembling bass
of Johnny Cash give this album a feel of being free and trapped at the same time. The
music itself is simple and straightforward. There aren’t any fancy production techniques
used here. Just a few microphones plugged into a reel-to-reel machine catching the
emotion of the concert.
This album has a few of Cash’s early hits (“Folsom
Prison Blues,” “I Still Miss Someone,” “Orange Blossom Special”), but it’s not really
notable for those tunes. What makes this album special is the overall performance. It’s
full of Cash’s heart and emotion, a genuine affection for the men in his audience.
There are other albums out there that have more of his hits but none have
more of his presence. This is the perfect jumping on point for a late-comer to the
Johnny Cash bandwagon.
RPM Editor’s note: This past week, the music
industry lost a true legend. Johnny Cash is a hero for all musicians. His last album
showed us how many musical genres he could touch. My friends sat around in jaw dropping
excitement when Cash played “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails or “Personal Jesus” by Depeche
Mode. Johnny Cash bled coolness without ever trying to be cool. His talent, his ideals,
his musical beauty will be sorely missed. God Bless Johnny! MK
