At Folsom Prison is a live album by Johnny Cash, released on Columbia Records in May 1968. After his 1955 song 'Folsom Prison Blues', Cash had been interested in recording a performance at a prison. His idea was put on hold until 1967, when personnel changes at Columbia Records put Bob Johnston in charge of producing Cash's material. Cash had recently controlled his drug abuse problems, and was looking to turn his career around after several years of limited commercial success. Backed by June Carter, Carl Perkins and the Tennessee Three, Cash performed two shows at Folsom State Prison in California on January 13, 1968. The album consists of fifteen tracks from the first show and two tracks from the second.
Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues (Live) Don't forget to subscribe for more Johnny Cash Music! Lyrics: I hear the train a comin' It's rollin' 'round the bend, And I ain't seen the sunshine, Since. May 24, 2018 Johnny Cash's seminal 1968 album 'At Folsom Prison' was released 50 years ago this month, which he recorded live for 1,000 inmates behind bars. SUBSCRIBE NOW to. May 28, 2018 Johnny Cash stands on the lawn outside Folsom State Prison, near Sacramento, on Jan. The music that he would record later this day. Johnny Cash Plays Folsom Prison 1968. Johnny Cash plays two shows for inmates at Folsom Prison in California. Unlike his previous prison concerts, they are recorded and packaged into his acclaimed live album At Folsom Prison.
Despite little initial investment by Columbia, At Folsom Prison was a hit in the United States, reaching number one on the country charts and the top 15 of the national album chart. The lead single, a live version of 'Folsom Prison Blues', was a top 40 hit, Cash's first since 1964's 'Understand Your Man'. At Folsom Prison received positive reviews and revitalized Cash's career, becoming the first in a series of live albums recorded at prisons that includes 'At San Quentin' (1969), 'PÃ¥ ÃsterÃ¥ker' (1973), and 'A Concert Behind Prison Walls' (1976). The album was rereleased with additional tracks in 1999, a three-disc set in 2008, and a five LP box set with bonus rehearsals in 2018 for Record Store Day. It was certified triple platinum in 2003 for US sales exceeding three million.
Background[edit]Johnny Cash Plays At Folsom Prison In California
Johnny Cash became interested in Folsom State Prison, California, while serving in the United States Air Force Security Service. In 1953, his unit watched Crane Wilbur's 1951 film Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison. The film inspired Cash to write a song that reflected his perception of prison life.[1] The result was 'Folsom Prison Blues', Cash's second single on Sun Records. The song became popular among inmates, who would write to Cash, requesting him to perform at their prisons.[2] Cash's first prison performance was at Huntsville State Prison in 1957.[3] Satisfied by the favorable reception, he performed at several other prisons in the years leading up to the Folsom performance in 1968.[3]
A few years after attaining commercial success from songs such as 'I Walk the Line', 'Understand Your Man', and 'Ring of Fire', Cash's popularity waned. This was due in part to his increasing dependence on drugs.[4] In 1967, Cash sought help for his escalating drug problems; by the end of the year, his drug use decreased and he sought to turn his career around.[5] Concurrently, the country portion of Columbia Records underwent major personnel changes. Frank Jones and Don Law, who had produced several of Cash's albums, were ousted in favor of Bob Johnston, who was known for his erratic behavior and willingness to disagree with studio executives.[6] Cash saw this as an opportunity to pitch his idea of recording a live album at a prison; Johnston enthusiastically supported the concept.[7] Johnston called San Quentin State Prison and Folsom, with Folsom being the first to respond.[8]
Recording[edit]
The album was recorded at Folsom State Prison in Folsom, California.
On January 10, 1968, Cash and June Carter checked into the El Rancho Motel in Sacramento, California. They were later accompanied by the Tennessee Three, Carl Perkins, The Statler Brothers, Johnny's father Ray Cash, Reverend Floyd Gressett, pastor of Avenue Community Church in Ventura, California (where Cash often attended services), who counseled inmates at Folsom and helped facilitate the concert, and producer Johnston. The performers rehearsed for two days, an uncommon occurrence for them, sometimes with two or more songs rehearsed concurrently by various combinations of musicians.[9] During the rehearsal sessions on January 12, California governor Ronald Reagan, who was at the hotel for an after-dinner speech, visited the band and offered his encouragement.[10] One focus of the sessions was to learn 'Greystone Chapel', a song written by inmate Glen Sherley. Sherley recorded a version of the song, which he passed on to Rev. Gressett via the prison's recreation director.[11][12] On January 13, the group traveled to Folsom, meeting Los Angeles Times writer Robert Hilburn and Columbia photographer Jim Marshall, who were hired to document the album for the liner notes.[13]
![]()
Cash decided to hold two performances on January 13, one at 9:40 AM and one at 12:40 PM, in case the first performance was unsatisfactory.[14] After an introduction by MCHugh Cherry, who encouraged the prisoners to 'respond' to Cash's performance, Carl Perkins took the stage and performed his hit song 'Blue Suede Shoes'.[15] Following this song, the Statler Brothers sang their hit 'Flowers on the Wall' and the country standard 'This Old House'.[16] Cherry returned to the stage and instructed the inmates not to cheer for Cash until he introduced himself; they obliged.[2]
Cash opened both shows with a rendition of 'Folsom Prison Blues', followed by many songs about prison, including 'The Wall', 'Green, Green Grass of Home', and the gallows humor song '25 Minutes to Go'. Cash also included other songs of despair, such as the Merle Travis song 'Dark as a Dungeon'. Following 'Orange Blossom Special', Cash included a few 'slow, ballad-type songs', including 'Send a Picture of Mother' and 'The Long Black Veil', followed by three novelty songs from his album Everybody Loves A Nut: 'Dirty Old Egg-Sucking Dog', 'Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart', and 'Joe Bean'.[17]June Carter joined Cash to perform a pair of duets. After a seven-minute version of a song from his Blood, Sweat and Tears album, 'The Legend of John Henry's Hammer', Cash took a break and Carter recited a poem.[17] Cash ended both concerts with Sherley's 'Greystone Chapel'. The second concert was not as fruitful as the first; the musicians were fatigued from the earlier show.[18] Only two songs from the second concert, 'Give My Love to Rose' and 'I Got Stripes,' made it onto the LP release.
Reception and impact[edit]
The album release of At Folsom Prison was prepared in four months. Despite the recent success of 'Rosanna's Going Wild', a Cash single released just before the Folsom concerts that reached number two on the country charts, Columbia initially invested little in the album or its single 'Folsom Prison Blues'. This was due partially to Columbia's efforts to promote pop stars instead of country artists.[24][25] Nevertheless, the single charted on the Billboard Hot 100 on May 25, 1968; it also hit the country charts a week later.[26][27] The single suffered a setback, however, when Sirhan SirhanassassinatedSenator Robert F. Kennedy on June 5, 1968. Radio stations ceased playing the single due to the macabre line: 'I shot a man in Reno/Just to watch him die'. Reeling in the success prior to the assassination, Columbia demanded Johnston remix the single with the line removed. Despite protests from Cash, the single was edited and re-released. The new version became a success, reaching number one on the country charts and the top forty on the national charts.[28] The single prompted the album to climb the album charts, eventually reaching number one on the Top Country Albums chart and number thirteen on the Pop Albums chartâthe forerunner to the Billboard 200.[29] By August 1968, Folsom had shipped over 300,000 copies; two months later it was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipping over 500,000.[30][31]
At Folsom Prison received rave reviews. Al Aronowitz of Life stated Cash sang the songs like 'someone who has grown up believing he is one of the people that these songs are about.'[32] For The Village Voice, Ann Fisher wrote that 'every cut is special in its own way' and Richard Goldstein noted the album was 'filled with the kind of emotionalism you seldom find in rock.'[33][34] Fredrick E. Danker of Sing Out! praised At Folsom Prison as 'an album structured an aural experience for us.'[35]
The success of At Folsom Prison revitalized Cash's career; according to Cash, 'that's where things really got started for me again'.[4]Sun Records re-dubbed Cash's previous B-side 'Get Rhythm' with applause similar to Folsom's, and it became successful enough to enter the Hot 100.[36] Cash returned to the prison scene in 1969 when he recorded At San Quentin at San Quentin State Prison. At San Quentin became Cash's first album to hit number one on the Pop chart and produced the number two hit 'A Boy Named Sue'. The ensuing popularity from the Folsom concert also prompted ABC to give Cash his own television show.[37]
The album was re-released on October 19, 1999 with three extra tracks excluded from the original LP: 'Busted', 'Joe Bean', and 'The Legend of John Henry's Hammer'. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic praised the new version, calling it 'the ideal blend of mythmaking and gritty reality.'[38] On May 27, 2003, At Folsom Prison was certified triple platinum by the RIAA for shipping over three million units.[31] Since its release, it has been acknowledged as one of the greatest albums of all time by several sources. In 2003, the album was ranked number 88 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, maintaining the rating in a 2012 revised list.[39] Also in 2003, it was one of 50 recordings chosen by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry.[40]Country Music Television named it the third greatest album in country music in 2006.[41]Blender listed the album as the 63rd greatest American album of all time and as one of the '500 CDs You Must Own'.[42][43] In 2006, Time listed it among the 100 greatest albums of all time.[44] The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[45]
In 2008, Columbia and Legacy Records re-issued At Folsom Prison as a two CD, one DVD set. This so-called 'Legacy Edition' contained both concerts uncut and remastered. The included DVD, produced by Bestor Cram and Michael Streissguth of Northern Light Productions, featured pictures and interviews relevant to the concert. Pitchfork Media lauded the collection, claiming that it had 'the force of empathic endeavors, as if he were doing penance for his notorious bad habits.'[46] Christian Hoard wrote for Rolling Stone that the Legacy edition 'makes for an excellent historical document, highlighting Cash's rapport with prison folk.'[47]
Track listing[edit]
Re-release (1999)[edit]
Legacy Edition (2008)[edit]
Personnel[edit]
Credited on 1999 re-issue
Charts[edit]
Certifications[edit]
Citations[edit]
References[edit]
Further reading[edit]
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=At_Folsom_Prison&oldid=917319683'
HomeFeaturedWhy Did Johnny Cash Play at Folsom Prison? Ten Facts About âAt..
Fifty years ago, on January 13th, 1968, Johnny Cash made history by recording a live album inside of Californiaâs Folsom State Prison.
Free polar bowler download. Align his inner tube with the arrows on each icy lane and watch him plunge headfirst into pins. As you bowl with the bear down seven whimsical lanes, your high scores unlock his Arctic friends. Use your mouse to steer him into spares and strikes, and catch special power-ups along the way! Polar Bowler is one of our most popular bowling games!.
The album, At Folsom Prison revitalized Cashâs career. But why did Johnny Cash decide to play two live shows at Folsom Prison?
The song that started the prison obsession for Johnny Cash was his own âFolsom Prison Blues.â Written in 1953 while Cash was serving in Germany with the US Air Force, it was inspired by the 1951 film, Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison. Two years later, Cash recorded the song for the Sun Records label in Memphis. It became one of Cashâs signature songs, and had one of the most iconic lines in country music history; âBut I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die.â
âI sat with my pen in my hand, trying to think up the worst reason a person could have for killing another person, and thatâs what came to mind.â â Johnny Cash
Never serving hard time himself, Johnny Cash had an affinity for the downtrodden. After the release of âFolsom Prison Bluesâ in 1955, he began receiving letters from inmates around the country asking him to play.
Johnny Cash performed his first prison concert at Huntsville State Prison in Texas in 1957. After hearing the response from the inmates, he began to think about a live recording at one of the facilities. Cash recorded other live prison albums as well, including At San Quentin (1969), PÃ¥ ÃsterÃ¥ker (Sweden 1973), and A Concert Behind Prison Walls (Tennessee State Prison 1974) which included guests Linda Ronstadt, Roy Clark, and Foster Brooks.
Submitted on 7/1/2017 Review title of B45GuyGreat GameThe update fixed many broken things. Payday 2 xbox 360 download. As much as I do love this game there should be easier access to public lobbys. If something is broken I would prefer if I wait 6 days rather than 6 months. Rather than having me putting in preference for a heist I want to do and hope someone is playing it. Also don't release your patches with the dlc packs.
In 1967, producer Bob Johnstone agreed to the idea of a live recording. Calls were made to two prisons in California, Folsom and San Quentin. Folsom answered first.
When Johnny Cash arrived at Folsom, he had some special guests along. The Tennessee Three (Luther Perkins, Marshall Grant, and W. S. Holland) backed Cash during the sets. Also on stage was former Sun label-mate Carl Perkins, who opened the show with his song, âBlue Suede Shoes.â The Statler Brothers provided backup vocals for Cash and also performed their hits, âFlowers on the Wall,â and âThis Old House.â Finally, June Carter Cash joined in on duets of âJackson,â and âGive My Love to Rose.â
Johnny Cash & co performed two shows at Folsom Prison that day: One at 9:40 AM, and the other at 12:40 PM. He closed the shows with the song, âGreystone Chapel,â written by Folsom inmate Glen Sherley. Sherley had recorded the song and gifted a copy to prison Chaplain, Rev. Floyd Gressett, Pastor of the Avenue Community Church in Ventura, the church Cash often frequented for services. Rev. Gressett gave Johnny the recording on the day before the shows, and Cash insisted they play it live.
On the last day of rehearsals, California governor and future President Ronald Reagan, who had heard about the upcoming performance, stopped by the El Rancho Motel in Sacramento, offering his encouragement.
During the live performances, many of the inmates were reluctant to respond too raucously. They feared reprisals from the guards if they cheered too loud during songs such as âCocaine Blues,â or â25 Minutes to Go.â During the performance of âDark as a Dungeon,â one of the inmates began to laugh, which led to Cash chuckling as well. Johnny casually admonished the man who responded with âOh, hell.â Cashâs response at the end of the song is the stuff of legend:
âI just wanted to tell you that this show is being recorded for an album released on Columbia Records, so you canât say âhellâ or âshitâ or anything like that.â â Johnny Cash
So let us help save the planet by keeping our environment clean and eco friendly. In this post we have 20 Beautiful Nature Wallpapers for your inspiration. Enjoy the beauty of nature through these nature wallpapers. Download these free nature wallpapers to decorate your background and be mesmerized by the sheer beauty of nature. Beautiful nature wallpaper download.
![]()
At Folsom Prison was released in May, 1968. The single, âFolsom Prison Blues,â hit the Billboard Hot 100 on May 25th, and the Billboard Country Charts a week later.
The assassination of Robert Kennedy on June 5th, 1968 had radio stations pulling the song from airplay due to the âshot a man in Renoâ line. Despite protests from Cash, the label edited the line out, and re-released the song. It was an instant success peaking at #1 on the country charts and breaking into the mainstream Top 40. The album followed suit, hitting number #1 the Top Country charts and #13 on the Pop Album Charts. It was certified gold in October.
Johnny Cash Plays At Folsom Prison Game
At Folsom Prison won two GRAMMY® awards for Cash. His second and third respectively, he won for Best Album Notes (documented by LA Times writer Robert Hilburn, and photographer Jim Marshall), and Best Country Vocal Performance, Male for âFolsom Prison Blues.â
âFolsom Prison Blues- the culture of a thousand years is shattered with the clanging of the cell door behind you. Life outside, behind you, immediately becomes unreal. You begin to not care that it exists. All you have with you in the cell is your bare animal instincts.â â Johnny Cash
The back to back successes of At Folsom Prison, and At San Quentin garnered Cash his own musical variety show on ABC Television. The Johnny Cash Show ran on the network from June 7th, 1969 to March 31st, 1971. Recorded at Nashvilleâs Ryman Auditorium, the 58 episodes contained a host of musical talent, as well as Hollywood royalty that included Bob Hope, Kirk Douglas, and Lorne Greene.
Johnny Cash Folsom Prison Video
Since its release, At Folsom Prison has been acknowledged by Rolling Stone, Blender, Time, and Country Music Television as one of the greatest albums of all time. After achieving triple platinum status from the RIAA in 2003, the Library of Congress chose it for addition to the National Recording Registry. It would seem to all who heard it, that Johnny Cashâs decision to record live at Folsom Prison had paid off.
Johnny Cash Plays At Folsom Prison Inmate
What do you think? What is your favorite Johnny Cash album? Let us know in the comment section below.
Comments are closed.
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |