The Man in Black ... backwhen he was a real bad ass. "At Folsom Prison" was recorded on January13, 1968 and originally released later that year, then again on CD in1996 coupled with the '69 "San Quentin" live album. A quick, possiblylittle known fact: Cash was so big by the fall of '69 those two albumswere outselling the Beatles at around 250,000 copies per month. Thisre-release gives "Folsom" the royal treatment it deserves: 20-bitdigitally remastering, restored and uncensored original song order with3 previously unreleased bonus tracks and a nice new booklet. Cash isbacked here by the Tennessee Three (including Carl "Blue Suede Shoes"Perkins), the Statler Brothers and wife June Carter on a few numbers.The sound is the classic Cash two-beat in varying tempos and moods witha few by Cash solo. It's not really country music persay but more ablend of American roots, folk and gospel musics. And of course there'sthe one and only haunting baritone that deeply resonates throughout thehall. The 19 song set list is custom made for the captive (haha)audience of 2000 with serious and humorous songs filled with tales ofprison, drugs, crime, murder, death, mother, love, hope andspirituality. There is an amazing tension in the air but Cash distillsit with his songs and talk in-between and during songs. The prisonersloved it and so do I. The 24 page booklet is nicely done with the original "Folsom PrisonBlues" letter by Cash, brief liner notes by Cash and Steve Earle andnumerous photos from throughout the day of the show. What's reallyinteresting for me is listening to this album and looking at thepictures to get a small sense of what it was like to be there. Ifyou've never given this sort of music a real try, "At Folsom Prison" isone of the best possible places to start. Cash is currently workingwith Rick Rubin on his 4th album for American Records due out laterthis spring ...
samples:
Read More
