116. Live at Folsom Prison - Johnny Cash

My knowledge of the Man in Black is wholly based on a best-of that I've quite enjoyed over the years, and the months of non-stop Ring of Fire used on every sporting montage in the mid '00s. Whilst this is a live album (have I mentioned I don't normally enjoy them?) it is the one that has defined Cash's legacy, and so it was hopefully going to help me understand why this man is so revered. I'm also not a fan of Country music, however, so it was understanding I was seeking, and little more.

This album came at a time when Johnny Cash was hugely out of favour, and supposedly on the decline. He was also struggling to recover from a significant drug addiction at the time. Coming 13 years after the release of "Folsom Prison Blues", Cash managed to perform live in the prison to 2,000 inmates, with the resulting album selling in huge numbers, going on to reach 3 milliion sales. The actual event had two separate performances (at 9:40 and 12:40) that were combined together to form the live album, something not obviously apparent upon first listen.

Folsom Prison Blues appropriately kicks things off, and it is a cracking start to the album with a wonderful combination of upbeat rhythm and dark imagery. The immortal line "I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die" epitomised the rebirth of Cash as The Man in Black, who spoke of crime, vengeance and prison. Dark as the Dungeon captures the depth of Cash's voice, and although I wasn't keen on the song at first as it was a bit ponderous, it grew on me, especially his light-hearted interaction with the crowd. I Still Miss Someone is heartfelt but a bit too Country and Western by numbers for my taste. Cocaine Blues adds a real energy, and Cash delivers it with real vigour. It also reflects Cash's own struggles with addiction, and the impact of narcotics on his character, especially the plea at the end. 25 minutes to Go is a genuine example of gallow's humour, and fantastically well observed. It is testament to Cash's personality that he can make a hanging appear light-hearted. Orange Blossom Special is a rapid runaway ride of a track complete with extended harmonica, and jokey asides. Long Black Veil is an intriguing moral tale of honour, which somehow leaves you admiring the man who slept with his best friend's wife. It is delicately mournful, and a very evocative image of love and loss. The Wall is a great story of desire and despair, and compellingly delivered. Dirty Old Egg Suckin' Dog is one of the few misses on the album, coming across as too lightweight to pull off the humour, whereas Flushed from the Bathroom of your Heart is genuinely funny, with one ridiculous metaphor after another. Jackson is a pleasant duet between Cash and June Carter, the woman who saved him from his self-destructive tendencies. The closing track, Greystone Chapel, was written by an inmate of Folsom Prison, Glen Shirley. It tells a story of rehabilitation and rebirth, and so acts as a very fitting closing number.

Overall, I really enjoyed this album significantly more than I anticipated. It is full of character, and humour, and great story-telling songs. Cash's voice has an incredible richness to it, and Carl Perkin's elegant guitar picking adds real vibrancy. The jovial nature of Cash's interaction with the inmates is touching, and lightens the mood of some intensely dark material. The performance is captivating, and has more variety than I would have expected. It is an album that is significantly greater than the sum of its parts, with the announcements of the guards adding a real authenticity.

Chloe's album rating: 7
Chloe's favourite song: 4. Cocaine Blues
Olly's album rating: 8
Olly's favourite song: 7. Long Black Veil 

Next week is 935. A Rush of Blood to the Head by Coldplay; lighters aloft everyone.