Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison – 40 Years Later
Since I was in Sacramento, Calif., this week for work, I decided to see what I could see at nearby Folsom Prison. Johnny Cash recorded his most famous album there in 1968, but there isn't much to look at. (Admittedly, this is probably the only prison I'd go out of my way to visit.) The main gate appears exactly the same today as it did in the original album photos, and because it's still actively in use as a prison, you can't go inside to see where he performed. But in researching the place, I learned this is very likely the first time he uttered his famous stage introduction, "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash."
If you drive from Sacramento, get lost, and then come back, that's about how long it takes to listen to Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison. I enjoyed hearing him talk with the prisoners and all the hollering that showed how grateful they were that he was there. Some of the songs are silly, but "Folsom Prison Blues" remains a country classic. In fact, the whole album has a sterling reputation now - 40 years later. I wouldn't dare to say what Johnny Cash would think, but in the liner notes, he said, "There's some stuff here I'm proud of...." And that's good enough for me.
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J.R. Journey says:
Craig said: “I wouldn’t dare to say what Johnny Cash would think …”
At least somebody is heeding the advice Rosanne Cash put forth to at least one country artist. Great article too. You get to go to all the cool places these days, don’t you? ;)
You’re On My Turf Now, Shelburne | Country California says:
[...] Cal Expo and watched her free show from the lawn. Just to say I had been there. - The main gate of Folsom Prison. Pretty cool. Despite having lived in this area for 6 years now, I still haven’t gotten [...]