Music Ranking
I loved this one a lot. I adored the light, jolly tone and the chugging guitar. I love the romanticised version of the old west and feel this fills that love extremely well. The thought of a famous singer performing at a prison for free out of the kindness of his heart warms mine, also. The songs are fun and light with descriptive cowboy imagery. This whole album feels so well put together and perfectly done.
9.2/10
Album Art Ranking
I find that the art is cool, but a shot of the cafeteria he was performing in would’ve been cooler (look it up)
6.5/10
Music Ranking
Johnny Cash has a wonderful deep voice. And the recording feels quite raw and unedited (probably because it isn’t edited much). The songs are largely songs of men and life and I appreciate his perspectives and storytelling. Highlights from this album are Cocaine Blues, 25 minutes to go, and Dirty Old Egg-Suckin’ Dog. I love that he called the song about the dog a love song - because we all really do love our pets. The honesty and authenticity really speak to me all the way from 1968.
9.3/10
Album Art Ranking
The album cover I believe is from a photo taken at the concert but in comparison to other still images I have seen of the event this lacks the emotional rawness and humanity that pours out of images of Johnny Cash with the inmates spread out in front of him. The recording at Folsom prison represents such a humanizing event for people who have been portrayed as less than, or worthless, or even evil. I do think including an image that hinted at that would have been more effective. Adequate cover but undersells the humanity of the moment it represents.
7.2/10