142. Johnny Cash - At San Quentin (June 1969)

1. Wanted Man

2. Wreck of the Ol' 97

3. I Walk the Line*

4. Darling Companion

5. Starkville City Jail

6. San Quentin*

7. San Quentin (performed a second time at the audience's request)

8. A Boy Named Sue*

9. (There'll Be) Peace in the Valley

10. Folsom Prison Blues

***1/2

I should point out that the Book notes that At San Quentin is only available these days in an expanded format. I would have preferred to listen to that, but Spotify has the original album these days and I thought I should listen to that version because, after all, that's the way everyone heard this album until the 2000 expanded edition came out.

So anyway, there's a lot to like about this album, but it can't really compare to At Folsom. Cash sounds tired for the first half of the set, and doesn't really find his voice until "Starkville City Jail". The material is all well chose, and includes career bests like "I Walk the Line" and the hilarious and timeless "A Boy Named Sue". I didn't really need to hear "San Quentin" twice, though. It's a great song, and the audience reaction is stirring, but I kind of wish they'd included "Big River" or something instead. I guess the inclusion of the second version helps to replicate the feel of the live show, and how the audience responded to it, though.

The album is very well-recorded, and has a muscular and punchy sound that really carries these songs along. Cash may be a bit weary here, but his band are in top form. The interactions with the audience are also pretty great. Cash has an understated wit and a great way with banter. It's interesting listening to the original version of the album, because the recording is punctuated with lengthy beeps as Cash cusses his way through the proceedings.

This is a very good album, and the cachet or mystique or whatever you want to call it of being recorded live at a prison certainly enlivens things. At Folsom is definitely the one to listen to, but I can see why this was a hit. And really, this album is worth it for the performances of "San Quentin" and "A Boy Named Sue" alone. I think if I listen to it again, though, it will definitely be the uncensored, expanded version.