142. Johnny Cash — At San Quentin (1969)

1. I guess when you hit pay-dirt the way Cash did with At Folsom Prison, you’d be crazy not to go back to the well for more. But one gets the sense it wasn’t about the payday for Cash; it was a genuine interest in connecting with the forgotten element of a society strangled by a prison industrial complex that was more punitive than restorative. Cash’s enthusiasm to be around a crowd of fans who couldn’t pay to see him if they want to is palpable, as is the excitement of that crowd, and I can’t blame the A&R executives who thought it a good idea to record each of these for recognizing musical gold.
2. I love that this album repeats only one track from At Folsom Prison, the namesake “Folsom Prison Blues.” Despite a similar setup, Cash digs into his 31-album catalog (!!!!) and pulls out a wholly fresh set. In the midst of this, he unveils a new tune, “San Quentin.” It’s an unrelenting attack on the prison host, making a firm case that the prison experience left men worse than they came in. The reaction is audibly tense as the inmates respond; Cash loved the response so much he immediately reprised the song. In a sense, that’s a microcosm of this moment in Cash’s career, his ability to identify what worked and embrace it. It’s a brilliant moment.
3. All in all, it doesn’t quite live up to the brilliance of At Folsom Prison, but it’s an outstanding companion piece. Highly recommended.

Next Up: CCR takes us back to the river

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