I Shot a Man In Reno Just To Watch Him Die
Columbia legacy has put out a box set to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Concert. Cash actually gave two shows at Folsom Prison a morning show and a afternoon show the original album and was made up mostly of the first and best show with a couple of tracks from the second show. In the new box set both shows are included with the opening acts Carl Perkins and The Statler Brothers. The third disk is a DVD which contains an 75 minute documentary about the show and Johnny Cash's views on prisoners rights. The first show is far and away a better show. The afternoon show Johnny sounds tired and loses his voice several times. Still there is an odd quality to the show none the less that makes it an intriguing listen. Johnny cash knew how to work a prison crowd and Carl Perkins got through his very short set on both shows well but the Statler Brothers a "family" friendly act if ever there was one, sounded as if they were scared shitless. On the first show they only had to do one song and got through it fine but on the second show they did 3 and by the third song they sounded as if they were going to puke. You can almost hear them thinking how fast can we get through Flowers on the wall? The two shows are more of an event than they are great listens. The San Quintin concert a year later is the much better show, still this is essential for Country music fans and better than anything coming out of Nashville today. What isn't? Documentary is also very interesting even if it's not 2 hours and 10 minutes like the box says. (They get that time by factoring the extra scenes you can watch as a bonus)
At Folsom Prison Johnny Cash Legacy Editon **** 1/2 out of ****
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