Search - Johnny Cash :: At Folsom Prison Legacy Edition (2CD/1 DVD)

A collector item for Fans

Dr.Lee | Malaysia | 03/20/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The main reason I bought this set is to watch the performances of Johnny Cash in Folsom Prison on DVD. I remember watching "Johnny Cash in Folsom Prison" on TV when I was in Australia, in 1969 and enjoyed the TV special very much. It was a long special with him performing and showing the prisoners and the clanking of the jail house gates. I bought the Legacy package hoping that the DVD will contain that concert video or at least part of it but was very disappointed that it hardly has any visual of Johnny Cash performing in Folsom at all. However, I do enjoy the extra tracks in the CDs although I already have most of the songs. I guess this is a collector's item."

Essential Listening

Greg Kinne | midwest | 07/09/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Johnny Cash's iconic recording at Folsom Prison, Sony Legacy has presented the entire concert from start to finish similar to the San Quentin box set. This package has it all including a documentary that focused on Cash on that momentous day. Is this extended edition necessary for your collection? Sony Legacy reissued the complete `At Folsom Prison' nine years ago, or so we thought. The purpose of this review is to examine what the extras bring to the table in terms of merit and what they add to an already outstanding live recording.



The answer to the above question is a resounding yes; this collection is indeed very necessary. This edition of `At Folsom Prison' contains both concerts that were recorded that day in 1968. I was unaware that there was a concert at 9:40 am and 12:40 pm, and that the original `At Folsom Prison' recording was a compilation of the two recordings. The producer, Bob Johnson weeded out what he perceived to be the weaker material or lesser performances and had to edit out some of the stage banter because of album length constraints.



In the first concert, Johnny Cash seemed to be on fire and was hitting all the right notes, and the majority of performances from the original album come from this recording. In the afternoon, Cash appeared to be struggling to recapture the dynamic from the earlier performance. He fumbles lyrics at times and hits sour notes on "Orange Blossom Special" during the second concert but he remains dedicated to his cause. Highlights from the second concert are "Long-Legged Guitar Pickin' Man" with June Carter, "Busted" and "Greystone Chapel."



The remastering on this edition has made the performances sharper. Everything sounds clearer, from the reverb drenched guitars to the crispness of the bass. Notes seem punchier, vibrant, and more direct. The unreleased material also showcases the performances of Carl Perkins and The Statler Brothers. Both Carl Perkins' performances are lively and excellent. His renditions of "Blue Suede Shoes," "The Old Spinning Wheel" and "Matchbox" have been lying dormant for far too long. These recordings sound vital as if they were recorded yesterday.



It's also nice to see The Statler Brothers acknowledged for their role in this momentous recording. The Statler Brothers contribute "This Ole House," "Flowers On The Wall," a stirring rendition of "How Great Thou Art" and the novelty tune, "You Can't Have Your Kate and Edith Too." Interestingly included in this edition is the opening announcement from radio deejay Hugh Cherry. Cherry introduces both Johnny Cash shows and tells the prisoners how to present themselves to Johnny Cash. Cherry indicates how they should respond to Johnny Cash on stage, which might seem to take some of the magic away from the time that Johnny Cash does arrive on stage. It does not appear that the prisoners needed much prodding though, as most of them are in awe of the man in black.



The DVD `Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison' is included in this box set as well. The documentary features archival footage and photographs of the day that Cash played Folsom. It includes interviews with members of Johnny Cash's family and recollections from former prisoners.



So how essential is this package? Completely."

At Folsom Prison Legacy Edition

Craig Holtzman | North Carolina | 01/09/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can say in one word how I feel about this.AWSOME...Johnny Cash is truely one of our nations masterpieces.He appealed to young and old, free and imprisoned and everyone inbetween.I really thought that the video was lost to time.I have all the Video of him now thanks to this website...Thank you..

Craig.........."