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Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison: The Making of a Masterpiece
On January 13, 1968, Johnny Cash (1932-2003) took the stage at Folsom Prison in Folsom, California. The concert and the live album, Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison , propelled him to worldwide superstardom. He reached new audiences, ignited tremendous growth in the country music industry, and connected with fans in a way no other artist has before or since. Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison is a riveting account of that day, what led to it, and what came after. Scrupulously researched, rich with the author's unprecedented access to Folsom Prison's and Columbia Records' archives, illustrated with more than 100 photos, Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison shows how Johnny Cash forever became a champion of the downtrodden, as well as one of the more enduring forces in American music.
192 pages, Paperback
First published September 14, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 9, 2019
"[Cash] was coming off a five-year commercial lull during which drugs ravaged him even as he matured artistically . . . Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison hit the record bins and began moving like [a freight train]. What the NBC-TV stage in Burbank would be for Elvis Presley in December of 1968, Folsom Prison was for Johnny Cash in January of 1968." -- the author on page 13
Arguably one of The Man in Black's greatest albums in a discography that spans nearly fifty (!) years, author Streissguth's The Making of a Masterpiece is part biography, part sociology lesson, and part music history. Amazingly, he includes a lot of information in under 150 pages, and a good portion of the book consists of about one-hundred photographs from that storied day on January 13, 1968.
Starting with the composition history of the song 'Folsom Prison Blues' - nowadays regarded as one of Cash's signature tunes - during the youthful years in the military and at the now-legendary Sun Records studio, Streissguth traces how Cash's occasional shows at small correctional facilities AND career dry spell (his increasing drug problem plus a lack of hit singles during 1964-1967, though he released a trio of concept albums during that time which only belatedly received critical acclaim) helped clear the 'go-for-broke' path to this unconventional album with its decidedly dangerous and unusual concert venue. With this and the equally as good Live at San Quentin release the following year, Cash segued into a rare type of true American superstar status and probably saved his career from crashing. While he would still experience intermittent rough patches until his death in 2003, the two prison albums provided him with an aura of coolness that still exists fifty years later.
Arguably one of The Man in Black's greatest albums in a discography that spans nearly fifty (!) years, author Streissguth's The Making of a Masterpiece is part biography, part sociology lesson, and part music history. Amazingly, he includes a lot of information in under 150 pages, and a good portion of the book consists of about one-hundred photographs from that storied day on January 13, 1968.
Starting with the composition history of the song 'Folsom Prison Blues' - nowadays regarded as one of Cash's signature tunes - during the youthful years in the military and at the now-legendary Sun Records studio, Streissguth traces how Cash's occasional shows at small correctional facilities AND career dry spell (his increasing drug problem plus a lack of hit singles during 1964-1967, though he released a trio of concept albums during that time which only belatedly received critical acclaim) helped clear the 'go-for-broke' path to this unconventional album with its decidedly dangerous and unusual concert venue. With this and the equally as good Live at San Quentin release the following year, Cash segued into a rare type of true American superstar status and probably saved his career from crashing. While he would still experience intermittent rough patches until his death in 2003, the two prison albums provided him with an aura of coolness that still exists fifty years later.
August 6, 2009
As Streissguth (a man who KNOWS Johnny Cash, even if he never knew him) points out, Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues" is a song with a sketchy past, and understanding that past is essential to tracing how Cash came to perform and record a legendary album at Folsom Prison in California in 1968. In the process, the author examines the roots of myth, and the truth, as it happens, is more interesting, perplexing, banal and even downright funny. Cash, of course, never served time in Folsom or any other prison, for that matter; only a few nights in some county jails. His first exposure to Folsom, in fact, was seeing an awful grade-B 1953 prison exploitation film starring Steve Cochran while Cash was in the Army in Germany. The violence of the movie was what struck and entertained him the most. The song, in a sense, was a bit of a cultural crime, one that Cash would later pay for. He lifted parts of it shamelessly from others: lyrics barely altered from an old Jimmie Rogers ballad and music and other lyrics stolen outright from a Gordon Jenkins tune (itself a folk ballad adaptation). After the live Folsom Prison album became a smash, Jenkins moved in to exert his royalty rights, and Cash paid.
To fill in what he didn't steal, Cash supplied incongruous lyrics that showed the breadth of his geographical ignorance, as Streissguth amusingly puts it:
"The inchoate lyricist either forgot or confused his geography, placing the man who'd murdered in Nevada behind bars in a California state prison and meditating on a train running down to San Antone, a destination for no train passing Folsom."
I've just started the book, but have skimmed it, and knew I had to have it instantly when I saw the wealth of fabulous pictures of Cash and June Carter and others on stage and behind the scenes of the famous session. As for the text, it is smooth as butter and fast-paced as can be. This is quintessential light pop cultural summer reading fare.
Reading on with great interest and enjoyment...
Final:
This was a solid read. It did become slightly padded in spots. Streissguth wrote a full-length bio of Cash, and evidently felt that the Folsom event was worthy of expanded treatment - thus this book. He struggles to end it on a positive note, and the book does become less interesting once the recording session and its immediate aftermath are expended.
To fill in what he didn't steal, Cash supplied incongruous lyrics that showed the breadth of his geographical ignorance, as Streissguth amusingly puts it:
"The inchoate lyricist either forgot or confused his geography, placing the man who'd murdered in Nevada behind bars in a California state prison and meditating on a train running down to San Antone, a destination for no train passing Folsom."
I've just started the book, but have skimmed it, and knew I had to have it instantly when I saw the wealth of fabulous pictures of Cash and June Carter and others on stage and behind the scenes of the famous session. As for the text, it is smooth as butter and fast-paced as can be. This is quintessential light pop cultural summer reading fare.
Reading on with great interest and enjoyment...
Final:
This was a solid read. It did become slightly padded in spots. Streissguth wrote a full-length bio of Cash, and evidently felt that the Folsom event was worthy of expanded treatment - thus this book. He struggles to end it on a positive note, and the book does become less interesting once the recording session and its immediate aftermath are expended.
December 17, 2009
Excellent book on this pivotal event in the life and career of Johnny Cash. The author gives a clear and detailed portrayal of the making of Johnny's Folsom album from conception to execution to album release. However, what is even more interesting than these bare facts is the "prison" context that he brings to light throughout the book. Whether it's the prison of Cash's own life in the 60s, the drama surrounding performing for the prisoners at Folsom, or the lives of two particular prisoners and their reactions to Cash's performance, Streissguth offers a compelling and heartfelt narrative that refuses to underestimate the historical significance of this rather straightforward, but magnificent, album.
September 19, 2010
In any review of Johnny Cash's 1968 live recording of his concert at Folsom Prison, the words "electric" and "historic" get thrown around. This book by Michael Streissguth shows just how influential the album was and why it deserves a place among the quintessential albums of the 1960s.
A slim volume, the book first examines Johhny Cash's career prior to the Folsom Concert, his flirtation with the American folk scene, personified by Bob Dylan, his descent into addiction, and his recovery. And then Folsom. Streissguth gives a brief history of Folsom Prison, describing its roughness, and then tells the fascinating story of how the historic concert came to be. Finally he demonstrates how it was much more an album of social consciousness than Pet Sounds, Sgt. Pepper or any of Dylan's albums.
Any American music buff should read this book. Streissguth is a good writer, but he's a bit too in love with his metaphors, which, at times, are glaring. Also, if you read this book and decide you want to read Streissguth's full-length biography of Cash, skip it. You'll find yourself tripping even more over his sentences. Read Steve Turner's The Man Called Cash instead. Much crisper.
A slim volume, the book first examines Johhny Cash's career prior to the Folsom Concert, his flirtation with the American folk scene, personified by Bob Dylan, his descent into addiction, and his recovery. And then Folsom. Streissguth gives a brief history of Folsom Prison, describing its roughness, and then tells the fascinating story of how the historic concert came to be. Finally he demonstrates how it was much more an album of social consciousness than Pet Sounds, Sgt. Pepper or any of Dylan's albums.
Any American music buff should read this book. Streissguth is a good writer, but he's a bit too in love with his metaphors, which, at times, are glaring. Also, if you read this book and decide you want to read Streissguth's full-length biography of Cash, skip it. You'll find yourself tripping even more over his sentences. Read Steve Turner's The Man Called Cash instead. Much crisper.
October 29, 2019
This was quite the roller coaster for me. I didn’t like it initially. Then after plugging away I thought it was brilliant. Then, after finding an error, I began to question the whole thing. Ultimately it’s much like a 33 1/3 publication. It shares some details of the times, the history of Johnny, and the excellent photographs of Jim Marshall. It made me listen to the album again. It made my Saturday afternoon. I can’t ask for more than that.
November 17, 2024
This one’s non-academic (tbd if I can cite in the thesis) but superrr informative about the planning, execution, post production, and marketing of the Folsom album. Fun fact: this book is the source for my favorite fun fact about Cash’s prison albums (ask me about it sometime)!
April 30, 2021
Great book with lots of detail about Cash's most famous concert. Puts the concert in context with the rest of his career. Especially enjoyed all of the photos.
November 5, 2022
It lost all of its steam after Cash walked out of the prison.
September 21, 2020
Interesting enough. I wish it had focused more on the album itself, delving deeper into he actual recording, production and release. However it offers a more broad history of Folsom Prison and the folk music scene of the 1960s. The parts actually dealing with the album were fascinating. The context provided was often time boring and seemed like it was padding in an attempt to add to the page count.
May 10, 2010
Do you enjoy the classic Johnny Cash album "At Folsom Prison"? Ever wondered how the album came to be? This small but insightful book will fill you in on all the details of the momentous day, everything that led up to it, and what happened after.
The author, Michael Streissguth, begins by giving a short history of Cash's career prior to the Folsom album and putting his music in the context of the 1960s' folk and rock movements. He also talks about the history of Folsom Prison and what kind of a place it was. A hard place, that's for sure. The kind of place that could use a little entertainment.
Next, Streissguth spends a chapter detailing the planning and (pardon the pun) execution of the recording of the Folsom Prison concert. Or, concerts, because Johnny actually played two shows that day. The first show proved to be lightning in a bottle, and that is the one that ended up on record, with the exception of one song added from the second show.
Streissguth does a wonderful job of setting the scene, showing the reader what the atmosphere was like and what it was like for Johnny, June and Johnny's band members. I would have appreciated a deeper look into the album itself and the songs on it, but that's just me.
The last two chapters analyze the album's impact on music and society, as well as Cash himself. Cash became an advocate for prison reform after recording the album, but his fight was not an easy one.
This book may not seem very substantial, but it's actually a very good analysis and history of a single music album. I'm sure more can be written, but this is a good start. The interesting thing about "At Folsom Prison" is that it was not just an album; it was an event. It was moment in history. How many musicians can participate in something like that? How many albums become greater than the songs contained on them?
For me, the genius of this book is not the narrative, nor is it the facts; for me, all you need to know about that fateful day when Johnny Cash sang in front of thousands of prisoners can be seen in the photos of Cash's weathered, concerned face that are scattered throughout the book. The man hadn't reached 40 yet and he looked as if he had lived a hundred lifetimes. It's that face, and that voice, that connected with Folsom's prisoners and continues to connect with listeners and fans more than 40 years after the album's release.
The author, Michael Streissguth, begins by giving a short history of Cash's career prior to the Folsom album and putting his music in the context of the 1960s' folk and rock movements. He also talks about the history of Folsom Prison and what kind of a place it was. A hard place, that's for sure. The kind of place that could use a little entertainment.
Next, Streissguth spends a chapter detailing the planning and (pardon the pun) execution of the recording of the Folsom Prison concert. Or, concerts, because Johnny actually played two shows that day. The first show proved to be lightning in a bottle, and that is the one that ended up on record, with the exception of one song added from the second show.
Streissguth does a wonderful job of setting the scene, showing the reader what the atmosphere was like and what it was like for Johnny, June and Johnny's band members. I would have appreciated a deeper look into the album itself and the songs on it, but that's just me.
The last two chapters analyze the album's impact on music and society, as well as Cash himself. Cash became an advocate for prison reform after recording the album, but his fight was not an easy one.
This book may not seem very substantial, but it's actually a very good analysis and history of a single music album. I'm sure more can be written, but this is a good start. The interesting thing about "At Folsom Prison" is that it was not just an album; it was an event. It was moment in history. How many musicians can participate in something like that? How many albums become greater than the songs contained on them?
For me, the genius of this book is not the narrative, nor is it the facts; for me, all you need to know about that fateful day when Johnny Cash sang in front of thousands of prisoners can be seen in the photos of Cash's weathered, concerned face that are scattered throughout the book. The man hadn't reached 40 yet and he looked as if he had lived a hundred lifetimes. It's that face, and that voice, that connected with Folsom's prisoners and continues to connect with listeners and fans more than 40 years after the album's release.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2012
For Johnny Cash fans, this book tells the back-story for the making of his Folsom Prison album in 1968, complete with a large selection of photos taken during rehearsals and performance. Cash, Carl Perkins, and the Statler Brothers made up the entire program that day (there were two performances), along with June Carter. An unusual recording for any time in the history of music, "Folsom Prison" came about almost entirely through the persistent efforts of Cash and his producer Bob Johnston, who fought Columbia Records every step of the way to make the project happen.
Author Streissguth's book is written in Rolling Stone style prose, with enthusiasm for the music and the performer and a degree of high drama. His argument is that the album not only helped Cash back onto the charts, after a long fallow period, but made of him a legend. The year being 1968 and the spirit of the times revolutionary, his drawing attention to the men in American prisons converged with the growth of social protest against any form of oppression and the recurrent American fascination with the outlaw.
Altogether, the book is long on personality and short on the music itself. We learn the history of Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues," largely stolen from another songwriter, and "Greystone Chapel," written by a current Folsom inmate, and we are told of how the characteristic style of his back-up musicians evolved in the early years. But beyond this there is little exploration of the songs that make up the album and how they were performed, and very little is disclosed about the creative decisions that went into post-production, though it is revealed that the audience response to "I shot a man in Reno" was added after the fact. A fine companion piece for the film "Walk the Line," the book is definitely for fans, a time capsule for a moment of music history in the late 1960s.
Author Streissguth's book is written in Rolling Stone style prose, with enthusiasm for the music and the performer and a degree of high drama. His argument is that the album not only helped Cash back onto the charts, after a long fallow period, but made of him a legend. The year being 1968 and the spirit of the times revolutionary, his drawing attention to the men in American prisons converged with the growth of social protest against any form of oppression and the recurrent American fascination with the outlaw.
Altogether, the book is long on personality and short on the music itself. We learn the history of Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues," largely stolen from another songwriter, and "Greystone Chapel," written by a current Folsom inmate, and we are told of how the characteristic style of his back-up musicians evolved in the early years. But beyond this there is little exploration of the songs that make up the album and how they were performed, and very little is disclosed about the creative decisions that went into post-production, though it is revealed that the audience response to "I shot a man in Reno" was added after the fact. A fine companion piece for the film "Walk the Line," the book is definitely for fans, a time capsule for a moment of music history in the late 1960s.
February 8, 2014
Cash was once described as a dark Abraham Lincoln with a wild side.. This album is his darkest and best and this book is about the events and prison concert that led to the final masterpiece that was the Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison Album..I've been listening to this in vinyl,8 track,CD, and most recently on my smartphone all my life,and I would recommend to fans and anyone who want to discover the genius of J.R. Cash to read this book
January 12, 2007
awesome. excellent pictures and great historical account.
May 17, 2008
I can't believe it never occurred to me before -- if he shot that man in Reno, why is he in a California prison?
October 30, 2010
This is a pretty intense study on such a small chapter in Cash's life. Lot's of behind the scenes photos and insight on the making of a great american album.
January 16, 2013
Remarkably engaging, going well-beyond the scope of the title and into colorful history and character development.
December 27, 2013
The story behind one of the most famous albums in the world,...Cash's live masterpiece at Folsom Prison.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews