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Folsom Untold: The Strange True Story of Johnny Cash's Greatest Album
This is the story of one of the greatest records ever made - Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison - and its shocking and tragic aftermath. Join award-winning journalist Danny Robins on the 50th anniversary of the album as he takes you on a road trip back to 1968, a pivotal year in US history, to investigate the dramatic and unlikely friendship between Johnny Cash, American icon, and Glen Sherley, armed robber and Folsom inmate; and how that friendship was violently torn apart.
This five-part series features narration, interviews, and dramatic reconstruction to explore aspects of the story that have, until now, not been widely known.
Please note: contains strong language and adult content.
As an Audio Show - free for members - when you add Folsom Untold: The Strange True Story of Johnny Cash's Greatest Album - to your library, you'll get all five episodes, each with a runtime of about 30 minutes.
©2018 Audible, Ltd. (P)2018 Audible, Ltd.
This five-part series features narration, interviews, and dramatic reconstruction to explore aspects of the story that have, until now, not been widely known.
Please note: contains strong language and adult content.
As an Audio Show - free for members - when you add Folsom Untold: The Strange True Story of Johnny Cash's Greatest Album - to your library, you'll get all five episodes, each with a runtime of about 30 minutes.
©2018 Audible, Ltd. (P)2018 Audible, Ltd.
120 pages, Audible Audio
First published December 12, 2018
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570 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 414 reviews
February 20, 2021
Johnny Cash has one of the rawest voices that ever existed. Everything about him exuded real emotion and transparency. To this day, his version of the song "Hurt" just tears me up inside. How many deceased country singers still draw the attention of young and old alike and STILL manage to draw in new fans continually?
But you don't get rawness like that without pain. And his story, and the story of his friend, Glen, are heart-breaking and vindicating all at the same time.
I really enjoyed this Audible Original. I can't say it was upbeat, by any means. But I was interested and engaged the whole time I listened. This is the first Audible Original I've listened to that was a documentary style and didn't start throwing political and racial stones. So I have to say, that was a refreshing change and I really appreciated it.
I'd rate this a strong PG-13 for reference to prison violence, drug and alcohol use, and some swearing.
But you don't get rawness like that without pain. And his story, and the story of his friend, Glen, are heart-breaking and vindicating all at the same time.
I really enjoyed this Audible Original. I can't say it was upbeat, by any means. But I was interested and engaged the whole time I listened. This is the first Audible Original I've listened to that was a documentary style and didn't start throwing political and racial stones. So I have to say, that was a refreshing change and I really appreciated it.
I'd rate this a strong PG-13 for reference to prison violence, drug and alcohol use, and some swearing.
February 11, 2019
This may be my favorite Audible Original so far. It was a lot of fun to get a view into the making of Cash's superb record.
June 24, 2019
Interesting, if slight. Not so much the story of Johnny Cash's AT FOLSOM PRISON as it is an account of Glen Sherley. The problem is, that it's Cash who's the most interesting character here ~~ Sherley not so much. Johnny Cash's AT FOLSOM PRISON is used as nothing more than a tool to introduce Glen Sherley, who is at best, a very minor player in the annals of country Music.
February 7, 2019
Bad. I love Johnny Cash, and it could have been a great take on how fame distorts reality and can have unintended consequences. But it was just all over the place. It could have been handled compellingly but ended up baiting the audience into a non-story.
September 16, 2020
This was a short Audible Original that tells the story of how Johnny Cash befriended a prisoner at Folsom prison and what happened to that friendship.
It was engaging, short piece, and I enjoyed it, but it was nothing earth shattering.
It was engaging, short piece, and I enjoyed it, but it was nothing earth shattering.
February 10, 2019
Johnny Cash was a fading country star back in 1968. A trip to a California prison is a gamble to revive his career. It paid off fantastically. His album recorded at the prison was a big hit and he had his second coming. The author tries to piece back this story from interviews of those who are still alive.
February 23, 2019
I enjoyed hearing some of the history behind Johnny Cash. I'm only what can barely be considered a fan anyway, but it was kind of a crazy proposition to record a record in a prison.
The Audible original was well done, includes actors and what sounds like real recordings of real people. The main narrator was fine, but a bit overly-dramatic. They try to build up the scare-factor of playing in a prison with MURDERERS and KILLERS and BAD DUDES, but we all know how it ends and then when it gets to the actual performance ... there wasn't any issue at all.
This was interesting and well worth the couple hours it took to finish, especially when you can put it on 1.75 speed...
3 out of 5 stars (recommended)
The Audible original was well done, includes actors and what sounds like real recordings of real people. The main narrator was fine, but a bit overly-dramatic. They try to build up the scare-factor of playing in a prison with MURDERERS and KILLERS and BAD DUDES, but we all know how it ends and then when it gets to the actual performance ... there wasn't any issue at all.
This was interesting and well worth the couple hours it took to finish, especially when you can put it on 1.75 speed...
3 out of 5 stars (recommended)
September 9, 2019
Folsom Untold was another one of those free Audible monthly offerings - I think I may need to be more selective about which ones I choose. I don't know a lot about Johnny Cash, and was hoping to gain some insight and appreciation for the artist and At Folsom Prison in particular. There's a lot of drama and build-up for "twists" that only ever underwhelm (okay, the bit about the audience's reaction to the "just to watch him die" line was pretty good). There's some nice insight into Johnny Cash and Glen Sherley, but the breathless delivery is overblown and the narrator regularly squeezes speculation from his interview subjects (and over-emphasizes its value). Even at 2 1/3 hours this was too long.
September 12, 2019
Взимку серед безкоштовних Audible Original була коротенька аудіокнижка про найвідоміший альбом Джонні Кеша, тож я, звісно, захотіла послухати. Музика Джонні Кеша мені подобається. Його кавер на пісню “Hurt” взагалі неможливо не любити, кожен раз заново в саме серце. А у студентські роки я ще подивилася фільм “Walk The Line”, названий за однойменною піснею Джонні Кеша. За роль у цьому фільмі Різ Візерспун, між іншим, отримала “Оскара”. І Хоакін Фенікс там прекрасний.
Аудіокнижка “Folsom Untold: The Strange True Story of Johnny Cash's Greatest Album” більше схожа на подкаст: автор їздив по Америці і брав інтерв’ю у різних людей, які так чи інакше були причетні до створення альбому “Folsom Prison Blues”. Були, наприклад, коментарі від барабанщика Джонні Кеша, якого я ледве розуміла, бо йому вже за 80, він погано чує і має ще той старий американський акцент. Також були коментарі від доньки Глена Шерлі, про якого розповідається більша половина аудіокнижки. За ніч до виступу у в’язниці Folsom Джонні Кешу принесли текст пісні, яку написав в’язень Глен Шерлі. Ця пісня називається “Greystone Chapel” і вона увійшла в «тюремний» альбом Джонні Кеша. Та й взагалі потім ціла історія пов’язана з цим Шерлі і Джонні Кешом.
З цікавих фактів: у записі після рядків «But I shot a man in Reno Just to watch him die» в’язні починають аплодувати і радісно кричати. Раніше це тлумачилося, ніби вони прийняли Джонні Кеша як свого. Автор подкасту десь дістав оригінальний запис, і в ньому нічого такого не було. В’язні мовчать. Тобто, цей момент був штучно вставлений вже після live-запису. Отаке.
Загалом мені аудіокнижка не дуже сподобалася. Автор якось сильно намагався привернути до всього увагу, тож в нього були різні інтонації від штучного подиву до залякування слухачів. І все це супроводжувалося відповідною suspense-музикою (тривога очікування типу). Через це мабуть деякі факти сприймалися скептично, бо переді мною розігрували драму, а не розповідали справжню історію.
Аудіокнижка “Folsom Untold: The Strange True Story of Johnny Cash's Greatest Album” більше схожа на подкаст: автор їздив по Америці і брав інтерв’ю у різних людей, які так чи інакше були причетні до створення альбому “Folsom Prison Blues”. Були, наприклад, коментарі від барабанщика Джонні Кеша, якого я ледве розуміла, бо йому вже за 80, він погано чує і має ще той старий американський акцент. Також були коментарі від доньки Глена Шерлі, про якого розповідається більша половина аудіокнижки. За ніч до виступу у в’язниці Folsom Джонні Кешу принесли текст пісні, яку написав в’язень Глен Шерлі. Ця пісня називається “Greystone Chapel” і вона увійшла в «тюремний» альбом Джонні Кеша. Та й взагалі потім ціла історія пов’язана з цим Шерлі і Джонні Кешом.
З цікавих фактів: у записі після рядків «But I shot a man in Reno Just to watch him die» в’язні починають аплодувати і радісно кричати. Раніше це тлумачилося, ніби вони прийняли Джонні Кеша як свого. Автор подкасту десь дістав оригінальний запис, і в ньому нічого такого не було. В’язні мовчать. Тобто, цей момент був штучно вставлений вже після live-запису. Отаке.
Загалом мені аудіокнижка не дуже сподобалася. Автор якось сильно намагався привернути до всього увагу, тож в нього були різні інтонації від штучного подиву до залякування слухачів. І все це супроводжувалося відповідною suspense-музикою (тривога очікування типу). Через це мабуть деякі факти сприймалися скептично, бо переді мною розігрували драму, а не розповідали справжню історію.
February 6, 2019
Find all my reviews: https://jaynikkibelthoughts.wordpress...
I am new to the audio book world. This year I have challenged myself to read or listen to five audio books. As the first book of the year, I thought it was an okay story.
The narrator tried to make this seem like it was such a big mystery but really it’s just a story not many know. Plus his voice reminded me of a mix between the guy who played the pharaoh in the second Night at the Museum, you know, the one with the lisp and one of the nature documentary narrators.
While I do know who Glen Sherley is, I didn’t know how or when he died. Nor did I know the story behind his and Johnny’s friendship. I wouldn’t say I’m a huge Johnny Cash fan because I didn’t know Glen Sherley lived with Johnny. Plus Johnny was best man at Sherley’s wedding. Wy sure did though. When I explained what I was listening to and what it was about, all I had to say was the guy wrote Greystone Chapel, and went to live with Johnny. Wy’s answer… Oh yeah Glen Sherley. Glad he knew.
While this was insightful, and I learned much, I really couldn’t get past the narrator’s voice. I loved the music mixed in and I loved the recordings of him and his producer interviewing everyone. He just made the story seem so big and so important to know when in reality it’s a tragic real life story of a man who helped another out of prison and into a music career. But that man couldn’t re enter into citizen life.
If you like Johnny Cash I recommend. The story goes into Johnny’s life right before the album, during the album, and after the album.
I am new to the audio book world. This year I have challenged myself to read or listen to five audio books. As the first book of the year, I thought it was an okay story.
The narrator tried to make this seem like it was such a big mystery but really it’s just a story not many know. Plus his voice reminded me of a mix between the guy who played the pharaoh in the second Night at the Museum, you know, the one with the lisp and one of the nature documentary narrators.
While I do know who Glen Sherley is, I didn’t know how or when he died. Nor did I know the story behind his and Johnny’s friendship. I wouldn’t say I’m a huge Johnny Cash fan because I didn’t know Glen Sherley lived with Johnny. Plus Johnny was best man at Sherley’s wedding. Wy sure did though. When I explained what I was listening to and what it was about, all I had to say was the guy wrote Greystone Chapel, and went to live with Johnny. Wy’s answer… Oh yeah Glen Sherley. Glad he knew.
While this was insightful, and I learned much, I really couldn’t get past the narrator’s voice. I loved the music mixed in and I loved the recordings of him and his producer interviewing everyone. He just made the story seem so big and so important to know when in reality it’s a tragic real life story of a man who helped another out of prison and into a music career. But that man couldn’t re enter into citizen life.
If you like Johnny Cash I recommend. The story goes into Johnny’s life right before the album, during the album, and after the album.
February 3, 2019
Very interesting look at the history and consequences of the Folsom album.
January 1, 2019
I knew the story already so it wasn't a surprise. There were a few anecdotes that were of value. I didn't feel that it was put together very well. But, on the other hand, there were some clips that were worth hearing. If you are into Johnny Cash, you should definitely listen.
December 27, 2019
Not sure why the bad reviews here.
I thought this was an engrossing look at Johnny Cash's iconic & controversial live album "At Folsom Prison", and everything relevant to it, leading up to it, and that came in its aftermath. I was pleasantly surprised that this title explored social, political, and racial implications around "At Folsom Prison", Johnny's prison visits & concerts, and his persona in general, as well as historic events relevant to it/the time such as the shooting of MLK & RFK, and Johnny's activism for prison reform & prison rehabilitation.
It also went into depth about the his friendship with Glen Sherley, which is relevant because Johnny met him at Folsom, Glen was hugely, singularly responsible for the Folsom album's success, and was something of a protege of Johnny's & a muse for much of Johnny's activism, so I don't get why people are complaining about the emphasis on Glen in the story.
Got much more out of this read than I had expected. Noticed today that it's recently been removed from Audible and Amazon so...bummer that others won't be able to read it.
I thought this was an engrossing look at Johnny Cash's iconic & controversial live album "At Folsom Prison", and everything relevant to it, leading up to it, and that came in its aftermath. I was pleasantly surprised that this title explored social, political, and racial implications around "At Folsom Prison", Johnny's prison visits & concerts, and his persona in general, as well as historic events relevant to it/the time such as the shooting of MLK & RFK, and Johnny's activism for prison reform & prison rehabilitation.
It also went into depth about the his friendship with Glen Sherley, which is relevant because Johnny met him at Folsom, Glen was hugely, singularly responsible for the Folsom album's success, and was something of a protege of Johnny's & a muse for much of Johnny's activism, so I don't get why people are complaining about the emphasis on Glen in the story.
Got much more out of this read than I had expected. Noticed today that it's recently been removed from Audible and Amazon so...bummer that others won't be able to read it.
March 4, 2019
Another long-form Audible Original that's more podcast than anything. This one is an overly melodramatic look into Johnny Cash's 1968 album "Live from Folsom Prison." It's a little all over the map but the central thrust is that the fame it brought to Glen Shirley (prisoner at Folsom whose song "Greystone Chapel," Cash sung on the album) which was both a blessing and a curse.
The most fascinating part is by far the realization that the raucous prison crowd reaction to Cash's line "I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die" was actually edited in and the actual line was delivered to silence.
I would have preferred more on the mythmaking that went into Cash as "The Man in Black" and the recording of the album. Instead, this meandering podcast touches on interesting elements but doesn't give them enough attention to really make it worthwhile.
The most fascinating part is by far the realization that the raucous prison crowd reaction to Cash's line "I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die" was actually edited in and the actual line was delivered to silence.
I would have preferred more on the mythmaking that went into Cash as "The Man in Black" and the recording of the album. Instead, this meandering podcast touches on interesting elements but doesn't give them enough attention to really make it worthwhile.
February 15, 2019
I’ve never been much of a Johnny Cash fan.... but I found this extremely interesting on 2 levels. #1 Johnny Cash is Americana & American history. Regardless if you like his music, he marks part of our tradition. #2 this story was very Entertaining. I enjoyed the story of Glen Sherley, armed robber & Folsom inmate - who was befriended and helped by Cash. The book also shares some of Cash’s concerns for prison reform.
November 4, 2019
Although this wasn't quite what I was hoping for, it still ended up being fairly entertaining. It was more a look into the life of Glen Sherley- the impact he had on Cash's trip to Folsom Prison, how Cash helped get him released, and the aftermath of their friendship. I didn't know any of this history, so I did enjoy that aspect of it for the most part.
I didn't care much for the production, unfortunately. I thought the clips in the background were unnecessary, especially since they weren't actual recordings of Johnny Cash, or any of the other people who were supposedly speaking- they were just recreations. I think it would have had a better impact if they could have found/used old interviews/recordings instead. Maybe that's asking too much, I don't know.
I guess I was just hoping for more about Johnny Cash himself. It's made me want to go out and read and learn more about him now, that's for sure.
***Purchased as one of the free Audible Original options.
I didn't care much for the production, unfortunately. I thought the clips in the background were unnecessary, especially since they weren't actual recordings of Johnny Cash, or any of the other people who were supposedly speaking- they were just recreations. I think it would have had a better impact if they could have found/used old interviews/recordings instead. Maybe that's asking too much, I don't know.
I guess I was just hoping for more about Johnny Cash himself. It's made me want to go out and read and learn more about him now, that's for sure.
***Purchased as one of the free Audible Original options.
March 8, 2020
I didn’t particularly need to hear the story but it was interesting enough for 2 1/2 hours of my life! The producer tried to make Johnny Cash part of the movement of 1968 along with Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. I think that’s a pretty big stretch. It is an interesting view of the serendipity of life. And it’s a story about how someone who was in a pretty deep hole got out of it but for some reason couldn’t stay out of it. Quite a few of the interviews here are just people shooting the breeze but there are a few human and insightful personal sharings from people who had an experience. The creator here tried to make something out of something that maybe was not quite some thing and it didn’t quite come together to be as big a deal as he maybe hoped.
December 31, 2019
The writer and reader of this was such a Johnny Cash fan that his fanaticism got a little tiring.
There are some very good facts in here that I didn't know about an album that I thought I knew so well. It was worth it just for that. One part blew my mind but I won't tell you how.
It's short and you can play it fast so if you're a Cash fan, it might be worth the listen. Otherwise, nah.
2 men shot dead just to watch them die, out of 5.
There are some very good facts in here that I didn't know about an album that I thought I knew so well. It was worth it just for that. One part blew my mind but I won't tell you how.
It's short and you can play it fast so if you're a Cash fan, it might be worth the listen. Otherwise, nah.
2 men shot dead just to watch them die, out of 5.
September 11, 2020
Despite the mixed reviews that Folsom Untold has garnered here, I enjoyed it.
Presented in a 5-part audio format, host Danny Robins tells the story behind Cash's 1968 album.
Robins has put together a decent mini-series with this one; the backstory of this iconic album is quite interesting. Don't worry, I won't give away any spoilers here.
I would definitely recommend this one to anyone interested.
4.5 stars.
Presented in a 5-part audio format, host Danny Robins tells the story behind Cash's 1968 album.
Robins has put together a decent mini-series with this one; the backstory of this iconic album is quite interesting. Don't worry, I won't give away any spoilers here.
I would definitely recommend this one to anyone interested.
4.5 stars.
February 27, 2019
(Audible Audio)
A melodramatic telling of how Johnny Cash's Folsom prison album came to be.
Danny Robin is British and a fan of Johnny Cash. His enthusiasm is palpable as he visits Folsom Prison and interviews some of the people who were at the recording over 50 years ago. One of the band members, a former guard, a reporter.
He confesses that he's scared just standing outside the prison and getting a photo in front of the sign. Well. Okay. You know you're safe, right?
The production includes sound effects, some snippets of music, interviews and reenacted pieces. Perhaps my favorite part was when he and his producer got lost in Arkansas in a rental car, trying to find Johnny Cash's home town and family home--which is now a museum. You can just picture these two Brits, a little fearful that they are in the middle of nowhere, following a gravel road that turns into a cow path.
The dramatization of what prison is like, what prisoners are like . . . well there's a little hyperbole happening there.
I should know. I grew up in prison, right? (My father was a warden. We lived on prison property.)
This is an entertaining fluff piece that would interest fans of Johnny Cash. I learned a couple things that I didn't know before. Won't tell you what they are, that would spoil your enjoyment of learning them yourselves.
Recommend--with caveat that you really need to love Johnny Cash to love this book.
A melodramatic telling of how Johnny Cash's Folsom prison album came to be.
Danny Robin is British and a fan of Johnny Cash. His enthusiasm is palpable as he visits Folsom Prison and interviews some of the people who were at the recording over 50 years ago. One of the band members, a former guard, a reporter.
He confesses that he's scared just standing outside the prison and getting a photo in front of the sign. Well. Okay. You know you're safe, right?
The production includes sound effects, some snippets of music, interviews and reenacted pieces. Perhaps my favorite part was when he and his producer got lost in Arkansas in a rental car, trying to find Johnny Cash's home town and family home--which is now a museum. You can just picture these two Brits, a little fearful that they are in the middle of nowhere, following a gravel road that turns into a cow path.
The dramatization of what prison is like, what prisoners are like . . . well there's a little hyperbole happening there.
I should know. I grew up in prison, right? (My father was a warden. We lived on prison property.)
This is an entertaining fluff piece that would interest fans of Johnny Cash. I learned a couple things that I didn't know before. Won't tell you what they are, that would spoil your enjoyment of learning them yourselves.
Recommend--with caveat that you really need to love Johnny Cash to love this book.
November 22, 2021
A good short story.
May 28, 2019
Folsom Untold is an "Audible Original" audio book. I'd say it's a three-star story being read by a one-star narrator.
I do like Johnny Cash, and was interested in learning more about his iconic album. The story lived up to expectations, containing many tidbits about Cash's life and career that I didn't know. There was also a good amount about Glen Sherley, a Folsom inmate whom Cash befriended. Without giving anything away, his story was entirely new to me, and quite interesting.
The story was hurt by the attempt to turn it into something it wasn't. Early on the narrator says: "This is not a music documentary, it's a detective story." No. This really was a music documentary, marred by the attempt to make it into a detective story, and I suspect that's one of the reasons I didn't like it more.
The other (main) reason for the two-star rating was the narrator himself, whose excessive enthusiasm quickly became obnoxious. He gave the impression of being about to run out of breath at any moment because the excitement was too much for him. I can appreciate a narrator trying to demonstrate enthusiasm for his subject, but this was way over-the-top.
I do like Johnny Cash, and was interested in learning more about his iconic album. The story lived up to expectations, containing many tidbits about Cash's life and career that I didn't know. There was also a good amount about Glen Sherley, a Folsom inmate whom Cash befriended. Without giving anything away, his story was entirely new to me, and quite interesting.
The story was hurt by the attempt to turn it into something it wasn't. Early on the narrator says: "This is not a music documentary, it's a detective story." No. This really was a music documentary, marred by the attempt to make it into a detective story, and I suspect that's one of the reasons I didn't like it more.
The other (main) reason for the two-star rating was the narrator himself, whose excessive enthusiasm quickly became obnoxious. He gave the impression of being about to run out of breath at any moment because the excitement was too much for him. I can appreciate a narrator trying to demonstrate enthusiasm for his subject, but this was way over-the-top.
February 4, 2019
Free Audible Original for month of February
September 27, 2019
I loved this audiobook. I learned so much about the history behind recording the album and a lot about an inmate Johnny Cash tried to help.
I am a fan of Cash's music but most of what I know about his life came from the movie with Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon.
The biggest surprise that I learned was that the cheers from the inmates we hear after the line, "I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die," didn't happen. That was edited in. Literally taped together. The moment when the inmates cheer is when Johnny Cash shakes Glen Sherley's hand.
Show business is nothing but lies.
It was sad to learn about the tragedy of Glen Sherley and also scary to think that could have been Cash's life had he not turned his life around.
Cash may have had his issues, but he and June were really good Christians to bring Glen Sherley into their home and help him get a new start. What a shame that it all went really bad he couldn't escape the demons that followed him from prison.
Besides learning some personal things about both singers it also paints a picture of the social and political climate of the time and is just an all around good history lesson.
5 out of 5 Song Writers.
I am a fan of Cash's music but most of what I know about his life came from the movie with Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon.
The biggest surprise that I learned was that the cheers from the inmates we hear after the line, "I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die," didn't happen. That was edited in. Literally taped together. The moment when the inmates cheer is when Johnny Cash shakes Glen Sherley's hand.
Show business is nothing but lies.
It was sad to learn about the tragedy of Glen Sherley and also scary to think that could have been Cash's life had he not turned his life around.
Cash may have had his issues, but he and June were really good Christians to bring Glen Sherley into their home and help him get a new start. What a shame that it all went really bad he couldn't escape the demons that followed him from prison.
Besides learning some personal things about both singers it also paints a picture of the social and political climate of the time and is just an all around good history lesson.
5 out of 5 Song Writers.
February 18, 2019
This is a somewhat awkward recounting of one of the most fascinating stories in country music: the relationship between Johnny Cash and Glen Sherley, who was a prisoner in the audience on At Folsom Prison as well as the writer of “Greystone Chapel.” It’s a cinematic, tragic, you-can’t-make-this-shit-up story, but Robins really milks it and puts his own sense of “discovery” front and center. I think that’s a hallmark of lazy journalism, one that’s become standard in many extremely popular podcasts. The fake Johnny Cash voice and dramatized conversations are super goofy (this is an Audible Original that I got for free). Robins’ obsession with how dangerous the Folsom prisoners/live audience were rubbed me the wrong way; he seems to think American convicts are inherently more violent than English ones (Robins is English). The actual interviews were really good though, and I’m happy to have more insight into one of the most famous albums ever recorded.
February 19, 2019
Kertomus siitä, kuinka (aika kevyillä meriiteillä) pahan pojan manttelin saanut J. Cash herätti henkiin yskähtelevän uransa Folsomin vankilassa pitämällään (kahdella) konsertilla ja niistä tehdyllä levytyksellä. Samalla kertomus siitä, kuinka samaisessa vankilassa virunut Glen Sherley sai konsertin aattoiltana kuljetetuksi Cashille tekemänsä vankilaan sijoituneen laulun "Greystone Chapel", jonka Cash esitti seuraavana päivänä vankilassa vankien suureksi suosioksi, ja kuinka Cash sai Sherleyn vapautettua ehdonalaiseen ja musiikkibisneksen nousevaksi tähdeksi. Myös kertomus siitä, kuinka Sherley sortui huumeisiin ja tappoi itsensä.
Mitä opin: sen, että linen "I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die" jälkeen tuleva vankien hurraus -- on, ***, editoitu siihen. Oikeasti vangit eivät reagoineet tähän kohtaan.
Mitä opin: sen, että linen "I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die" jälkeen tuleva vankien hurraus -- on, ***, editoitu siihen. Oikeasti vangit eivät reagoineet tähän kohtaan.
July 8, 2021
Through an interview with W.S. Holland, the drummer for Johnny Cash's backing band The Tennessee Three and other historical sources, this podcast-gathered-as-audiobook (not that I mind) tells the story of how Cash came to a series of prison shows after several failed gimmick albums mid career. There is an interesting reveal that the crowd yell after "...just to watch him die!" was edited in at the studio. Cash.. the first studio gangster.
There is a lot of interesting detail about the sad tragedy of Glen Sherley. Sherley was serving a sentence at Folsom Prison when Johnny Cash became aware of his song "Greystone Chapel" just prior to recording his At Folsom Prison album. After release from prison, Sherley continued to write and perform, but had difficulty in adjusting to life outside of prison. He retreated from performing before taking his own life in 1978.
There is a lot of interesting detail about the sad tragedy of Glen Sherley. Sherley was serving a sentence at Folsom Prison when Johnny Cash became aware of his song "Greystone Chapel" just prior to recording his At Folsom Prison album. After release from prison, Sherley continued to write and perform, but had difficulty in adjusting to life outside of prison. He retreated from performing before taking his own life in 1978.
April 23, 2019
The information here is worthy of four stars but the production is closer to a three. The narrator (who also wrote and reported the whole thing) is a bit of a ham and is overly dramatic when he doesn't need to be. The reenactments are also unnecessary and borderline ridiculous. The actor they got to play Cash actually kind of sounds like him but nobody is ever going to truly be able to recreate The Man in Black. The content here is actually quite good though. I consider myself to be more than just a casual fan and yet knew nothing about this story before listening. These Audible Originals can be hit and miss but this one is a keeper.
February 27, 2019
This was probably my favorite of the Audible Originals so far. It was a really fascinating look in to the making of Johnny Cash's album "Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison" , the aftermath, and the story of Folsom's famous musical resident Glen Sherley. I knew of Glen but was unaware of the whole story. The book features interviews with some of the major players in Cash's life during this time. The only thing I didn't like was the background noise and dramatized, reenacted phone calls and conversations. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this, and it was free.
February 13, 2019
I love the history of such an iconic album. I enjoyed understanding what made it such a success and how it affected, not just Johnny Cash, but others involved.
I think showing what Johnny's life could have been was interesting, it just made me feel bad for the other artist. Johnny Cash made choice good and bad in his life, but his best choices were the people he let into his life. This story is an example of that aspect of his character.
Interesting read for sure.
I think showing what Johnny's life could have been was interesting, it just made me feel bad for the other artist. Johnny Cash made choice good and bad in his life, but his best choices were the people he let into his life. This story is an example of that aspect of his character.
Interesting read for sure.
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