At San Quentin Songs Ranked

Johnny Cash at San Quentin is the 31st overall album by Johnny Cash, recorded live at San Quentin State Prison on February 24, 1969, and released on June 16 of that same year. The concert was filmed by Granada Television, produced and directed by Michael Darlow. The album was the second in Cash’s conceptual series of live prison albums that also included At Folsom Prison (1968), På Österåker (1973), and A Concert Behind Prison Walls (1976). The album was certified gold on August 12, 1969, platinum and double platinum on November 21, 1986, and triple platinum on March 27, 2003, by the RIAA. The album was nominated for a number of Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and won Best Male Country Vocal Performance for “A Boy Named Sue.” There have been several releases with different songs and set order. The album cover photo by Jim Marshall is considered to be an iconic image of Cash, with Marshall Grant’s Epiphone Newport bass guitar famously silhouetted in the foreground. Here are all of At San Quentin songs ranked.

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9. Wanted Man

“Wanted Man is a great song written by the great Bob Dylan. Of course Johnny Throws in a couple of his standard songs and a gospel song. Overall a great musical experience. Very few can touch Johnny Cash.”

8. I Walk the Line

“Improving on his excellent Folsom Prison performance in perhaps every way, Johnny Cash swaggers on stage, jokes with the crowd and performs song after song with an energy and showmanship that will always be incomparable in country music. “

7. Starkville City Jail

“Even weak points on this side like “Starkville City Jail” have either some enjoyable factors, or some funny banter between Cash and the inmates. San Quentin shows itself, from the beginning, to be a wildly entertaining time.”

See more: Johnny Cash Albums Ranked

6. San Quentin

“Cash’s set at san quentin prison may well be his defining moment . More raucous than the folsom prison show cash is in top form blasting through his hits with an almost punk attitude ,goading prison guards,telling jokes and enjoying great rapport with the prisoners in between songs. “

5. (There’ll Be) Peace in the Valley

“This album is an excellent example of Johnny being Johnny. He was aware of where he was and when he was, yet remained himself the whole time. The music is stellar, the sound quality is outstanding, yet the treasure here is Johnny Cash.”

See more: Johnny Cash Songs Ranked

4. Folsom Prison Blues

“Cash took country and gave it a lick of snarling rock ‘n’ roll attitude, while some of his attitude towards the penal system’s guests may be questionable, there is no doubting the electrified energy running through this set, reaching a boiling point during his two renditions of the album centrepiece “San Quentin”, the atmosphere is so palatable you could cut it with a knife.”

3. A Boy Named Sue

“A Boy Named Sue,” written by Shel Silverstein, is wonderful. I assume most readers have heard this song so there is no need to further discuss its comical lyrics.”

2. Darling Companion

“Also worth noting it the duet with his wife June Carter Cash on ‘Darling Companion’ which as always is something special when the two take the mic together.”

1. Wreck of the Old 97

“As far as I’m concerned, this is the essential Johnny Cash release. It contains most of his greatest hits, and it gives you the opportunity to hear him in all his rebellious glory. Other than that, there’s not much I can say that hasn’t been said a thousand times before.”