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List Price: $90.98 | | Label: Sony Japan
Salesrank: 918150
Released: January 13, 2008 |
| Our Price: $85.00 |
| Used Price: $76.48 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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Editorial Review:
In 2000, Sony Legacy issued an expanded CD version of this landmark 1969 live Cash LP, which included "A Boy Named Sue," the Shel Silverstein novelty number that became one of Cash's biggest hits. The original LP contained ten songs from Cash's show, which actually ran far longer; the CD release added eight additional Cash performances. That, of course, happened before his death and the unexpected success of the Walk the Line. Now, this 2-CD set presents the entire concert, start to finish. Still grippingly intense after 37 years, it not only assembles all Cash's performances, but those by the other members of his stage show: June Carter, her mother and sisters (performing as the Carter Family), Cash's buddy Carl Perkins of "Blue Suede Shoes" (and "Daddy Sang Bass") fame, and the Statler Brothers, known then for their 1965 hit "Flowers on the Wall." Cash's performances remain beyond criticism, but Perkins, the Carters, and the Statlers smoke nearly as much. Among the high points is their unreleased, spine-chilling gospel medley of "He Turned the Water into Wine," "Daddy Sang Bass," and "The Old Account." The accompanying DVD comprises a documentary shot at the show by Britain's Granada TV, in which the Cash performances act mainly as a leitmotif to its focus on San Quentin and its inmates. --Rich Kienzle
At San Quentin Reviews:
excellent 
2009-02-24 - this is great, it has great energy with the live audience. It is at a prison so there is prison humor...just a warning. Johnny appeals to the hardships of being in prison, which should be of no shock to true fans of Johnny Cash. With that said, it has wonderful music. The DVD was interesting, I didn't think the sound or visual was that bad, some reviews have been negative. It has live full song coverage of some of the songs, then interviews of some of the prisoners and the gaurds, they talk about prison and how they got there. Keep in mind it was the death row prison... just thought this may help.
Johnny Cash: An American Treasure
2008-04-01 - Johnny Cash is undoubtedly as essential to American music as Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, and Hank Williams. His contributions are admired by both country aficionados and rockers alike. On none of his releases is the reason why as apparent as with his "Live At San Quentin" release.
Here, we're treated to rousing renditions of early Cash classics "Big River," "I Still Miss Somone," and "I Walk The Line" alongside revamped versions of "Folsom Prison Blues," "Ring Of Fire," and "Wreck Of The Old 97." Needless to say, the addition of Carl Perkins to the list of backing musicians has a great deal to do with the musical quality of this show! However, the musical highlights don't stop there:
At San Quentin, Cash introduces new numbers / soon to be hits such as "A Boy Named Sue" and "Jackson," as well as the biting "San Quentin" and "Starkville City Jail." On the double-disc boxed set, Cash also welcomes upcoming act The Statler Brothers and bluegrass favorites The Carter Family (now consisting of Mother Maybelle and her daughters). No longer limited to merely country or gospel numbers, modern era folk and rock covers include the eclectic and often-covered "Break My Mind," the Lovin' Spoonful's "Darlin' Companion," Tom Paxton's "The Last Thing On My Mind," and Carl Perkins' classic "Blue Suede Shoes" (performed by the master himself)!
Cash's passing would leave an empty space in American music, but the legacy of recordings he left behind and the artists he inspired (and continues to inspire) will deservedly live on as a true American treasure.
Always be a good boy and don't ever play with guns
2007-06-03 - Content and Performance - Unlike many other "complete" versions of classic recordings, even the stuff that was left in the vault is pure gold. There is absolutely no filler here. And Johnny's banter with both the other acts and the audience recall a bygone era of ENTERTAINERS.
The other acts, legends in their own right, shine as well. For example, I've always read how underrated Carl Perkins was as a guitarist. His old Sun recordings and even the recently released "Carl Perkins & Friends" with Eric Clapton, George & Ringo, and Dave Edmunds never really let his playing shine through. However, throughout this set, but especially on "Blue Suede Shoes," the arrangement and Carl's guitar are ***SMOKING***. You can hear the missing link between early rock and roll and hard rock in the solo breaks in this one track. Indeed, this one track alone was worth paying for the upgrade of the 2000 disc.
Packaging/Presentation - I absolutely love the decision to put no verbiage at all on the cover of this box. The iconic image says it all. The high-gloss, rigid box with it's fully-printed inside and enjoyable booklet are also a welcome change from a bunch of jewel cases inside a box with a plain black background and a jewel-case-sized booklet requiring a microscope to read it.
San (flippin') Quentin
2007-03-12 - This set rules. The DVD is alright, but the extra tracks on the Cd's are worth twice the price. Johnny Cash at his best. As wellas The Carter Family (2nd gen), the Statler Brothers, and Carl Perkins. Also a well designed box and guide. Exquisite.
A must have for any Cash fan
2007-03-08 - It is a shame that it took so long for the complete San Quentin concert to finally be released. This is a must have for any Cash fan.
