What say you?

Both albums have their merits, but I gotta give the nod to Folsom - mostly because it was the first Cash I was introduced to when my dad used to crank it up on the ol' hi-fi.

def. folsom
-crowd reaction to 'cocaine blues'
-'jackson' with the wife

It's down to Luther Perkins vs. Carl Perkins, innit?

would you believe I've never heard either?

Folsom all the way

Can't beat it!

love both

but Folsom, no contest

This is mental. 9-1?

I slightly prefer San Quentin and I don't think you can say it's no contest like it's obvious.

I prefer it purely as the band have a much better honed sound due to the loss of Luther Perkins. It goes above the basic sound they play on Folsom. The songs used are better and (especially if we are comparing the full uncut versions re-issued recently) Cash is much wilder, rawer on San Quentin. Much better feel to that record.

for me the energy of Folsom just can't be recreated. playing wise San Quentin would probably get the edge, but you can FEEL the energy in the room when listening to Folsom for me, much moreso than San Quentin.

They're both good records. I personally prefer the San Quentin disc because I like the fact he plays "San Quentin" twice. I once saw Willie Nelson play and he did "On the Road Again" twice--in a row. That was cool.

Yeah, yeah and not only that, but the second time thru it sounds like the prisoners are going to riot any second...

Although both albums are similar, in my opinion the San Quentin elpee gets my vote for having the wildest, most vocal crowd since Little Stevie Wonder recorded "Fingertips - Part Two."

(BTW, which J.C. prison album has the moment where Johnny introduces June Carter and the drummer starts playing in time to June's walk while the cons - who probably hadn't seen a woman in a long time - go buckwild??)

I like both but I have to give the slight nod to San Quentin simply because my father used to play it all the time.

Folsom for me.

Folsom by a mile. I just like the songs better and everything sounds so awesome.

Folsom's got better acoustics

I voted Folsom ... but I've never heard San Quentin. Sorry. :-/

this thread is worthless without....

san quentin
hxxp://s58.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=32QHRXXRPQICE3IAECIXEBU1SF

folsom
hxxp://s41.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=042MDYKOMHACU3GWHCQUERIOMI

"Send A Picture Of Mother" always kills me. I don't think it's on any other record of his.

After seven years behind these bars together
I'll miss you more than a brother when you go, when you go
If only I had not tried to escape
They'd pardon me with you I know, yes I know

Won't you tell the folks back home I'll soon be coming
And don't let them know I never will be free, be free
Sometimes write and tell me how they're doing
And send a picture of mother back to me

Say hello to Dad and shake his poor hardworking hand
And send a picture of mother if you can

I'm happy for you that you got your freedom
But stay with me just another minute or so, or so
After all this sweat and blood together
Who'll be my fighting partner when you go, when you go

The hardest time will be on Sunday morning
Church bells will ring on Heaven Hill, Heaven Hill
Please ask Reverend Garrett to pray for me
And send a picture of mother if you will

Say hello to Dad and shake his poor hardworking hand
And send a picture of mother if you can

-J. R. Cash

Me too!

...I'm riding with Alkaline on this for the same reasons mentioned above...Johnny without fear, really nailed it at Folsom. San Quetin has "Boy Named Sue" on it and you gotta love both version's of San Quetin. "San Quetin, San Quetin, you don't tell me no lie."


...don't hesitate.

That was close

(Bump 'cos the records are in the thread)

...and besides, if it weren't for those two Johnny Cash prison rekkids, we wouldn't have instant classics like this:



...but I digress.

Four years ago today he died. That has gone quick.

They are both excellent, but Johnny sounds a little too wasted on San Quentin.
Plus, look at the tracklisting:

Folsom:
1. Folsom Prison Blues
2. Busted
3. Dark As The Dungeon
4. I Still Miss Someone
5. Cocaine Blues
6. 25 Minutes To Go
7. Orange Blossom Special
8. The Long Black Veil
9. Send A Picture Of Mother
10. The Wall
11. Dirty Old Egg-Suckin' Dog
12. Flushed From The Bathroom Of Your Heart
13. Joe Bean
14. Jackson
15. Give My Love To Rose
16. I Got Stripes
17. The Legend Of John Henry's Hammer
18. Green, Green Grass Of Home
19. Greystone Chapel

Vs:
San Quentin:

(first few tracks not Johnny)
6. Big River - Johnny Cash
7. I Still Miss Someone - Johnny Cash
8. Wreck Of The Old 97 - Johnny Cash
9. I Walk The Line - Johnny Cash
10. Medley: The Long Black Veil/Give My Love To Rose - Johnny Cash
11. Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash
12. Orange Blossom Special - Johnny Cash
13. Jackson - Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash
14. Darlin' Companion - Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash
15. Break My Mind - the Carter Family
16. I Don't Know Where I'm Bound - Johnny Cash
17. Starkville City Jail - Johnny Cash

And the sound quality is so much better on Folsom, check out how piss poor the mix is on San Quentin's Old 97, all you can hear is hi-hat.

Man, this is impossible for me. I got San Quentin first, and had it for a few years before getting Folsom. So, when I finally got Folsom, it sounded....I dunno, like a shadow of San Quentin. To this day, I've played San Quentin FAR more than Folsom, which to me sounds new every time I hear it, cause I haven't played it to death. So maybe I'd vote San Quentin based on how often I've played it, even though I'd sooner play Folsom now, since it still feels "new" to me.

Still, all in all, it's amazing that two such similar (on paper, anyway) albums could be released by the same artist in such a short time and have such different feels to them.