JOHNNY CASH – AT SAN QUENTIN LP – EXC+ A1/B1 UK 1969  COUNTRY

Johnny Cash At San Quentin
(CBS Records  1969  S63629)
Matrix No’s: A1/B1 – UK Pressing

Sleeve in Excellent+ condition
– some creases to laminate on front and some light rubbing on back

Vinyl in Excellent+ condition
(there are some surface marks visible on the vinyl when held up to the light but they don’t affect the sound quality apart from some light pops/crackles)

Johnny Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor, and author. He is widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century and one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 90 million records worldwide. Although primarily remembered as a country music icon, his genre-spanning songs and sound embraced rock and roll, rockabilly, blues, folk, and gospel. This crossover appeal won Cash the rare honor of multiple inductions in the Country Music, Rock and Roll, and Gospel Music Halls of Fame.

Cash was known for his deep, calm bass-baritone voice, the distinctive sound of his Tennessee Three backing band, a rebelliousness coupled with an increasingly somber and humble demeanor, free prison concerts, and a trademark look, which earned him the nickname “The Man in Black.” He traditionally began his concerts with the simple “Hello, I’m Johnny Cash,” followed by his signature “Folsom Prison Blues”.

Much of Cash’s music contained themes of sorrow, moral tribulation and redemption, especially in the later stages of his career. His signature songs include “I Walk the Line”, “Folsom Prison Blues”, “Ring of Fire”, “Get Rhythm”, and “Man in Black”. He also recorded humorous numbers like “One Piece at a Time” and “A Boy Named Sue”; a duet with his future wife, June Carter, called “Jackson” (followed by many further duets after their marriage); and railroad songs including “Hey, Porter”, “Orange Blossom Special” and “Rock Island Line“. During the last stage of his career, Cash covered songs by several late 20th-century rock artists, notably “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails and “Personal Jesus” by Depeche Mode.

At San Quentin is the 31st overall album by Johnny Cash, and a recording of a live concert given to the inmates of San Quentin State Prison. The concert was filmed by Granada Television.

The album was a follow-up to Cash’s previous live album, the critically acclaimed and commercially successful At Folsom Prison.

On the original LP release, the song order was changed and several songs were cut, presumably for space reasons. Despite the title of the version released on CD in 2000 – At San Quentin (The Complete 1969 Concert) – the CD does not contain the entire concert uncut, but does feature additional tracks and running order that parallels the actual setlist. In 2010, the album was reissued on vinyl by Sundazed Records with the original Columbia catalog number LP 5362. The reissued Sundazed vinyl is an exact copy of the original record except that the back cover has a barcode and indicates it is a Sundazed issue. Performed but not included were the songs “Jackson” and “Orange Blossom Special”, which are included in the video release of the show. 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.”

Track listing

All songs by Johnny Cash except as indicated.

Original release

Side 1

1. “Wanted Man” (Bob Dylan/Johnny Cash)
2. “Wreck of the Old 97″* (arranged by Cash, Bob Johnston, Norman Blake)
3. “I Walk the Line”
4. “Darling Companion” (John Sebastian)
5. “Starkville City Jail”

Side 2

1. “San Quentin”
2. “San Quentin”
3. “A Boy Named Sue” (Shel Silverstein)
4. “(There’ll Be) Peace in the Valley” (Thomas A. Dorsey)
5. “Folsom Prison Blues”

Personnel

• Johnny Cash – vocal, Acoustic guitar
• June Carter Cash – vocal
• Carter Family – vocals, Autoharp, Guitar
• Marshall Grant – bass guitar
• W.S. Holland – drums
• Carl Perkins – electric guitar
• Bob Wootton – electric guitar
• The Statler Brothers – vocals