Johnny Cash>San Quentin

I recently finished reading Johnny Cash's autobiography. It was good read - gave some insight into what drove the man. Most interestingly he talks frankly about his faith and his failings - clearly evidenced in his music. On the one hand you have the whole 'man in black' thing, his drug addictions and the singing of songs about murder, death and pain. Then suddenly you have what sounds like a sermon and he breaks into a gospel song. You get the feeling that Cash is a man of extremes and probably does everything with a fair amount of gusto!

The live prison albums - Folsam and San Quentin are brilliant examples of his work. The setlists demonstrate the many sides to his character. My favourite track off these albums has to be the song he wrote for the prisoners at San Quentin. This song shows his rebel spirit and the reaction of the prisoners is amazing. Check it out below and thank God for a man with fire his belly and in his heart. We could do with someone to fill his shoes...