Folsom Prison Blues BOTB Showdown
The idea to use Johnny Cash’s #4 Billboard Hot Country Song Folsom Prison Blues has sat on the back burner long enough. Today, I’m sharing with you three rock covers of this famous old song. Just listen to decide if you dig one of these versions over the other by leaving your vote for your favorite one in comments.
I learned from Wiki that Cash wrote the lyrics while stationed in West Germany inspired after seeing the movie “Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison” in 1951. Cash sat with pen in hand thinking of the worse reason a person would have for killing someone when he came up with the line, “But I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die”. The song was later recorded in 1955. He borrowed liberally both melody and lyrics from the song, “Crescent City Blues” by Gordon Jenkins. After the songs popularity in the early 1970s, Cash paid Jenkins a settlement of $75k in a lawsuit.
The thing I remember about Johnny’s song is as a kid, I really thought he spent time in the big house. I guess I believed his story telling. 🙂
What are you thoughts, do you have a favorite in this battle?
You’ll find more battle showdowns in progress today, just check out the other Battle of the Bands participators listed in my side menu. —>
I hope to report the outcome of this BOTB showdown next week, but if I mess up and I’m sure that I will then you’ll find the announcement in my Sunday, Sep 10th edition of Monday’s Music Moves Me. Speaking of which, please join me on the dance floor this Sunday! This is CAAC signing off, have a bandtastic day! X💋X💋 Cathy
Polls close at noon (ET) on Sep. 7th!
11 Comments
messymimi's meanderings
I enjoyed each for different reasons, but my vote also has to go with Mr. Valor. His just seems the most “right,” I’m not sure how to say it other than that.
Stine Writing and Miniatures
My vote is for Gravel Switch. I just like their sound the best. Small Town Titans might have won but I didn’t like the dramatic deep notes of the singer. Here is my BOTB: https://christinebialczak.com/2023/09/02/battle-of-the-bands-september/
Stephen T. McCarthy
CAThy! It’s That YOU!!
For once, I’ll keep my Johnny Cash rant short:
Nobody ever became a legend with less talent than Johnny Cash did. His skills were “minimal”, at best! And to be sure, Gordon Jenkins wasn’t the only artist Johnny plagiarized in his career. I have little use for the guy. His good buddy Waylon Jennings was immensely more talented but less appreciated.
Now, onto this Battle…
I haven’t read any of the other comments (yet), but I’m gonna take a wild guess and say that JAY VALOR is wiping the place up with the other two contestants. And if so, then my vote is just another spritz of Windex for Jay to keep cleaning with. I couldn’t even get through the full recordings of the other two contestants. Just not my style at all. But I think Jay Valor’s recording sounds better than the Johnny Cash “original” does.
~ D-FensDogG
Brian
I have to agree, Valor is the only good one.
Arlee Bird
In answer to your question as to whether I had a favorite then I’ll have to say no–I disliked them all. Maybe with another song I’d like them better, but they all made it seem like a novelty parody to me. But then maybe Cash did that too in his own way. He was certainly marketed as a potentially dangerous ex-con.
If I have to go with one version then my pick is that first pretender–er, contender–Jay Valor. Besides I have a brother named Jay.
Lee
diedre
I really liked Jay Valor, (even the name). The only thing missing was the rumble of a train. Jay for me, please.
Thanks for all the info on Cash! Fascinating. I can’t believe I never knew any of it.
Birgit Bedesky
I have to go with Valor although the last one is a close 2nd. I will admit, I could stand listening to the middle one. I don’t like that sound at all.
Mary B
Tough decision for me as none of them really spoke to me. If I could vote for Johnny Cash I would. But as he is not in the running…. I will give my vote to Jay Valor.
John Holton
I like Jay Valor the best of the three. It’s the most traditional, and this song calls for that.
Debbie D.
Interesting array of covers! I liked all of them, but Small Town Titans captured my attention the most. Love the basso profondo vocals and the killer guitar riffs!
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