Country legends Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson collaborated to release a live album titled VH1 Storytellers. The Rick Rubin-produced album incorporated records associated with both artists, taking turns performing — with one taking the lead while the other does harmony or occasional verses. It also featured some guitar solos by Nelson as well as song discussions and jokes in between. One of the 15 tracks they decided to do was Cash’s 1955 self-written song, “Folsom Prison Blues.”
“Folsom Prison Blues” was first released by Cash as a single in 1955 and later included on his 1957 debut studio album, Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar! He also recorded this song live at the Folsom State Prison in 1968, and this version became a Grammy-winning, number-one country hit.
Thirty years later, Cash once again sang it live, but this time he had fellow icon Nelson beside him. The two wore an all-black outfit, and they each held their own guitars. The performance started with Nelson saying, “We are live,” with a smile toward Cash. The audience burst laughing, and so did the “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” singer.
Cash opened the song, reminding everyone how good it was and why it was a number-one country hit. After the second verse, he leaned on Nelson. It was his turn to impress the crowd.
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Nelson didn’t disappoint with his classical guitar solo — even Cash was smiling at him and enjoying the sound of his playing. Following the solo, Cash took over to sing the third verse. When he finished it, he said, “Take it one more time, Willie.” Nelson obliged and once again had everyone captivated by his skills. Cash did some harmonic adlibs as his duet partner threw down the tunes. He even let out a laugh before he sang the fourth and last verse.
To cap off the performance, they did a bit of instrumental, and then Cash delivered the last line again. The crowd erupted into a loud round of applause, and then Nelson said, “I don’t know about you, John. But I had a lot of fun.”
Watch Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson’s live performance of the “Folsom Prison Blues” in the video below.
