Cash is basically the only country artist that I like. The very fact that he sings about life and its hardships is very appealing to me. Running on the notion that his material is about the struggles of existence, it is only fitting that he would record an album within the walls of a tough state penitentiary.

Songs about life in prison (Folsom Prison Blues, I Got Stripes), the difficulties of life (Busted), and being free (Orange Blossom Special), are strong examples of how Cash expresses himself musically and how he can relate to the audience. In one sense, since the material on this album relates to the prisoners, it can be considered a concept album. A must have for everyone's musical library.