Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan at Budokan (1978) - 2LP

posted by all-musicrecords

Bob Dylan at Budokan is a live album by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released August 1978 on Columbia Records in Japan only, followed by a worldwide release in April 1979. 

It was recorded during his 1978 world tour and is composed mostly of the artist's "greatest hits". 

The performances in the album are radically altered from the originals, using almost all the musicians that played on Street-Legal, but relying on a much larger band and stronger use of woodwind and backing singers. 

In some respects the arrangements are more conventional than the original arrangements, for which the album was criticized. 

For a few critics, such as Janet Maslin of Rolling Stone, the differences between the older and newer arrangements had become less important.

The audio recording is from shows on 28 February and 1 March 1978. Columbia Records released this double LP in Japan on 21 August 1978.

However it seems that during this era Dylan really wanted to try a Springsteen-esque approach to his repertoire: big, maybe slightly saccharine Arena Rock. I’m a fan of The Boss, it comes as part of my TriState Area residency, but the way Dylan brings these songs to the arena style is truly baffling at times.

On his third live album in a mere five years, Bob Dylan brings the big, professional showmanship of Street Legal to the stage, recasting recent and classic favorites into that album's image -- and, he does that over the course of two albums, no less. 

It's a bit much, even for the diehards, even if moments work pretty well. Nevertheless, those moments work because of pizzazz, although those are the very moments that will make most long-term Dylan fans bristle. 

Which, of course, raises the question -- who is this for? The dedicated aren't going to be dazzled by the slickness and the casual fans certainly aren't going to pay much attention to a live album from 1978. Interesting historically, perhaps, but only marginally.

Side one

1.  Mr. Tambourine Man - 4:54

2.  Shelter from the Storm - 4:30

3.  Love Minus Zero/No Limit - 3:52

4.  Ballad of a Thin Man - 4:47

5.  Don't Think Twice, It's All Right - 4:55

Side two

1.  Maggie's Farm - 5:06

2.  One More Cup of Coffee (Valley Below) - 3:19

3.  Like a Rolling Stone - 6:31

4.  I Shall Be Released - 4:12

5.  Is Your Love in Vain? - 4:02

6.  Going, Going, Gone - 4:22

Side three

1.  Blowin' in the Wind - 4:25

2.  Just Like a Woman - 5:03

3.  Oh, Sister  (Bob Dylan, Jacques Levy) - 4:44

4.  Simple Twist of Fate - 4:15

5.  All Along the Watchtower - 3:20

6.  I Want You - 2:34

Side four

1.  All I Really Want to Do - 3:37

2.  Knockin' on Heaven's Door - 4:00

3.  It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) - 6:04

4.  Forever Young - 5:38

5.  The Times They Are a-Changin' - 5:31 

All tracks are written by Bob Dylan; except where indicated

Personnel

• Bob Dylan — vocals, guitar, harmonica
• Steve Douglas — saxophone, flute, recorder
• Steven Soles — acoustic guitar, backing vocals
• David Mansfield — pedal steel guitar, violin, mandolin, dobro, guitar
• Billy Cross — lead guitar
• Alan Pasqua — keyboards
• Rob Stoner — bass, backing vocals
• Ian Wallace — drums
• Bobbye Hall — percussion
• Debi Dye, Jo Ann Harris, Helena Springs —backing vocals

Companies, etc.

• Recorded At – Budokan
• Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS Inc.
• Copyright © – CBS Inc.

Production

• Don DeVito — production
• Tim Charles — monitor mixer
• Val Lane — sound technician

Notes

Released:  21 August 1978 

Recorded:  28 February and 1 March 1978 Venue Nippon Budokan Hall, Tokyo, Japan 

Genre:  Folk Rock 

Length:  99:41 

Producer:  Don DeVito 

Label - CBS/Sony Records