with flute and saxophone isn't for everyone.
But that's what you get with 鈥淭he Complete Budokan 1978," a deluxe box set presenting two live shows at Tokyo鈥檚 Nippon Budokan Hall, from a tour that has been derided in some corners as 鈥淒ylan going Vegas.鈥�
The extravagantly packaged four-disc set expands upon the 1979 鈥淏ob Dylan at Budokan鈥� live record that caught Dylan in Japan on just the second week of his 1978 world tour that would run for 10 months.
The tour started after the widely acclaimed Rolling Thunder guerilla tours across the United States in 1975 and 1976, and just before Dylan's conversion to Christianity in 1979.
In fact, Dylan has pointed to a fan throwing a small silver cross on stage in November 1978 as helping to spur his conversion. But that's a story for another time, and one that was explored deeply in the 鈥淭rouble No More鈥� box set released in 2017.
鈥淭he Complete Budokan 1978鈥� includes full concerts from Feb. 28 and March 1, 1978 with Dylan breaking out dramatically reworked versions of his well-known songs complete with backing singers, violin, flute and saxophone. Even today, 45 years later, the arrangements are striking for how far afield they are from the recorded versions.
A chipper, violin-heavy instrumental version of 鈥淎 Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall鈥� opens both concerts and sets the mood.
On Dylan speeds up the tempo with the flute front and center. And on 鈥淚 Threw it All Away,鈥� the backing singers are given a prominent role as Dylan tinkers with the lyrics. If you ever wanted to hear 鈥淎ll Along the Watchtower鈥� with flute, now is your chance.
It can be jarring for those not already well-versed with the original 1979 live release. But for Dylan fans who have eschewed this period of his career, there are hidden gems here worth uncovering.
鈥淭he Man in Me,鈥� in just its sixth time played live and with new lyrics, is beautifully delivered, complete with a saxophone solo. 鈥淥ne of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)," from 1966's also shines under a dramatic reworking, with the backing singers and sax giving the song new dimensions.
The packaging is top notch, with an expansive 12-by-12 inch photo book, liner notes and a box of memorabilia that includes two posters, replicated tour program, tickets and flyers.
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AP music reviews:
Scott Bauer, The Associated Press
