Great review, John. (How did I miss this?) I never cared for the Budokan album and wasn't planning on listening to any of the expanded release, but after listening to your superb review, I may just have a listen. (btw, I really do wish Dylan was as interactive with his audiences as he was in the past) Thanks. Jeff
A really good review John. Earl’s Court 1978 was my first live concet of Bob’s. It was for me his best concert although I wouldnt fault the next 41 concerts I went on to see following that. Met him in ‘91 & had a conversation with him. At 13 my parents said “he’ll grow out of it. I’m 65 now but dont seem to be growing out of Bob & his music/lyrics. 😄 It’s great to hear someone who knows very well what he is talking about. Thank you for your knowledgable piece here.
I completely remember the first time I saw this album. I must have been about 18 and was in a Target store with my dad. Target had an unusually large display of this album for some reason. I can't remember whether I bought it with my own money or whether my dad bought it for me, but I did get it immediately and took it home and played it that evening. I pretty much agree with everything you said about the album and the songs. To me, it's a very weird album, but very adventurous. When an arrangement on the song works, it really works. I wonder how much Rob Stoner had to do with the arrangements. I believe he was the musical director of the band on that tour. It's completely different than the "Hard Rain" album. Weird, but adventurous and stellar in places.
I think all the reviews I’ve seen are fantastic, lots of depth and interesting content. Almost takes me back to the whispering Bob Harris days👍 Blood on the Tracks was the first album I purchased as an art student in the seventies, along with dark side of the moon and tubular bells…happy days in brum
I remember when this record came out, but I never listened to it. But your review has peaked my interest, I will give a listen today. Great video, and thanks for sharing John.
I have been listening to the new release today and thoroughly enjoying it; Budokon was my gateway album to Dylan back in the early eighties and I am thrilled to be able to have this extra material to digest. I never understood the animosity towards this album and being younger than the first wave of Dylan fans maybe I saw things differently, reminds me of the big deal made over Phil Collins in Genesis, they couldn't have gotten a more suitable replacement if they had recruited for years IMHO.
He certainly played it later on in the tour but there are reasonable quality recordings from Paris and Blackbushe (UK) on youtube with a lot more Street Legal material including your favourite!
Bob Dylan stopped talking to the audience in 1987 starting with the Dylan & The Dead shows. It's also when he started substantially varying his setlist night to night. It's also when he started touring every year (well, he had toured in '86 so strctly speaking that was when his touring every year started). He learned at least the former two from them, and I prefer both practices. I never needed a rapport with the artist beyond music, or a "show" as such. And on occassions where I would see multiple shows on a tour, it was nice to get a varierty of material.
This tour was so extensive because it was his "paying for my divorce" tour (which correlates with that lyric change at the end of "I Threw It All Away"). He returned to Japan in 1986 and 1994.
I don’t think that’s the truth. If he’d been determined just to make money, he would’ve toured with a much smaller band. Or he could have toured solo. But, instead, he chose to tour with a large band of some of the most expensive musicians he could find, including people like Steve Douglas and Bobbye Hall, who were stars in their own right.
Critics dubbed it the “alimony tour” because of his recent divorce. It may be true. Dylan toured from February until December of 78, and really only took a few weeks off to record Street Legal. Prior to this, Dylan had never toured so much in one year.
This was his best ever tour, and his best ever band. Sadly, the tour was recorded too early - the European shows, particularly the british ones, were off the scale brilliant.
Totally agree. The tour got better as the year went by. Unfortunately, I’m guessing that Columbia only recorded the Japanese first two shows. Fortunately there are some great sounding bootlegs out there.
One of the few Dylan albums that I've never really explored. Gave the new version a listen, and enjoyed it a fair bit. I can understand how the arrangements and overall tone would of put people off at the time, but I think it's a lot easier digest now, especially when you consider how many different versions of songs he's released on his bootleg series. Not everything hits the mark, but there's definitely a good 10/15 songs that I like quite a lot.
My favorite Dylan album! I've never understood the critical lambasting it took. His voice was the strongest here that I have heard on anything else. The versions of One More Cup of Coffee, and Shelter from the Storm are absolutely fantastic!
I've also owned the Budokan album since release when I was at art college. Although very accomplished as live performance I always thought it a bit schmaltzy and much preferred the rawness, urgency and immediacy of Hard Rain from a few years previously, even though the sound left something to be desired. I have to say I rarely play Budokan. Maybe it's time for a revisit.
John, I think the March 1st performance of Love In Vain is the one originally released... the new (previously unreleased) one is the Feb 28th recording.
The 75 and 76 tours was american affairs. 78 was a global affair. Promoter was new and a greatest hits and reworked versions of deep cuts. What to be critical about? Its just a great product.
Hi John. Good video but I would have liked you to tackle the elephant in the room, namely that a 2CD version of the new set seems to be missing this time around, which contradicts the usual Bootleg Series releases. I for one cannot cannot afford the 4CD version! I should add that I absolutely love Budokan - it was the first Dylan album I heard so has always been special for me!
@matttokley8215 Fair point. I think the focus goes on vinyl and digital/streaming, these days. Not enough people purchase CDs now so I think they worry a lot less about providing for a decreasing market. All the effort nowadays seems to go into the vinyl side of things.
Dylan’s atypical audience interactions during this concert probably reflect the requests of his Japanese promoters, who authorised his setlist, the only time (afaia) that Dylan has allowed himself to be dictated to.
Fair point but my only complaint about the set list is the lack of Street Legal material but it's perfectly possible he'd not written most of the tracks at that stage!
Wait. The promoter told Dylan what to play? Was he paid more for obliging? Did he not have the same condition on future Japanese tours? If not, why in '78 but not in '86 and '94? Thank you.
I believe I have all the official bootlegs but I really am not sure about this. I’m 72 and I have followed him from when I was 17 but I really couldn’t reconcile this album with the 98% of the others. I’ve been able to get into self portrait even but this and the American songbooks albums are to me are not on my listening list. After your video I might give it a chance. Still it’s hard to reconcile a poet in a Vegas type setting
I worked at the Bob Dylan 78 concerts at the Melbourne Myer Music Bowl in March of that year. I thought he was great live but on reflection, hearing this, I think some of the tracks might be a bit overdone. With the instrumentation I mean. However, overall they were great concerts and seeing Bob close up was special
I remember reading somewhere that set lists for Budakon. Was promoters picks only. Since a pretty penny was paid for dylan. 99% hits. Sprinkled with dylan picks.
Upon original release I was disappointed with it after loving "Hard Rain". The horns, backup singers and flute were a bit off-putting. Now that I'm over 60 I can appreciate the mellow tone of the arrangements. Great song choices just jarring to my ears back in '78. I downloaded all 58 tracks from YT yesterday.
sorry for me it is a bit too much! Dylan plays vegas, ive had it since it came out, ive listened to it more than a few times, i want it to be good and grow on me. but it sounds like Dylan attemps Elvis at vegas but falls short greatly somehow.. the rearanging of all the sungs to an easy listening palletable format. and at times to over the top dramatic.for instance on "Maggies Farm". it feels so smultsy 70s. and at a time when punk had just been and new wave prevailed. then this. Of course the musicianship is very capable and polished that might be the prob here OK Theres maybe two or three tracks on here that lend themselves to that treatment. and i know that band loosed up greatly has the tour progressed. but i have to agree with most of the critics on this one. Nashville skyline and self Portrait had a similar critical mauling but both those albums have stood the test of time. for me Budokan and all the mid 80s albums after infidels are unispiring. unless you love Dylan for just being Dylan. Then anything goes.
i have a soft spot for the Street Legal album so this is a good release for me albeit he may have been better later in the tour with more material from the album for starters!
Unfortunately, this is when Bob started to go down in concert. Before the Flood was the peak for me live. This album was the beginning of the end (live) for me.
well at least he had a voice here!! it's been growing on me and great to hear the full concerts note for note....pretty rare to have that on official release
I've always thought the Budokan album sounds like someone singing Dylan songs who has a complete lack of understanding of the material or perhaps a deliberate parody. I've seen Dylan a couple dozen times, including December 1978 on this tour. I've always liked his revamping of the arrangements of his songs, but not those on Budokan. His band was stellar, but the arrangements they had to play were awful. Steve Douglas was one of the top LA brass session players, but his flute on this album is plain awful and schmaltzy. By December 1978 the worst aspects of Budokan's arrangements had been dropped and I loved the concert. Recently, I listened to the album for the first time in years to see if my memory of it was overly harsh. It wasn't. I own every album and single the man has released, including all of the Bootleg series and more than 100 actual bootlegs. At $160 for the CD set I don't think I'll be buying this new release.
I don't Bob or anyone else reworking songs they wrote and re interpret them, but the new arrangements are just dreadful, as if a Dylan interpreter is doing Dylan in Vegas, except it's Bob doing Bob in Vegas. It was conceived as a money making cash grab tour and that it was. A shame they didn't release a live album from further in on the tour in Europe which were much better shows.
Great review, John. (How did I miss this?) I never cared for the Budokan album and wasn't planning on listening to any of the expanded release, but after listening to your superb review, I may just have a listen. (btw, I really do wish Dylan was as interactive with his audiences as he was in the past) Thanks. Jeff
A really good review John.
Earl’s Court 1978 was my first
live concet of Bob’s. It was
for me his best concert although
I wouldnt fault the next 41 concerts
I went on to see following that.
Met him in ‘91 & had a conversation
with him. At 13 my parents said “he’ll grow out of it. I’m 65 now but dont seem to be growing out of Bob & his music/lyrics. 😄
It’s great to hear someone who knows very well what he is talking about. Thank you for your knowledgable piece here.
I completely remember the first time I saw this album. I must have been about 18 and was in a Target store with my dad. Target had an unusually large display of this album for some reason. I can't remember whether I bought it with my own money or whether my dad bought it for me, but I did get it immediately and took it home and played it that evening. I pretty much agree with everything you said about the album and the songs. To me, it's a very weird album, but very adventurous. When an arrangement on the song works, it really works. I wonder how much Rob Stoner had to do with the arrangements. I believe he was the musical director of the band on that tour. It's completely different than the "Hard Rain" album. Weird, but adventurous and stellar in places.
Budokan was my first Bob Dylan album, so I have a special fondness for it. Thank you for sharing these sweet memories.
Me too! Got it when I was 15, I was obsessed with Simple Twist of Fate as my teenage hormones were kicking in!
@@davecostello560 Ha, ha! I guess I'd better not play that song for my kids!
lol no it's not x rated, it stirred my imagination as a mysterious love song!
@@davecostello560yes it’s wonderful…forgot to mention it!
@@johnheaton5667Would it be possible to review your favourite Bruce Springsteen’s albums in the near future? 🎶✨
He stopped off in New Zealand as well. First time I saw him. Played the album to death instead of going to school when the album came out. Happy days!
Sorry I forgot to mention NZ!
I think all the reviews I’ve seen are fantastic, lots of depth and interesting content. Almost takes me back to the whispering Bob Harris days👍 Blood on the Tracks was the first album I purchased as an art student in the seventies, along with dark side of the moon and tubular bells…happy days in brum
I remember when this record came out, but I never listened to it. But your review has peaked my interest, I will give a listen today. Great video, and thanks for sharing John.
I have been listening to the new release today and thoroughly enjoying it; Budokon was my gateway album to Dylan back in the early eighties and I am thrilled to be able to have this extra material to digest. I never understood the animosity towards this album and being younger than the first wave of Dylan fans maybe I saw things differently, reminds me of the big deal made over Phil Collins in Genesis, they couldn't have gotten a more suitable replacement if they had recruited for years IMHO.
I love this album I might be in the minority? I don’t know, but I’m looking forward to getting the box set
Brilliant review
Any live version of “where are you tonight”…my favorite Dylan song
He certainly played it later on in the tour but there are reasonable quality recordings from Paris and Blackbushe (UK) on youtube with a lot more Street Legal material including your favourite!
he played it
Bob Dylan stopped talking to the audience in 1987 starting with the Dylan & The Dead shows. It's also when he started substantially varying his setlist night to night. It's also when he started touring every year (well, he had toured in '86 so strctly speaking that was when his touring every year started). He learned at least the former two from them, and I prefer both practices. I never needed a rapport with the artist beyond music, or a "show" as such. And on occassions where I would see multiple shows on a tour, it was nice to get a varierty of material.
i agree that the 78 set lists are largely the same but good to see Street Legal tracks entering the set list gradually!
He also played at Western Springs in New Zealand, it was his first time here.
Yes sorry I didn’t mention NZ!
Great video,John!
This tour was so extensive because it was his "paying for my divorce" tour (which correlates with that lyric change at the end of "I Threw It All Away"). He returned to Japan in 1986 and 1994.
I don’t think that’s the truth. If he’d been determined just to make money, he would’ve toured with a much smaller band. Or he could have toured solo. But, instead, he chose to tour with a large band of some of the most expensive musicians he could find, including people like Steve Douglas and Bobbye Hall, who were stars in their own right.
@@67Parsifal Documented in Down The Highway: The Life Of Bob Dylan. "It costs a lot to get divorced in California"-Dylan
Thanks for the info...I felt sure he returned as he said he would!
@@johnheaton5667 Thank you for these great reviews.
Critics dubbed it the “alimony tour” because of his recent divorce. It may be true. Dylan toured from February until December of 78, and really only took a few weeks off to record Street Legal. Prior to this, Dylan had never toured so much in one year.
My first Dylan album too. Still rate it !
This was his best ever tour, and his best ever band. Sadly, the tour was recorded too early - the European shows, particularly the british ones, were off the scale brilliant.
I agree it improved over time. That Picnic At Blackbushe bootleg is phenomenal.
Yes I just listened to Blackbushe on TH-cam...superb,,,but these Tokyo peformances have their moments!
Totally agree. The tour got better as the year went by. Unfortunately, I’m guessing that Columbia only recorded the Japanese first two shows. Fortunately there are some great sounding bootlegs out there.
One of the few Dylan albums that I've never really explored. Gave the new version a listen, and enjoyed it a fair bit. I can understand how the arrangements and overall tone would of put people off at the time, but I think it's a lot easier digest now, especially when you consider how many different versions of songs he's released on his bootleg series. Not everything hits the mark, but there's definitely a good 10/15 songs that I like quite a lot.
My favorite Dylan album! I've never understood the critical lambasting it took. His voice was the strongest here that I have heard on anything else. The versions of One More Cup of Coffee, and Shelter from the Storm are absolutely fantastic!
yes and simple twist of fate and to ramona are also highlights
Not a big fan of this album but Mr Tambourine Man on this album is my favourite version of this Tune.
I've also owned the Budokan album since release when I was at art college. Although very accomplished as live performance I always thought it a bit schmaltzy and much preferred the rawness, urgency and immediacy of Hard Rain from a few years previously, even though the sound left something to be desired. I have to say I rarely play Budokan. Maybe it's time for a revisit.
yes i thought the same but i am enjoying listening to the full concerts! It sure has its moments!
John, I think the March 1st performance of Love In Vain is the one originally released... the new (previously unreleased) one is the Feb 28th recording.
Yes I think I mixed it up there cheers!
@@johnheaton5667 Which do you prefer, John?
i think i slightly prefer the unreleased one....he seems a bit nervous but is singing with emotion on both@@bwpm1467
The 75 and 76 tours was american affairs. 78 was a global affair. Promoter was new and a greatest hits and reworked versions of deep cuts. What to be critical about? Its just a great product.
agreed!
Hi John. Good video but I would have liked you to tackle the elephant in the room, namely that a 2CD version of the new set seems to be missing this time around, which contradicts the usual Bootleg Series releases. I for one cannot cannot afford the 4CD version! I should add that I absolutely love Budokan - it was the first Dylan album I heard so has always been special for me!
It's not part of the Bootleg Series. The usual Bootleg Series formats aren't applicable here.
@@bwpm1467 ah ok, still think it's strange that there's not a 2CD version though
@matttokley8215 The original is a 2CD. How could they then release a 'complete version' also as a 2CD?!
@@bwpm1467 is there not a two vinyl highlights version then? I believe there is....
@matttokley8215 Fair point. I think the focus goes on vinyl and digital/streaming, these days. Not enough people purchase CDs now so I think they worry a lot less about providing for a decreasing market. All the effort nowadays seems to go into the vinyl side of things.
Dylan’s atypical audience interactions during this concert probably reflect the requests of his Japanese promoters, who authorised his setlist, the only time (afaia) that Dylan has allowed himself to be dictated to.
Fair point but my only complaint about the set list is the lack of Street Legal material but it's perfectly possible he'd not written most of the tracks at that stage!
Wait. The promoter told Dylan what to play? Was he paid more for obliging? Did he not have the same condition on future Japanese tours? If not, why in '78 but not in '86 and '94? Thank you.
@@benmeltzer it’s documented fact that Dylan acceded to song requests from the promoter in 1978. No idea about tours after that.
I believe I have all the official bootlegs but I really am not sure about this. I’m 72 and I have followed him from when I was 17 but I really couldn’t reconcile this album with the 98% of the others. I’ve been able to get into self portrait even but this and the American songbooks albums are to me are not on my listening list. After your video I might give it a chance. Still it’s hard to reconcile a poet in a Vegas type setting
I worked at the Bob Dylan 78 concerts at the Melbourne Myer Music Bowl in March of that year. I thought he was great live but on reflection, hearing this, I think some of the tracks might be a bit overdone. With the instrumentation I mean. However, overall they were great concerts and seeing Bob close up was special
Lucky you :- )
Dont se whathe problen was bob changes up his songs all the time ❤
I remember reading somewhere that set lists for Budakon.
Was promoters picks only.
Since a pretty penny was paid for dylan.
99% hits.
Sprinkled with dylan picks.
Brilliant review
Well the only problem i have with the set lists is the lack of Street Legal material but I guess it was a bit early!
Upon original release I was disappointed with it after loving "Hard Rain". The horns, backup singers and flute were a bit off-putting. Now that I'm over 60 I can appreciate the mellow tone of the arrangements. Great song choices just jarring to my ears back in '78. I downloaded all 58 tracks from YT yesterday.
i tend to agree that the 75/76 concerts were better but I am loving have these two full concerts on Spotify with not an extra penny spent!!
sorry for me it is a bit too much! Dylan plays vegas, ive had it since it came out, ive listened to it more than a few times, i want it to be good and grow on me. but it sounds like Dylan attemps Elvis at vegas but falls short greatly somehow.. the rearanging of all the sungs to an easy listening palletable format. and at times to over the top dramatic.for instance on "Maggies Farm". it feels so smultsy 70s. and at a time when punk had just been and new wave prevailed. then this. Of course the musicianship is very capable and polished that might be the prob here OK Theres maybe two or three tracks on here that lend themselves to that treatment. and i know that band loosed up greatly has the tour progressed. but i have to agree with most of the critics on this one. Nashville skyline and self Portrait had a similar critical mauling but both those albums have stood the test of time. for me Budokan and all the mid 80s albums after infidels are unispiring. unless you love Dylan for just being Dylan. Then anything goes.
i have a soft spot for the Street Legal album so this is a good release for me albeit he may have been better later in the tour with more material from the album for starters!
It’s okay. There are some decent versions on this, but it’s too far too mellow. Bob is better live now than on this record.
Unfortunately, this is when Bob started to go down in concert. Before the Flood was the peak for me live. This album was the beginning of the end (live) for me.
well at least he had a voice here!! it's been growing on me and great to hear the full concerts note for note....pretty rare to have that on official release
I've always thought the Budokan album sounds like someone singing Dylan songs who has a complete lack of understanding of the material or perhaps a deliberate parody. I've seen Dylan a couple dozen times, including December 1978 on this tour. I've always liked his revamping of the arrangements of his songs, but not those on Budokan. His band was stellar, but the arrangements they had to play were awful. Steve Douglas was one of the top LA brass session players, but his flute on this album is plain awful and schmaltzy. By December 1978 the worst aspects of Budokan's arrangements had been dropped and I loved the concert. Recently, I listened to the album for the first time in years to see if my memory of it was overly harsh. It wasn't. I own every album and single the man has released, including all of the Bootleg series and more than 100 actual bootlegs. At $160 for the CD set I don't think I'll be buying this new release.
i agree the box set is overpriced but free on Spotify I'll take it!!
I don't Bob or anyone else reworking songs they wrote and re interpret them, but the new arrangements are just dreadful, as if a Dylan interpreter is doing Dylan in Vegas, except it's Bob doing Bob in Vegas. It was conceived as a money making cash grab tour and that it was. A shame they didn't release a live album from further in on the tour in Europe which were much better shows.
Highway robbery
not if you're already subscribed to spotify mate!! i take it you don't much like it!
That is one of his worst live albums that fucking saxophone drives me crazy
ha! i get your point although i think it works perfectly on the 'Street Legal' album!