Bob Dylan - At Budokan [2 LP, Live in Japan, Black Vinyl]

Bob Dylan revisits his songbook with a touring ensemble on At Budokan, recorded at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan during his 1978 world tour. Horns, backing singers, violin and keyboards give familiar material arrangements far removed from the spare acoustic settings of his early recordings. The concert performances draw on songs from several stages of Dylan's career, as the band moves between folk, rock, reggae and soul-influenced treatments of his writing.

"Mr. Tambourine Man" opens with a fuller, layered band arrangement, while "Shelter From The Storm" places Dylan's vocal against a flowing ensemble accompaniment. "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" takes on a reggae rhythm, and "Like A Rolling Stone" expands into a brass-accented concert performance. "All Along The Watchtower" brings electric guitar and the full group into play, while "The Times They Are A-Changin'" closes the set with a song from his early folk repertoire, recast for the touring band.

The performances were recorded during Dylan's first Japanese tour, with a large backing band. Originally issued in Japan before receiving an international release, the album documents his stage arrangements. The live recording was produced by Don DeVito for Columbia. This Columbia/Legacy reissue restores the 22-song program on two black vinyl LPs, in its original four-side sequence.

• Format: 2LP
• Standout tracks: Mr. Tambourine Man, Shelter From The Storm, Like A Rolling Stone, All Along The Watchtower, Forever Young
• Pressing details: Black Vinyl, Live in Tokyo, Columbia/Legacy Reissue
• Genre/style: Rock, Folk Rock, Singer-Songwriter
• UPC: 198029984118

At Budokan occupies an unusual place among Dylan's live albums for its extensive rearrangements. The concert shows how freely he revisited songs that audiences already knew by heart. That willingness to reshape familiar material defines this recording.

* The Spotify track list may not exactly represent the tracks and audio of this LP edition.

Track List:

Side A:

1. Mr. Tambourine Man
2. Shelter From The Storm
3. Love Minus Zero/No Limit
4. Ballad Of A Thin Man
5. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right

Side B:

1. Maggie's Farm
2. One More Cup Of Coffee (Valley Below)
3. Like A Rolling Stone
4. I Shall Be Released
5. Is Your Love In Vain?
6. Going, Going, Gone

Side C:

1. Blowin' In The Wind
2. Just Like A Woman
3. Oh, Sister
4. Simple Twist Of Fate
5. All Along The Watchtower
6. I Want You

Side D:

1. All I Really Want To Do
2. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
3. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
4. Forever Young
5. The Times They Are A-Changin'