Today, Bob Dylan’s Complete Budokan 1978 box set gets released. I’ve put together a ranked listening guide to the new songs—that is, the songs that were not included on Dylan’s original At Budokan live album.
Well, damn, this is just about enough to make me interested in '78 ! I've never been on board - I'm a bit unusual in that I'm becoming almost exclusively a fan of NET Dylan. Of course, I love much of what came before the NET, but in terms of concerts, '88 onwards is almost all I listen to these days.
But these cuts do sound great. Maybe I needed to do what you did here, which is take it song by song, and focus on the individual players.
Also, has Bob ever been more committed vocally? Maybe so, but these shows are probably in his Top 5 Most Vocally Committed Years, I must admit. He is bringing it.
Those two for sure! And we'd have to add 1966 (if only for the way he sings Like A Rolling Stone each night!).
For the other in the top 5, I'd add 1987 on the Tom Petty Tour - or 1988 as the NET begins. If you listen to those shows nowadays he sounds at the prime of his vocal powers.
A person could also make a case for the current Rough & Rowdy Ways Tour being very committed in terms of vocals - mostly in terms of the care and diligence he's investing in them - he's making them a spotlight of the shows. Especially for an 82-year-old, that level of commitment deserves note.
The version of Going, Going Gone in my Release Radar started out so GOOD. Then - and I knew it was probably coming - it all went to hell, with Douglas blaring over a ludicrous blooze vamp. Why, Bob, why? I'll never be a Budokan fan.
Finally heard the entire Isle of Wright concert yesterday and enjoyed it immensely. Sometimes he can change it around just right, sometimes a little too much. Budokan reminds me why I generally dislike Dylan covers. I want the real thing. So, anyway, though. I’m big enough fan that I’ll listen to the re-issue at some point. I mean, if there’s any artist that you want to trust their instincts…
Thank you for putting this together. This will be the first Dylan set I haven’t purchased since...I can’t even remember. I’ve tried and tried but can’t do the arrangements. The overdone music zaps much of the lyrical content for me and really, that’s the biggest crime. But I’ll certainly listen with fresh ears to see if some of the new tracks do it for me.
Well, damn, this is just about enough to make me interested in '78 ! I've never been on board - I'm a bit unusual in that I'm becoming almost exclusively a fan of NET Dylan. Of course, I love much of what came before the NET, but in terms of concerts, '88 onwards is almost all I listen to these days.
But these cuts do sound great. Maybe I needed to do what you did here, which is take it song by song, and focus on the individual players.
Also, has Bob ever been more committed vocally? Maybe so, but these shows are probably in his Top 5 Most Vocally Committed Years, I must admit. He is bringing it.
Ok, gotta ask: others in the top 5? (RTR, gospel, I'm assuming, what else)?
Those two for sure! And we'd have to add 1966 (if only for the way he sings Like A Rolling Stone each night!).
For the other in the top 5, I'd add 1987 on the Tom Petty Tour - or 1988 as the NET begins. If you listen to those shows nowadays he sounds at the prime of his vocal powers.
A person could also make a case for the current Rough & Rowdy Ways Tour being very committed in terms of vocals - mostly in terms of the care and diligence he's investing in them - he's making them a spotlight of the shows. Especially for an 82-year-old, that level of commitment deserves note.
Imagine the ovation Bob would get today, if he iintroduced a saxophone or a flute.
I’ve always enjoyed him mixing it up.
Fwiw I still think we will get a ‘78 Bootleg Seties. This release is very much an anniversary celebration of Bob’s first trip to Japan.
I was lucky to catch him in Osaka earlier this year. He clearly holds the country with special affection.
The version of Going, Going Gone in my Release Radar started out so GOOD. Then - and I knew it was probably coming - it all went to hell, with Douglas blaring over a ludicrous blooze vamp. Why, Bob, why? I'll never be a Budokan fan.
Finally heard the entire Isle of Wright concert yesterday and enjoyed it immensely. Sometimes he can change it around just right, sometimes a little too much. Budokan reminds me why I generally dislike Dylan covers. I want the real thing. So, anyway, though. I’m big enough fan that I’ll listen to the re-issue at some point. I mean, if there’s any artist that you want to trust their instincts…
Thank you for putting this together. This will be the first Dylan set I haven’t purchased since...I can’t even remember. I’ve tried and tried but can’t do the arrangements. The overdone music zaps much of the lyrical content for me and really, that’s the biggest crime. But I’ll certainly listen with fresh ears to see if some of the new tracks do it for me.