This 2CD set part of a 2014 Japanese remaster series of 14 Bob Dylan albums using Sony's proprietary Blu-Spec 2 process.* In true Japanese fashion it's packaged in a gate-fold cardboard replica of the original glossy album sleeve including a replica of the original lyric booklet in English and Japanese and the original poster. The album sounds fantastic, the best since the original Japanese vinyl back in 1978. Beating
CHEAP TRICK to the punch by a month, Bob Dylan, with a crack band full of ringers, brought his road show to Tokyo's Nippon Budokan stadium for two nights, the sets a virtual retrospective of his best known compositions. Supposedly the Japanese promoter gave Bob's manager a list of songs he wanted performed, with no jamming or experimental material aloud, just the hits and nothing but. I guess the $$$ was good enough for Dylan to acquiesce. This is another of Bob's "love it or hate it" releases due to the fact that all the songs are presented in somewhat radically different arrangements backed by a slick turn-on-a-dime band with female backing vocals, not unlike the kind of show Elvis put on during his Lost Vegas years, except instead James Burton's wailing guitar we get Steve Douglas' wailing sax solos. Me? I think it's great to hear ole Zimmy play the crooner for a change, although when I REALLY want to hear some of these tunes I reach back for the original versions. The album made #13 in U.S. charts and #4 in Britain, where it was more popular, eventually going platinum. Here's the track and musician listing, if you've got the bucks it's the real deal and actually quite enjoyable......
DISC ONE:
1. Mr. Tambourine Man
2. Shelter From The Storm
3. Love Minus Zero/No Limit
4. Ballad of a Thin Man
5. It's All Right, Don't Think Twice
6. Maggie's Farm
7. One More Cup of Coffee
8. Like A Rolling Stone
9. I Shall Be Released
10. Is Your Love In Vain?
11. Going, Going, Gone
DISC TWO:
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
7. All I Really Want To Do
8. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
9. It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
10. Forever Young
11. The Times They Are A-Changin'
the musicians:
Bob Dylan (vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica)
Steven Soles (acoustic rhythm guitar, vocals)
Billy Cross (guitar)
David Mansfield (pedal steel, violin, mandolin, guitar, dobro)
Steve Douglas (saxophone, flute, recorder)
Alan Pasqua (keyboards)
Rob Stoner (bass, vocals)
Ian Wallace (drums)
Bobbye Hall (percussion)
Helena Springs (vocals)
Jo Ann Harris (vocals)
Debi Dye (vocals)
Recorded at Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
February 28 & March 1, 1978
Produced by Don DeVito
*The remastered albums currently (June 2014) available are: "
Self Portrait," "New Morning," "Greatest Hits Vol.2," "Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid," "
Dylan," "Planet Waves," "Before The Flood," "Blood On The Tracks," "The Basement Tapes," "Desire," "
Hard Rain," "Street Legal," "Bob Dylan At Budokan," and "Slow Train Coming." "Saved," "Shot Of Love," "Infidels," "Real Live," "Empire Burlesque," "Knocked Out Loaded," "Down In The Groove," "Dylan & The Dead," and "Oh Mercy" will be released on Aug. 27, 2014 (the links will take you to my other reviews)......