At Budokan [Live In Japan, February, 1978] [LIVE]

Bob Dylan

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1979
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Live
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000025GP
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #11,685 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #11 in	Music > Folk > Live Albums > Contemporary Folk
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It was Dylan himself who said "the present now will later be past" and there's no better proof of it than this bizarre live collection of his old hits performed in big band versions where nothing seems to mean what it originally did. There's something going on here and even Dylan doesn't know what it is. Following the success of Cheap Trick and Neil Diamond--who both scored with Japanese live albums--Dylan took his Las Vegas revue with him and handed up "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right," "Mr. Tambourine Man," "Shelter from the Storm," and even "The Times They Are A-Changin'" without the vehemence that made them anthems for a past generation. Weird. --Rob O'Connor

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of his best albums. Period., August 17, 2000

By	Skylar H. Burris (United States) - See all my reviews

Critics said Dylan's Live At Budokan was too "slick" and "Las Vegasy." But then again, whever Dylan expanded his music, or added a new note of variety, he was criticized. Greatest Hits fans and critics alike wanted him to remain forever a folk musician, never growing, changing, or maturing. This album definitely has a big band sound, but there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, this live album has some of the best versions of some of Dylan's greatest songs. "All Along The Watchtower," "Shelter From the Storm," and "Mr. Tambourine Man" are all better here, I think, than in their original versions. The album contains a great selection, from love ballads to rocking political commentary. This is not just Dylan's best live album, it is among his best albums--I would even venture to place it somewhere among his top ten.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some necessary Budokan revisionism......, February 1, 2006

By	Pip "Pip" - See all my reviews

The maliciousness that has been directed at this album over the years is an open testament of the way in which Dylan fans desire to own their idol, to constrict him, and to demand him to peform and record in ways that are their own, but not his....
"Live at Budokan" was my first Dylan album, miraculously discovered twenty five years ago as a window into a magic world.
Ever since I've heard bile and venom from innumerable sources about it's 'Vegasy' feel, and its 'commercialism'.
But Dylan is a song and dance man, mercurial and a mystery -
the minute you define him and place expectations on him he will inevitably disappoint.
Above all he is a true entertainer, who paradoxically brings everything to his performances and yet nothing, like it's always gonna be new.
The songs on this album are all like that, all stone cold classics, but elastic, sweet, wry, still timeless.
After twenty five years of listening to all the rubbish reviews, I still recommend this album for any newcomer to Dylan.
For one thing, there is booklet of lyrics to the great songs which is really helpful for new fans, as it was for me so many years ago, and the album photos still talk of the irresistible mystery that is Dylan.
'Budokan'is like an old road map on which the street signs are still right.
It truly gets better like old wine.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars DO Think Twice..., October 24, 2000

By	A. Wolverton (Crofton, MD United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

It seems that people here either love Budokan or hate it. It all depends upon who you are and where you're coming from in your "Dylan experience." I originally bought this album when it came out in the late 70's. Since it was only the second Dylan album I had ever heard (after Blood on the Tracks), I really didn't know the original versions of these songs. If you are a relatively new Dylan fan, or are looking for a place to start, Budokan is not for you. At least not yet. The best way to get to know any artist, writer, film maker, etc is by experiencing their work in the order in which it was originally released. Having done that, Budokan still comes off as a bit of an oddity. On one hand, yes, some of these arrangements are a real shock to the system after you've heard the originals for years. On the other hand, artists have the right to re-invent themselves, and Dylan has been doing it for years. (How would YOU like to sing "Blowin' in the Wind" the same way for nearly 40 years?) Budokan is simply a chapter in the Dylan catalog. For me, some of the songs work, some of them don't. But say what you will, at least Dylan took a chance. You never know what he's going to do. And isn't that half the fun of listening to Dylan?