Bob Dylan’s performances featuring flute and saxophone may not appeal to everyone, yet “The Complete Budokan 1978” offers a unique experience. This deluxe box set showcases two live shows at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan Hall, part of a tour often criticized as “Dylan going Vegas.”

The meticulously presented four-disc collection builds upon the 1979 “Bob Dylan at Budokan” live record, capturing Dylan during the second week of his 1978 world tour—a 10-month journey commencing after the acclaimed Rolling Thunder guerilla tours across the United States in 1975 and 1976, but just before his conversion to Christianity in 1979.

Dylan has attributed his conversion to an incident in November 1978 when a fan threw a small silver cross on stage. This transformative moment was extensively explored in the 2017 “Trouble No More” box set.

“The Complete Budokan 1978” features complete concerts from Feb. 28 and March 1, 1978. Dylan presents dramatically reworked versions of his well-known songs, accompanied by backing singers, violin, flute, and saxophone. Even after 45 years, the arrangements stand out for their departure from the recorded versions.

Both concerts open with a lively, violin-heavy instrumental version of “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” setting the tone for the performances. Notably, in “Mr. Tambourine Man,” Dylan accelerates the tempo with the flute taking a central role. “I Threw It All Away” sees backing singers playing a prominent role as Dylan experiments with the lyrics. For those intrigued by unconventional renditions, this is the chance to hear “All Along the Watchtower” featuring a flute.

These reimagined performances may be surprising for those unfamiliar with the original 1979 live release. However, for dedicated Dylan fans willing to explore this phase of his career, hidden gems await discovery.

A highlight is the sixth live rendition of “The Man in Me,” featuring new lyrics and a captivating saxophone solo. Additionally, the reworking of “One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later),” from 1966’s “Blonde on Blonde,” adds new dimensions to the song with backing singers and saxophone.

The packaging is of the highest quality, including a spacious 12-by-12-inch photo book, comprehensive liner notes, and a memorabilia box containing two posters, a replicated tour program, tickets, and flyers.