Ozzy Osbourne: Diary of A Madman (2011 Reissue)

Another score from Resolute Records (Toronto)…

Crazy to think that I have never owned either of the first two Ozzman solo albums on vinyl until early 2022!

If you’re a reader of this blog you know my entry point to Ozzy was “Speak of the Devil” followed by “Bark At The Moon” back in ’83.

Sure I had the first two Ozzy albums on cassette followed by CD but now they are on vinyl which is how its supposed to be!

Everyone knows the deal with this record as it was recorded at basically the same time as the “Blizzard of Ozz” record but Ozzy was smart enough (or someone was ) to pull back a bunch of tracks and release a followup while still on tour.

“Diary” is a great record and say what you want to say about Ozzy in his trashed out state in the early ’80s that he could wrangle up a hot shot young guitarist in the form of the late great Randy Rhoads and together along with bassist Bob Daisly and drummer Lee Kerslake they dialled up a classic 8 pack of tracks that make up this record.

Lee sets the tone for the album as his drums kick off “Over The Mountain” and were off! Rhoad blazes on that 6 string and lays down one of the many fantastic solos that are sprinkled throughout the albums 43 plus minutes.

The whole album is filled with highlights. “Flying High Again” has Ozzy flying high as does Rhoads and his riffing. So good.

“You Can’t Stop Rock N Roll” is one of my faves on this album as the solo sells it for me along with the mix of both electric and acoustic guitar plus a great chorus.

There’s gold in these tracks partner!

Bob lays down a real cool Bass stomp at the beginning of “Believer” as Ozzy tells us all to believe in ourselves. Ok Ozzy I will but I ain’t biting no heads off of any bats or doves if you know what I mean!

Side 2 kicks off with “Little Dolls” followed by a somewhat slower tempo track in the form of “Tonight” which a great track that no one ever talks about.

For myself though its track 7 that is my tune on this opus which is “S.A.T.O” which has the band firing on all four cylinders. Ozzy tosses down a great vocal and this track features everything I love about hard rock. Catchy hooks, catchy verse, catchy chorus, supreme musicianship.

What is S.AT.O you ask? Well there are a few theories. One is Sailing Across The Ocean. The other one is Sharon- Adrian-Thelma-Ozzy.

I prefer the first choice but who knows for sure. Ozzy whadda think?

The title track ends the record as its a showcase for Rhoads as he lays waste to his guitar on this bombastic track. It’s mega and its huge and what a way to end an album.

Management was smart to hook Oz up with a young hot shot guitarist like Rhoads as a few artists followed the recipe set by Osbourne. Dio got Vivian Campbell. Coverdale got Sykes to lure the American market their way as VH had already set the bar with Roth and Eddie.

So glad to finally own this on vinyl and of course on the insert is a picture of the band with Rudy Sarzo and Tommy Aldridge listed as members even though they didn’t play a stitch of a note on this album. ( Bob and Lee were booted out by Sharon)