Vinyl Purchases April 2023

Johnny Snow is the master of posting his monthly purchases as no one comes close to that guy. I thought what the hell I had a pretty decent month myself on the few albums that I purchased so let’s go..

In this 4 pack of rock posted above the only title that came from Amazon was the KISS “OFF THE SOUNDBOARD” release from Poughkeepsie NY from 84. It’s a great listen as you get schooled in the short KISStory of one Mark St John who only played 3 shows with the band and it was released 39 years later!  The next three came from our local record store Spins. Aerosmith’s  “Pump” was one I need to add so now I have all Aero records from 1971 through to 1990 and of course “Nine Lives” (97) which I got a few months ago as well.

I have to add that copy of “Reload” came from Dan the owner of Spins who knew of my health issues and gifted me that record or as he called it “it’s on the house”. A lot of people could learn how to run a business from Dan. Thank you kindly Sir! You have given me Fuel and Fire for the Vinyl I desire!

Speaking of Dan and Spins which hosted it first ever RSD event and it was a huge success. When I arrived along with the other crew known as The Old Man Record Club (OMRC) at about 7:15am we were already about the 15th peeps standing in line. Thunder Bay showed up as the doors didn’t open til 8am which the line grew close to 40 people easy.

As you can see posted above I grabbed two double live albums. Pearl Jam “Give Away” which is a live show from Melbourne back in ’98 with Jack Irons on the drums. This is my first live PJ purchase so I was due to get one at some point.

DIO “Live in Fresno ’83” I had my eye on it as soon as Dan posted pictures of his titles that were coming in for the day. This is my favourite lineup of DIO as Vivian Campbell scorches his fretboard on this release which features not only DIO’s “Holy Diver” material but also a couple of tracks from Ronnie’s time in Rainbow and Sabbath!

The day after RSD there was a record fair at a Downtown location and I think there were about seven different sellers of records which they called Record Roundup!

Pictured above are my vinyl scores from that Record Roundup. The Pursuit of Happiness (TPOH) with the classic Todd Rundgren produced “Love Junk” which is a classic album of Power Pop with crunchier guitars (Hello Mr Max Badfinger) which was a great score.

Tesla with the debut “Mechanical Resonance” is one I have been on the hunt for so another fine purchase. All hail Tommy Skeoch!

I have a very beat up copy of Ozzy’s “Ultimate Sin” so I was beyond psyched when I saw this mint copy for $10! I couldn’t believe my luck on it. The only thing missing is the inside sleeve for whatever reason as the vinyl is in mint condition. Funny enough both copies of “The Ultimate Sin” I got both have no inside sleeves!!

Finally what may be my ultimate score is the fourth album from the brilliant Cinderella which is “Still Climbing”. This was an sealed unofficial release but I don’t care as this now completes my collection on vinyl of the Cinderella’s!

Overall April was a pretty decent month. Thanks to Dan and Spins for making a lot of this happen for us VinylHeads here in Thunder Bay.

New Rock Tracks- July 2022

I’m not a fan of sampling single songs. I have always been a full album guy but with preordering albums at Amazon, I will check out the songs when a band drops ’em and if I dig what I hear I will purchase them on vinyl….

This month some great songs have indeed dropped by a few acts and after listening to them I had preordered four of the five albums that I have featured here.

Enjoy folk’s…

Ozzy came out of the gate about a month ago with ‘Patient #9’ (which is a great track as well) but the second track that dropped “Degradation  Rules” featuring Tony Iommi has me hooked. Listen to those guitars man and Ozzy nailing down some harp. This tune is like if Sabbath was doing speed and coke. Oh wait a minute they did do that back in the day!

‘Asphyxiation
Masturbation
Degradation Rules’

 

Wolfchild and Duffy have never put out the same album twice and judging by the first single “Give Me Mercy” The Cult prove that theory yet again as when Ian Astbury opens his mouth you know it’s him. Billy Duffy as well has that great tone on his guitar. Different vibe here but I like the driving bass line  which along with the drums drives this tune forward.

I have to include some Can-Con artists as thats my rock n roll duty and speaking of which Sloan has cranked out a new Patrick Pentland rock track calling itself “Spend My Day”. Featuring a cool piano along with Patrick nailing down one of those cool little fuzzed out guitar solos that he’s famous for.  This one I have not preordered as I’m waiting for Sloan hopefully to come to town (Hello Frank!) and I can buy it off the band direct from there merch table.

Myles and Mark are back and if “Pawns & Kings” is any indication they are indeed back BIG TIME. This track goes all over the map musically. Think musically  along the lines of RUSH and Metallica. Crazy  that this is the last song of the record so I’m actually psyched to hear what comes before this one!

KISS in conjunction with keeping the KASH flowing are putting out what is becoming a cool series which is “Off The Soundboard”. The latest one dropping on Sept 9th is from a show in Des Moines Iowa from 1977! Sign me up as this version of ‘Let Me Go, Rock ‘N Roll’  has the four original members blasting off as you know Criss and Frehley here are snapped up on party treats so the tempo is fast. Love Ace’s soloing on this tune.  Ace is channeling his inner Chuck Berry!

There ya have it folks…maybe there is a track here that you will check out….

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)

Ozzy Osbourne: Blizzard of Ozz (2011 Reissue)

Another score from Resolute Records (Toronto)…

Rewind 1980..

Imagine cruising into a record shop back in ’80 and buying the “Blizzard of Ozz” record especially as if you were a fan of of Black Sabbath throughout the ’70’s.

What would your thoughts have been hearing Ozzy leave behind the sludge n doom and hop onto a new sound (still heavy rock) but with a young hot shot guitarist named Randy Rhoads in tow?

What a buzz that must have been for the first day buyer of “Blizzard of Ozz” especially as in ’80 Sabbath released the iconic “Heaven and Hell” that same year. Sabbath as you know enlisted Ronnie James Dio at the mic.

Two great albums coming out of one band. I’m sure Sabbath thought Oz would fall on his face considering he was off of his rocker when Tony Iommi and crew gave him his marching papers in ’79.

Muk my record store pal from back than was the first guy to purchase “Blizzard of Oz”(in early ’81) which I quickly taped off of him so I could hear what all the fuss was about with this hot shot guitarist that Ozzy enlisted.

On a side note I wish Ozzy would have kept the Blizzard of Ozz moniker going but I’m not management lol…

Nine songs make up the this debut and opener “I Don’t Know” lifts off and Rhoads makes himself known within seconds that a new young axe wizard is in town. How about that driving Bass (Bob Daisley) and straight ahead rock solid drumming by Lee Kerslake(RIP) that keep everything cooking in the background to let Randy lift off time and time again on this album.

First time I heard “Crazy Train” I was hooked and of course now in 2022 everyone has heard this tune a million times but what a mind blower as Randy does what he does on the six string.

“Blizzard of Ozz” is filled with a ton of great rock tracks like “Mr. Crowley”, “No Bone Movies”, “Suicide Solution”, as well as the epic “Steal Away The Night”.

Rhoads though could take the pedal of the metal so to speak and flex some different guitar textures like “Goodbye To Romance”,”Revelation (Mother Earth)” and even gets to shine on the classical guitar piece titled “Dee” (for his Mom).

What a stellar debut and I would have loved to seen Ozzy’s ex-bandmates reaction when they realized that there former lead singer had gotten his shit together and could put together a classic piece of Rock.

Course having a guy like Randy Rhoads along with Daisley and Kerslake along for the ride  helps the cause. Max Norman dialled in the warm fuzzy loud sounds on the grooves as well.

1980! What a year in Hard Rock Releases!

 

 

 

OZZY OSBOURNE: No More Tears

Crazy to think that the Ozzman’s “No More Tears” album turned 30 years young this past September. In saying that comes the reissue both on a digital format (bonus tracks and demos) and vinyl.

I scooped this one up on vinyl when Amazon added it as preorder back in July.

I will go on record and say that “No More Tears” is my favourite Ozzy solo album followed closely by ’83’s “Bark At The Moon”.

What about the Rhoads albums you ask. Fair enough.

“Bark At The Moon” was the second ever solo Ozzy album I  got after receiving the double live “Speak of the Devil” which I got for Xmas ’82.

The two Randy Rhoads records came after BATM. Don’t get me wrong though as I love that era of Oz but its just where my entry into the world of Ozzman happened and that was with Jake E Lee on the six string.

“No More Tours Tour” was when I caught Ozzy live and not only was he plugging this release in the summer of ’92 but it was announced at the time that this was his final tour.

If it had all played out and Ozzy had walked away , what an album to have gone out on!

But as we know that didn’t happen as Ozzy came back in ’95 in which he called that tour “Retirement Sucks”.

Getting a little ahead here…

Back to 91 and Ozzy drops this album and the band and Ozzy step up huge…

Can you say Mr Tinkertrain?

“Mr Tinkertrain” is a stellar opener as the one thing that stands out to me is Zakk Wylde’s playing on it especially come solo time as his lead work is bonkers. What a solo…

The rocker tracks which make up this record are brilliant. “I Don’t Want To Change The World”, “A.V.H”, “Zombie Stomp”, “Hellraiser” and the title track all sizzle as Zakk along with Randy Castillio and Bob Daisley drive the bus forward musically while Oz tosses down some great lead vocals.

Two of the tracks to my ears have always been what I would consider two of the best tracks that Ozzy has cranked out are “Desire” and “S.I.N”.

“Desire” I feel is Wylde’s best playing put down to tape. That solo that Zakk cranks out of that Gibson is through the roof while “S.I.N”  just takes your head off once the the band kicks in. Plus the choruses to these two tunes are catchy as heck.

Special mention to Zakk on that outro solo on “S.I.N” which is bat shit crazy good.

WOW…

Even though I’m tired of hearing “Mama I’m Coming Home” on local crap radio it’s still a good track as is “Road To Nowhere” which closes out the album.

Glad to own this one on vinyl now as its amazing that at the start of the 90’s Ozzy was already at this game called rock n roll for over 20 years but capturing lightening in the bottle along with a killer band paid dividends in the end as 30 years down on the line its still a must own.

 

SUMMERTIME SPIN: Ozzy Osbourne- THE ULTIMATE SIN (1986)

I purchased “The Ultimate Sin” on cassette tape back in the spring of ’86 right before summer hit and this one (along with some others) for the longest time, was a favourite of mine in my trusty old Walkman!

Ozzy was on a creative roll after the awesome debut of Jake E Lee on ’83’s “Bark At The Moon” in which Jake showed up with a bag of riffs and laid down some serious guitar chops and continued Ozzy’s success . The thanks Jake got for “Bark At The Moon” was squat in the songwriting credits but this would change for the “Ultimate Sin”.

Ron Nevison fresh from bringing the band “Heart” off of  life support a year earlier in which that self titled album sold millions. Ron was tasked at hand at dialling it in with Ozzy and the band.

“Ultimate Sin” in 2021 is kinda the forgotten album in the Osbourne solo catalog. Why? I have no idea but I’m sure its business related and personal as we all know Sharon’s deal right?

Anyhoo…

Ultimate Sin has a good batch of tunes. Is it as good as “Bark At The Moon”? In my opinion no but this record had some killer riffs and songs.

Actually listening to it now there’s really no bad tunes it’s just that Nevison tried making a heavy metal Heart album. Whereas Bark At The Moon had a production style to its own Ultimate Sin doesn’t.

The songs can’t be knocked as the title track opens the album and it just crushes and launches right into “Secret Loser”. Thats a good starter pack right there as Jake smokes that fret board.

I will say that each song has some good Ozz and Jake value. The crowning achievement on this record is the stellar “Killer of Giants” which slowly builds up until it lifts off. What a great track as Jake delivers the goods on this track.

“Shot In The Dark” (written by Ozzy and Bassist Phil Soussan) was the big video/song from this record and helped propel the album up the charts.

So for Ozzy having Jake along (Bob Daisley co wrote 8 of the tracks with Jake and Ozzy) in the drivers seat helped keep Ozzy playing the arenas whereas his old band Black Sabbath was changing lineups quicker than a McDonalds worker flipping patties!

In what has to be one of my rock n roll blunders was when I had an opportunity to catch this tour In Minneapolis in early July of 86 in Minneapolis as I had to decline as I working full time that summer.

My thinking was no biggie I will catch Ozzy next time.

Well that was partially true. I caught Ozzy not o the next tour but on Ozzy’s “No More Tour Tours” back in July ’92!

That was no big deal but what I missed out on was that July ’86 show was Metallica opening for Ozzy when Cliff Burton was still alive.

Damn…

I have this on vinyl which my pal El Donko passed onto me. It’s a little worn but I have never seen this out there in the wilds so this beat up copy will do for now!

 

 

 

Top 10 “Used Vinyl” Purchases in 2020.

This may be my last ever “Top 10 Used Vinyl Purchases” as the one place I had bought my used records from (Moon Money Vintage) closed up shop a few weeks before the world went into the tank back in March 2020

I liked buying used vinyl from that place as they were on consignment so they weren’t selling shit records. Sure I may have paid a buck or two more but at least I knew I was getting a decent used record.

When all is said and done I think I was able to build up my collection to well over 350 LPs from that place over a 2-year time period.

There are a few pawn shops in town that sell used vinyl but they just dump the records in a bin and I can’t be bothered rummaging and hoping for the best. Especially in these times.

Maybe things will turn around and someone can open up a cool record shop here in Tbay. In saying that I’m not holding my breath!

Before I forget make sure you watch for Snowmans/ Ladano’s and Mr. Buried On Mars Best of 2020 list’s  that are coming out sometime soon.

Here are their links to their sites. Give them a follow if you haven’t already.

https://mikeladano.com

https://buriedonmars.com

http://2loud2oldmusic.com

So here we go…

#10- Alice Cooper: Constrictor(1986)– Sure the Coop’s “Constrictor” release sounded like it was recorded in a tin can. There is some Cheesy Alice stuff on here (Thrill My Gorilla) but when Alice came back in 86  “Constrictor” was my entry world into the Coop. So this album gets a pass from me. Alice hooked up with Kane Rambo on guitar and they muscled up some decent stuff too (Your The Life And Death of The Party, The World Needs Guts).

#9- Boston: Third Stage(1986)– Tom Scholz back in 86  confused me that he led off “Third Stage” with “Amanda” (power ballad) but as an old man now in 2020 I get why he did that.  Doing things differently was Tom’s motto so it kinda works.  I mean Tom back then was battling his record company in lawsuits and whatnot as well as battling ex-members of Boston at the time. “Third Stage,” I think out of the first three Boston albums is the third-best record in the Boston catalog. Give it up for the late great Brad Delp whose vocals soar all over the sonic highway on “Third Stage”

#8-The Georgia Satellites: The Georgia Satellites(1986)- Who doesn’t love a good barroom stomping good time record. Dan Baird and the Sataliites cook up 8 originals,2 cover tunes, and this album blasts off from the get-go! Sure everyone knows these guys for the one big hit(Keep Your Hands To Yourself) but ask Tbone about the other tracks on here like “Red Light”! You cannot go wrong with this one!

#7-RUSH: Hold Your Fire(1987)- Can’t believe it has almost been a year since Neil passed on. Finding used RUSH records is a rarity in this town so when I have seen them I would pounce into action. Hold Your Fire is one I grabbed for a good price($10) and added to the collection. Geddy/Neil and Alex wrote some killer stuff on here (“Prime Mover,” “Time Stand Still”, “Lock And Key”). Nice addition to my collection.

#6-KISS: Asylum(1985)- I have been trying to finish up the KISS collection on vinyl and I grabbed this one from Discogs. “Asylum” is a good album once you get by the band wardrobe malfunction that Gene and Paul were into at the time. The songs though speak for themselves as “King of the Mountain”, “Love’s A Deadly Weapon”, “Tears Are Falling” are good tracks. There is always the matter of “Uh All Night”. lol But yeah it’s a decent spin.

#5-Dokken: Beast From The East(1988)– We all know this story. Dokken put out 4 solid studio records, opened up for every rock act at the time, and when this Double Live album came out the wheels came off of Dokken as Don split and the other guys sued as they were about to make that move to the arena headliner.  Still, though the tunes on here are brilliant and George Lynch is the man on here!

#4-Ozzy Osbourne: Bark At The Moon(1983)– On any given day this may be my favorite Osbourne record. Jake E Lee shows up and lays down the gauntlet on guitar. For all his hard work on this album, the Osbournes don’t credit Jake with any co-writes on “Bark At The Moon”. Highway Robbery 101 if you ask me. Did Ozzy write that opening riff to “Rock N Roll Rebel” or the title track? C’mon man no way that happened when Ozz was snorting ants and licking up piss back then. Cheers to Jake as his contribution is huge on this album!

#3-AC/DC: Let There Be Rock(1977)– Earlier this year I came across a fella who was selling 8 AC/DC albums for $80. I already had 4 of the 8 so I asked the seller if he wanted to just sell the 4 that I wanted.  He preferred to sell the whole lot.  So I figured what the hell I’ll buy all 8 and the 4 I already had I would pass onto Tbone which I did. “Let There Be Rock” was one that I did not have on record. Now I do and I’m all the better for it. Angus and  Bon crank everything up to 10 and well…just get a copy for yourself and while we are at it…” Let There Be Rock”.

#2-Deep Purple: Perfect Strangers(1984)– I have always held in high praise this reunion album of Deep Purple. “Perfect Strangers” was my entry point into Deep Purple. This album is an all-time great as Ian Gillain sings for his supper as Richie Blackmore being all moody and shit slays everything in site with his strat. Not one dud track on this album and yeah still to this day my all-time fav DP record!

Now my Used favorite score in 2020 goes to …

#1- Kim Mitchell: Kim Mitchell(1982)- Kim ditches Max Webster dials in his strat and cranks his Marshall to 11 and plays on what I consider some of the best electric guitar recorded to tape. Ask Ladano and he will tell you this is the Best EP ever and I tend to believe him as there are no drop-offs or let down on these 5 songs. Kim basically recorded this as a power trio and it shows. I was beyond giddy when I scooped this for $5 Canadian. If any of you readers out there want a crash course in rock guitar dial this one in on your streaming choice and crank it! You can thank me and Mikey!

There ya have it, folks. Three Top 10 lists in 2020! Thanks for reading and commenting throughout the year!

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!

 

 

 

Thunder Bay Arena Rocks Top 10 Studio Albums 2020

Thank goodness for music. Here’s what I thought was cool in the year 2020. If anything check out some of my picks as you may find some stuff here that will make you wanna crank it to 11!

Here are my Top 10 Studio Albums/Songs for the year 2020!

Here We Go…

#10-Tbone: Lebrain Train– So my pal Tbone bored out of his noggin at “Castle Del Erickson” one night decided to monkey around with all the gadgets on his iPhone (Garageband) and recorded a theme song for Ladano’s Stream. Safe to say he has managed to do in 2 minutes that bands like “Poison” and “Warrant” have not been able to muster up since 1990 and that’s writing a catchy tune! Click the video above and by the way my favorite part of the video comes in at one minute and thirty-five-second mark.

#9-Trapper: Bye Bye Mon Cowboy/Illegal/Winterlong– Guitarist Sean Kelly continues to show his work ethic as not only does Sean play the 6 string in acts like Coney Hatch, Rough Trade but along with vocalist Emn Gryner and their band Trapper released a mini EP featuring a couple of French cover tunes (Illegal/Bye Bye Mon Cowboy) Not only that but Trapper a few weeks back also released an original tune called “Winterlong” that leaves us wanting a full on-length release of originals! Bring it on Sean!

#8-Ozzy Osbourne: Ordinary Man– People bitch and moan about Ozzy using autotune and doing this and that but want do you want. No Ozzy records? People would complain about that. In saying that “Ordinary Man” is a decent spin. Some rockers, some ballads, and other than the last two songs which are not my deal it’s a good album. Kudos to Andrew Watts for co-writing and playing some good guitar.

#7-Kim Mitchell: The Big Fantasize– Kim well into his 60s has released a cool summertime chill-out record called “The Big Fantasize”. If you’re looking for “Lagar And Ale” type Kim rock keep on walking but if your willing to listen to a dude who has earned his right to do the rock he wants to do you may like what Akimbo is doing here!

#6-Whitesnake: The Rock Album- I’m not big on compilation albums but this one intrigued me as 10 of the 16 tracks featured I had never heard. So for that David Coverdale makes my list and it always helps when an album opens with John Sykes and his musical guitar muscle of “Still of the Night.” Plus the fact that there are zippo ballads on “The Rock Album” also helps the cause!

#5-Big Sugar: Eternity Now– Gordie Johnson released the long-awaited “Eternity Now” which went straight in at Number 1 on the iTunes sales charts. No mean feat as Big Sugar lays down the law on epic guitar tracks like “The Better It Gets” and Alex Lifeson makes an appearance on the title track. Gordie is one fine guitarist!

#4-Harem Scarem: Change The World– Pete and Harry do what they do best and that is delivering huge hard rock slabs of pure melodic metal. “Change The World” came out right before the world took a dump yet these guys stepped up with a batch of hard rock delight.  “The Death of Me“ is hands down one of my fav rock tracks of the year. Give this one a spin or a stream and tell Harry and Pete that dEke’s sent ya!

#3-Vandenberg:2020- Holy moly, Adrian Vandenberg enlists a great vocalist in Ronnie Romero, and between the two of them easily have made the list here as Vandenberg has rocked up a batch of great tracks. “Freight Train” is a bonafide winner and Adrian lays down the law on his guitar throughout the 2020 album. I’m glad he has rebooted Vandenberg. 

#2-AC/DC: Power Up– The world needed an AC/DC album and boy did they deliver. I can honestly say I can listen to “Power Up” front to back without skipping tracks. Angus was smart to bring the old crew back and they blasted out an album of what they do best. Power this album Up!

#1-Storm Force: Age of Fear- Patrick, Dennis, Mike, and Greg known as Storm Force put out the magnificent “Age of Fear” this past January, and then the world hit the skids. “Age of Fear” is my Number 1 for the year 2020 as this release is chock full of superb musicianship, soaring vocals, and crafty lyrics along with very solid production(Darius Szczepaniak). A top-notch release that covers all the bases of the Hard Rock spectrum.  If you goggle around on the web all the reviews have been stellar for this band so it’s not just me spouting off.  Check out “Age of Fear”  an appropriately named release if there ever was one in the year 2020!

Check Back Friday for my Top 10 Live Albums of 2020!

 

Ozzy Osbourne: The Ultimate Sin (1986)

 

So album Number 2 with Jake E Lee finds Ozzy Osbourne experimenting with some hair dye in his look and a somewhat new sound courtesy of Ron Nevison. Nevison you know produced the mega Heart album in 1985 and would later produce KISS Crazy Nights record so Ronny had the midas touch going back than in the mid 80’s so Ozzy or someone in his camp figured let’s hitch a ride and see where it goes…

The Ultimate Sin is what came of the collaboration between Nevison and Osbourne. Jake E Lee who had zero writing credits on 1983’s Bark At The Moon album which we all know is bullshit!  Ozzy credits himself as the sole writer on BATM. Ummm right! Your telling me Ozzy came up with that iconic opening riff in the song Bark At The Moon?

BAHAHAHAHA…..

Don’t worry Jake we know the deal! So along with Bob Daisley/Jake and Ozzy wrote Eight pretty decent tracks (Shot In The Dark was written between Ozzy and bassist Phil Sousann) for The Ultimate Sin. More of the polish rock sound of the times. Almost in some parts Ozzy-Heart like due to the production. But the songs cut through for the most part. The drums are handled on this album by the late Randy Castillo.

The opening track which is the title track is a great Ozzy opener as the Ultimate Sin starts off with a stomp of the drums and Jake just like he did on the Bark album steps and delivers as well. Tracks like Secret Loser/Shot In The Dark/Never Know Why/ Thank God For The Bomb/Never are your typical Ozz Rock Tracks. Ozzy knows that his bread needs to be buttered so he isn’t going to deviate to far from the Cash Cow!

I will say that Killer of Giants is a great track. Starts off real slow and does a slick buildup by the chorus. I have always been a sucker for this kinda rock move.

Still a decent listen even today! Though the albums production sounds little too mechanical Heart Like in spots but the main thing is the songs are there.

Black Sabbath/Live Evil(1982)

Gotta love Crazy ex’s!

April 1979 and  Ozzy get’s the boot from Black Sabbath and Sabbath went and hired Ronnie James Dio as the Ozzman’s replacement!

In this corner you have Ozzy Osbourne(ex Black Sabbath singer) and in the far corner you have Black Sabbath (with than current vocalist) Ronnie James Dio. 

April of 1980 Sabbath release the Dio fronted Heaven and Hell album. Ozzy counters in Sept of 1980 with the release his debut album Blizzard of Ozz. 

November 4th 1981 Sabbath releases the Mob Rules album while just 3 short days later(Nov 7th 1981)  Ozzy rolls out his second solo album Diary of A Madman.

December 1982 Ozzy puts out the double live Speak of The Devil album which features all Sabbath tracks.(Ozzy to his credit said the record company wanted a double live album of late guitar hero Randy Rhoads  but Ozzy quashed it saying there was going to be no cash grab as Randy had died just six months earlier in March of 1982)

Also in December of 1982 Sabbath put out their own double live album titled Live Evil. (Great cover as well)

Haha..these guys(Ozzy and Sabbath) took pissy pants to whole other level as one was trying to outdo the other with releasing albums the same month and even days apart. Silly Old  Farts!

Anyways Dio and Sabbath put out a pretty good document of the Mob Rules tour with Live Evil but during the mixing of this album both Dio and drummer Vinnie Appice exited Sabbath and in the band it was two Americans (Dio and Appice) vs two Brits(Iommi and Butler).  A Black Sabbath Royal Rumble with accusations and turmoil in regards to stuff being tweaked in the studio when the two other guys weren’t around. On Live Evil  Ronnie James Dio is listed as just Ronnie Dio and  Vinny while he was credited as a full-time member on the studio Mob Rules album but come  on Live Evil Vinny falls under the Special Thanks category.

Well it’s safe to safe to say Geezer and Tony wanted to stir things up now …

Having said that…

Live Evil though is a great listen even in 2017 and to be honest I enjoyed this album more now in 2017 than in 1982 (Thanks Aaron). 14 tracks all together. 8 of the track are from the fronted Dio albums and I can tell you all that the songs Neon Knights/Mob Rules/Childern of The Sea /Voodoo/Sign of The Southern  Cross are all played brilliantly.

Ronnie does justice on the Ozzy tracks and I admit back in 1982/83 it took a while to wrap my noggin on how Ronnie sang songs like Black Sabbath/NIB/War Pigs/Iron Man but he pulls it off on his own terms.

Amazing how in the span of just under 2 short years(1980-82) Dio/Appice’s tenure in Sabbath would be done with two studio and one live album under their belts….

Of course Dio/Appice return to Sabbath in 1992 with the Dehumanizer album but by late 1992 Dio/Appice are out again.

Until…

2006 when Dio/Appice hooked up once again with Butler/Iommi (this time calling themselves Heaven and Hell instead of Black Sabbath)until Ronnie’s untimely passing in 2010….