Ozzy Osbourne ~ Blizzard of Ozz
Released in 1980 by Jet Records
Heavy Metal / Hard Rock / Neo-Classical Metal
Personnel:
• Ozzy Osbourne - Vocals, Harmony Vocals, Producer
• Randy Rhoads - Guitar, Producer
• Bob Daisley - Bass, Gong, backing vocals, Harmony Vocals, Producer
• Lee Kerslake - Drums, percussion, Bells, Timpani, Producer
• Don Airey - Keyboards
1. "I Don't Know" (Osbourne, Rhoads, Daisley) – 5:16
2. "Crazy Train" (Osbourne, Rhoads, Daisley) – 4:56
3. "Goodbye to Romance" (Osbourne, Rhoads, Daisley) – 5:36
4. "Dee" (Instrumental) (Rhoads) – 0:49
5. "Suicide Solution" (Osbourne, Rhoads, Daisley)– 4:20
6. "Mr. Crowley" (Osbourne, Rhoads, Daisley) – 4:56
7. "No Bone Movies" (Osbourne, Rhoads, Daisley, Lee Kerslake) – 3:53
8. "Revelation (Mother Earth)" (Osbourne, Rhoads, Daisley) – 6:09
9. "Steal Away (The Night)" (Osbourne, Rhoads, Daisley) – 3:28
After living life on the edge and having problems with addictions, Ozzy Osbourne was dismissed from Black Sabbath in 1979 and began his solo career. Ozzy hooked up with Randy Rhoads, a then fairly unknown guitarist /songwriter who had been playing with Quiet Riot, and Metal history began. At the time of this album’s release, it was not received well by critics or fans. A lot of controversy surrounded the lyrics of “Suicide Solution”, with claims the lyrics encouraged suicidal behaviors in fans. Also evident on this album is Ozzy’s obsession with dark subject matter, which seems to be nothing more than his personality evolving, and continues throughout Ozzy’s solo career, giving him the title “ Prince of Darkness”. Rhoads himself is able to take his guitar work to the side of sinister, and infuse the darkness with classical (which is Rhoads obsession), and the end results of these two musicians is metal masterpieces.
Blizzard of Ozz is the album which launched Ozzy Osbourne into metal history. The album is surprisingly melodic, with outstanding solos from Rhoads. Rhoads classical influence is evident in the song “Dee” and he adds a special melodic touch to the ballad “Goodbye to Romance”. The songs “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley” remain two of the most recognized metal songs of today. Add to the mix the rhythm section of Daisley and Kerslake, whom work in unison with Ozzy and his nasal vocal style, which gave Ozzy the opportunity to really blossom as a vocalist.
The Music:
1. “I Don’t Know”~ This song has a good beat and is a fast paced hard rocking assault. Midway through the song, the pace changes and becomes more melodic, then back to the hard rock assault. A nice opener for the album. Don’t ask Ozzy….He doesn’t know! …lol
2. “Crazy Train”~ The highlight of the album. This song made Ozzy a metal legend. Rhoads guitar work in this song is stellar and the rhythm section adds that extra punch which makes this song one of the best Ozzy ever recorded.
3. “Goodbye to Romance”~A ballad. Nothing exceptional, but shows Ozzy does have a soft side, which was never evident when he was with Black Sabbath. This song is Ozzy saying “goodbye” to Sabbath. Rhoads has a decent solo and some decent fills which does make this ballad worth listening to.
4. “Dee”~A short instrumental by Rhoades, definitely shows his classical guitar skills.
5. “Suicide Solution”~By far the darkest song on the album, with lyrics about killing yourself with alcohol. Actually the song condemns drinking, but this fact didn’t surface until after the legal issues. The controversy surrounding this song has only served to give it good PR, IMO. Actually, the song is really good !
6. “Mr. Crowley”~This song has a fantastic organ intro and contains a couple of mind altering solos, definitely Rhoads at his finest. Another song that has given Ozzy notoriety. This is my personal favorite off this album.
7. “No Bone Movies”~The weakest song on the album. The song is upbeat, with a decent guitar solo. The lyrics are kinda funny, about porno movies…..or should I say being against porn movies…..
8. “Revelation (Mother Earth)”~A very slow ballad about the end of the earth. The guitar and piano are awesome together. A very gloomy and eerie song, but beautifully melodic, the piano pieces in this song make it an outstanding song. I don’t care for the ending, the solo was too long.
9. “Steal Away (The Night)”~I wasn’t too impressed with this song, but Rhoads guitar work is impressive. Ozzy’s vocals in this song are hit and miss, which is the downfall of the song, IMO. Otherwise, the song is hard rocking and shouldn’t be overlooked.
This album made Ozzy famous and gained well deserved exposure and respect for Randy Rhoads. No classic music collection should be without this album.
My rating for listening pleasure 5/5.
