In praise of... Ozzy's "Diary of a Madman"

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So I'm shopping around the Itunes store for something to listen to, and driven by guilty pleasure, I search through Ozzy tunes. Low and behold, I rediscover my love for this classic. I mean, c'mon people, Little Dolls makes satanism sound like fun. And Randy Rhodes puts all his contemporaries to shame. What can I say. The man had style and was definitely the creative force behind this and Blizzard of Oz. For that matter, I could have done a Taking Sides between these two. Could be the best two metal albums of the 80's. And the campy cover art helps one forgive some of Ozzy's cheesy lyrics.

So am I alone here people?

― darin (darin), Thursday, 4 November 2004 20:13 (twenty years ago)

these albums are great. The re-recorded reissues, however, are an unforgiveable crime. Fuck you Sharon Osbourne!

― Shakey Mo Collier, Thursday, 4 November 2004 20:18 (twenty years ago)

Oh shit - I forgot they did that. What happend? Didn't they rerecord the bass and drum lines so they wouldn't have to pay royalties to the original drummer and bass player?

― darin (darin), Thursday, 4 November 2004 20:22 (twenty years ago)

bingo - I think they got the Suicidal Tendencies guy to do the bass parts (Robert Trujillo? can't remember his name). From what I remember it wsa just totally money-grubbing bullshit, and they tried to hide it from the consumer as well (ie, nowhere on the packaging does it say it's been re-recorded, etc.) I think there's a thread about it around here somewhere....

― Shakey Mo Collier, Thursday, 4 November 2004 20:25 (twenty years ago)

and Bark at the Moon isn't bad either. Tho that one is sans Rhoads.

― Shakey Mo Collier, Thursday, 4 November 2004 20:26 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, Bark at the Moon has it's moments, although Jake E. Lee had some pretty big boots to fill.

If I remember correctly, I think "Diary" was the first album I ever listened to stoned in junior high. I seem to recollect hearing the final track (the one with the Omen-type choir) and it scared the hell out of me.

― darin (darin), Thursday, 4 November 2004 20:35 (twenty years ago)

In all fairness the original production of the bass and drums on this album was terrible. It was like the drummer was shrunk down to the size of a GI Joe and his kit and the studio mics were set up inside an empty cereal box.

― 57 7th (calstars), Thursday, 4 November 2004 21:09 (twenty years ago)

This album is CLASSIC. They should re-release a version where you can hear the extended soloing Randy does at the end of "You Can't Kill RnR" and "TOnight". Speaking of Tonight, it has a sweet bass melody.

Haven't listened to it in a while, but I can imagine that the drums n bass are probably badly recorded.

A classic all the way through.

― pheNAM (pheNAM), Friday, 5 November 2004 05:36 (twenty years ago)

total classic. stellar fucking godhead genius wrinkle in time

― Roger Fidelity (Roger Fidelity), Friday, 5 November 2004 05:38 (twenty years ago)

the bass and drums may be badly recorded - in true 80s metal fashion - but the parts and the playing are great. and robbing people of their credit for that playing is shitty.

― Shakey Mo Collier, Friday, 5 November 2004 05:39 (twenty years ago)

I still can't get over how offensive the rerecorded album is. Mike Bordin isn't even in the same league as Lee Kerslake...one listen to his limp drum fills at the beginning of "Over the Mountain" is all you need.

That said, the original version of the album is a flat-out classic. "Believer" remains my favourite Ozzy tune.

― a. begrand (a begrand), Friday, 5 November 2004 05:47 (twenty years ago)

nine years pass...

Legend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6xZfReC2bM

― vmajestic, Friday, 18 July 2014 21:55 (ten years ago)

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