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I went through two cassette tapes and couldn't find the CD in stores although I looked for several years. Easily Ozzy's best live CD. Never get tired of listening to this CD. Finally bought it on Amazon. Brad Gillis is tremendous. I like his renditions of the songs better than Tony Iommi's and that is saying a lot.
I would have loved to hear his work on this album. I am biased, as I have enjoyed Ozzy's voice over the other lead singers of Sabbath's time. I'm not sure if it is the apparent "double-tracking" of Ozzy's voice, or Brad Gillis' guitar work, but this album is in my top 5 of all time.Truly a shame that Randy Rhoads had to checkout. I remember when I used to deliver papers as a kid listening to the cassette of this album. Although we may not understand them, some things are just meant to be. Ah the days.Anyway, in my opinion, this is some of Ozzy's greatest work. Remember the Walkman. While I am not usually a fan of "live" albums, I can fully appreciate this fine masterpiece.I love a good Black Sabbath cover.
oh yeah,i like this better than "live evil" too. i was/am a huge fan of RANDY RHOADS and i feel that anything ozzy put out after "blizzard of ozz" and "diary of a madman" is awful.{with the exception of TRIBUTE},and i got this when it came out on LP.after randy passed on i thought ozzy was done.NOPE,brad gillis took over{after a short time w/ torme} and kicked serious a##.after years of not listening to it i got it on cd.man, am i glad i did.
It's now digitized in all it's glory on my PC, playing through a nice Audigy soundcard and Bose speaker system, 26 years later.I also saw Ozzy and met him on his next "Bark At The Moon" tour, another underrated album from the prime Ozzy years. It's a loud, live show with a lot of 80's metal energy and a tight band. He never misses a note. This double live album is a great tribute to Sabbath and something every fan of Sabbath and Ozzy should own, without hesitation. Actually Gillis did become a metal guitar hero of sorts for a few years during this time, but his Night Ranger career drained his cred, and was forgotten years later.In any case, Ozzy is in his prime here, and let's be honest, Sabbath's tunes are akin to AC/DC - 3 chords and a lot of distortion (nothing wrong with that when done well). I bought this record not long after it's release while still in Junior High, in 1982.
So I have a soft spot for it, but beyond that, it's a great sounding modern mild twist on Sabbath's material.I still remember the MTV videos from this album, with Randy Sarzo the bassist (who went on to play with Quiet Riot) twirling his hair and banging his head in Angus Young-like fashion in front of a spinning projection the entire concert. The songs all sound great and is produced/mixed superbly.I prefer the original vinyl version, which I still have in great condition from that day in 1982, and hid it from the parents for a year or two. This consisted of walking a mile or so to the store, buying it with my paper route money, and hiding it in the garage under some items, from my parents.due to the cover depicting Ozzy with some silly blood-jelly coming out of his mouth, with fangs in. Iommi is a great guitar player and a pioneer, but this concert is not about celebrating the style and dark psychedelic overtones of Sabbath, or intricacies of Iommi's playing. It's basically just the hits, with some nice inclusions such as "Never Say Die," "Symptom Of The Universe," and "The Wizard." I was afraid they would instantly think I was on drugs or a satanic child.Basically this was my first purchased album ever, already being an adolescent fan of Sabbath's dark, psychedelic metal, and Ozzy's solo albums, while idolizing Randy Rhodes like everyone else back then.
Gillis was an unknown who went on to puff-rock fame in Night Ranger, but does a great job of giving 70's Sabbath tunes a more modern 80's heavy metal sound, in the vain of Randy Rhodes.
I remember in the 80's when this was released along with a live Black Sabbath CD (Live Evil). Call me old school or whatever, but these old songs shine on here. Brad Gillis (the up and coming Night Ranger guitarist) filled in temporarily for the deceased Randy Rhodes and Ozzy played only the Black Sabbath classic tracks. Just awesome drumming throughout.We all know the songs.
Brad Gillis' best moment by FAR. I do like Ozzy's stuff after it (bark at the Moon, Ultimate Sin) But the fact is it still sounds fresh today. its great and often forgotten. He really makes these songs and puts his flavor on them. This CD made me appreciate the Older Sabbath tracks more than i did originally. This far outshined the Sabbath release.I always loved the sound of this disc.
The recording was stellar.A must for any Metal head. Very modern for its 80's time. Maybe out of respect to Randy or just to rehash them, but boy do these sound good.Tommy Aldridge gave a great performance as well. War Pigs, Symptom, Iron Man, Farries wear boots.I still think this is Ozzy's best release.
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