Ozzy Osbourne Blizzard of Ozz

Filmed during Ozzy Osbourne`s "Dairy of a Madman" in 1982, this is a rare glimpse into one of Ozzy`s finest stage perfomances. Featuring a claccic line-up inckuding Brad Gillis (Guitar), Rudi Sarzo (Bass), Don Airey (Keyboard) and Tommy Aldridge (Drums) and shot on an immense medieval castle set, this is Ozzy at his finest…

Ozzy Osbourne's 1981 solo debut Blizzard of Ozz was a masterpiece of neo-classical metal that, along with Van Halen's first album, became a cornerstone of '80s metal guitar. Upon its release, there was considerable doubt that Ozzy could become a viable solo attraction. Blizzard of Ozz demonstrated not only his ear for melody, but also an unfailing instinct for assembling top-notch backing bands…

Ozzy Osbourne's 1981 solo debut Blizzard of Ozz was a masterpiece of neo-classical metal that, along with Van Halen's first album, became a cornerstone of '80s metal guitar. Upon its release, there was considerable doubt that Ozzy could become a viable solo attraction. Blizzard of Ozz demonstrated not only his ear for melody, but also an unfailing instinct for assembling top-notch backing bands…

This Ozzy compilation from Sony Japan may boast only ten cuts, but at least they're all good. In fact, Best of Ozz holds up as one of the better collections out there, due in part to its reliance on material from Osbourne's first four albums, Blizzard of Ozz, Diary of a Madman, Bark at the Moon, and The Ultimate Sin. Songs like "Over the Mountain," "Mr. Crowley," and "Crazy Train," peppered with the brilliant guitar work of Randy Rhodes, are bona fide Ozzy classics, and "Shot in the Dark," "The Ultimate Sin," and "Bark at the Moon," peppered with the brilliant guitar work of Jake E. Lee, are mid-period classics. While by no means a career retrospective, Best of Ozz is a nice little sampler of Osbourne's early post-Sabbath career.

Famed heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne announced the release of a new updated digital release of his 1981 album, Diary of a Madman, due out on November 5. The new release from the Grammy Award-winning frontman will also include a new track: a live version of his song, “Flying High Again.” The album is Osbourne’s second solo studio release and the last album to feature guitarist Randy Rhoads. The multi-platinum release sold five million albums worldwide and included a studio recording of the rock hit, “Flying High Again.”

The follow-up to the masterful Blizzard of Ozz, Diary of a Madman was rushed into existence by a band desperate to finish its next album before an upcoming tour. As a result, it doesn't feel quite as fully realized – a couple of the ballads are overly long and slow the momentum, and Randy Rhoads' guide solo on "Little Dolls" was never replaced with a version intended for the public…

From Blizzard to Budokan, this is the most extensive and revealing collection marking the incredible career of one of rock's living legends. 50 tracks with 15 previously unreleased tracks including 10 newly recorded covers of some of Ozzy's favorite and most influential songs. Also includes 13 collaborations between Ozzy and artists ranging from Motorhead and Black Sabbath to DMX and Wu-Tang! Special deluxe packaging includes a 60 page full color book with rare photos, memorabilia plus liner notes and track by track annotation written by Ozzy himself! Epic. 2005.

Sony Music's "Essential" series of limited-edition two-disc compilations of major artists has been well-assembled generally, and Ozzy Osbourne's increased celebrity following the success of the "reality" TV series The Osbournes justifies his inclusion, as does his string of multi-platinum albums dating back to 1980…

Things start to improve for Ozzy on No Rest for the Wicked, as Zakk Wylde replaces Jake E. Lee on guitar and Osbourne comes up with his best set since 1983. Again, it's not quite up to the level of excellence his Blizzard of Ozz band achieved, but Osbourne sounds somewhat rejuvenated, and Wylde is a more consistently interesting guitarist than Lee…