Ozzy Osbourne Blizzard of Ozz

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…

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…

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.