Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train (1980)

The really cool thing about this album IMHO was that none of the guitar heros at your local Guitar Center wanted to be Eddie Van Halen after hearing Rhoads on this album.

Now, the question I have for you is which album was better Ozzy with Rhoads on "Blizzard of Ozz" or Sabbath with Dio on "Heaven and Hell" as they obviously were trying to kick each other in the teeth at the time.

Crank it up and remember Randy Rhoads.
 
laynesaddiction said:
The really cool thing about this album IMHO was that none of the guitar heros at your local Guitar Center wanted to be Eddie Van Halen after hearing Rhoads on this album.

Now, the question I have for you is which album was better Ozzy with Rhoads on "Blizzard of Ozz" or Sabbath with Dio on "Heaven and Hell" as they obviously were trying to kick each other in the teeth at the time.

Crank it up and remember Randy Rhoads.
Click to expand...

Wow, now you're putting up a tough one. Either way anyone answers will have some metallurgists up in the trees.

This is purely personal and by no means absolute:
- Comparing Ozzy and Ronnie, the latter is probably the more refined singer in terms of vocal capabilities, technique and musical theory... but this is rock'n roll (or heavy for that matter), so the question is what really counts. I think there are few performances that exceed the rock'n roll attitude put forward but Ozzie in "Crazy Train" in terms of looks, lyrics, laughing, singing and all the wacky attitude.
- Rhoads vs. Iommi is not straight forward either. Here also the latter puts up a technically cleaner performance, while Rhoads sounds at times almost as if he would struggle a bit, although his shredding on this one is absolutely immaculate. Love the deep growl and his soli are also exemplary. For me Rhoads has the cleverer harmonics and the punchier riffs. Iommi does a little of the Slash-kind of boring phrasing at times.
- As an album Heaven and Hell is probably more refined and produced with more attention to detail, but for me Blizzard of Ozz rocks more and has more attitude. In Heven and Hell you already hear the long hair and lycra pants a bit entering the heavy scene later on; and of course Dio's penchant for mysticism and romanticism. In comparison Ozzie is just completely out of whack [emoji3].
- As you brought up Dio I just have to post this: I think this is the first ever music video made - and probably the worst ever. It's so shabby it is actually fun, but it also exemplifies Dio's vocal capabilities. For me this is Dio's "Crazy Train", cranking it up to "11".

Have fun:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bkysjcs5vFU



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I remember when this album came out, what a splash. Still a lot of spins on Rock radio today. I suppose that's good for next generations but for me who has heard it since 1980...... LOL

Tracks that get played a lot I usually skip on while in the car but throwing a good track on in your main system is a different experience.

A real shame Randy Rhodes left us just as he was getting recognized. As good as he was he sought out Classical guitarists to take lessons from whenever he was in a town long enough. We can only wonder where his career might have gone.
 
For me Heaven or Hell is a better album as a whole, I skip some tracks on Blizzard, in fact, I take a lot of points away for Goodbye To Romance, torture. Diary of A Madman for me was a great album first to last note. After DOAMM Ozzie was sort of hit and miss for me.

Ozzie and Dio are both legends of Rock and great front men, I couldn't choose one over another. I like both guitarists but Randy to me was much more skilled. Taking nothing away from Iommie who pioneered a sound. You all may know, before Sabbath took off Iommie lost two fingers in a work accident. He may not have had the technical skill of Rhodes but has much respect from me.

I'm a Dio fan, following him back to Rainbow and his first two solo albums I really like. One of my favorite tracks is the live version of Rainbow's, Catch A Rainbow. I believe it's the entire album side of a LP. This live album is also sort of a "super group" with Cosy Powell and Tony Carey along with Blackmore and Dio.
 
Kuoppis said:
Wow, now you're putting up a tough one. Either way anyone answers will have some metallurgists up in the trees.

This is purely personal and by no means absolute:
- Comparing Ozzy and Ronnie, the latter is probably the more refined singer in terms of vocal capabilities, technique and musical theory... but this is rock'n roll (or heavy for that matter), so the question is what really counts. I think there are few performances that exceed the rock'n roll attitude put forward but Ozzie in "Crazy Train" in terms of looks, lyrics, laughing, singing and all the wacky attitude.
- Rhoads vs. Iommi is not straight forward either. Here also the latter puts up a technically cleaner performance, while Rhoads sounds at times almost as if he would struggle a bit, although his shredding on this one is absolutely immaculate. Love the deep growl and his soli are also exemplary. For me Rhoads has the cleverer harmonics and the punchier riffs. Iommi does a little of the Slash-kind of boring phrasing at times.
- As an album Heaven and Hell is probably more refined and produced with more attention to detail, but for me Blizzard of Ozz rocks more and has more attitude. In Heven and Hell you already hear the long hair and lycra pants a bit entering the heavy scene later on; and of course Dio's penchant for mysticism and romanticism. In comparison Ozzie is just completely out of whack [emoji3].
- As you brought up Dio I just have to post this: I think this is the first ever music video made - and probably the worst ever. It's so shabby it is actually fun, but it also exemplifies Dio's vocal capabilities. For me this is Dio's "Crazy Train", cranking it up to "11".

Have fun:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bkysjcs5vFU



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I agree with you that the Ozzy/Dio discussion will drive folks nuts. I have Sabbath fan friend who don't even believe any Sabbath album without Ozzy is a REAL Sabbath album.

For me, I like both Sabbath lineups, but staying with the thought of "Blizzard of Ozz" vs. "Heaven and Hell" my initial thoughts back in 1980 were the following (and after repeated listening in modern times, I still stick with them):

Heaven and Hell: Wow did Dio gives the Sabbath guys a much needed kick in the butt after the IMHO sub-par meandering of "Never Say Die". I felt like Sabbath had energy again and felt compelled to lay down passionate music.

Blizzard of Ozz: Wow, that Rhoads guy kicks butt. Ozzy is no dummy getting a decent lineup with a crack guitarist.

I like both albums, but almost always prefer "Heaven and Hell" because I felt it was more of a band effort than "Blizzard of Ozz" which had a bunch of great musicians and a killer young gun on guitar. To each his/her own though.

On your comparison of Ozzy and Dio. Well, to me, Ozzy is Ozzy and he doesn't need to apologize for that. As you mention, he brought a package (more than just his vocal ability or lack thereof). Dio is pure controlled power with an excellent range for a rock singer. Again, these are my quick opinions as we can talk much longer on this subject. ;-)

Rhoads vs. Iommi? On one hand you have the father of doom who could write wicked riffs. His whole down tuning of the guitar just felt dark and evil before he even hit his trade-mark riffing. Rhoads was the up and coming neo-classical kid who while not at the "Vai-level" in shredding, put together some wonderful minor and dissonant solos. Each is great in their own right and again Ozzy was no dummy picking up the kid for his band.

Thanks for linking the Dio solo work video. There are many Dio gems IMHO (particularly with Rainbow) and when he hit hit "money notes" they were not just money, but also as powerful as hell.

Thanks again for nice memories you brought back with your reply.
 
Mr Peabody said:
A real shame Randy Rhodes left us just as he was getting recognized. As good as he was he sought out Classical guitarists to take lessons from whenever he was in a town long enough. We can only wonder where his career might have gone.
Click to expand...

I remember the day I heard on the radio (right after high school track practice) about his death. I got into my friend's car and they played a bunch of Ozzy songs in a row. I jokingly said, "Wow, I wonder who died?" The sad thing is the announcer told me about 10 minutes later Rhoads did. I really would have liked to hear what he would do moving forward as his work on "Diary of a Madman" started going more in a melodic/classical direction than the first Ozzy disc. The song "Diary of a Madman" is IMHO a brilliant display of what Rhoads could do even then and where he was going. Try to play that wonderful minor/dissonant solo in that song. Not so easy and really cool musicianship. Yes, a total shame.
 
Mr Peabody said:
I'm a Dio fan, following him back to Rainbow and his first two solo albums I really like. One of my favorite tracks is the live version of Rainbow's, Catch A Rainbow. I believe it's the entire album side of a LP. This live album is also sort of a "super group" with Cosy Powell and Tony Carey along with Blackmore and Dio.
Click to expand...

I know most people gravitate towards Rainbow's "On Stage" (most likely your reference above), but check out their "Live in Munich" (I am sure you probably have, but for others here maybe interested) which IMHO has Dio and Blackmore kicking total butt. For those real geezers check out Dio with his band "Elf". ;-)

RJD was a great singer and a better human being as he was one of the few rock guys I met who had zero pretense or rock-star attitude.
 
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