Search - Ozzy Osbourne :: Diary of a Madman

Ross B. from MEGGETT, SC
Reviewed on 6/29/2008...

Ignore the incorrect ALLMUSICGUIDE review. This was done at the same time as the 1st album, with the same players-NOT Sarzo or Aldridge-but the ORIGINAL music is really only available on the older CD and any LP issues-Ozzy (Sharon) were not paying royalties to the original members, and released this "remastered" effort with the then-current members of Ozzy's solo band (bass & drums) and remixed Randy's guitar-something he would not ever have done. The album was completely finished/mixed at the time of the release-NOT rushed. They simply did both at the same time in 1980...

Warning: Don't get the 2002 "remaster". Instead, get this o

Joker | Michigan | 03/11/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Diary Of A Madman (1981) was a tremendous follow-up to Ozzy Osbourne's debut solo album Blizzard Of Ozz (1981). It contains eight great songs. Classics such as Over The Mountain, Flying High Again, You Can't Kill Rock And Roll and the title track have stood the test of time. From his days with Black Sabbath, to his solo career and up to the present day, Ozzy truly is the Prince Of Darkness and this album is a reflection of that. It rocks hard in a lot of places, yet softens up in other places while still maintaining its dark and gloomy feel. The songs are of high quality and very well put together. The lyrics are dark and evil as one would come to expect from Ozzy. This original recording is the way to go. The product I'm reviewing was released in 1995 (a re-release of the original recording, only it sounds better because it was re-mastered).



A word of warning: DO NOT buy the 2002 "remastered" version of this album! Why? It's because it's not the original recording! Instead, the bass contributions by Bob Daisley and the drum contributions by Lee Kerslake were re-recorded by other musicians in order for Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne to avoid paying these two uncredited former band members royalties. These re-recorded songs are not as good as the originals, not to mention the fact that it's a slap in the face to Randy Rhoads, who died in 1982 in a plane crash. Diary Of A Madman was his last album. Greed is the motivating factor here.



If you like Ozzy Osbourne's solo career, then this is the definitive album. You'll want to buy this one. That is, the ORIGINAL recording. THIS album. NOT the 2002 so-called "re-mastered" version. The 2002 album at first didn't even have a sticker on the package that says that it's not the original recording. Be careful about what you buy."