Ozzy Osbourne: Memoirs of a Madman
Ozzy Osbourne
Memoirs of a Madman
(Epic/Legacy)
This career-spanning collection of greatest hits in Ozzy’s own words is a reminder of his solo hits and classics and a statement that he will go back to his solo work and follow up 2010’s Scream in 2 – 3 years after another album and final tour with Black Sabbath after which the band will permanently disband.
He’s stated he already has a few songs in the works so in the meantime we can whet our appetite for one more run with the Sabs, hopefully with all four original members. In the meantime we can take a trip down memory lane starting with the early 1980’s through 2010.
Memoir comes with two DVD’s, the first containing over 24 videos with making-of footage from “Let Me Hear You Scream” and “Life Won’t Wait.” The second contains live performances and interviews, much of which makes its DVD debut with certain selections coming from classic and out-of-print VHS releases. Could there be footage from The Ultimate Ozzy, Wicked Videos or Don’t Blame Me?
The collection itself is essential for those who must have everything Ozzy. It’s also a great statement of his longevity, song progression and a good set for casual radio fans who want to hear his hits more often. Probably the most non-radio friendly of the bunch is “The Ultimate Sin” and “Miracle Man.” His duet with daughter Kelly on the lyrically/musically-altered “Changes” stands out as something different with a more classical vibe than for those who remember Zakk Wylde’s epic piano version on Live & Loud. Crowd favorites “Mr. Crowley,” “Bark at the Moon,” and the radio edit “No More Tears” are spread out chronologically with “I Don’t Wanna Stop” and “Let Me Hear You Scream” as the final album tracks. The disc ends with a live version of “Paranoid” recorded in 2010 at Roundhouse in London with Ozzy’s voice sounding older, more mature and, of course, uncensored.