Ozzy Osbourne
Speak of the Devil

THE REVIEW

Marked by the stormy separation from his mother band, Ozzy embarked on a successful solo career. His charisma as a boisterous rockster and the caliber of guitarists for whom he was an excellent talent scout elevated him to a true icon of a genre. In this, the singer was indeed clever. Just think that without him, folks like Zakk Wilde, to make ends meet, would still be counting gallons at a gas station in the States. Having made this necessary clarification, it is possible to calmly assert that his alleged vocal skills have been missing for almost thirty years now. And to think that when you listen to him on “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”, you get the impression you're dealing with a virtuoso. Perhaps just a bit unripe, you think when giving the nice record a listen. But in just a few stanzas of any solo work, you're almost persuaded that singing isn't for the sons of Albion.

This “Speak Of The Devil” (1982) re-proposes some of Black Sabbath's greatest hits live, and some songs fit perfectly with the decidedly more eighties approach of the band. Tracks like “Symptom Of The Universe”, the opening piece, adapt well to the sounds of the era. Or the inevitable “Paranoid”, which perhaps drags even more than the original version. Great Ozzy then when he returns to the harmonica of his origins by re-presenting “The Wizard”. I also appreciated "N.I.B", very captivating in this more "radio" guise (blues digressions aside).

Unfortunately, there's also a downside. In some passages, the musicians recruited here for the performance turn their bayonet, mangling some great classics. Some solos, furthermore, compared to the original versions, are just cut out (I wonder if by Ozzy's will). Anyway, it should be clarified that the solo of “Snowblind” could also be performed by Steve Vai, but it wouldn't be the same. And you remain almost baffled hearing Rudy Sarzo reinterpreting Butler, especially on the improvisations of “War Pigs”. Or on the verses of “Fairies Wear Boots”, the bassist overpersonalizes the unmistakable blues cut of the legendary Geezer. He's good too, no doubt about it, but personally, I prefer the original.

Thankfully, rowdy and engaging as always, the Madman released this album almost simultaneously with the first official live album of his ex-bandmates (later disowned to grant the right to the unreleased in the reunion live), starting to compete with their fans as well. Yet another market strategist move: the entire metal planet began to split between nostalgics of the Ozzy era and followers of the new Sabbath.

In any case, “Speak Of The Devil” is not deplorable. If you're a genre enthusiast, I would recommend purchasing it along with “Live Evil”, of which it is a twin in intentions, but entirely complementary to the listening experience.