Search - Ozzy Osbourne :: Live & Loud (Mlps)

Worthy addition to any serious fan's collection

A. Stutheit | Denver, CO USA | 07/06/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Any fan of his knows that John Michael Osbourne loves making live albums. After all, in the year 1990 (a decade after departing from Black Sabbath), he already had a solo career which had three of them to its name! And he hammered out yet another one, "Live And Loud," three years later. But, when considering the fact that, at the time, only one new studio album (1991's "No More Tears") had came out in the time that had passed since the last live release (1990's "Just Say Ozzy"), only a few new songs were brought to the table this time around. Thus, few would argue that "L&L" was essential, necessary, or even sensical.



With that said, though, let it be known that this is one of the best live albums The Godfather of Metal has ever been associated with (that includes going back to his his days with Black Sabbath). Twenty-one songs are represented here over the course of two discs, and every one of those songs is a keeper. The result is one really solid, memorable, feel-good, perfectly executed, and hard-rockin' good time which will likely be tattooed to your brain for a nice, long while. Ozzy's singing is are very catchy, vibrant, and well-defined, and Zakk does a truly amazing job with the guitar parts. The crowd noise is always kept at bay, even though Ozzy frequently (after almost every song) tells them to "stand up and clap", "make some noise", and "I can't hear you!" In fact, if it's one thing that drags this album down, it's that Ozzy's banter with the crowd quickly grows old, tedious, and repetitive. But even when the crowd is heard (like when it sings the chorus to "Paranoid"), the song is far from being ruined, and the song's momentum isn't at all damaged.



After a brief (and skippable) intro, the first disc opens up with "Paranoid", which is executed perfectly here, and features a terrific, long solo by Zakk. Next, "I Don't Want To Change The World" is one of the faster songs you'll find here, and includes more stellar guitar shredding. "Mr. Crowley" is another glowing highlight, mainly because this live version is much longer than the original and includes two new, wailing solos and an added sing along of "Oh-woah-oh," which is very catchy. Other standouts on the first disc include a smoking rendition of "Flying High Again", the album's sole slow song, "Goodbye To Romance" (a very melancholic piano ballad), and track nine, which is just one VERY long, melodic, wailing, and infectious guitar solo. This track is dragged down a bit because Ozzy partakes in annoying crowd banter about halfway through, but still, the solo is downright godly!



One of the main highlights of the second disc is the drum solo. This solo, which was performed by Randy Castillo and is well over two minutes long, is very impressive (it becomes increasingly fast and heavy near the end). Other recommended songs include the absolutely great and irresistibly catchy third track, "Miracle Man", "War Pigs", the swift and blistering recreation of "Bark At The Moon" (which features still more superb guitar work), "Mama, I'm Coming Home" (an unexpected but delightful inclusion), "Crazy Train" (of course!), and the next-to-last song, "Black Sabbath", which features the original Black Sabbath line-up (guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Terrance "Geezer" Butler, drummer Bill Ward, and you-know-who doing the vocals) from the Costa Mesa Reunion shows.



Be reminded that "Live And Loud" doesn't present anything new -- you have surely already heard almost all of the songs on this album at least once (if not several times) before. Thus, it isn't as unique, inspired, or jaw-dropping as, say, 1987's "Tribute" (Ozzy's first live album, which came out in 1987, and featured Randy Rhodes on guitar. However, in no way should that imply that it is sub-par, either, because it's still an indisputably great performance -- Zaak is no-less of a talent than Randy was, and the Ozzman's voice is still as strong as it ever was. In sum, this record is certainly not an essential purchase, but it is certainly well done, enjoyable, and entertaining enough to be a worthwhile listen for all true heavy metal enthusiasts."

Let's compare Zakk to Jake E Lee...

Chris Jordan | Surrey, B.C. Canada | 09/27/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's a bit off topic, but read a different review if you want. This review will discuss who was the best Ozzy guitarist? It is a good question. I feel Randy was the best. Classical compositions, hammer ons/pull offs, speed, decent heavy metal tone, pretty good rhythm guitar player, too. Randy was the best. But who was number two? Everyone is pretty quick to say Zakk, but I beg to differ. Zakk has the Les Paul and perhaps that kind of grungy look that is really in right now, but how is he better than Jake? Let's look at it. Zakk is great, don't get me wrong, but he doesn't have the same speed that Jake had. Just because Ozzy never released a live CD with Jake doesn't mean he wasn't able to play Randy's stuff well. He actually played that stuff better live than Randy himself did at times. I have heard that report from several people who were there... Jake NEVER made a mistake live (or hardly ever). He was not only consistent in the studio, but you could take him to the bank live, as well. Can you say this about Zakk? No. Jake was also KILLER at four finger tapping... Probably just as good as Eddie Van Halen. It was kind of funny when I got back from my five year "Sabbatical" from heavy metal music to find the world fussing over Zakk Wylde so much. Yeah, he's good, but sorry, he is no Randy and he is no Jake E Lee."