Ozzy Osbourne: Blizzard of Ozz

released: 1980

1. I Don't Know
2. Crazy Train
3. Goodbye to Romance
4. Dee
5. Suicide Solution
6. Mr. Crowley
7. No Bone Movies
8. Revelation (Mother Earth)
9. Steal Away (the Night)

Vocals-Ozzy Osbourne Guitar-Rhandy Rhoads(R.I.P.) Bass-Bob Daisley Drums-Lee Kerslakey

After his departure from Black Sabbath, rock/metal singer Ozzy Osbourne decided to start his solo career. He bagan auditioning musicians to work with. While auditioning guitarists Ozzy met a quiet person by the name of Randy Rhoads. Rhoads came in with a small, beat up practice amp which was a surprise as many of the guitarists that had auditioned with Ozzy had borught large marshall stacks, etc. Rhoads plugged in his tiny amp and began to warm up. After only a few moments Ozzy asked Randy Rhoads to be his guitarist. And Ozzy, with his new band, flew off to London where they began to record Blizzard of Ozz.

Ozzy soon found that Randy was very much a help in writing his songs. Ozzy would hum part of the song he had and Randy would come up with a great riff or lick for the song. They continued to work until they had nine songs that they were ready to mix and make into Blizzard of Oz.

On these tracks Randy Rhoads delivered excellent solos and his fluent guitar work would go on to influence many guitarists. Guitarists around the world learn to play the fantastic "Crazy Train" with its strong intro riff, catchy main riff, blistering fills, and a great solo.

Ozzy also keeps the same dark themes to most of these songs that he used in Black Sabbath. "Mr.Crowley" features a synth intro with fantastic solos by Randy Rhoads (especially the outro) that are probably the best solos Rhoads ever recorded. This song is about Aleister Corwley, a famous satanist. The synth adds a good effect to the song. But those solos are just amazing. Lyrics also well written.

"Suicide Solution" is another example of a song with that darker theme to it. The song is about how alchohol can ruin your life.

Ozzy also adds a bit of a softer side on tracks like "Goodbye to Romance" and Rhoads solo classical piece "Dee". Randy dedicated "Dee" to his mother, Delores. A nice little classical piece to play on your acoustic.

You can also hear Randy's classical influence in his playing on "Revelation". The intro is fingerpicked on a classical guitar and overdubbed on an acoustic guitar. Then there is a keyboard part that leads into another fantastic Rhoads solo, done on electric. I've heard the song is about the world ending in war. Not sure.

"I Don't Know" is about faith and religion. A good opener to the album.

"No Bone Movies" is not really a very good song, not exactly Randy's best playing on it either. I have heard its about dirty movies, although i'm not sure. Probably the worst song on the album.

"Steal Away" is an upbeat song with some good guitar parts in the chorus. A nice way to end the album.

This album was quite successful and the tour also helped establish a fanbase for Ozzy's solo work. Rhoads work on this album has influenced many guitarists around the world and influenced the guitarists that followed in his place, like Zakk Wylde. Its sad that Randy only did two studio albums with Ozzy because we all would have loved to hear more work like this.

Ozzy Osbourne: Blizzard of Ozz

Index