Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Reissue of classic Ozzy albums delayed

News from the far east that the upcoming reissue of 30th Anniversary editions of Ozzy Osbourne’s first two solo albums, 1980’s “Blizzard Of Ozz” and ‘81’s “Diary Of A Madman,” has been postponed.

According to cdjapan.co.jp, the discs were originally scheduled for Japanese release on October 13; the “30th Anniversary Legacy Edition” of “Blizzard” features a bonus disc with more than 10 tracks on it; “30th Anniversary” versions of the first two albums will also be available.

The revamped discs were to include bassist Bob Daisley and drummer Lee Kerslake’s original tracks, which were removed by Sharon Osbourne in 2002 as revenge for an ongoing court case – for full background details, read this.

No word yet from the Ozzy camp as to details surrounding the delay, but I suspect it may have something to do with sales conflict created for Epic Records by the October 5 release of the two-disc/4-sided vinyl “Tour Editions” of “Scream.”

The new edition features 7 unreleased tracks: three of the songs - “One More Time” and “Jump The Moon,” plus the never-before-released “Hand of The Enemy” - are from the “Scream” sessions. The other four songs are live tracks - “Bark at the Moon,” “Let Me Hear You Scream” and “No More Tears,” as well as the Black Sabbath classic, “Fairies Wear Boots" - recorded earlier this year in Folkestone and Birmingham in the U.K.

I I Don't Know (Live with Randy Rhoads) - The Essential Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy Osbourne – I Don’t Know
After Hours – Rochester, NY - April 28, 1981
(note: Rudy Sarzo and Tommy Aldridge perform here)