Diary of a Madman [LP]

by Ozzy Osbourne

Overview

The follow-up to the masterful Blizzard of Ozz, Diary of a Madman was rushed into existence by a band desperate to finish its next album before an upcoming tour. As a result, it doesn't feel quite as fully realized -- a couple of the ballads are overly long and slow the momentum, and Randy Rhoads' guide solo on "Little Dolls" was never replaced with a version intended for the public. Yet despite the fact that some songs could have used a longer gestation period, there are numerous moments of brilliance on Diary of a Madman -- at least half of it stands up to anything on Blizzard, and the title track is a jaw-droppingly intricate epic that represents the most classically influenced work of Rhoads' all-too-brief career. But even if parts of the album don't quite live up to the band's previous (and incredibly high) standards, they're by no means bad; moreover, the production is fuller, and the instruments better recorded this time around. It's not uncommon to find fans who prefer Diary to Blizzard, since it sets an even more mystical, eerie mood, and since Rhoads' playing is progressing to an even higher level. One can only wonder what the Osbourne/Rhoads collaboration might have produced in the future, had Rhoads not been killed in a bizarre and sadly avoidable plane crash. ~ Steve Huey

Product Details

Release Date:	05/03/2011
Label:	Epic / Legacy / Sony Music
UPC:	0886978666512
Rank:	17709

Tracks

1. Over the Mountain
2. Flying High Again
3. You Can't Kill Rock and Roll
4. Believer
5. Little Dolls
6. Tonight
7. S.A.T.O.
8. Diary of a Madman

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ozzy Osbourne   Primary Artist,Lead Vocals
Bob Daisley   Bass
Lee Kerslake   Drums,Percussion
Randy Rhoads   Guitar
Johnny Cook   Keyboards

Technical Credits

Tony Iommi   Composer
Bob Daisley   Composer
Bill Ward   Composer
Jeremy Holiday   Package Manager
Geezer Butler   Composer
Lee Kerslake   Composer
Max Norman   Engineer,Producer
Randy Rhoads   Composer,Producer
Ozzy Osbourne   Composer,Producer
George Marino   Mastering
Rob Carter   Design,Art Direction
Kevin Churko   Mixing
Mark Neuman   Producer,Photography
Louis Clark   String Arrangements
Fin Costello   Photography
Elizabeth McShea   Additional Production
Neal Preston   Photography
Chris Walter   Photography
Jeff Porter   Photography
Sharon Osbourne   Executive Producer
Jeffrey Schulberg   Music Business Affairs
Jessica Connelly   Additional Production
John Jackson   A&R,Project Director
Mandy Eidgah   Marketing
Bruce Dickinson   Producer