There are two Speak Of The Devil live releases from Ozzy Osbourne. The album, originally issued in November 1982, was recorded at The Ritz in New York in September 1982, and is all Black Sabbath songs. The video, now on DVD thanks to Eagle Rock, was recorded on June 12, 1982, at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre in California. It’s more of your garden variety Ozzy Osbourne greatest hits shows. Both shows are significant because they took place juts months after the tragic death of guitarist Randy Rhoads. Night Ranger guitarist Brad Gillis does his best to fill in, but the long, looming shadow of Rhoads hangs eerily over the proceedings.
The film itself doesn’t appear to be all that cleaned up, but the audio has been digitally restored and remastered in DTS and Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound. By this time in Osbourne’s solo career, an elaborate stage to reflect a dark and demonic world was the norm. The singer does little to dispel the wild and crazy image he’d established for himself. In this setting, however, Osbourne is in complete control as he takes on “Over The Mountain,” “Mr. Crowley.” “Crazy Train,” “Flying High Again,” “Iron Man” and “Paranoid.”
Along with Osbourne and Gillis, the band includes Don Airey on keyboards, Tommy Aldridge on drums and Rudy Sarzo on bass. Watching the band interact, you have to wonder what Gillis, who plays incredibly on this DVD, could have brought to the table had he not opted for Night Ranger. Perhaps dwarves named Ronnie weren’t his cup of tea. Nevertheless, the band comes across tight and in sync as Osbourne paces back and forth, firing up the audience. “Steal Away The Night” and “Suicide Solution” are especially intense, and likely scratched from more recent setlists. You have to remember Speak Of The Devil is Ozzy Osbourne from 30 years ago – a different man from the one you see on TV. Through it all, he still goes and sings his heart like nobody else.
~ Shawn Perry
