1988 saw the release of "No Rest for the Wicked", the Ozzy Osbourne album that introduced the world to guitarist Zakk Wylde, and got decent airplay on the radio and Mtv with songs like "Miracle Man", "Breaking All The Rules" and "Crazy Babies". Although previous bassist and lyric writer Bob Daisley joined back to make the album, the bassist for the videos and tour was none other than Black Sabbath's Geezer Butler (a fact that critics gleefully used to further fuel the never ending "Ozzy vs. Sabbath" soap opera). Other highlights for Ozzy in this 88-89 time period include playing the huge Moscow Peace Festival with other metal bands, being featured on the related "Stairway to Heaven, Highway to Hell" album, pay-per-view concerts, and the top-10 duet with Lita Ford "Close My Eyes Forever".

To hold over the fans who had just about worn out their cassette and vinyl copies of "No Rest For The Wicked", 1990 saw the release of "Just Say Ozzy". This was an appropriately low-priced live EP from the tour. (Why do some people complain about the short length? It was an EP, not an LP, and thus supposed to be only a little longer than a single!) In the liner notes, Ozzy explains that when first proposed with the idea, his initial thoughts were along the lines of "Oh no, not another live Ozzy/Sabbath album!" But this release features a refreshingly different selection of songs, and serves to capture this unique line-up. It has no repeats of the same songs found on "Tribute", which had been released just two years prior.

Of "Just Say Ozzy's" six songs, three are from "No Rest For The Wicked": Miracle Man, and the more obscure tracks Bloodbath In Paradise and Tattooed Dancer. With the band here being 1/2 of Black Sabbath's original line-up, it made sense to include two Black Sabbath songs here too: "War Pigs" and "Sweet Leaf". "War Pigs" is quite a common'y played Black Sabbath song, but "Sweet Leaf" was a good unexpected choice for the tour (songs like "Paranoid" and "Iron Man", as classic as they are, had been done to death since Ozzy started his solo career). Finally, this EP also includes "Shot In The Dark", the hit song from the immensely successful, albeit hated by Ozzy, "The Ultimate Sin" album. Both Ozzy and many fans alike have hailed this live version to be superior to the original studio recording. A video for this live version of "Shot In The Dark" got decent rotation on Mtv, created from different shots of the band live, mostly taken from Moscow.

Being a bass player and big Geezer Butler fan, I was anxious to get this album, and I bought it on cassette when it hit the stores in 1990. As far as I know, "Just Say Ozzy" was not released on CD format until 1995, when the rest of Ozzy's back catalog was re-released with 22-bit remastering. But beware that "Just Say Ozzy", along with "The Ultimate Sin" and "Speak of the Devil", are being deleted from Ozzy's catalog. So snatch up these releases while you still can!

When I listen to Ozzy, I thank God that I was a kid in the 80's, and not aware that Ozzy existed at all. I'm glad that my memories of the 80's all boil down to Ninja Turtles, Barbie, Hotwheels, and family vacations to Panama City. I'm glad that I remember only bits and peices of MTV.

Why is this? Because I have very few pre-concieved notions of what anything should be like. I started out in my journey of metal apreciation with absolutly NO BIAS. With the free, virgin mind of a child. Nobody saying, "THIS IS COOL NO THAT IS COOL THIS IS WHAT IT SHOULD BE LIKE!!!" So I picked out what sounded good to me, and I listened to that. But over time, IMAGE IS EVERYTHING has fought a constant battle with I LIKE WHAT I'M HEARING. I've learned that Bon Jovi were wussie, but I like them anyway, even if they are a bit fluffie after album one. I know that Alice Cooper rocked the planet, and, God, I love him even more. And my reaction to Ozzy, nomatter what he was doing, has always been positive. I like the way he sings, I like the sound of his voice, I like the sound of the guitars, I like the sound of the music. I'm not a submissive media clone, or a dope. I know very well what what's going on, but before I knew that, I knew I liked the music. So, there's my entire summary of the post-Randy Ozzy albums, where most people say he went into decline.

I like this CD. Bunches. I'm guessing that it was peiced together from different concerts, because it's way too manufactured sounding to be a straight-thru live concert recording.

Thanks to what seems to be some consistently Fabulous 22 bit remasters, this Disc is another in the series of OZZY re-issues that are just cosmic.

For me, it was a case of some I knew, Some I did not, but cranked up loud on a 5.1 sound system, this disc is worthy every penny, and then some. The price is much reduced apparently, but worth it at twice the price.

For whatever reason, this live album released in 1990 isn't all too popular with the fans. Why? I couldn't honestly tell you. Every single song on here is solid. Not to mention that the version of "Shot In The Dark" found here completely blows away the studio version. With 3 tracks off "No Rest For The Wicked", a kick ass recording of "Shot In The Dark", with a couple of classic Sabbath tunes thrown in for good measure, how could anyone complain? To top it all off, the remastering found here is absolutely splendid. This disc will definitely give your speakers a workout. Unfortunately, as we all know, Ozzy dislikes "Shot In The Dark", so this album was not amongst the 2002 reissues. So, by all means, if you happen to see this album anywhere, pick it up. It may be your only chance.

Recommended.

oh Yeah! Just Say Ozzy!! i love this EP album!! Ozzy's vocals are great,amazing,fantastic, like always. 6 tracks only but oh well it was hella worth it!! \m/ they made a good team! i Love how Zakk shreds from Sweat Leaf to War Pigs it insane!!!

\m/ Ozzy Osbourne- Vocals

Zakk Wylde- Guitar

Randy Castillo- Drums

Geezer Butler- Bass