Black Sabbath
Never Say Die
[Warner Bros]
The most "hated" LP with the classic lineup of Ozzy Osbourne/ Tony
Iommi/ Geezer Butler/ Bill Ward. This was the last album with them
until last year's "Reunion".
They recorded this in 1978 in Toronto, and had a miserable time I had read. It sort of reflects in the music. This is a sad feeling type rock n roll album. Yes, rock n roll. The exceptions being Shock Wave, and Johnny Blade being more in the Sabbath metal vein. Iommi always had a blues/jazz feel in his guitar playing, as did Ward in his drumming, but unless you're a diehard fan you will not like this. I think even the band hates this album! Saxophones and Sabbath do not really belong together.
Personally, I admit this is nothing at all of the calibre as"Technical Ecstasy", but Ozzy's vocals have always grabbed me (so much so I buy his solo work) and there are a few classic tracks. "Junior Eyes" is pretty depressive yet kind of upbeat, reminding me of The Beatles off Let It Be, if Lennon and Harrison had metal-sounding guitars. The title track "Never Say Die" kicks you in the ass and makes you want to party.
If you're expecting a "heavy" album like Vol.4, you're out of luck, but this is a decent album in my opinion.
My cassette track listing is different than the CD- Never Say Die/ Breakout/ Swinging The Chain/ Junior's Eyes/ Shock Wave/ Johnny Blade/ Air Dance/ A Hard Road/ Over To You.
© 1999 mlotek
They recorded this in 1978 in Toronto, and had a miserable time I had read. It sort of reflects in the music. This is a sad feeling type rock n roll album. Yes, rock n roll. The exceptions being Shock Wave, and Johnny Blade being more in the Sabbath metal vein. Iommi always had a blues/jazz feel in his guitar playing, as did Ward in his drumming, but unless you're a diehard fan you will not like this. I think even the band hates this album! Saxophones and Sabbath do not really belong together.
Personally, I admit this is nothing at all of the calibre as"Technical Ecstasy", but Ozzy's vocals have always grabbed me (so much so I buy his solo work) and there are a few classic tracks. "Junior Eyes" is pretty depressive yet kind of upbeat, reminding me of The Beatles off Let It Be, if Lennon and Harrison had metal-sounding guitars. The title track "Never Say Die" kicks you in the ass and makes you want to party.
If you're expecting a "heavy" album like Vol.4, you're out of luck, but this is a decent album in my opinion.
My cassette track listing is different than the CD- Never Say Die/ Breakout/ Swinging The Chain/ Junior's Eyes/ Shock Wave/ Johnny Blade/ Air Dance/ A Hard Road/ Over To You.
© 1999 mlotek