Blizzard of Ozz (Expanded Edition)

iTunes Review

Blizzard of Ozz is a classic slice of ‘80’s heavy metal. This Expanded Edition corrects the unforgivable sin of replacing the original tracks from bassist Bob Daisley and drummer Lee Kerslake with those of Robert Trujillo and Mike Bordin. Nothing against those musicians who later toured with Ozzy, but it’s nice to finally have the original tracks the way they originally sounded. The greatness of guitarist Randy Rhoads has never been questioned, but now his work is set in its original context. The bonuses includes “RR,” an intense guitar workout from Rhoads that is only too brief, a guitar and vocal mix of “Goodbye to Romance” that allows you to better hear Rhoads’ contribution, and “You Lookin’ At Me, Lookin’ At You,” a catchy non-LP B-side. Most fans, however, will be excited by the greatness of the original tracks. “I Don’t Know,” the hit “Crazy Train,” “Suicide Solution,” “Mr. Crowley,” “No Bone Movies” and “Steal Away (The Night)” are definitive Ozzy tunes that made his break from Black Sabbath the right thing to do. The immediate follow-up Diary of a Madman has also received the “Expanded” treatment with the original tracks put back in place.