Bark at the Moon [Bonus Tracks] [Remaster] (CD - 1983)

Personnel: Ozzy Osbourne (vocals); Jake E. Lee (guitar, background vocals); Don Airey (keyboards); Bob Daisley (bass, background vocals); Tommy Aldridge (drums).

Producers: Ozzy Osbourne, Bob Daisley, Max Norman.

Reissue producers: Bruce Dickinson.

Recorded at Ridge Farm Studios, Surrey, England. Originally released on Epic (38987). Includes liner notes by Phil Alexander.

Digitally remastered by Brian Lee and Bob Ludwig.

Personnel: Ozzy Osbourne (vocals); Jake E. Lee (guitar, background vocals); Don Airey (keyboards); Tommy Aldridge (drums); Bob Daisley (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: Tony Bongiovi.

Liner Note Author: Phil Alexander.

Recording information: Ridge Farm Studios.

Photographers: Mark Weiss; Tony Harrison; Scott Weiner; Fin Costello.

The 1982 death of Randy Rhoads was a crushing blow for Ozzy Osbourne--not only did he lose one of the very best rock guitarists of all time, but he lost a dear friend, song collaborator, and a founding member of his solo band. But to Ozzy's credit, he somehow summoned the strength to soldier on. For his first studio album since Randy's death, 1983's BARK AT THE MOON, Osbourne discovered another gifted young player from California, Jake E. Lee. The album was another big hit, and eventually reached platinum certification. The album's accompanying tour, which featured openers Motley Crue, was a success as well.

The album opening title track has become a fan favorite and concert staple over the years, and remains one of Ozzy's most furious rockers. Other highlights include "Rock n' Roll Rebel," as well as the gothic "Centre of Eternity," and a surprisingly gentle, string-laden ballad, "So Tired." And while melody is stressed on such compositions as "You're No Different" and "Waiting for Darkness," other selections like "Now You See It (Now You Don't)" and "Slow Down" have more of a heavy metal sound. Featured as a bonus track on the '95 CD remaster is the rarity "Spiders in the Night."

Ozzy Osbourne finds a permanent replacement for Randy Rhoads in Jake E. Lee, a more standard metal guitarist without Rhoads' neo-classical compositional ability or stylistic flair. Still, Osbourne and his band turn in a competent, workmanlike set of heavy metal featuring the crunching title track, whose video (featuring Osbourne dressed as a werewolf) became popular on MTV. Unfortunately, substance abuse problems would prevent Osbourne from releasing another record up to the standards of Bark at the Moon for nearly the rest of the decade. [The 2002 reissue adds "Spiders in the Night" and "One Up the 'B' Side" as bonus tracks.] ~ Steve Huey minimize