Under Cover (CD - 2005)

Personnel: Ozzy Osbourne (vocals); Ozzy Osbourne; Chris Wyse (bass guitar); Ian Hunter (vocals); Jerry Cantrell, Leslie West (guitar); Mike Bordin (drums); Gregg Bissonette, James Mastro, Jim Cox, Joe Bonamassa, Mark Hudson, Michael Landau, Paul Santos, Robert Randolph , Steve Dudas, Sarah Hudson, Bogie Bowles, Tabby Callaghan, Bruce Sugar.

Audio Mixer: Bruce Sugar.

Recording information: Avatar Studios, New York, NY; Capitol studios, Los Angeles, CA; Cello Studios, Los Angeles, CA; EMI Abbey Road Studios, London, England; Peninsula Hotel, NY; Ritz Carlton Hotel, Palm Beach; sony Studios, NY; The Music Machine, Beverly Hills, CA; The Village Recorder, Los Angeles, CA; Whatinthewhatthe?, Los Angeles, CA; Whitfield Street Studios, London, England.

Photographers: Dennis Keeley; Myriam Santos-Kayda; Kevin Westenberg; Sam Taylor-Wood; Bill Zelman.

Arranger: Steve Dudas.

Ozzy Osbourne is revered as many things: a heavy-metal icon, a reality-TV star, and godhead of the longest running rock festival tour in the history of the business. The Ozzy branding is a multimedia phenomenon, leaving nothing undone - except perhaps, until now, an all-covers album paying tribute to songs near and dear to John "Ozzy" Osbourne's heart.

First served up as gravy in the PRINCE OF DARKNESS box set, UNDER COVER is now available as a stand alone release, featuring several additional tracks. Putting the Ozzy stamp on Mountain ("Mississippi Queen") and Cream ("Sunshine Of Your Love") rockers seems logical enough, although some metalheads may be surprised by the lighter fare. Ozzy expresses his admiration for his beloved Beatles with two John Lennon solo cuts, as well as a poignant version of "In My Life." Also left off the earlier release but found on UNDER COVER, are Ozzified takes on Joe Walsh's "Rocky Mountain Way" and the Moody Blues' "Go Now." While shred guitar devotees may find the absence of Zakk Wylde disappointing, supporting the Ozzman are capable metal stalwarts Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains) on guitar, Chris Wyse (The Cult) on bass, and longtime Ozzy drummer Mike Bordin (Faith No More). minimize