Altsounds - Black Sabbath - Never Say Die (Re-Issue) [Album]

Originally released in 1978, "Never Say Die" was the last studio album to feature Ozzy Osbourne as vocalist. It was my favourite Black Sabbath album to feature Ozzy, which I am sure will surprise a few readers also of surprise is that the music on "Never Say Die" is not entirely what you might expect from Black Sabbath. Opening with the title track 'Never Say Die', which is Black Sabbath's nod to Pop-Metal and an upbeat number containing all the familiar Black Sabbath components; thundering rhythm section, blistering guitar solos, big ending etc.

'Johhny Blade' sets of with a keyboard intro courtesy of Don Airey. The intro gives way to drums and guitars, a classic Sabbath riff, and then Ozzy Osbourne's trademark vocals with the obligatory guitar solo right at the end. 'Junior's Eyes', sounds like it's straight from a 70's porn movie with the vocal here being a bit restrained, but clear enough with more keyboards present in the chorus.

'A Hard Road', has a definite Status Quo Feel to it. This is the only Black Sabbath song that Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler sing on, here providing a foil for Ozzy Osbourne's rasping vocal, and in my mind they do a credible job. I saw Black Sabbath live a few times in the early 80's when Dio was with them and I don't remember seeing either of them step up to a microphone, come to think of it I can't recall there being microphones on stage for either of them to step up to. Whether or not earlier, or indeed, later songs would have benefited from their hidden talents will never be known.

'Shock Wave' is what we had come to expect and love from Black Sabbath, riff based mid tempo rock 'n' roll. I have for many years thought that as a rhythm section Butler and Ward were underrated, here they groove well and as anyone who has ever tried to cover a Black Sabbath song will know, they are not always as straight forward as they may seem. The beginning of 'Air Dance' sounds all to familiar, but when the intro subsides into the first verse, the guitars are gone and Don Airey is again providing the Piano which this time almost sounds like Jazz. The guitar returns, but this too has a jazz influenced sound and, If it wasn't for Ozzy Osbourne's distinctive vocals you could be forgiven for thinking that this track was recorded by the likes of Colosseum II, or Al de Meoala.

'Over To you' is back to the classic Black Sabbath sound albeit with a slower tempo and this could be the ballad of the album but in this case I don't think it is. Instead I get a picture of relationship breakdown with parents at first, quickly followed up with a partner. When viewed in this context the words are very bitter for sure. If anyone ever interviews Ozzy Osbourne, they really should ask him what this is all about, but I doubt somehow he will be able to remember!

The traditional instrumental, comes in the shape of 'Breakout'. The intro is very "west end musical" with a brass section playing a major role here by providing the main melody line. This is surreal! Brass on a Sabbath Album? Drummer Bill Ward takes over vocal duties on the final song 'Swinging The Chain'. Ward's vocals wouldn't be out of place in any rhythm and blues band and once again, you could be forgiven for not recognising this track as one from Black Sabbath. Funnily enough a couple of lines from the last song are rather appropriate,

Quote:

"Let us cast our minds back, To thirty years or more"

It's 31 years since "Never Say Die" first saw the light of day, and it's still as fresh as ever, even though it is often overlooked by fans, possibly due to the lack of any real "Devil Worship" connotations. But overall, I think "Never Say Die" is a really good, eclectic and cohesive mixture of tunes.

Album Credits:

Tony Iommi - Lead Guitar
Geezer Butler - Bass
Ozzy Osbourne - Vocals
Bill Ward - Drums, Vocals on Swinging the Chain
Don Airey - Keyboards
John Elstar - Harmonica
Will Malone - Brass arrangements

Produced by Black Sabbath
Engineered by Dave Harris
Special Assistant - Spock Wall