Don Airey on keyboards transforms everything he touches in gold , Ozzy , Rainbow , Gary Moore , Deep Purple, etc . He adds so many textures and memorable arrangements
For me Sabbath released top notch albums until Forbidden all in a row . And it's right that both Technical ecstasy and never say die are punished often and it's really an unjustice .
I'll never understand why so many people say this album is bad. There's so many good riffs and Tony's solos are just bonkers. This is the most technical album from the Ozzy era. Definitely my favorite.
The production of this album has always rubbed me the wrong way. It just doesn't feel right to me. It's taken me a lot of years and a lot of listens to get past that and find the gold that's within.
@@GregMcNeish It is the sound production. The engineering. Imagine if this album was properly recorded. The mix is shaky as well. One must get past that, as you did, and they will find an incredible album.
I used to think it was bad, I think it's still good but just good. Some songs are straight great though. Like this! I think it's the worst of the og lineup though. Even after 13 (ik it's not him ward on 13 but still)
Even Tony Iommi himself said that it took him a lot of years to find his love for this album. It's a tough one. I feel like I can hear the band drifting apart. Heck, even in the production, Ozzy sounds so separate from the band, in a way that he never was before. Ozzy's calling card in Black Sabbath was always that his vocals fit INSIDE the riffs. He sang IN the band. Here, he's off doing his own thing half the time. It sounds like he's already off being a solo act.
Finally! Some qualified criticism for this Masterpiece that is criminally underestimated and underappreciated for its musical and technical brilliance. From Tonys ominous, spell binding opening riff that never stop's sending chills through me to his jazz drenched middle and finally that jaw dropping warp speed staccato lead work near the end. It blows the mind to think this track and a few other worthy tracks on this LP hardly made a dent. Certainly not their most consistently best work track for track but definitely their bravest. I don't think the production was their worst, or even that bad, that award goes to their Born-Again mess of an effort.
Prog Sabbath. I love Johnny Blade off this album. Check out "Sabbra Cadabra" from the Sabbath Bloody Sabbath album, pure ear candy. Never Say Die was the 8th and final album with Ozzy as lead singer. (Until the album "13" in 2013)
Love this album to death, listened and played along to it back to back a lot. From Sabbath Bloody Sabbath on the band stopped tracking everything live, as Iommi started layering guitars and addig others instruments to the arrangements. IMO this album is the musical pinnacle of Sabbath, the most diverse, complex, yet aggressive, inventive and full of vigor. Riffs are awesome, the bass and drums gel like heaven, and I still get teary eyed from Junior’s Eyes. Thanks for shedding some light on this hidden gem of an album.
This record is everything that’s perfect about Sabbath. Experimental; Sonic Hooks everywhere; and genuinely superb dynamics. Also props to Bill Ward for singing the final song “Swinging the Chain” which probably has some of my favorite riffs Iommi has ever forged.
Air Dance is a favourite from a much maligned (wrongly IMHO) LP, and was the track played at the funeral of a good friend (& lifelong BS fan) in 2020. It's also been my mobile 'phone ringtone for many years!
I am so glad that finally this Black Sabbath hidden jewel was brought out to the front. I had a friend who danced classical and I always saw/see her in my mind when playing this song. She loves it too. Yes, that was back in 1978! From San Diego, thank you for doing this.
I was walking between buildings I work in a few weeks ago and someone drove past me with the stereo blasting “Air Dance” and I thought “wow! He’s a proper deep fan!”
Don Airey is playing keyboards on this album and Will Malone does some interesting orchestral work . This album gets some bad press but I absolutely love it. It has Punk , Metal ,Jazz Blues, Pop and Soul to name but a few. It's really eclectic. A truly underrated album. Next album saw Dio on vocals and a very " Rainbow" direction. Which is also one of my favourite Sabbath recordings. I guess they're pretty much all my favourites! Ozzy often gets overlooked as a vocalist. I've no idea why. Maybe the haters have never heard him on the first 8 albums? And judge him by more recent live work . I still think he does a stellar job considering his age and health. Peace and love brother ✌️ ❤️
@@shspurs1342 I hear punk in the guitar and drums on never say die and Johnny blade . But that's just me . We all percieve differently. My punk may not be your punk and so on. I'm also colour blind so what I percieve is not what others percieve. But none the less wether its got punk or not I still really like the album and it's eclectic mix of genres. Peace and love ✌️❤️🤗
Now you got deep into Sabbath's Iceberg, Awesome as usual bro 🤘🏻 This album souds so different, that's why wasn't a hit back in 78' and also was released when things were already sour with Ozzy...
It's their 8th album, yes. Last 1 with Ozzy & therefore the last with the original lineup. Like you said, they have it all ! This band is my favorite of all time due to their ability & likely desire to make great music together that is all over the place yet can & is of different sounds while being their very own & original & old fashioned at once. They made funky, jazzy, operatic, churchy, bluesy, sometimes instrumental & sometimes eary yet always powerful ! They are still unappreciated.
I'm a huge Black Sabbath fan since I was 5 years old and this was always one of my favorite songs by them, but I though I was alone with this opinion. I've just learned that this is Bill Ward's favorite track and it makes me very happy for some reason. God bless these four dudes. They gave us so much good stuff
I always loved this album despite the band on the verge of kicking ozzy out and some of the antics, this song is so peaceful. "Juniors eyes" is glorious please you must review that about the death of ozzy's father GEM
On this album I really think you should give ' Over to You ' a play, one of my favourite of all Black Sabbath songs really I think, one of their most underated songs
I was born and bred in Birmingham (England NOT Alabama!!),and as a kid in the early 70s,I was blessed to have Sabbath close and able to see them regularly. I was sometimes demonised by my peers for rocking out and having long hair. Ozzy is nowadays almost a laughable character but back then Sabbath were trailblazers....Real rock music,not the American ideal of Bat eating Prince if darkness crap. Sabbath and Ozzy back then we're inspirational.
Seriously ... I'm into the deep Sabbath. Born Again was my first album. I LOVE the Tony Martin years. But Air Dance is my my second favorite track (behind The Writ). Well done to the guy that called this out!
I have been listening to Sabbath from the very early 70s. I am still listening to them today. Admittedly and on first listening NSD would appear to be a disappointment however when you give it time you realise just how good it is. The same can be said for TE. The first 8 albums under the classic line up are epic and defining. I also really like the Dio era but the Ozzy era is the definitive Sabbath line up. IMHO
Literally just discovered these videos today while randomly browsing Hawkwind links. Great stuff : -) This one has given me the need to sit and listen to Never Say Die from start to finish. Followed by Technical Ecstasy. Ahhhh. Nostalgia, and music that still sounds fantastic today < 3
I absolutely HATED this album when it was released. I bought it as a young 18 year old, as Sabbath was my favorite band (still are). But Air Dance was the song where I knew the Ozzy era was over. Even Oz was quoted as saying after he got fired by the band, "So, I'm supposed to sing bloody jazz now!!" But I love the song now as well as the entire album!! Funny how time and maturity make you feel differently about music.
@@Sonoma_Coast Ha! Yeah, I kept mine but it got buried under Priest albums. Just curious, what's your favorite album from the Oz era? I just want to see if it matches mine.
Love, love, love that you're digging deep with Sabbath. I love this jazz stuff from Never Say Die. Now it's only a matter of time before you listen to HAND OF DOOM from their second album. Great use of rim shots that's 100% a hip hop beat.
He did a live Hand of Doom from Paris 1970 back in the spring. The free jazz end of that performance might be the thing that pulled him into the rabbit hole.
By then, Black Sabbath had evolved to a progressive hard rock band.Unfortunatly many of their early hardcore fans were still stuck in 1971.This album is brilliant.An absolute masterpiece.I understand why peoplenn say it doesnt sound like a traditional Sabbath album.This alum sounds like a mix other great bands that were around such as Queen,Yes,Pink Floyd,Foreigner,Deep purple,Rainbow,Rush and even Kiss.I realized that the only reason i ddidnt like this album at first was bevause of all the negative comments i had heard from fans so called experts.The production is amazing and Bill Ward can sing the blues like B.B. King was his daddy.Great Album, great musicians, dont believe the negative hype about this gem,
Thank you for the review. Started listening to this record in high school 1980. So many great songs. Johnny Blade, Juniors Eyes and course Air Dance. Swinging The Chain is my favorite. Sung by Ward. Heavy, bluesy, funky.
WOW!😲 Well, I didn't see that coming, and may I say an excellent choice sir!👍🏻🤘🏻💯 Believe it or not, after 37 years as a listener to various genres of rock / metal, still is my personal No.1 Sabbath song, and surely not because it is one of their best, or the most popular. It just doesn't have their classic sound signature, and expands by experimenting in different paths. And furthermore it came out during a completely decadent, and artistically declining period, for the band. This album is far from even categorized in one of the golden pages of their discography, but it works well, like a silence before the forthcoming storm.
"With Never Say Die!, we were down on our luck," Osbourne reflected to Spin magazine. "We were just a fucking bunch of guys drowning in the fucking ocean. We weren't getting along with each other and we were all fucked-up with drugs and alcohol. And I got fired. It was just a bad thing. You try to lift your head up above water, but eventually the tide sucks you under."[13] "They were supposed to be really wild," remarked keyboardist Don Airey. "Tony Iommi had a reputation for hitting people. So I got quite a shock when they turned out to be the nicest people I ever worked with. The first thing Ozzy did was make me a cup of tea."[14]
I've just stumbled across your channel. They did are all master's of their instruments. As for the band gelling. Even they said they were suprised how well everything just clicked. Fun facts. Ozzy could improv lyrics first time to their songs. When they started. They were so poor, Geezer couldn't afford a bass. So he used to play on a guitar with four strings and Ozzy couldn't even afford shoes. Your breakdowns are greatand it's so much fun watching your eyes bug out and your mind blowing. Love from 🇦🇺
This one has some hints of Blue Öyster Cult - Astronomy from their 1974 Secret Treaties album. Which also has a fighter plane on the cover, but drawn and the BÖC guys is placed in front of it instead of two pilots. Maybe Sabbath got inspired by that one.
This album was not overdubbed. It was raw SABBATH from beginning to end. They had the Sabbath roll. In the studio and the legendary Don Airey on keyboards. A guy who did not need telling twice.. He had been in rock for years . They went into the studio as 5 genius guys and just did what guys of this magnitude do.
Recording the album was a nightmare - Toronto in the winter and Ozzy didn't want to play. The OG lineup did 8 albums before the split, the 4th, 5th and 6th are epic.
Never saw a reaction to this track! Great album. Check out Johnny Blade from the same album. There is so much awesome Sabbath that isn't super well known for some strange reason.
I love this track...I have no idea what happened with the production, but my guess would be that the piano was an overdub...added after...all the sabbath albums up to when dio left were just untouchable...you could dislike a song here and there, but they were done well...they are the godfathers of metal for a reason
Still original line up, Ozzy left after this one. Keyboards was Don Airey, who is now with Deep Purple.there's a song on the Album sung by Drummer Bill Ward called "Swinging The Chain". Sabbath were not in a good place at this time.
The original line up was for the first 8 albums - although Ozzy did leave for a short while but came back for Never Say Die! He was fired in 1979 and then Ronnie James Dio was brought in, after having left Rainbow. All keyboards on this album were handled by Don Airey - he was a guest musician though, and not a member of the band. Don also worked with Ozzy during his solo career and is currently with Deep Purple. Never Say Die! is also one of two albums that features Bill Ward on vocals - he sings on the last track "Swinging the Chain" on this one, and on the previous album "Technical Ecstasy" he sings on "It's Alright". The original Sabbath would reunite in 1985 as a one-off at Live Aid, would do so again in 1992 for a "farewell gig" at Costa Mesa with Ozzy, and then reformed in 1997 for the Reunion album and tour. The original line up recorded one new studio song together in "Psycho Man" for that album (released in 1998), but it was Bill's last studio recording with Sabbath to date.
Interesting thing. Listen to air dance, then watch Barry Manilow's "Copa Cabana" paying attention to the beginning and the end of the movie. Then listen to Air Dance again. They are one and the same. The song is the writing to the movie, the movie shows the song.
Agree! Zappa was all into Sabbath in the 70’s. He said more than once that “Sabra Cadabra” was a favorite song. Many times over the years, I’ve notice similarities between Zappa’s and Iommi’s soling styles-guitar tone, too! Take care!!
There's a few awesome tracks on this album, and the artwork is pretty cool, added this to my picture-disc collection🙂 Yes there's alot of great drumming covered on this channel which is cool, but sometimes almost too much. I'm looking forward to Pink Floyds Nick Mason, not so much of the mad crazy jaw dropping stuff covered so far, but I think could be the perfect example of a drummer doing "exactly enough" 🤔
2024 will see the lights of Rush 60. 21 Songs are part of what Neil Peart refused to work. Air Dance riff is totally Unlit Corners from Alex Lifeson. Still amazing and Never Say Die is fantastic. But Tony ripped off the riff from a soundcheck of a Rush gig in Toronto by 77. And NSD was fully recorded in Toronto, having Lifeson, Lee, Phil Lynott and Ian Gillan visiting the band. Should be part of Permanent Waves but, the ego of Neil… 😢
Superb review Andrew! A seriously underrated album. The swansong of the originals. Tony really shows off his jazz licks on this. Hey are your ear buds dual or triple drivers?
Anyone dissin ozzy or his vocals isnt a Sabbath fan . Bill Ward said long ago " Black Sabbath is Tony , Geezer ,Ozzy and himself " . He also says " Black Sabbath has no time and thats really hard to sing to no time , only Ozzy could " .
@@AndrewRooneyDrums totally agree Andrew. Im so glad you finally found Sabbath , i was 7 years old in 1970 when i first heard them , nothing sounded like they did on British radio or tele at the time or now . My Cousin's late fella was pretty good on the Drums , Dixie lee , in a band called "Lone star " , who got cleaned out by their manager just as they were about to start their US tour . He did a short stint for Ozzy around the Blizzard of OZ time , didnt work out , partly due to Bob Daisley wanting lee Kerslake on the kit . Then got lost in Scientology . Poor Bugger died a short time ago , Broke needless to say . Lone star can be found on you tube , including a live john peel sessions . Maybe you could cast your expert eye on to Dixies technique at some point . " firing on all 6 " was their best selling album . And he was quite rated at the time . Love your reactions , thanks for taking the time to indulge us . Take care Bud .
@@andyknight7285 Lone Star great Welsh band. That was a fantastic album firing on all six and Dixie's drumming was amazing! I bought their first two albums in the mid-70s they should have had a lot more success if they would have had the right management. Cheers!
@@AndrewRooneyDrums they recorded Never say die in Toronto Canada interchange Sound Studio between January and May of 1978. They went to it to avoid higher taxes they would have had to pay at other Studios. Ozzy Osbourne had already quit the band during this time and was replaced by Dave Walker from Savoy Brown. They had already written some of the songs with Dave Walker on vocals before Ozzy Osbourne decided to rejoin them to record the new album. Lyrics were then Rewritten by Geezer Butler and musical Arrangements were changed by Tony Iommi during the daytime at a nearby theater they were using to rehearse the new songs in. They would then go into the studio at night time to record the new songs which is not the way they had worked in the past. I think only Bill Ward actually likes that album with Tony Iommi only liking a couple of songs recorded for that album. Bill and Tony have the Jazz influences not Geezer and Ozzy. Bill was a big admirer of Gene Krupa and Max Roach while Tony Iommi admired Django Reinhardt and Joe Pass. Cheers!
@@richardhincemon9423 yes, rather than the manager running off with the money . Ozzy paid to get Dixie's kit flown back from Canada they were left that skint . Great knowing others remember LoneStar . That always brought a smile to Dixie's face .
Air Dance? ... Air Dance?? .... Dude.. This is some deep Sabbath, right here! Awesome! You Rule!
LOVE IT!
Yeah, I had this album when it came out. 1977? 1978?
Glad people are still discovering it.
Don Airey on keyboards transforms everything he touches in gold , Ozzy , Rainbow , Gary Moore , Deep Purple, etc . He adds so many textures and memorable arrangements
The Messiah will come again
Such a great keyboard player. Just amazing.
@@markmilner842 He is and he also played with Ozzy on his 3 first solo records and tours 1980-1984.
@@archie6962 I've mentioned it ,but it's never enough when it's so HUGE playing
Absolutely ... Don also played with legendary jazz / rock fusion drummer Jon Hiseman in Colosseum 2 ( featuring Gary Moore on guitar ) .
I've never understood the dislike this album gets. There's some great music on it.
For me Sabbath released top notch albums until Forbidden all in a row . And it's right that both Technical ecstasy and never say die are punished often and it's really an unjustice .
Its a great album but still very inferior to the first 6 albums
Same
"Shock Wave", "Johnny Blade" and "Hard Road" are even 3 of my all time favorites of Black Sabbath
My favourite Black Sabbath song. What is also my favourite Metal song “Junior’s Eyes”
YES AGREED!!!
@@shspurs1342 true that one as well and, same as Over To You. It is so hard to choose
Johnny Blade kicks so much ass
Hard Road is soooo good ❤
I absolutely love this song, one of my favorites. Black Sabbath is one of the best and most versatile bands ever.
I'll never understand why so many people say this album is bad. There's so many good riffs and Tony's solos are just bonkers. This is the most technical album from the Ozzy era. Definitely my favorite.
The production of this album has always rubbed me the wrong way. It just doesn't feel right to me. It's taken me a lot of years and a lot of listens to get past that and find the gold that's within.
@@GregMcNeish It is the sound production. The engineering. Imagine if this album was properly recorded. The mix is shaky as well. One must get past that, as you did, and they will find an incredible album.
I used to think it was bad, I think it's still good but just good. Some songs are straight great though. Like this! I think it's the worst of the og lineup though. Even after 13 (ik it's not him ward on 13 but still)
@@GregMcNeish I agree with that. They did something different, has something that isn't quite Sabbath
Even Tony Iommi himself said that it took him a lot of years to find his love for this album. It's a tough one. I feel like I can hear the band drifting apart. Heck, even in the production, Ozzy sounds so separate from the band, in a way that he never was before. Ozzy's calling card in Black Sabbath was always that his vocals fit INSIDE the riffs. He sang IN the band. Here, he's off doing his own thing half the time. It sounds like he's already off being a solo act.
This is a massively under appreciated track.
I dont understand how someone can say that this album and this song is bad. all sabbath is gold!
Finally! Some qualified criticism for this Masterpiece that is criminally underestimated and underappreciated for its musical and technical brilliance. From Tonys ominous, spell binding opening riff that never stop's sending chills through me to his jazz drenched middle and finally that jaw dropping warp speed staccato lead work near the end. It blows the mind to think this track and a few other worthy tracks on this LP hardly made a dent. Certainly not their most consistently best work track for track but definitely their bravest. I don't think the production was their worst, or even that bad, that award goes to their Born-Again mess of an effort.
This song and whole album are great. Finally this gem gets some recognition
“Never Say Die” is in my top 5. Of most underrated albums of all time ever.
bill ward is a savage on johnny blade off of never say die,wheels of confusion off of vol 4,gypsy off of technical ecstacy
I’ll get to all of it!
I'm not familiar with those but I know Wheels of Confusion. Vol 4 is another great LP. All of it!
Prog Sabbath. I love Johnny Blade off this album. Check out "Sabbra Cadabra" from the Sabbath Bloody Sabbath album, pure ear candy.
Never Say Die was the 8th and final album with Ozzy as lead singer. (Until the album "13" in 2013)
Prog Sabbath! 🙌
Sabbra Cadabbra is some of the heaviest swing ever!
Love this album to death, listened and played along to it back to back a lot. From Sabbath Bloody Sabbath on the band stopped tracking everything live, as Iommi started layering guitars and addig others instruments to the arrangements.
IMO this album is the musical pinnacle of Sabbath, the most diverse, complex, yet aggressive, inventive and full of vigor. Riffs are awesome, the bass and drums gel like heaven, and I still get teary eyed from Junior’s Eyes. Thanks for shedding some light on this hidden gem of an album.
Tony’s solo on Junior’s Eyes is an expression of pure, searing pain!
This record is everything that’s perfect about Sabbath. Experimental; Sonic Hooks everywhere; and genuinely superb dynamics. Also props to Bill Ward for singing the final song “Swinging the Chain” which probably has some of my favorite riffs Iommi has ever forged.
So good
Air Dance is a favourite from a much maligned (wrongly IMHO) LP, and was the track played at the funeral of a good friend (& lifelong BS fan) in 2020. It's also been my mobile 'phone ringtone for many years!
It seems like everyone hates this album, but I honestly really love this album.
I love this album
I love just seeing the pure joy on your face listening to this hidden gem...can't even focus on the drums because the entirety of the song is so great
Johnny Blade is my favorite song from this album and is a Bill Ward jam fest. Never Say Die!, Juniors Eyes, and Hard Road are great also.
Love Bill's awesome triplet feel on the intro, and Iommi's awesome intro riff is magic
I am so glad that finally this Black Sabbath hidden jewel was brought out to the front. I had a friend who danced classical and I always saw/see her in my mind when playing this song. She loves it too. Yes, that was back in 1978! From San Diego, thank you for doing this.
Bills drum sound on the Never say Die album is awesome❤
This is the final release with all the original lineup. The entire collection is known among Black Sabbath fans as The Great Eight.
Excellent Brian 🙌
The first time I saw them was this tour in '78 with Van Halen opening for them. This band is so versatile, and they definitely keep you on your toes!
THAT was a show! Saw that in Chicago in the middle of the 5th row. Like being in paradise!
This is beautiful. Who would have thought Sabbath could be so mellow? 👍🏻
I feel this is their 'underated' album, but I loved it. I thought I was alone in loving Air Dance.
This is awesome!
I was walking between buildings I work in a few weeks ago and someone drove past me with the stereo blasting “Air Dance” and I thought “wow! He’s a proper deep fan!”
A lot of people slag this album off, but over the years I think it's become my favorite of the Ozzy era.
Lots of people stop at Sabotage. Technical Ecstasy, and Never Say Die are both great albums.
It has been 35 years since I've listened to this. Way too long, thanks for reminding me hoe amazing this and album are.
This song is fantastic. One of my favorite of the band
❤ 👍
This ( Never say Die) was thier swan song Album, thier Breakup Album ( Of Original Sabbath Band) and this track is just magic!
Don Airey is playing keyboards on this album and Will Malone does some interesting orchestral work .
This album gets some bad press but I absolutely love it. It has Punk , Metal ,Jazz Blues, Pop and Soul to name but a few. It's really eclectic. A truly underrated album. Next album saw Dio on vocals and a very " Rainbow" direction. Which is also one of my favourite Sabbath recordings. I guess they're pretty much all my favourites!
Ozzy often gets overlooked as a vocalist. I've no idea why. Maybe the haters have never heard him on the first 8 albums? And judge him by more recent live work . I still think he does a stellar job considering his age and health.
Peace and love brother ✌️ ❤️
I don’t understand why you are saying there is Punk on this album. Because i can’t here any Punk.
@@shspurs1342 I hear punk in the guitar and drums on never say die and Johnny blade . But that's just me . We all percieve differently. My punk may not be your punk and so on.
I'm also colour blind so what I percieve is not what others percieve.
But none the less wether its got punk or not I still really like the album and it's eclectic mix of genres.
Peace and love ✌️❤️🤗
Obviuosly this track is the peak of their creativity . Planet Caravan on Paranoid was their very first jazz space track .
And it also included some piano chord playing towards the end of the track.
That final part of this number, Tony's guitar work, the keyboards, all...might as well come from Frank Zappa.
this album was wild....LOVE IT!
Now you got deep into Sabbath's Iceberg, Awesome as usual bro 🤘🏻
This album souds so different, that's why wasn't a hit back in 78' and also was released when things were already sour with Ozzy...
I gotta check out all their stuff
It's their 8th album, yes. Last 1 with Ozzy & therefore the last with the original lineup. Like you said, they have it all ! This band is my favorite of all time due to their ability & likely desire to make great music together that is all over the place yet can & is of different sounds while being their very own & original & old fashioned at once. They made funky, jazzy, operatic, churchy, bluesy, sometimes instrumental & sometimes eary yet always powerful ! They are still unappreciated.
Fortunately I got to see them during this tour incredible
I did as well! Sabbath blew the roof off that night!
I'm a huge Black Sabbath fan since I was 5 years old and this was always one of my favorite songs by them, but I though I was alone with this opinion. I've just learned that this is Bill Ward's favorite track and it makes me very happy for some reason. God bless these four dudes. They gave us so much good stuff
I agree with many of you!. This is a great and vastly underrated hard rock album!
Always Sabbath? Excellent!!!!!
This was Sabbath's answer to "dancing queen" by ABBA .
Great song off of a great album!!
You're getting great requests. Love this one. The title track is awesome too!
HAVE to do Johnny blade off this album aswell !!!
I always loved this album despite the band on the verge of kicking ozzy out and some of the antics, this song is so peaceful. "Juniors eyes" is glorious please you must review that about the death of ozzy's father GEM
On this album I really think you should give ' Over to You ' a play, one of my favourite of all Black Sabbath songs really I think, one of their most underated songs
Some really deep lyrics. Very relevant today...
Great song!
I was born and bred in Birmingham (England NOT Alabama!!),and as a kid in the early 70s,I was blessed to have Sabbath close and able to see them regularly. I was sometimes demonised by my peers for rocking out and having long hair. Ozzy is nowadays almost a laughable character but back then Sabbath were trailblazers....Real rock music,not the American ideal of
Bat eating Prince if darkness crap. Sabbath and Ozzy back then we're inspirational.
Seriously ... I'm into the deep Sabbath. Born Again was my first album. I LOVE the Tony Martin years. But Air Dance is my my second favorite track (behind The Writ). Well done to the guy that called this out!
That would be me! Thanks, Darrin!
Andrew, I absolutely love your enthusiasm.
🙏
Love love love this song
I have been listening to Sabbath from the very early 70s. I am still listening to them today. Admittedly and on first listening NSD would appear to be a disappointment however when you give it time you realise just how good it is. The same can be said for TE. The first 8 albums under the classic line up are epic and defining. I also really like the Dio era but the Ozzy era is the definitive Sabbath line up. IMHO
I’ve got so much to learn on the band Mark 🤯
Brother you need to explore some of Volume 4 and Sabbath bloody sabbath albums.
Literally just discovered these videos today while randomly browsing Hawkwind links. Great stuff : -)
This one has given me the need to sit and listen to Never Say Die from start to finish. Followed by Technical Ecstasy. Ahhhh. Nostalgia, and music that still sounds fantastic today < 3
GET IT
Its like a Yes song, but jazzy and metal.
Great job, and very entertaining, Andrew! Thanks! I enjoyed this a lot! You can hear why Bill Ward loved playing this so much!
💯Mike! Yet another surprise
I absolutely HATED this album when it was released. I bought it as a young 18 year old, as Sabbath was my favorite band (still are). But Air Dance was the song where I knew the Ozzy era was over. Even Oz was quoted as saying after he got fired by the band, "So, I'm supposed to sing bloody jazz now!!" But I love the song now as well as the entire album!! Funny how time and maturity make you feel differently about music.
Yup perception can change over time for sure
Ozzy was always the worst part of Sabbath anyway.
exactly me. I was also 18 and my taste back then was for the hard stuff. I taped 2songs I thought were ok then I threw the album out.
@@Sonoma_Coast Ha! Yeah, I kept mine but it got buried under Priest albums. Just curious, what's your favorite album from the Oz era? I just want to see if it matches mine.
@@biffmalibu9488 1st album by far.
Love, love, love that you're digging deep with Sabbath. I love this jazz stuff from Never Say Die. Now it's only a matter of time before you listen to HAND OF DOOM from their second album. Great use of rim shots that's 100% a hip hop beat.
He did a live Hand of Doom from Paris 1970 back in the spring. The free jazz end of that performance might be the thing that pulled him into the rabbit hole.
@@SylviusTheMad Right on...thanks.
I think Hand of Doom was my gateway drug! 🤯
A brilliant song!
By then, Black Sabbath had evolved to a progressive hard rock band.Unfortunatly many of their early hardcore fans were still stuck in 1971.This album is brilliant.An absolute masterpiece.I understand why peoplenn say it doesnt sound like a traditional Sabbath album.This alum sounds like a mix other great bands that were around such as Queen,Yes,Pink Floyd,Foreigner,Deep purple,Rainbow,Rush and even Kiss.I realized that the only reason i ddidnt like this album at first was bevause of all the negative comments i had heard from fans so called experts.The production is amazing and Bill Ward can sing the blues like B.B. King was his daddy.Great Album, great musicians, dont believe the negative hype about this gem,
In this case it was Don Airey on keyboard, but on "Vol. 4" and "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" Rick Wakeman (ex "Yes") was the keyboarder.
Thanks for the info!
Did Wakeman play on Vol. 4 or just SBS?
Outstanding choice!!! Well done
🙌
@@AndrewRooneyDrums I’m a fan of your channel. I recommend Deep Purple Burn live! Ian Paice is a lefty monster
Would love to see you react to the writ. Song is interesting to say the least lots of sabbath switching going on
Thank you for the review. Started listening to this record in high school 1980. So many great songs. Johnny Blade, Juniors Eyes and course Air Dance. Swinging The Chain is my favorite. Sung by Ward. Heavy, bluesy, funky.
it was my fav for many years too. really bluesy
WOW!😲 Well, I didn't see that coming, and may I say an excellent choice sir!👍🏻🤘🏻💯
Believe it or not, after 37 years as a listener to various genres of rock / metal, still is my personal No.1 Sabbath song, and surely not because it is one of their best, or the most popular.
It just doesn't have their classic sound signature, and expands by experimenting in different paths. And furthermore it came out during a completely decadent, and artistically declining period, for the band.
This album is far from even categorized in one of the golden pages of their discography, but it works well, like a silence before the forthcoming storm.
"With Never Say Die!, we were down on our luck," Osbourne reflected to Spin magazine. "We were just a fucking bunch of guys drowning in the fucking ocean. We weren't getting along with each other and we were all fucked-up with drugs and alcohol. And I got fired. It was just a bad thing. You try to lift your head up above water, but eventually the tide sucks you under."[13]
"They were supposed to be really wild," remarked keyboardist Don Airey. "Tony Iommi had a reputation for hitting people. So I got quite a shock when they turned out to be the nicest people I ever worked with. The first thing Ozzy did was make me a cup of tea."[14]
The guys do have a very gentlemanly side!
Don Airey did the keys, he worked with Ozzy as a solo artist as well.
Sabbath at the forefront of music in their time.
I've just stumbled across your channel. They did are all master's of their instruments. As for the band gelling. Even they said they were suprised how well everything just clicked.
Fun facts. Ozzy could improv lyrics first time to their songs. When they started. They were so poor, Geezer couldn't afford a bass. So he used to play on a guitar with four strings and Ozzy couldn't even afford shoes. Your breakdowns are greatand it's so much fun watching your eyes bug out and your mind blowing. Love from 🇦🇺
This one has some hints of Blue Öyster Cult - Astronomy from their 1974 Secret Treaties album. Which also has a fighter plane on the cover, but drawn and the BÖC guys is placed in front of it instead of two pilots. Maybe Sabbath got inspired by that one.
This album was not overdubbed.
It was raw SABBATH from beginning to end. They had the Sabbath roll. In the studio and the legendary Don Airey on keyboards. A guy who did not need telling twice.. He had been in rock for years . They went into the studio as 5 genius guys and just did what guys of this magnitude do.
One of my favorite songs it's awesome song.
Johnny Blade is so underrared and amazing !!!
People avoid him, they know the street's his own...
Such a misunderstood and overlooked album. I've learned to appreciate even more as I get older. I'd like to see a band try and cover it. Good luck
Recording the album was a nightmare - Toronto in the winter and Ozzy didn't want to play. The OG lineup did 8 albums before the split, the 4th, 5th and 6th are epic.
I loved the debut too!
So were the 1st 2nd and 3rd..
The cover is great I didnt notice what was in the clouds for a while after buying it!
Never saw a reaction to this track! Great album. Check out Johnny Blade from the same album. There is so much awesome Sabbath that isn't super well known for some strange reason.
I love this track...I have no idea what happened with the production, but my guess would be that the piano was an overdub...added after...all the sabbath albums up to when dio left were just untouchable...you could dislike a song here and there, but they were done well...they are the godfathers of metal for a reason
Ozzy sometimes played keyboard but not sure in this track and also mouth organ on other records and flute for me this track has a satana feel
For a really different twist listen to "It's Alright" from Technical Ecstasy. Sounds a bit different when Bill sings!
Still original line up, Ozzy left after this one. Keyboards was Don Airey, who is now with Deep Purple.there's a song on the Album sung by Drummer Bill Ward called "Swinging The Chain". Sabbath were not in a good place at this time.
Absolutely love swinging the chain!!!!
The original line up was for the first 8 albums - although Ozzy did leave for a short while but came back for Never Say Die! He was fired in 1979 and then Ronnie James Dio was brought in, after having left Rainbow. All keyboards on this album were handled by Don Airey - he was a guest musician though, and not a member of the band. Don also worked with Ozzy during his solo career and is currently with Deep Purple. Never Say Die! is also one of two albums that features Bill Ward on vocals - he sings on the last track "Swinging the Chain" on this one, and on the previous album "Technical Ecstasy" he sings on "It's Alright". The original Sabbath would reunite in 1985 as a one-off at Live Aid, would do so again in 1992 for a "farewell gig" at Costa Mesa with Ozzy, and then reformed in 1997 for the Reunion album and tour. The original line up recorded one new studio song together in "Psycho Man" for that album (released in 1998), but it was Bill's last studio recording with Sabbath to date.
Oh wow!!! I need to hear Bill sing!
Thanks for the great info
My favourite Sabs album
Well I must dig out my Never Say Die album again.
heaven and hell was when line up changed
Interesting thing. Listen to air dance, then watch Barry Manilow's "Copa Cabana" paying attention to the beginning and the end of the movie. Then listen to Air Dance again. They are one and the same. The song is the writing to the movie, the movie shows the song.
Reminds me of Van Morrison, love it though, very jazzy feel on this album, love the keyboard/piano playing
Towards the end of this track Tony's playing reminds me of Zappa!
Agree! Zappa was all into Sabbath in the 70’s. He said more than once that “Sabra Cadabra” was a favorite song. Many times over the years, I’ve notice similarities between Zappa’s and Iommi’s soling styles-guitar tone, too! Take care!!
@@stringemup5941Tony is a big fan of jazz guitar great, Joe Pass and is heavily influenced by him especially in his soloing
There's a few awesome tracks on this album, and the artwork is pretty cool, added this to my picture-disc collection🙂
Yes there's alot of great drumming covered on this channel which is cool, but sometimes almost too much.
I'm looking forward to Pink Floyds Nick Mason, not so much of the mad crazy jaw dropping stuff covered so far, but I think could be the perfect example of a drummer doing "exactly enough" 🤔
Agree, absolutely love Nick Mason!
Air Dance & Juniors Eyes got me on first listen to the album. So un-Sabbathy (?) in some ways, but yet soo good.
2024 will see the lights of Rush 60. 21 Songs are part of what Neil Peart refused to work. Air Dance riff is totally Unlit Corners from Alex Lifeson. Still amazing and Never Say Die is fantastic. But Tony ripped off the riff from a soundcheck of a Rush gig in Toronto by 77. And NSD was fully recorded in Toronto, having Lifeson, Lee, Phil Lynott and Ian Gillan visiting the band. Should be part of Permanent Waves but, the ego of Neil… 😢
Hi Andrew. Check Out Swinging the Chain from the Same album Never Say Die
The outro riff is one Tony’s nastiest ever, IMO!
Superb review Andrew! A seriously underrated album. The swansong of the originals. Tony really shows off his jazz licks on this. Hey are your ear buds dual or triple drivers?
Triple!
@@AndrewRooneyDrums Wow, great price. So much better fidelity on the lower frequencies with triples.
I have enjoyed all your reviews of Sabbath songs. Well done Mr. Rooney!
BlackSab managed to have some impressive keyboardPlayers as guests here and there.
Anyone dissin ozzy or his vocals isnt a Sabbath fan . Bill Ward said long ago " Black Sabbath is Tony , Geezer ,Ozzy and himself " . He also says " Black Sabbath has no time and thats really hard to sing to no time , only Ozzy could " .
His voice is another instrument in the group for me Andy
@@AndrewRooneyDrums totally agree Andrew. Im so glad you finally found Sabbath , i was 7 years old in 1970 when i first heard them , nothing sounded like they did on British radio or tele at the time or now .
My Cousin's late fella was pretty good on the Drums , Dixie lee , in a band called "Lone star " , who got cleaned out by their manager just as they were about to start their US tour . He did a short stint for Ozzy around the Blizzard of OZ time , didnt work out , partly due to Bob Daisley wanting lee Kerslake on the kit . Then got lost in Scientology . Poor Bugger died a short time ago , Broke needless to say . Lone star can be found on you tube , including a live john peel sessions . Maybe you could cast your expert eye on to Dixies technique at some point . " firing on all 6 " was their best selling album . And he was quite rated at the time .
Love your reactions , thanks for taking the time to indulge us .
Take care Bud .
@@andyknight7285 Lone Star great Welsh band. That was a fantastic album firing on all six and Dixie's drumming was amazing! I bought their first two albums in the mid-70s they should have had a lot more success if they would have had the right management. Cheers!
@@AndrewRooneyDrums they recorded Never say die in Toronto Canada interchange Sound Studio between January and May of 1978. They went to it to avoid higher taxes they would have had to pay at other Studios. Ozzy Osbourne had already quit the band during this time and was replaced by Dave Walker from Savoy Brown. They had already written some of the songs with Dave Walker on vocals before Ozzy Osbourne decided to rejoin them to record the new album. Lyrics were then Rewritten by Geezer Butler and musical Arrangements were changed by Tony Iommi during the daytime at a nearby theater they were using to rehearse the new songs in. They would then go into the studio at night time to record the new songs which is not the way they had worked in the past. I think only Bill Ward actually likes that album with Tony Iommi only liking a couple of songs recorded for that album. Bill and Tony have the Jazz influences not Geezer and Ozzy. Bill was a big admirer of Gene Krupa and Max Roach while Tony Iommi admired Django Reinhardt and Joe Pass. Cheers!
@@richardhincemon9423 yes, rather than the manager running off with the money . Ozzy paid to get Dixie's kit flown back from Canada they were left that skint . Great knowing others remember LoneStar . That always brought a smile to Dixie's face .
As I have said, best band ever..
Wonderfull
That riff though.
Iommi plays the piano!