Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train

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   Yes, I realize "Crazy Train" wasn't even a Hot 100 song (peaked at #106), but it's one of those classic songs that still gets tons of airplay.  (As a side note, Wikipedia states that is has sold more than 2 million copies as a ringtone.)

Anyhow, upon doing some Ozzy research, I stumbled upon some old info that was new news to me.  Apparently, the former drummer and bass player sued Ozzy for unpaid royalties.  Because of this, when Ozzy's albums were "remastered" in 2002, the bass guitar and drums were actually re-recorded.  Talk about re-writing history!  I wondered why my copy of The Ozzman Cometh (Greatest Hits) was only a couple bucks at the used store.  Well, it's because I have the 2002 re-issue with re-recorded tracks.  Doh!

The bottom line for making sure you have the original version of "Crazy Train" is to look for any version of his albums released before 2002.  The original pressing of Ozzman has the correct recordings, and there is an easy way to tell if you're buying a copy but can't see the copyright date.  The 2002 pressing replaces the song "Shot In The Dark" with "Miracle Man."  So, if you want a GH collection, look for the Ozzman pressing that includes "Shot In The Dark."

Edited by aaronk

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aaronk Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 16 January 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 88	Post Options Post Reply Quote aaronk Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train Posted: 07 June 2010 at 10:02pm
	Yes, I realize "Crazy Train" wasn't even a Hot 100 song (peaked at #106), but it's one of those classic songs that still gets tons of airplay. (As a side note, Wikipedia states that is has sold more than 2 million copies as a ringtone.) Anyhow, upon doing some Ozzy research, I stumbled upon some old info that was new news to me. Apparently, the former drummer and bass player sued Ozzy for unpaid royalties. Because of this, when Ozzy's albums were "remastered" in 2002, the bass guitar and drums were actually re-recorded. Talk about re-writing history! I wondered why my copy of The Ozzman Cometh (Greatest Hits) was only a couple bucks at the used store. Well, it's because I have the 2002 re-issue with re-recorded tracks. Doh! The bottom line for making sure you have the original version of "Crazy Train" is to look for any version of his albums released before 2002. The original pressing of Ozzman has the correct recordings, and there is an easy way to tell if you're buying a copy but can't see the copyright date. The 2002 pressing replaces the song "Shot In The Dark" with "Miracle Man." So, if you want a GH collection, look for the Ozzman pressing that includes "Shot In The Dark." Edited by aaronk

Brian W. Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 13 October 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote Brian W. Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 June 2010 at 11:42pm
	Huh! Well, that's good to know. Wow, revisionist history never stops -- Dave Clark, Michael Jackson, etc. Actually, the full track "Crazy Train" has sold over a million as a download as well. It hasn't been RIAA certified yet (though the ringtone was indeed certified for 2 million), but people used to post the Soundscan Hot Digital Songs chart every week with totals (which sadly stopped, sniffle), and as of April 5, 2009 "Crazy Train" had sold 1,299,094 downloads. (That, of course, would be the remixed version.)

RichM921 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 30 October 2007 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote RichM921 Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 June 2010 at 10:14am
	Wow Aaron, thanks for the info. I never knew that either. Is it very easy to tell the new version from the orginal? I wonder if the version our classic rock station plays 5 times a day (or at least seems like it!) is the real version?

aaronk Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 16 January 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 88	Post Options Post Reply Quote aaronk Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 June 2010 at 11:18am
	I suppose if you were really, really familiar with the song, you might be able to pick up on it right away. If you do an A/B comparison, you definitely can tell that they are different. Listening to the intro, one of the things that sticks out is the vibraslap (yes, I had to look up what it was called...think "rattlesnake"). That instrument is noticeably different on the two versions.

eriejwg Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 10 June 2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 41	Post Options Post Reply Quote eriejwg Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 June 2010 at 11:44am
	My CD has a 1997 copyright if that helps.

aaronk Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 16 January 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 88	Post Options Post Reply Quote aaronk Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 June 2010 at 1:10pm
	You have the correct versions, John. Mine has a copyright of 2002 :(

maciav Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 02 June 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote maciav Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 June 2010 at 2:07pm
	It looks like this Ozzy problem could be corrected fairly soon: http://www.imwan.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=63322&st=0& sk=t&sd=a Some of you may already know about this, and I hope Pat doesn't mind me posting a link, but I thought it might help those of you who are interested. The posters on this site seem to find out everything about upcoming releases.
	Mike C. from PA

aaronk Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 16 January 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 88	Post Options Post Reply Quote aaronk Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 June 2010 at 7:25am
	That's good news, Mike! Although Ozzy is probably not on the top of everyone's wish list on this board, it's good to know that they are trying to make things right again.

sriv94 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 16 September 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote sriv94 Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 September 2016 at 8:42pm
	Were all promo and stock copies the same length (I believe (4:50))?
	Doug --------------- All of the good signatures have been taken.

sriv94 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Music Fan Joined: 16 September 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote sriv94 Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 September 2016 at 8:55pm
	One more question while I'm at it. I just downloaded a copy from the Blizzard Of Ozz 30th anniversary rerelease from 2011. On that version of "Crazy Train," there are cymbal taps underneath the end of Ozzy's laughter, while on my version of The Essential they're mixed much lower. So which of the two is the "correct" mix?
	Doug --------------- All of the good signatures have been taken.