03 July 2010 (gig)
06 July 2010
It might be many years since Ozzy Osbourne first surfaced above the waters of fame, but years mean nothing when you live, breath and are Rock 'n' Roll.
The long queue’s at Camden’s Roundhouse, including a lengthy line of eager hopefuls with no tickets, shows how eagerly awaited this performance is. Throughout the crowed are dotted old school rockers, with trademark long hair, black t-shirts and big black boots. Their hair may be greying but their enthusiasm never wanes. The crowd equally consists of a slightly out of place I’m only here because I won free tickets look but for a show such as tonight, whoever the crowd are, Ozzy makes sure that we’re all joining his party. He knows this game well and we’re all invited to play.
It is clear that everybody is excited, with chants of "OZZY OZZY OZZY" preceding his appearance on stage, and when he does show the crowd goes wild. He appears, looking remarkably accustomed to the stage, welcoming us like old friends, old friends he enjoys throwing copious buckets of water onto, that is – he can’t seem to get enough of it even covering himself in a few, leaving his long hair drenched, his make up running but never altering his manic grin.
“I can’t f***ing hear you” he shouts as a keyboard begins to play ominous organ music – his arms are out, he's standing still, waiting... Are we at a pantomime I wonder as again he shouts “I cant f***ing hear you…make some real noise” for more reaction from the crowd.
As is to be expected, Ozzy gifts the hardcore Black Sabbath fans with some old classics like ‘Fairies Wear Boots,’ ‘Rat Salad’ and the familiar ‘Iron Man’ to name a few.’ Tracks from his new album ‘Scream’ are also showcased, one of which is called ‘Let me Hear you Scream.’ An apt name, as our man in black seems to repeat the title of this song throughout the set, in fact I’m certain it’s a phrase he has become so familiar with, he simply had to make it into a song.
In a memorable interlude, we are treated with individual guitar (Gus.G), and drum solos (Tommy Clufetos), to ever jeering crowds. These guys are veterans at their game, their passion penetrates and their combined energy is the building blocks of rock. The pirate two-plaited tattooed drummer Tommy looks as though he’s straight of the set of Johnny Depp’s ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ but boy-oh-boy can he play his box well.
After a lengthy encore we find ourselves slowly calming down. And Ozzy’s rock and roll charisma lives on, bringing along old fans and new. Memories flooding back for some, memories newly created for others.
Set list:
Bark At The Moon'
'Let Me Hear You Scream'
'Mr. Crowley'
'I Don't Know'
'Fairies Wear Boots' (BLACK SABBATH cover)
'Suicide Solution'
'Road To Nowhere'
'Shot In The Dark'f
'Rat Salad' (Black Sabbath cover)
'Iron Man' (Black Sabbath cover)
'Crazy Train'
Encore:
'Mama, I'm Coming Home'
'I Don't Want To Change The World'fff
'War Pigs' (Black Sabbath cover)
'Paranoid' (Black Sabbath cover)
