The Ozzman Cometh and cometh again.
That 1997 greatest-hits collection, along with 1983's Bark at the Moon, 1989's No Rest for the Wicked and 1995's Ozzmosis comprise the second set of Ozzy reissues, due June 25, according to Osbourne's publicist.
Three of the rejuvenated LPs include a bonus track. Ozzmosis features the previously unreleased "Aimee," recorded in 1992 and written for the Osbournes' eldest daughter, who opted not to be put on display in the family's reality TV series. Bark at the Moon adds "One up the 'B' Side," which appeared on the 1984 rarities set The Other Side of Ozzy Osbourne, and No Rest for the Wicked tacks on a live version of that LP's "Miracle Man." The Ozzman Cometh will be reissued as is.
The four LPs follow an initial reissue salvo, launched in April, that consisted of No More Tears (1991), Blizzard of Ozz (1980) and Diary of a Madman (1981). For those reissues, the original bass and drum parts of bassist Bob Daisley and drummer Lee Kerslake were replaced with newly recorded performances by studio musicians. Daisley and Kerslake have a pending $20 million lawsuit against Osbourne for back royalties (see ).
Ozzy's wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne, explained the selective re-recording in statement: "Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake have harassed Ozzy and our family for several years. Because of their abusive and unjust behavior, Ozzy wanted to remove them from these recordings. We turned a negative into a positive by adding a fresh sound to the original albums. We hope the fans enjoy the new versions as much as we do."
Osbourne spokespeople didn't return calls seeking to find out if a similarly revised history will be told in the most recent set.
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