#vertigo records

[garadinervi]

Kraftwerk, Kraftwerk, (2xLP), 6641 077, Vertigo Records, 1972 [Covet The Cover]

Cover Design: Ralf Hütter

[grrlmusic]

Kraftwerk - Kraftwerk

[japanesecds]

Soft Cell - Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret

Released: 25 Mar 1996

[metalsongoftheday]

Friday, August 29: Black Sabbath, "Electric Funeral"

R.I.P. John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne (1948-2025)

Reading through criticism in hindsight is always a dicey proposition, but there is something particularly humorous about the heat Ozzy Osbourne took from everyone (including his own bandmates) for singing along to the riff instead of over it, since that is now recognized as a key part of what made early Black Sabbath the most awesome sound in the known universe.  “Electric Funeral” was a perfect example of how both Ozzy’s voice and flow both added to the overwhelming heaviness and was a massive instrument on its own.  Rodger Bain’s production was nothing special by itself, but it did exactly what was necessary to capture a dynamite band in full synchronicity and illustrate just how essential each member truly was, because neither this track nor anything else on Paranoid would hit the same without Tony Iommi’s earthshaking riffage, Geezer Butler’s rumbling bass, Bill Ward’s mad scientist jazz percussion or the Ozzman’s monumental bleat.

[myvinylplaylist]

L.A. Guns: L.A. Guns (1988)

Vertigo Records

[basicallyanotherwitchesthing]

Colosseum - Valentyne Suite - Vertigo rec. - 1969 (cover design by Marcus Keef)

[micks-music-blog]

Volbeat - Lola Montez [Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies, 2013]

[vinylspinning]

Black Sabbath: "Evil Woman" / "Wicked World" (1970)

Dear Ozzy, old friend ...

I know we drifted apart in recent years, amid a string of mediocre solo albums, an even worse Black Sabbath reunion (13), an admittedly amusing reality TV show, and a slew of shady business tactics orchestrated by you-know-who.

But your passing last year (after organizing your own, on-stage "Electric Funeral" -- that was "SO METAL") crushed my metal heart just like it did every other lifelong head-banger, and compelled me to mark the 56th anniversary of Black Sabbath's first single.

This one ... presented here on the iconic Vertigo swirl label.

First issued on January 2nd, 1970, "Evil Woman (Don't Play Your Games with Me)" b/w "Wicked World" preceded Sabbath's landmark debut album -- famously released on Friday the 13th of February -- by just a few weeks, and it didn't even chart in the U.K.

But, for those who consider Sabbath the undisputed sonic and spiritual founders of heavy metal (I do -- with all due respect to many inspirational predecessors, from Hendrix to Blue Cheer to Led Zep), it obviously represents metal's "day one" ...

However, since conventional wisdom of the day dictated that an already familiar cover tune would help attract fans to a new group, the A-side was given to "Evil Woman," which had been a U.S. Top 20 hit for otherwise obscure Minnesotan hard rockers Crow in 1969.

And while this didn't do the trick for Sabbath's single, at least no one tried to overdub Ozzy and co.'s version with a horn section (!!!), and Geezer's hyperactive bass lines took center stage, arguably even ahead Tony's choppy power chords and fluid solo.

On the flip-side, "Wicked World" was one of Sabbath's first original compositions, dating back to their Earth days, and it curiously launched with a straight-up jazz hi-hat from Bill, followed by a similarly swinging band accompaniment.

But then, almost one minute later, the song flipped into a more familiar, stomping doom structure and characteristic lyrics challenging religion, war, politicians, etc., later briefly interrupted by a psychedelic breakdown and an isolated solo run from Tony.

Clearly, "Wicked World" would have fit right in with the material found on Sabbath's first LP, but it was excluded from initial pressings (another common practice of the time), before replacing "Evil Woman" on certain later editions, especially in the U.S.

So there you have it ... where it all began.

All hail Black Sabbath and thanks for everything, Ozzy (still friends?); your inimitable personality and musical legacy will obviously live forever and so will your name, through my pooch and your faithful servant, Ozzy the 'Prince of Barkness.'

More Black Sabbath: Black Sabbath, Paranoid, Master of Reality, Vol. 4, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Sabotage, Technical Ecstasy, Never Say Die!, Heaven and Hell, Live at Last, Mob Rules, Live Evil, Born Again, Seventh Star, The Eternal Idol, Headless Cross, Dehumanizer, Cross Purposes, Forbidden, The Devil You Know, 13.