Black Sabbath Album Deep Dives #8: Never Say Die!

[@alltheworldsastage899]

I know I'm in a minority, but I actually like NSD more than Tech X. It's a chaotic mess, so maybe that's what appeals to me. I don't think any of these songs would fit on another album of theirs, but they work together. A big chorus on "Hard Road", twinkling piano on "Air Dance", big sweeping Hammond organ on "Over to You", and a saxophone solo. I say, why not!? I think Juniors Eyes is one of their great deep cuts. Great job again Jeff!

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thanks Steve! It’s a mess for sure but that’s part of the charm. 👍👍

[@philwright2480]

I kike it better also, NSD is one of my favorites, and the title track is one of their best songs IMO

[@bigdaddy7862]

Agree there is magic on this album!!

[@DarrinSnider]

No, seriously, between loving NSD, Born Again, and the Tony Martin years (particularly TYR), I feel like I don't GET Sabbath on the same level as everyone else.

[@robertcarli1969]

Me too , but both are classics❤

[@robertcarli1969]

"Johnny Blade" has one of Bill Ward's best drum parts , gotta admit .❤

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I love Bill’s drumming on this record!

[@markravitz1684]

His playing on the quiet part of Junior's Eyes is terrific.....the interplay between him and Geezer! Outstanding!

[@stevejohnston8543]

I like a few of these songs. Always liked Johnny Blade and Juniors eyes to name a few. The title track is strong as well so not a total waste.

[@stevemarshall3986]

This is probably my favorite ozzy sabbath album aside from their debut and sabotage. Vol4 is my least favorite although probably the most iconic album cover. I can't understand why people aren't fans of this album. Never say die ,a hard road , Johnny blade etc all killer tracks . Not a weak song on this album in my opinion.

[@stevemarshall3986]

My sab favorites are black sabbath, sabotage, never say die, heaven and hell and born again and master of reality. Paranoid is good . I gravitate towards fairies wear boots, war pigs and hand of doom. Although iron man was the first sabbath song I heard as a child and got me interested I've become disinterested in that song. Paranoid is my least favorite sabbath song. Too simple, too boring.

[@OzricTentaclesRule]

Over time I have come to love this album ...

[@MagusRealm]

I love this album, I don't care what anyone says, give it more than 1 listen. It's a great album

[@patrickschlosser8208]

I agree with you, Jeff. It's a good, solid album. The title track is in my Sabbath Top 10. I also don't understand why so many people say it's a bad album. Probably these people have never heard the album and claim it's a bad album because they heard it somewhere on the internet.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I agree! Unfortunately it predisposes people to not like the album before they’ve heard it.

[@gianthills]

Because it's not Sabbath. Tell me how this pop is heavy metal.

[@Mike-aka747]

@@gianthills only the title track is poppy. They borrow the riff of Thin Lizzy’s Boys Are Back in Town. Probably inspired from Lizzy opening for them obviously. But nowhere else is there accessible pop rock.

[@igorkurowski2028]

Every 70's album of theirs with Ozzy is equally good for me, depends only on current mood I am in which one I like more.

[@josephguerra703]

Zzz ,zzxz

[@DarrinSnider]

I think that about the entire catalog ... except maybe "Forbidden." Never "got" that one.

[@Roadking26]

I love this album. I was already into Sabbath, and I was like 15 when this came out, and my friends and I grew up with this album. Johnny Blade, the base riff on Junior's Eyes is just killer. I have only heard one cover that actually played it right. Shockwave. I know the band didn't care for this album because they were in a bad place. I think it's a great album.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I agree. They took some risks for sure but I think it was a successful result.

[@montbob100]

You sound like me i got the album and saw them in concert.VH opened and Black Sabbath sucked and got booed off.Couple months later they split up.

[@Roadking26]

@@montbob100 I didn't get a chance to see this tour in Seattle. My best friend saw them, and it was the opposite. VH was so drunk they were very sloppy, and then Sabbath stole the show. It just goes to show you that things can change from show to show.

[@philnorman5912]

Never Say Die and Hard Road are 2 of my all time favorite Sabbath Songs. I love the Never Say Die album. If you don't like this album you got a terrible problem with your ears and hope get them fixed

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I agree!

[@rjg2112]

Agree, very solid album!

[@codyknoxable]

I also love this album! More than Technical Ecstasy as well. Glad to hear you love it too!

[@bobs4454]

This album is criminally underrated! Juniors Eyes and Air Dance are some of the best Ozzy era tracks ever recorded!

[@philwright2480]

And the title track, one of their best songs IMO

[@rjg2112]

Agree!

[@DarrinSnider]

Air Dance, yes! I don't expect Sab to revist that, but why hasn't Iommi never gone back to those jazz fusion meets hard rock chops on a solo project? That should have been a whole new "thing."

[@rickyhyles8346]

Yes

[@dannyjoebrown4611]

The last dying gasp of a once mighty beast. In my top 5, no doubt. The tone, the experimentation, and some of their best songs.

[@bigdaddy7862]

I bought Never Say Die back in 1978 I still like this album more and more! Thanks for posting this!!!

[@stevejohnston8543]

Remember just looking at the cover and wondering….ok cool.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thanks! It’s a great listen!

[@jamesnicholas7180]

The opening guitar tone on Johnny Blade is crushing! Plus I love Bill’s chugging drums. Cool seeing Tony playing a Les Paul on NSD video.

[@richardhincemon]

Tony Iommi is miming for the NSD video on Top of the Pops BBC television show.

[@robertcarli1969]

The magic of Black Sabbath is it never gets old

[@seandodd6388]

A truly groovyesque masterpiece of unfathomable proportions. Most people either despise or like this album least of the Ozzy era catalog, but for me, hearing it for the first time at age 13, it grew on me in no time (no pun intended). Loved it from day 1, even though my dad had "warned me" that it lacked that iconic Sabbath riffing and sound, but I truly beg to differ on that in totality. This is probably one of my top four Sabbath LPs behind Sabotage, debut LP, and Master of Reality that is. This album just tastefully captures the spirit and essence of 1978 in its fullness of quality and degree and I feel like I time travel back to that year every time I hear this splendor of sound. I consider this album and 'In Through the Outdoor' by Led Zeppelin a perfect duet of that mysterious late '70s sound which tends to capture that specific era in music history so perfectly. I really wouldn't mind dressing as one of those pilots for Halloween either or just for the sake of nostalgia and homage therewith. Keep on groovin' comrades.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I think this album has some great riffs and everyone here sounds in top form. Not sure what the haters are hearing that turns them off but this has always been a fun listen for me.

[@WhackaWhacka]

Also love this and ITtOD.

[@xjr.0]

I like vol 4 and sabotage the best.

[@gregnewman2512]

NSD is a great, loose album. I love it. I dig every song on it. I think sometimes artists recall being in a bad spot in their lives when they create a peice of art and associate that dark spot with the artifact. This is a really good record even if the participants werent happy at the time. Heck, NSD makes me happy and to that i say, "Thanks, Sabbath."

[@BigDannyDangus]

A hastily conceived, oddly mixed/produced (to my ears) album but still has a lot to offer. Junior's Eyes, Air Dance, Swinging the Chain, I could go on. That the album was born of so much internal tension and unraveling of the band but still holds up speaks volumes of just how much of a juggernaut Sabbath was.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

In spite of the circumstances under which it was recorded I think it holds up surprisingly well. 👍👍

[@mrmaxaxl]

I really like the production! Way better than Technical Ecstasy.

[@budgiemcleod4443]

The best thing about Sabbath for me....was the fact that no 2 albums sounded the same. It's all magic!🤘

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Absolutely!

[@jimcullen2211]

Jeff, you are saying all of my exact thoughts of this album, as you did with Technical Ecstasy. I liked this album when I bought it and still do. Side two wanes slightly but overall, it's a solid effort. One slight knock on it is that Ozzy gets a little pitchy at times and the mix seems sterile. I still have my 1978 vinyl and remember it had a strong chemical smell when I first peeled the shrink wrap. Maybe it was the ink they used for the artwork but it had a distinctive odor. It was similar to the smell of mimeograph ink. It has faded over the years but I still give it a whiff to see if it's there. I not only enjoyed the sounds but I enjoyed the smell of Never Say Die!

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Haha! Could it have been a scratch and sniff sleeve?

[@mccarthyd6603]

Dude this series you put together is going to live in infamy for many years to come to current and future generations of Sabbath fans....well done 👍 Wow....my favorite Black Sabbath song of all-time is Hard Road.....never knew there was a video 😳😍 Love this album and video so much I am now going to get my minty OG copy and give it a spin....or two? Cheers 🍺

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thanks! I only have a repress but it sounds great to me. I’m happy so many viewers are sticking up for this album. Hopefully it starts getting the recognition it deserves.

[@FundamentalsUK]

Some great tracks, love air dance

[@icemike874]

Got to see this tour with Van Halen as an opener. What a tough act to follow with DLR running across the stage...I'm on Fire 🔥 This is a Great album for the time in the bands history. Gezzers bass lines Alone hold the standards high! He's my Main influence on picking up playing the bass. ✌❤

[@blairjamieson9228]

Thank you. I love this album.

[@mattkelly9516]

Huge huge sabbath fan these deep dives are great to listen too keep them coming

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thanks! This was a fun series to do. 👍👍

[@perpetualmotion357]

Shockwave imo may be the most underrated 70' Sabbath track. Those riffs and melodies are hauntingly beautiful. 23:15 That Ozzy vocal harmony is some of the best he's ever sounded in his career. Way better than his solo stuff after No More Tears. I would actually take Never Say Die over a bunch of his albums and Sabbath's post Ozzy. This entire album is sparkled with some of the best melodies they've ever done. It can be hit or miss, but when it hits it rules. I also like it more than TE too. Quite a bit actually. With that said, I think their experimentation peaked with Sabotage.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I never minded the experimentation or risk taking but I agree the pinnacle was Sabotage.

[@peggs1]

Astonishing album. I'm amazed at how many people disrespect it . Many thanks for posting

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

It’s really an overlooked gem. Thanks for watching!

[@greypilgrim6157]

I am with you 100% on this. I was waiting for the typical criticisms of this album, but was pleasantly surprised to hear your opening statement about the album. I also consider it the 7th best effort of the Ozzy era, with Technical Ecstasy 8th, and the Rick Rubin debacle of an album that was 13 coming in dead last. What a wasted opportunity that was, but that’s a whole other topic in itself. Regarding Junior’s Eyes, I never really considered the beginning of the song in the context of “ something different” from Sabbath. But upon looking at it in this light, I think you have a point. It reminds me most of Led Zeppelin in the early incarnation like around 1969 maybe. Especially the guitar has the same sort of acerbic or acidic tone if that makes any sense, with the Wah wah as well. And also yes, you are right about Bill ward’s drumming. He is a monster on this album. In fact, I feel he was in the middle of a monster run that begins with Sabotage and continues on through Heaven and Hell. You could probably even include Born Again in this run,. You look past the really bad production values of this album, and the drumming is again phenomenal, continuing the run the beginning back in 1975. And yes, Shock Wave is a complete absolute Sabbath classic in my mind. Definitely a peek into the direction things would be going with on Heaven and Hell, and the kind of song that I could see Dio singing, perhaps more than any other song on Never Say Die. I also agree that Hard Road is a much better song than most Sabbath fans may think. It’s a somber song, and a slow plodder, but it has a lot of feeling. Kind of an introspective song, someone trying to make sense of all the craziness of life. I see Over To You in this light as well, and to always consider these two songs is being tied together in this context. And also definitely Air Dance is great. I love Tony Iommi when he gets all proggy. And I think it was named something other than “Air Dance” - which is an obvious reference to the battle over the skies during WWI - but just sounds kinda fruity. Like until I realized what it was about I thought it was about a ballerina or something. But maybe if they named it something else like “Fokker Scourge”, perhaps more people might have given it more of a chance. But probably not. It’s just too different. But I love it as well. I could listen to Tony Iommi noodle away for hours and hours in jazzy/proggy mode ala Planet Caravan or Air Dance and never get tired of it.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Considering the circumstances under which it was recorded this album had no business being as good as it was. If they were coked and boozed out of their minds it certainly doesn’t show it. If Ozzy hadn’t gotten himself kicked out the band I wonder what direction they would have gone in next. Thanks for watching!

[@vikingbrace]

Great as always Jeff. Good point on Bill’s drums. Ok I have to admit I was hoping for more cheesecake on the Air Dance clips, damn it lol. I agree that this album doesn’t suck like we’d been led to believe. I actually just recently got a vinyl copy of this one finally. Enjoying this series!

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thanks Gary! I’ve always had a soft spot for this album even though it’s nowhere near my favorite.

[@eel908]

i am with you i like all black Sabbath songs

[@alxf66]

I tended to ignore this for 40 years. Oddly enough, it was Bill Ward's solo albums that led me back to Never Say Die. It's amongst my favorites now. It's an outlier for sure, as much so as Born Again. I like that too.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

This is a very solid album and I’m still baffled why it gets so little respect.

[@megalodon8473]

First of all, Jeff - thanks for doing these - I not only get to HEAR Sabbath, but also see them, and you really can't beat some of these old videos and pics, some of which I've never seen. I love NSD, and I also don't understand the hate it gets. I know it came at a turbulent (to say the least) period in the band's history, but what piqued my interest with regards to this album was all the negativity I'd heard about it thru the years. So I decided to go out and buy it... and man, am I glad I did! It's still one of my favorite Sabbath albums, all these years later, from Bill's crushing drum fills in Johnny Blade, to Tony's oft-overlooked, scorching, wah-drenched solo in Shock Wave. This and Sabotage are my go-to Sabbath wintertime albums. Not really sure why - but the haunting, dark verses in Air Dance just remind me of driving on a bleak, cold, cloudy winter's day. Thanks again, Jeff, and looking forward to the next videos.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thank you! I am surprised but also happy that this album has been getting so much love in the comment section. It’s a great overlooked album in their discography!

[@theflipside-vinylcommunity]

Awesome man so excited for this

[@MarkEdward-bl6cr]

My favorite Black Sabbath record that most people don't like 🤘

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Much to my surprise based on the comments I’ve received on this video many people seem to like Never Say Die. 👍👍

[@georgezajkowski2723]

My younger brother got into this album before I did and his praises also got me hooked on it. It's very modern sounding and Ozzy's vocals are amazing considering how he said he was drugged up during the recordings. I do believe this album would have benefited from a few "You Bastard"s placed here and there in the songs. The keyboards sound like I'm at a baseball park. AIR DANCE is brilliant. At times sounding like The Doors. Unbelievable. Can you imagine if Ozzy stayed for the next album? Sensational. And yes, Bill Ward proves that he was the secret weapon of the band. A+ If anyone is wondering what their next album may have sounded like, pick up anything from the British Progressive Rock band, Audience. They always sounded like Sabbath with a saxophone to me.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

A few “you bastards” would have definitely made the album better. 😂 I would love to hear some AI of Ozzy singing Heaven and Hell. Unfortunately Ozzy had to make a pain in the ass of himself right when the band was doing some of it’s most interesting work.

[@georgezajkowski2723]

​@@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486Hahaaa I'm sure some kook is in his laboratory right now working on an Ozzy version of Heaven & Hell

[@theskolcup]

Oh man, I love that you picked up on the whole 'You Bastards!' thing. While it is a serious thing in terms of what it means on 'SBS' I can't help but find it FUNNY at the same time

[@Skycladatdusk78]

Even though its my least favorite of the Ozzy albums there's still some great songs, I've always been fond of Junior's Eyes and Air Dance especially. Look forward to the Dio era!🤘

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thanks! Probably not the most satisfying end to Ozzy’s tenure with the band but still pretty damn fun to listen to.

[@upinthemtns]

Johnny Blade and Junior's Eyes are great songs!

[@gabrielgarbow3784]

Sounds great as a hard rock/prog album in its own right. It's not difficult to understand how some folks may not hear the Black Sabbath they want on this album, though.

[@gianthills]

Tell me how this qualifies as prog.

[@marcusharrison6617]

Black sabbath never say die is a classic album very different from the other albums with ozzy I like this Lp its Just intresting and a different direction its one of my favorite albums in the ozzy sabbath era. Brilliant.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I wish more people would give this album a chance. It’s a bit adventurous in spots but still manages to sound like Sabbath.

[@mr.timebombman2230]

It's better than Technical Ecstacy imo.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I agree!

[@mrkite-hl5jj]

This is a my favorite BS album. I had “we sold our souls …. “ Greatest hits album. But this was my first studio album. Bought it 1980, I was 15. Absolutely love it still. The songs are constantly playing on my playlist.

[@aaronmuthaalamare4165]

Killer video Jeff! I do like this album but it’s my least favorite of the Ozzy era! Ozzy comes across as a sort of buffoonish caricature of himself in the footage! I guess that was the excesses taking their toll🤣🤣 phenomenal job on the video once again brother 👍🤘🤘

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thanks Aaron! He seems very animated in the live footage, almost exaggerating his facial expressions. I have no doubt it was the coke and alcohol at work. 😱

[@rikriley5992]

Great review Jeff!

[@eel908]

Thank you for sharing this video of never say die

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

You are welcome!

[@paulmales1889]

Fantastic album, amazing what can be achieved under very difficult circumstances 🤘

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Yes!

[@WhackaWhacka]

Love, love, love it. I'm usually indifferent in the many instances that my opinion differs from consensus but with this one I get so frustrated that people can't hear something of quality, regardless of how much it departs from the doomy Sabbath template.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I’ve never understood why this album rubs some fans the wrong way. It’s not like they did a disco album.

[@WhackaWhacka]

@@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486 No joke, I remember a review on rateyourmusic that said something about disco.

[@thomassschwarz5998]

I've never given this album a chance because everyone said it was bad but you've changed my mind. Air dance is an amazing song. Like you said, it's not a good as the first 6 but quite decent overall. These deep dives are much appreciated

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thank you Thomas!

[@txoilfield]

Black Sabbath Vol.4 was the first record I bought, and Van Halen/Black Sabbath was the first concert I ever attended. Indelible memories and timeless music!

[@deantaylor1512]

Love this album .. loved it from the first time I span it and get better the older it gets ..

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

It’s very underrated and undervalued!

[@Tdrums8]

love this Album ... Its different and still amazing

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Absolutely

[@tonyp1313]

Maybe because of when it came out in my lifetime, but I always loved Never Say Die!, Junior's Eyes is probably one of my favorite Sabbath songs and Johnny Blade is up there too.

[@glenmurschel5939]

Saw this tour in Chicago 1978, great! I think Air Dance probably the most unique Sab track

[@thomashumphrey7395]

I totally agree. I never understood why this album got so much flack and hate. This is actually one of my favorite Sabbath albums. It may be a little different and experimental than the first six classic and iconic albums, but that's not a bad thing. The bottom line is that this album is hard and heavy as hell. Just the two tracks alone, Johnny Blade and Junior's Eyes, may be harder and heavier than anything they ever did. It's like people are listening to or hearing a completely different album than those who love it and defend it.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I agree. The People who say this album sucks either never gave it a chance or aren’t Sabbath fans to begin with.

[@jesusamaya8943]

Damn good drumming from mr ward... swings hard! Johnny blade sounds like a song for a thin lizzy album

[@nicholaskruger9460]

I loved sabbath from first time sixth album. I never got into there last two. I’m 54 years old. I loved the two dio with sabbath. Those 8 albums are all A grade

[@theflipside-vinylcommunity]

Love the earthquake clips

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thanks Josh!

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

Which I found funny because I always heard that Shock Wave was about demonic possession. And before that I thought it was about the Transformer lol.

[@traceda4510]

I just got done Re Re listened it...Swinging The Chain..shit just grew on me..and Good Lord..Air Dance...seems like every time play i find another song that i used to skip..i jam out on it❤

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

It’s a great listen!

[@philwright2480]

The title track IMO is one of their best songs, when the album came out, my band at the time, played it, and Hard Road, Johnny Blade is kind of corny, it's a decent song, but IMO, sounds like a kid in Jr.High school wrote it, Juniors Eyes and Shock Wave are great songs, they almost sound like they could have been on Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, I love Air Dance, and Over To You, Swinging The Chain, another solid tune

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I hesitate to call the song Never Say Die punk rock but I don’t think it’s a coincidence that it was recorded during the punk movement in the UK. Again it shows Sabbath evolving their sound without compromising it.

[@theflipside-vinylcommunity]

I feel like the song never say die sounds the most like ozzy solo

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Yes! That’s a great point.

[@jurgenv.6030]

I always loved this album. And from my opinion it is a return to the earlier albums before SBS.

[@stevenlees8504]

It is amazing.Swing the chain!

[@iancocks9408]

That’s possibly one of the worst black sabbath songs with vocals

[@theflipside-vinylcommunity]

I don’t mind Johnny blade

[@benedictdonald4338]

The title track is a masterpiece. Definitely one of my fav Sab tunes.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Agreed!

[@wti70]

Great Album and deep dive

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thank you!

[@Spaghetti_policy]

Never Say Die! Is a great album. Carry On….

[@Frankybroadcast]

Junior's Eyes is my go to track on that album.

[@danielagado1731]

Ozzys shirt says blizzard the future was coming hello da people wake up

[@ilovealaska2000]

Sabbath was my favorite band when I was growing up. Their first album was released on my birthday, February 13th 1970. When I heard Never Say Die for the first time I knew it was the end of the road for them. I was bummed out after listening to it. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath was really a great album. Sabotage was the last great album they did, in my opinion. Technical Ecstasy was good but the vibes were different. Dirty Women and Gypsy were the best tracks on that album. I don't dislike Never Say Die but, I think it could have been recorded better without the highs. All the big bands were dropping the ball at that time, Zeppelin, Deep Purple had disbanded Aerosmith, Foghat. It was a sad time for heavy metal. Then came Van Halen.

[@chrispetritsch1291]

I always wondered what happened to the guitar sound on this album and the one before compared to SBS and Sabotage.

[@RobtheGretsch]

I always wondered the same? I think it may have been mainly down to Tony’s predominate use of his John Diggon’s SG rather than his previously recorded Gibson Monkey Sg.Whatever ever it was I still love this album and whichever Ozzy era Sabbath album I listen too just puts me in the mood of that album, no bad ones, just different ones!😊

[@JSwitz]

Another great Sabbath album

[@jimmirey]

great album

[@skaface32]

i like your videos, thank you

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thank you! ☺️

[@ricklivingston966]

loved never say die

[@theskolcup]

The title track is a classic, and the Top Of The Pops performance (as a Brit) was a total blast! Plus 'Breakout' is a motherfucking JAM

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Hell yeah!

[@xtheunknown4662]

Never say die is a favorite for some reason

[@jessiegarcia3117]

Man this a dope head album period

[@seesaw1969]

great video , but i use to know that R J Dio was singing in Swinging in the chain - accord with sleeve notes on the album... i guess.

[@Fongolitus]

Bills drumming is superb on this record, the arrangements, muscianship and production is top notch, and the songs are good, the bass & drum intro on Junior's Eye's is amazing, be nice if they had recorded the entire album with Walker and maybe just shelved it until the appropriate time to release it, something like what Tokyo Blade did with Night of the Blade/'The Night before"

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I wonder if any tape exists of the Dave Walker sessions? That would be an interesting listen.

[@Fongolitus]

​@@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486 there is two tracks on some footage the BBC owns from when they appeared on the "Look, Hear" Television program. Dave was fronting the band in 77 and performed 'Iron Man' and a draft of what became 'Junior's Eyes' apparently the BBC won't release the footage, but one can go an view it, the rough draft of Junior's Eyes audio has surfaced however kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZPZqICLd6t0ipo

[@gianthills]

You must be a comedian.

[@richardhincemon]

​@jeffwhitc 6:07 hervinyldestinati4486 Early version of Juniors Eyes 👀

[@peterwerneken566]

And may I add, Juniors Eyes is one of my favorite Black Sabbath songs along with After Forever. Lyrics on After Forever are very positive in a Godly way.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Juniors Eyes is an incredible track.

[@zigmonger6646]

Wow aren't you the knowledgeable one

[@coachlarry6773]

Never Say Die is the most underrated Sabbath album of them all

[@styxman]

The title track is their answer to Deep Purple's Burn which I think they needed at the time.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I love the title track.

[@tomy8339]

Yes I agree. This is actually a really good album minus 'Swinging the chain'.

[@1976GeorgeMa]

I LOVE this album. It doesn't get the credit it deserves. Not even from Black Sabbath themselves.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Absolutely! A lost classic of the Ozzy era.

[@organicketchup5171]

There's some less than stellar stuff on this album but I love it and have great memories of it.

[@DarrinSnider]

Small correction. There are demos of Dave Walker singing Junior's Eyes with different lyrics and melody. So not everything was "rewritten" from scratch.

[@husq48]

Johnny Blade is the stand out track! Along with Junior's Eyes and Shockwave!

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Great songs!

[@altaxeceandrade87]

Iommy playing Les Paul?

[@jasoncutler6615]

Thank you--that freaked me out.

[@richardhincemon]

IOMMI is miming Les Paul for Top of the Pops BBC television show 😊

[@eel908]

Wow again video i have not seen as a child Ozzy was my alter ego to help make the world a better place to live in so many people don't understand what black Sabbath was all about it is sad it takes decades to reach majority of people to understand what is . . . . .

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I agree. Anyone who doesn’t give Sabbath a chance just because of their preconceived notions of who they are and what their music represents is really missing out.

[@cjg8604]

love juniors eyes

[@lisandromurphy6894]

Not a bad album, but it is #8 out of 8 with Ozzy in my opinion. ‘A Hard Road’ is their best song on this one. Another informative documentary, thank you Jeff!

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thank you! I think most Sabbath fans would rank this as #8. Not terrible but just not as great as what we had come to expect.

[@cherifshawky4846]

Took me a long time to appreciate this album but it's one of my favorite Sabbath albums now.The production wasn't as good as some of the previous albums but it has some really solid material.Not only can you argue that Sabbath were the fathers of heavy metal, they were also the fathers of progressive metal.Sabotage,Sabbath Bloody Sabbath and Never Say Die are without question progressive.Something that often gets overlooked with Sabbath is the influence the Beatles had on the band.Listen closely and can hear it on tracks like " A Hard Road", "Over to You","St. Vitus' dance".Yes they were two different kinds of bands but Ozzy and Gezzer have said in interviews that the Beatles had an influence .Though there was a lot of personal turmoil in the band at the time they still delivered a dam good album.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Yes they did. Not a flawless album but a damn good listen in my opinion.

[@mikecolacchio7602]

Never Say Die would be a great stadium song to pump up the crowd at an NFL or NHL game.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Yes!

[@WelshVegan]

Junior's Eyes has one of the best lead solos ever !!!

[@mr.timebombman2230]

Ozzy was right in not wanting to he on those tracks. Breakout and Swinging the Chain are the worst one's

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

I think if they had more time to write a new batch of songs they would have discarded them both.

[@aschule5684]

You stopped Shock Wave right when it gets good. If I had to pick my favorite from this album it would be "Shock Wave" both lyrically and musically. The subject matter of the song is pretty intense. The way it unexpectedly slams into the heavy part of the song and the feeling. Tony's guitar sounds incredible. The solo over the heavy riff is the most intense shredding on the album It does that heavy part twice and when it plays it the second time the second vocal part is brilliant the "who-oo who-oo" part. Yeah that is a badass song imo I really love it.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

It’s too bad many fans getting into Sabbath ignore or are unaware of this album. It’s one of the hidden gems of their discography.

[@aschule5684]

@@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486 I really feel it exhibits a sense of musical maturity. From where they started out to where they ended. Ozzy started loosing his love for the music around the time of Technical Ecstasy, I think Tony Iommi is a genius and his growth as a song writer was amazing. He was without question the backbone of this band and where I find them all to be equally important to the finished product Tony's creativity as a song writer is epic. What an amazing discography they left us with!

[@Stemcellactivationpatches2023]

I do really enjoy the song Hard Road

[@nickbratis3326]

I think when people say it sounds like Sabbath it's because we are looking back at the body of work as a collection. But this album has very little in common with the first 4 to me. I do like it but I think if you had heard the albums as they were being released you would hear a drastic evolution over time.

[@kirkhensley5870]

Always felt that "Johnny Blade" was exceptional. "Never Say Die" and Johnny were easy to hear over and over in one day.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Agreed!

[@pbrecipe2443]

man, shockwave is like a mash up of 10 songs,…🧐

[@Bogweed]

If Technical ecstasy was the sound of a band that had lost it's direction. ''Never Say Die'' just sounds like a band that just didn't care anymore! And in all fairness I can't blame them after all those hectic tours and stress. I do however agree with you that it's a better album than TE. Loved following this series, Cheers for doing it.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

Thanks for commenting! They were bound to run out of steam at some point. TE and Never Say Die was them hitting a wall.

[@Bogweed]

@@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486 yeah sure, it was incredible the high standard they kept on the first 6 albums(2 released in the same year) not many bands were that consistent.

[@SabFANationalAcrobat]

Another Sabbath album I bought when it first came out. At the time I was just relieved that Ozzy had come back to the band. I was willing to overlook the problems. My first impression at the time: Johnny Blade and Shock Wave were my initial favourites - still love both. The title track did not sound much like Sabbath to me, but I liked the energy - the reborn "never say die" vibe was appropriate given the troubles. The rest of the material sounded patchy to me at the time, although I liked Air Dance the first time I heard it. I hated Breakout and Swinging the Chain. Over to You bored me, while Junior's Eyes and Hard Road sounded like another band...except that Ozzy - that familiar voice - was singing. So, although I was happy to see Ozzy back, I was disappointed overall in this record. Over the years, things changed a bit. I grew to appreciate Junior's Eyes - a song I crave every now and then. I really dig A Hard Road now - although I disagree that it sounds like "classic Sabbath." Air Dance has become a classic in the vein of Planet Caravan, to me. In the end, I like the majority of songs, but still, it sounds like a new band's demo, rather than the eighth album of an iconic revolutionary band. I think that is one reason Black Sabbath purists criticize it.

[@jeffwhitchervinyldestinati4486]

You are probably right. It’s almost like the band is grasping at different styles out of desperation rather than an effort to expand their sound.