Live Evil vs. Speak of the Devil

The age old debate. Ozzy vs. Sabbath. Randy vs. Tony. Which live album is better and why do you prefer one over the other?

Hey Scott, I believe Brad Gillis played on Speak Of The Devil.

I went with Speak of the Dead. And Scott, the guitarist on that album is Brad Gillis not Randy Rhoads.

I like things on each lp better than on the other. For example, Tony's guitar playing fits the tunes way better (of course) Brad's playing is a little over the top for the feel of most tunes, Although I gotta say he did an incedible job considering the circumstances. The band on Ozzy's is somewhat more cohesive and fluid overall. Since Ozzy's doesn't have any Dio material. it's not fair to compare vocalist. Dio is Dio ! Ozzy does Ozzy better than Dio (IMHO)

Since I have no insight on which one is more live than another. The Ozzy release does have more of a concert vibe. Now that I think of it, the decidng factor is Tommy Aldridge. Vinnie is good but somehow misses something when playing the older Sabbath material.

I went with Speak of the Devil, and yes, it is most definitely Brad Gillis on guitar.

GrandNational wrote:

I went with Speak of the Dead.

Thanks, yes, I know Brad played guitar on the live album. I was just talking about the age old VS. arguments. Sabbath vs. Ozzy, Iommi vs. Randy, and Speak of the Devil vs. Live Evil. I suppose I should have worded that better to make it clear.

James B. wrote:

Brad's playing is a little over the top for the feel of most tunes, Although I gotta say he did an incedible job considering the circumstances.

This. Brad sounds like he'd been in the band and played those songs for ages.

James B. wrote:

GrandNational wrote:

I went with Speak of the Dead.

I'm a big Rage fan, that's what might of got me

ultmetal wrote:

Thanks, yes, I know Brad played guitar on the live album. I was just talking about the age old VS. arguments. Sabbath vs. Ozzy, Iommi vs. Randy, and Speak of the Devil vs. Live Evil. I suppose I should have worded that better to make it clear.

sounds logical brotha

Black Sabbath!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will say that Live Evil is better than the live Heaven ad Hell stuff.

I actually do not care for 'Speak of the Devil' its not a bad album and considering Brad Gillis had five minutes to learn the set, the guy is incredible, but I prefer Tony Iommi over Gillis, and 'Live Evil' is one of my fav live albums.

manny wrote:

I actually do not care for 'Speak of the Devil' its not a bad album and considering Brad Gillis had five minutes to learn the set, the guy is incredible, but I prefer Tony Iommi over Gillis, and 'Live Evil' is one of my fav live albums.

That was my point, Iommi does his own stuff better. I saw Sabbath for Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules tour. They kicked butt on the H and H tour but kinda sorta phoned in the performance for Mob Rules. Thus my opinion of the lp.

The album cover for Live Evil is pretty kewl. ALOT better than Ozzy's

I actually like both! I think those were the first albums that I bought from either band.

I pick speak of the devil They both good cds. But I think speak is just a tad better than live evil IMO

Live Evil by a considerable margin, though I must say the various radio broadcasts from that tour are superior.

Gillis ruins Speak Of The Devil for me, I just don't like the way he plays these classic songs.

i voted that they both suck. they don't actually, i just don't care for live albums.

I voted for Speak of the Devil simply because I've owned and lived with that one longer. Just familiarity really. They're both decent enough for what they are.

I am going to listen to both tonight and see which one I like better. In the past, it would have been Speak of The Devil. I wonder if that will change after I listen to the albums back to back!

I love RJD but I'm just not a big fan of Dio singing Ozzy's songs. But I chose Live Evil because I much rather prefer Iommi and Geezer playing the classics over Gillis and Sarzo.

stepcousin wrote:

I love RJD but I'm just not a big fan of Dio singing Ozzy's songs. But I chose Live Evil because I much rather prefer Iommi and Geezer playing the classics over Gillis and Sarzo.

Exactly!

To be honest, I don't like anyone playing Sabbath material but Iommi. I never liked the way Randy Rhoads played the Sabbath songs either.

Live evil. Black Sabbath were on their game on this one. Always wondered why Ozzy choose this tour/concert to release an album. Speak of the Devil sounds like a contract obligation and not a showcase of Ozzy live.

Speak of the Devil by a long-shot. As much as I love the Dio-era, I've never really cared for Live Evil.

wmcollis wrote:

Live evil. Black Sabbath were on their game on this one. Always wondered why Ozzy choose this tour/concert to release an album. Speak of the Devil sounds like a contract obligation and not a showcase of Ozzy live.

Speak of the Devil WAS a contract obligation.