Living LoudJune of 2003 brought news of a high profile DEEP PURPLE and URIAH HEEP connected project as it was learned that both DEEP PURPLE guitarist STEVE MORSE and keyboard player JON LORD had ensconced themselves in a Florida studio with none other than established Australian Rock star COLD CHISEL frontman JIMMY BARNES and the erstwhile URIAH HEEP and OZZY OSBOURNE rhythm section of bass player Bob Daisley and drummer Lee Kerslake. Daisley and Lord had just earlier worked together on the Australian live circuit with the bassist's Blues venture THE HOOCHIE COOCHIE MEN. Bob Daisley's credits run further to include such artists as WIDOWMAKER, RAINBOW, BLACK SABBATH, GARY MOORE and DIO. Upon completion of COLD CHISEL's comeback Ringside dates in Sydney the band, at first taking on a mooted title of THE MEEK, cut an album entitled 'Relentless' for Michael Gudinski's Liberation Records. Of special interest would be the fact that, alongside brand new numbers, the band also re-cut the OZZY OSBOURNE 'Blizzard Of Ozz' staples 'Mr. Crowley', 'I Don't Know' and 'Crazy Train', originally from the 'Blizzard Of Ozz' album and 'Over The Mountain', 'Flying High Again' and 'Tonight' from the 1981 album 'Diary Of A Madman'. Daisley and Kerslake had for many years been in dispute with the Osbournes over songwriting royalties for these two classic albums. So bitter had the legal battle become that 2002 re-issues would see Daisley and Kerslake's contributions wiped and re-recorded by Robert Trujillo and Mike Bordin. This move resulted in a massive backlash against the Osbourne camp. As the recording process commence it was learned that Lord had stepped down in favour of another DEEP PURPLE veteran, the esteemed DON AIREY, a campaigner citing credits with RAINBOW, OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK SABBATH, JUDAS PRIEST and WHITESNAKE amongst many, many others. Although Airey appeared on the album he would not wish to be listed in the 'band' credits, so as to avoid confusion with his recent recruitment into DEEP PURPLE. With anticipation for the album riding high the original late April 2004 release date was pushed forward into March. With DEEP PURPLE performing in Australia during April the band took the opportunity to put in a brace of gigs in Sydney and Melbourne, these shows only open to DEEP PURPLE ticket holders. The April 26th Sydney performance would be captured on film for DVD release. Bob Daisley then enrolled into GARY MOORE's band for European touring. A subsequent global release of the album, through major label EMI Records, added two bonus tracks in live renditions of 'Crazy Train' and 'Good Times'. The new version came clad in all new artwork, featuring DON AIREY on the cover. — Garry Sharpe-Young. |