Under Cover is the ninth studio album by English heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne. The album consists entirely of cover songs, with an emphasis on rock music from the 1960s and 1970s. This is Osbourne's first and only album to feature cover songs from various artists, although in 1982, Osbourne released the live album Speak of the Devil featuring renditions of songs from his time with Black Sabbath. All but four songs were originally released in the box set Prince of Darkness, released earlier the same year. The additional songs are "Rocky Mountain Way", "Sunshine of Your Love", "Woman" and "Go Now".[3] Whilst he cites The Beatles as his favourite band, his favourite song of all time is Procol Harum's "A Whiter Shade of Pale". He had wished to cover this song but was advised against it since it had recently been covered by a "close musical associate" [4] (then-former guitarist Zakk Wylde covered the song with his band Black Label Society on their 2004 album Hangover Music Vol. VI).

Under Cover
Studio album by
Released1 November 2005
Recorded2003–05
Studio
GenreRock
Length57:10
LabelEpic
ProducerMark Hudson
Ozzy Osbourne chronology
Down to Earth
(2001)
Under Cover
(2005)
Black Rain
(2007)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Entertainment WeeklyB−[2]

Under Cover is the only Osbourne album to feature the work of Alice in Chains' guitarist Jerry Cantrell[5] or bassist Chris Wyse.[6]

The album is also available in DualDisc format. This version contains the bonus track "Changes" (originally by Black Sabbath), performed by Osbourne and his daughter Kelly Osbourne. The DVD side contains all the songs in enhanced stereo, a documentary entitled Dinner with Ozzy and Friends, and a video for the song "In My Life".

"Mississippi Queen" was released as a promo single and peaked at number 10 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks.[7]

Track listing

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DualDisc Edition Bonus Track
No.TitleWriter(s)Original artistLength
14."Changes" (featuring Kelly Osbourne)Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill WardBlack Sabbath4:07

Personnel

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Guest musicians
Additional musicians
Production
  • Produced by Mark Hudson
  • Arrangements by Steve Dudas
  • Engineered and mixed by Bruce Sugar
  • Additional engineering – Kevin Churko and David Frangioni
  • Assistant engineers – Jimmy Hoyson, Ghian Wright, Peter Doris, Charlie Paakkari, Jason Agel, Geoff Rice, Andy Brohard, Devin Workman, Alex Scannell
  • Mastered by George Marino
  • A&R – Kaz Utsunomiya
  • Art direction – David Coleman
  • Cover photo – Kevin Westenberg
  • Tray photo – Dennis Keeley
  • Back cover photo – Myriam Santos-Kayda
  • Interior photos – Myriam Santos-Kayda, Sam Taylor Wood, Bil Zelman

Charts

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Chart (2005) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[8] 72
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[9] 50
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[10] 95
UK Albums (OCC)[11] 67
US Billboard 200[12] 134

References

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  1. ^ Monger, James Christopher. "Ozzy Osbourne - Under Cover review". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  2. ^ Sinclair, Tom (31 October 2005). "Under Cover". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  3. ^ "Billboard album chart history-Ozzy Osbourne". Retrieved 17 February 2009.
  4. ^ Prince's Trust trading Ltd. (2009). Inspired* by music. London: Shoehorn Arts & Culture Books. pp. 116-119. ISBN 978-190714901-6.
  5. ^ "Former ALICE IN CHAINS Guitarist Laying Down Tracks For New OZZY OSBOURNE Album". Blabbermouth. 16 August 2004. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  6. ^ "Ozzy Osbourne Goes 'Under Cover'". Mitch Schneider Organization. 5 October 2005. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  7. ^ "Ozzy Osbourne Mainstream Rock Songs". Billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  8. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  9. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Ozzy Osbourne – Under Cover". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  10. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Ozzy Osbourne – Under Cover". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  11. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  12. ^ "Ozzy Osbourne Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
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