------------------------------------------------------- AUGUST 12, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------- Source: Cherry Red Books http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/ozzytxt.htm Excerpt from: "Rockdetector: Ozzy Osbourne, the story of the Ozzy Osbourne band" By Garry Sharpe-Young ....The Necromandus album has been a constant source of fascination for Black Sabbath fanatics. Frank unveils the makings of a bona fide lost classic. "There were two attempts at making the album. The first was at the Marquee Studios at the back of the Marquee Club and the second was in Blue Mink's Morgan Studios. The first time we came out with some pretty scrappy songs so Tony Iommi more or less said; "Go away and come up with some better songs." The new material more than came up to scratch. Hall describes the bands music as 'Progressive rock' not too far removed from today's acts such as Spock's Beard and Dream Theater. Finally getting down to recording Necromandus found they were not the only ones ensconced in Morgan Studios. "Yes were there recording Tales from Topographic Oceans, Hall recalls. "I saw Jon Anderson walking in the middle of the street one day and told him, "You're from The Warriors!" I used to go and see him with that band before he joined YES. As you can imagine he was quite surprised. But we got talking and he introduced me to Rick Wakeman." The world-renowned keyboard maestro was doubling up on duties at the time recording for Yes and mixing his own solo work The Six Wives Of Henry VIII. Necromandus were on the night shift starting work at 9 in the evening and emerging as dawn broke. Frank was forthright in his approach to Rick. "We had this one track which I really thought could benefit from an outro using cellos, violins and keyboards so being cheeky I asked Rick if he would do it. I really got into his ribs about it, really pestered him but in the end it turned out he wanted to do it anyway. "Yes" he said "I'll do it for a crate of Guinness!" Rick actually thought it was a good idea." This union never transpired though as Frank relates. "When I told Tony that Rick wanted to put piano on this song he simply didn't believe me. Tony's first question was "What does he want?". He thought Rick would charge us megabucks. I told him he only wanted a crate of Guinness but it just didn't happen because Tony thought I was only joking and naturally thought too much money would be involved. I'm sure Rick would have done it for the beer.".... Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, problems, corrections, or additions, contact yitp@yesservices.com