Lee Aaron
Diamond Baby Blues
Big Sister Records
2018
Canadian Rock Goddess Lee Aaron, apparently decided to reconnect with her “rock” roots, a few years ago, after a performance at Sweden Rock Fest, which culminated in the release of a rock album, instead of the jazz fare of the 90s that gave way to her 80s “rock” output.
While not bad, 2016’s “Fire and Gasoline” felt a bit awkward in places. “Diamond Baby Blues” feels more at ease with itself, more effortless and focused. Of course it helps that Aaron has kept her voice and person in a pretty good condition, cause it has afforded her the possibility to do this at a high level, still.
“Diamond Baby Blues”, as the title would suggest, is swimming in blues rock waters. The title track that opens the album is a fine upbeat example, driven by a strong riff and beautiful melodies.
“Cut Way Back” is a bit tongue in cheek, about all the things/habits Aaron has kicked due to motherhood. Apparently she wants at least back in at least to her man, being the only thing she can’t do without. That vegan reference could have been omitted, I feel, but… OK.
“You’re no Good” probably models itself in some old blues standard, but does it in an authoritative style. It has a serious Swania Twain vibe about it I guess, or did ST have a serious LA vibe to begin with I dunno and I don’t care too much, as long as it is this good.
“My Babe” is steeped in 50s-60s rock n roll, with some playful percussion and a subdued guitar, before it all erupts, big band style.
“Mistreated”; the often covered Purple standard gets revisited. It’s good, but in all honesty, it’s a song that usually men sound more “desperate” singing. Aaron does a fine job tonally, but she can just not channel the same pathos as the original, or some of the better covers. Still pretty respectable tho.
“American High” is a snappy rock n roller, that has something akin 70s big rock… equal parts Alice Cooper and Aerosmith musically, with hints of Van Halen; it’s just feels a bit too happy and the vocals are not raspy enough to create a similar “rockin” effect as the aforementioned bands.
“I’m a Woman” (wow that’s quite the obvious statement” is a typical blues rocker that models itself after “The Wanderer” pretty much… with some outlandish statements, just for good measure.
“Miss Mercy” is another up and up rocker that feels a bit derivative, of 70s rock… but is forgiven due to its great big chorus.
“The Best Thing” is the overdue ballad/slow song, that you might have seen coming from a mile away and feels right at home at this point, in the sequence of the album.
“Black Cat” has a hair raising riff it bases itself upon and is a highly enjoyable affairs, as the album needed an injection of rockin juice after a slower song.
Keeping with the theme and borrowing from the bolt of energy of its predecessor “Hard Road” rocks in a dirty Heart meets Bangles. while listening to AC/DC… Headpins, Chrissy Steele all that good stuff. Yeah, that’s the stuff.
Finally, “In the Bedroom”, instead of being coy and sensuous, just throws you down and does it crazy little routine anyway. It’s not exactly 9,5 weeks but it’s still sufficient saucy fun, a nice “desert” to fill you up, just before the end.
Better than its predecessor and more at ease with itself, Lee’s latest work won’t set your hair on fire, but your pants in heat and your rock instincts primed, definitely maybe.
While not bad, 2016’s “Fire and Gasoline” felt a bit awkward in places. “Diamond Baby Blues” feels more at ease with itself, more effortless and focused. Of course it helps that Aaron has kept her voice and person in a pretty good condition, cause it has afforded her the possibility to do this at a high level, still.
“Diamond Baby Blues”, as the title would suggest, is swimming in blues rock waters. The title track that opens the album is a fine upbeat example, driven by a strong riff and beautiful melodies.
“Cut Way Back” is a bit tongue in cheek, about all the things/habits Aaron has kicked due to motherhood. Apparently she wants at least back in at least to her man, being the only thing she can’t do without. That vegan reference could have been omitted, I feel, but… OK.
“You’re no Good” probably models itself in some old blues standard, but does it in an authoritative style. It has a serious Swania Twain vibe about it I guess, or did ST have a serious LA vibe to begin with I dunno and I don’t care too much, as long as it is this good.
“My Babe” is steeped in 50s-60s rock n roll, with some playful percussion and a subdued guitar, before it all erupts, big band style.
“Mistreated”; the often covered Purple standard gets revisited. It’s good, but in all honesty, it’s a song that usually men sound more “desperate” singing. Aaron does a fine job tonally, but she can just not channel the same pathos as the original, or some of the better covers. Still pretty respectable tho.
“American High” is a snappy rock n roller, that has something akin 70s big rock… equal parts Alice Cooper and Aerosmith musically, with hints of Van Halen; it’s just feels a bit too happy and the vocals are not raspy enough to create a similar “rockin” effect as the aforementioned bands.
“I’m a Woman” (wow that’s quite the obvious statement” is a typical blues rocker that models itself after “The Wanderer” pretty much… with some outlandish statements, just for good measure.
“Miss Mercy” is another up and up rocker that feels a bit derivative, of 70s rock… but is forgiven due to its great big chorus.
“The Best Thing” is the overdue ballad/slow song, that you might have seen coming from a mile away and feels right at home at this point, in the sequence of the album.
“Black Cat” has a hair raising riff it bases itself upon and is a highly enjoyable affairs, as the album needed an injection of rockin juice after a slower song.
Keeping with the theme and borrowing from the bolt of energy of its predecessor “Hard Road” rocks in a dirty Heart meets Bangles. while listening to AC/DC… Headpins, Chrissy Steele all that good stuff. Yeah, that’s the stuff.
Finally, “In the Bedroom”, instead of being coy and sensuous, just throws you down and does it crazy little routine anyway. It’s not exactly 9,5 weeks but it’s still sufficient saucy fun, a nice “desert” to fill you up, just before the end.
Better than its predecessor and more at ease with itself, Lee’s latest work won’t set your hair on fire, but your pants in heat and your rock instincts primed, definitely maybe.