Lee Aaron - Beautiful Things

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It only take the three tracks, a groovy cover of Donovan's Museum, the slickly sweet Joan Of Arc (co-written with Joel Kroeker) and pop-a-licious 'The Why Song' chocked full of clever questions (like why people care more about TV stars than Mozart and why don't people follow good advice) to see that Lee Aaron is still one cool chick. From Metal Queen to Private Billie Holiday. Lee, you've come a long way. While her peers were content to get fat and play "Classic Rock" festivals, Lee Aaron was aging more gracefully into a jazz singer. Remembering the 80's Metal Queen Lee Aaron (yes, I own 'Metal Queen' on cassette), I was more than a little skeptical of this jazz version. I believe my reaction was, "too old to rock, so she thinks she can be a jazz singer." I must confess, my cynicism was unfounded. I don't know if I'd call it jazz, I think jazz-infused adult contemporary pop would be more accurate, but one thing for certain, Beautiful Things is a very pleasant album. She still likes to rock, though, "Handcuffed to a Fence in Mississippi" is a slow blues cooker and 'Lo & Behold' turns the electric guitar up, but not too much. Beautiful Things winds it's way through pop, jazz, torch, lounge, and blues like a well laid out buffet. Most importantly, it shows that she is still learning and growing as an artist.

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