Lee Aaron returns to the scene of the crime decades later, with an album recorded in 2018, that features cuts from her 80’s rock era plus some of her more recent material – 2016 onward.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Lee Aaron
ALBUM: Power, Soul and Rock N Roll – Live In Germany
LABEL: Metalville
YEAR: 2019
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada
LINEUP: Lee Aaron – lead vocals * Sean Kelly – guitars – guitars * Dave Riemer – bass * John Cody – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Mistreated * 02 Tomboy * 03 Rock Candy * 04 Metal Queen * 05 Fire And Gasoline * 06 Powerline * 07 I’m A Woman * 08 Some Girls Do * 09 Sex With Love * 10 Barely Holdin’ On * 11 Whatcha Do To My Body * 12 Diamond Baby * 13 Hot To Be Rocked
RATING: 85/100
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
Lee Aaron is an artist I like to keep tabs on in the here and now. Though her fully developed metal convictions might be thirty plus years in the past, there is still enough interesting new material in the meantime, now firmly entrenched in the classic rock genre.
As for live material, I believe this is her first official live recording. There may have been some bootlegs from the 1985 ‘Call Of The Wild’ era, where incidentally Lee did gig throughout Europe supporting The Scorpions. She returns to the scene of the crime decades later, with an album recorded in 2018, that features cuts from her 80’s rock era plus some of her more recent material – 2016 onward.
The Songs
A cover of Deep Purple‘s ‘Mistreated’ leads off, the bluesy nature of Lee’s voice well suited to the genre. ‘Tomboy’ was considered a novelty track off the 2016 album ‘Fire And Gasoline’ (the video featuring Lee’s daughter and her friends), and in a live context, it come to life.
Though featured on her 1989 album ‘Bodyrock’, ‘Rock Candy’ is in fact a cover of the Montrose classic. This version does the original due justice. ‘Metal Queen’ is a long-standing favourite and though it’s not mentioned in the track credits, it segues in with ‘Lady Of The Darkest Night’, so you get two for the price of one.
‘Fire And Gasoline’ I can take it or leave it, but I much prefer the next track ‘Powerline’ which is the only cut from the 1987 s/t album which is my favourite from her catalogue. It’s a pity there’s not more. Lee evokes the spirit of feminine power with the stoking blues hotbed of ‘I’m A Woman’. Very powerful for sure. Another song in a similar vein is the girl rebellion of ‘Some Girls Do’.
‘Sex With Love’ (Bodyrock) is another LA classic from the genuine hair metal year of 1989. ‘Barely Holdin’ On’ is the ballad Lee did and reached acclaim, and I think sounds better than Joe Cerisano‘s version for Silver Condor. ‘Whatcha Do To My Body’ is another hot rocker from the hair metal era and sounds good here too years later. Add to this ‘Too Hot To Be Rocked’, which adds the seal of perfection to an energetic set.
In Summary
The sound is given due care by John Webster, who many will remember from his time with bands such as Red Rider and Idle Eyes plus numerous production credits over the decades.
I actually really like this set, as many of the songs were familiar to me, and they were adequately handled in the live setting after years of listening to these as well produced album tracks. All in all, worth the listen and the acquisition. Well done!
Lee Aaron on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
