Lee Aaron & The Swingin' Barflies-Slick Chick Barking Dog Music

Reinventing yourself takes a lot of guts! In the music industry where clear cookie cutter personas are encouraged changing your image is no easy trick. Vancouver's Lee Aaron who built a solid core of headbanger fans in the 80's has matured a lot through the years and this new collection of Jazz/Blues standards seems to reflect where she's at in the world. 'Slick Chick' is a spirited notch above anything Aaron ever did in Rock but like her 'Body Rock' days this album has a resilient no holds barred feel that's quite entertaining. The emotional power that this lady puts in everything she does makes this (her 10th album) a great incentive to get reacquainted with some well known and a few obscure Jazz favorites. The opening track sets the pace with the bouncy robust 'He Ain't Got Rhythm' almost begging you to jump up shake that thing! Aaron also shines on slower tracks giving 'Chaser For The Blues' a light meditative touch, and the smoky textured 'In The Dark' really shows off her great voice and interpretive spirit. Guest Sax man Jimmy Pinchin adds great romanticism to 'Teach Me Tonight' in fact the whole back-up band adds a lot of punch to these perfectly detailed covers featuring Jane Milliken on Piano/Keyboards, Don Short on Drums, Guitarist Danny Parker and Graham Howell on Sax. Slick Chick is a near perfect album that goes from bouncy to gentle and back to something great to dance to. Remember though the main value on this album is Lee Aaron's strong carefree vocals that should easily establish her as a new fresh voice for jazz/blues fans.

By John Beaudin
Sept. 2000