Lee Aaron, aka The Metal Queen, adorned the back of my door for years, regardless of where I lived. You know the one, with the leather outfit holding the broadsword. Well now that I've "grown up" I have fond memories of also seeing her live in venues as small as 300 max capacity bars to 20k arenas. Every time, she thoroughly rocked the room. . So when I received Diamond Baby Blues I was looking forward to reviewing it. I never realized that Lee's voice was so soulful and blues, but right from the title track "Diamond Baby" I knew that I wasn't going to be let down. Classic Aaron to be sure, but the blues edge is heard in the opening riff. "Mistreated" brings you even closer to the crossroads slowing it down and somehow making it grungier by doing so. When you finally get to "I'm a Woman" the sensation of being in a Chicago blues bar is full blown and very satisfying.

Don't get me wrong, there are still classic Aaron jams on this CD, such as the ballad "The Best Thing" or the more upbeat "In the Bedroom" but it's obvious that her current influences are based in the more traditional blues. "Cut Way Back" could have been a Johnny Lee Hooker tune but the surprise of the album was her cover of "You're No Good". Overall I came away from this experience with a smile on my face, pleased that not only has Lee Aaron kept her incredible voice intact all these years, she's actually has broaden the range of what it's capable of. It might not be a metal album that you would be familiar with, but it showcases the roots of the genre beautifully and even better, it showcases her talent and ability to expand her own gifts. By the way, after listening to this, do yourself a favor and explore some of the blues. Don't know where to start? Watch "The Blues Brothers" and go on your own mission from god. Lemmy will smile knowing someone else is getting "The Blues".