Sentimental Jamboree

As reviewed in The Nashville Scene for 10/28/05 critic's pick. Tommy Keenum In a town crawling with singer-songwriters, it's refreshing to stumble upon the occasional unhyphenated singer, particularly someone blessed with a voice as rich and silky as Keenum's is. On Sentimental Jamboree, he essays a delightful assortment of writers from Ron Sexsmith to Isaac Hayes to Nick Drake, tying them together in smooth, soulful arrangements that border on lounge music without kitsch or irony. Produced by Bees frontman Daniel Tashian, Keenum's record shares some of that band's soft-focus pop dreaminess. While the rounded edges and lush tones, not to mention Keenum's lyrical sax work, make Sentimental Jamboree great bedroom listening, it's music goes deeper than that, probing themes of love more from the spirit than the body. The Basement -JACK SILVERMAN.