Review of ‘Sentimental Jamboree’ on CDBaby.com…

Warm voice and good composition on this CD raise deep spirits

One of the few CDs I have that I can listen to over and over again without skipping songs. I have it on my Ipod shuffle and listen to it while walking and thinking. Perfect cd for a roadtrip or when you’ve got someone special on your mind. Love the surprises that each song contains and I appreciate the talent of the accompaning artists which adds alot to the pleasure of this album–especially the piano/keyboard work. Fav song is the bonus track, reminiscent of the classic “Send in the Clowns.” Anyways, overall the whole CD flows well.

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, its music goes deeper than that, probing themes of love more from the spirit than the body. The Basement —JACK SILVERMAN