Brenton Wood
| Brenton Wood | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Alfred Jesse Smith |
| Born | July 26, 1941 |
| Origin | Shreveport, Louisiana |
| Genres | Soul |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals |
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Brenton Wood (born Alfred Jesse Smith, July 26, 1941, Shreveport, Louisiana)[1] is an American singer and songwriter, best known for his two 1967 hit singles: "The Oogum Boogum Song" and "Gimme Little Sign".
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[edit] Career
When Wood was a child, his family moved west to San Pedro in Los Angeles, California. He attended San Pedro High School for part of his freshman year before moving to Compton, where Brenton became a member of the Compton High School track team and received several awards for his athletic achievements.
Following his high school graduation, Wood enrolled in East Los Angeles College. Soon after, he took the stage name Brenton Wood, possibly inspired by the wealthy Los Angeles enclave of Brentwood (some sources state that the name is in honor of his "home county"). During this period, his musical interests began to manifest themselves. He was inspired by Jesse Belvin and Sam Cooke, and he began cultivating his songwriting skills, also becoming a competent pianist.[1]
Early singles for Brent Records and Wand Records failed to chart. After signing with Double Shot Records, Wood had a hit with "The Oogum Boogum Song" in the spring of 1967. It reached #19 on the US Billboard R&B chart and #34 on the Billboard Hot 100 listing. In Southern California, "The Oogum Boogum Song" hit the top 10 on both KHJ (AM) in Los Angeles and on KGB-FM in San Diego. His biggest hit came in September of the same year, as "Gimme Little Sign" hit #9 on the pop chart and #19 on the R&B charts. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.[1] In addition, it peaked at #8 in the UK Singles Chart.[2] In the song, "Gimme Little Sign" is not sung, instead the chorus repeats "Give Me Some Kind of Sign". In late 1967, Brenton charted a third single, "Baby You Got It", reaching #34 on the Hot 100.
Wood continued to perform, even recording a duet with Shirley Goodman. He reached the charts again in 1977, when "Come Softly to Me" registered in the lower reaches of the listings. Following its release, Wood became part of the oldies soul circuit. In 2001, he returned with an album of new material, This Love Is for Real. Among his later appearances was a 2006 appearance on the Los Angeles public access program Thee Mr. Duran Show, where Wood and his band performed several of his hit singles.[3]
Wood does not own the rights to any of his songs. They are all owned by the Los Angeles disc jockey, Art Laboe.[citation needed]
[edit] Cover versions
"The Oogum Boogum Song" was covered by Alex Chilton. "Gimme Little Sign" was later covered by Danielle Brisebois, who had a hit with it in 1994. "Gimme Little Sign" was also recorded by Ricky Nelson.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
[edit] Studio
- Gimme Little Sign (1967) - (Liberty)
- The Oogum Boogum Man (1967) - (Double Shot) - Billboard Hot 200 #184[4]
- Baby You Got It (1967)
- Come Softly (1977) - (Cream)
- This Love Is for Real (2001)
- Lord Hear My Prayer (2009)
[edit] Compilation
- Brenton Wood's 18 Best (1991)
- 18 More of the Best, Vol. 2 (1999)
- Better Believe It (2000) - (Demon / Westside)
[edit] Singles
- "The Oogum Boogum Song" (1967) - U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #34; US R&B #19
- "Gimme Little Sign" (1967) - US Billboard Hot 100 #9; US R&B #19; UK Singles Chart #8
- "Baby You Got It" (1967) - US Billboard Hot 100 #34; US R&B #30
- "Lovey Dovey Kinda Lovin'" (1968) - US Billboard Hot 100 #99
- "Come Softly To Me" (1977) - US R&B #92[2][5]
[edit] Filmography
- Popdown - (1967) - (Brenton Wood appeared in the movie, alongside Julie Driscoll, Zoot Money, Andy Summers, Don Partridge and Tony Hicks.[6]
- Almost Famous - (2000) - Wood's "Oogum Boogum Song" (written by Brenton Wood - billed as Alfred Smith) appeared on the soundtrack.
- Colors - (1988) - "Oogum Boogum Song" appeared on the soundtrack in the background as gang members are parked under the bridge at 4th and Lorena Streets in Los Angeles.
- Beverly Hills, 90210 Episode 28 of Season 4 - "Gimme Little Sign" played in the background as the Beverly Hills High kids are at their favorite malt shop, the Peach Pitt.
- Beverly Hills, 90210 Episode 9 of Season 3 - "Oogum Boogum Song" was used in the background.
- Lymelife - (2009) - "Oogum Boogum Song" appeared on the soundtrack in the bar at one character's going away party
- Eastbound and Down - (2010) - Season 2 Episode 5 (Chapter 11) of the HBO series, featured a segment on 4 wheel ATV's in which "Oogum Boogum Song" is played. Episode originally aired on October 24, 2010.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 233. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 610. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Mrduran.com
- ^ Allmusic / Charts & Awards / Billboard Albums
- ^ Allmusic / Charts & Awards / Billboard Singles
- ^ IMDb database, accessed January 5, 2010.
