Brenton Wood

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Biography

Brenton Wood (born Alfred Jesse Smith , July 26, 1941, Shreveport, Louisiana ) is an United States|American singing|singer and songwriter , best known for his two 1967 hit record|hit single (music)|singles : "The Oogum Boogum Song" and " Gimme Little Sign ".

Career

When Wood was a child, his family moved west to San Pedro, Los Angeles, California|San Pedro in Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles , California . He attended San Pedro High School for part of his freshman year before moving to Compton, California|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, Los Angeles, California|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 .

Early single (music)|singles for Brent Records and Wand Records failed to record chart|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 United States|US Billboard (magazine)|Billboard Hot R& B/Hip-Hop Songs|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 music recording sales certification|gold disc . In addition, it peaked at #8 in the UK Singles Chart . In the song, "Gimme Little Sign" is not sung, instead the refrain|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 (music)|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.

Wood does not own the rights to any of his songs. They are all owned by the Los Angeles disc jockey , Art Laboe .

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 sound recording and reproduction|recorded by Ricky Nelson . In Singapore Brown Boys who were from the Phillipines recorded it for release on an EMI single (CHK) in 1968. It was the B side to Goin Out Of My Head/Can't Take My Eye Off You medley. The Trailers, who were a Singaporean band also recorded it for release on an RCA EP dubbed their "Soul EP" also in 1968.

Discography

Albums

;Studio

Gimme Little Sign (1967) - ( Liberty Records|Liberty )

Oogum Boogum (1967) - (Double Shot) - Billboard Hot 200 #184

Baby You Got It (1967)

Come Softly (1977) - ( Cream Records|Cream )

This Love Is for Real (2001)

Lord Hear My Prayer (2009)

;Compilation

''Brenton Wood's 18 Best (1991)

18 More of the Best, Vol. 2 (1999)

Better Believe It (2000) - ( Demon Records|Demon / Westside Records|Westside )

Singles

"The Oogum Boogum Song" (1967) - United States|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

Filmography

Popdown - (1967) - (Brenton Wood appeared in the film|movie , alongside Julie Driscoll , Zoot Money , Andy Summers , Don Partridge and Tony Hicks ., accessed January 5, 2010.

Almost Famous - (2000) - Wood's "Oogum Boogum Song" (written by Brenton Wood - billed as Alfred Smith) appeared on the soundtrack.

Colors (film)|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.

Shopgirl - (2005) - "Gimme Little Sign" plays in the film.

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.

Copyright Citations

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