Brenton Wood
(born Alfred Jesse Smith
; July 26, 1941) 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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BRENTON WOOD TICKETS
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Career
Wood was born in
Shreveport, Louisiana. When he 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. In his
high school years his family relocated to nearby
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 his period there 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 an accomplished
pianist.
After signing with Double Shot Records he had a hit with "The Oogum Boogum Song" in the spring of 1967. It reached number 19 on the
Billboard R&B chart and number 34 on the corresponding
Billboard Hot 100 pop listing. His biggest hit came in September the same year. "Gimme Little Sign" hit #9 on the pop chart and also #19 on the R&B charts. In the song
Gimme Little Sign
is not sung, instead the
chorus repeats "Give Me Some Kind of Sign".
"The Oogum Boogum Song" was
covered by
Alex Chilton.
Wood continued to perform and even recorded 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 finally returned with an
album of new material,
This Love Is for Real
.
"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.
Though Brenton Wood had few charted singles, his entire work is considered to be quintessential lowrider cruisin' oldies, and are featured on an uncountable amount of oldies compilations popular with a Latino, specifically Chicano, audience.
Brenton Wood does not own the rights to any of his songs. They are all owned by famous Los Angeles DJ,
Art Laboe.
Discography
Albums
Studio
- Gimme Little Sign
- (Liberty) - (1967)
- The Oogum Boogum Man
- (Double Shot) - (1967) - Billboard Hot 200 - #184
- Baby You Got It
- (1967)
- Come Softly
- (Cream) - (1977)
- Lord Hear My Prayer
- (2009)
Compilations
- Brenton Wood's 18 Best
- (1991)
- 18 More of the Best, Vol. 2
- (1999)
- Better Believe It
- (Demon / Westside) - (2000)
Singles
- "Baby You Got It" / "Catch You On the Rebound" - (1967) - Billboard Hot 100 - #34
- "Gimme Little Sign" / "I Think You've Got Your Fools Mixed Up"- (1967) - U.S. - #9 / UK Singles Chart - #8
- "The Oogum Boogum Song" - (1967) - #34
- "Lovey Dovey Kinda Lovin'" - (1968) - #99
- "Im The One Who Knows'"
Filmography
- Popdown
- (1967) - (Brenton Wood appeared in the movie, alongside Julie Driscoll, Zoot Money, Andy Summers, Don Partridge and Tony Hicks)
- Almost Famous - (2000) - Wood's "Oogum Boogum Song" (written by Alfred Smith) appears on the soundtrack.
- Colors - (1988) - Wood's "Oogum Boogum Song" (Written by Brenton Woods as Alfred Smith) appears on the soundtrack in the background as gang members are parked under the famous bridge at 4th and Lorena streets in Los Angeles.
- Beverly Hills 90210 Episode 28 of Season 4 - "Gimme Little Sign" is playing in the background as the Beverly Hills High kids are hanging out at their favorite malt shop, the Peach Pitt.
- Beverly Hills 90210 Episode 9 of Season 3 - "Oogum Boogum Song" is used in the background.
- Lymelife - (2009) - Wood's "Oogum Boogum Song" appears on the soundtrack in the bar at one character's going away party
Collaborations
- The Ones Who Know
- (2008) - By Lil Coner Featuring: Tito B, C-Locs And Brenton Wood Off of Lil Coner And C-Locs' Collaboration Album "Smile Now, Cry Later."
See also
- List of performers on Top of the Pops
- List of soul musicians