Brenton Wood – 18 Best
While Louisiana-born & California-raised Brenton Wood (Alfred Jesse Smith) wasn’t as influential as James Brown or Otis Redding he had a smooth approach to his soulful pop songs. As a young kid, I collected top 40 singles in the 60s & liked Brenton’s work. A cross between Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Danny Williams (“White On White”) & Bobby Hebb. He had that suave voice.
I played his gold record “Gimme Little Sign,” (#9 on Billboard) many times & it still resonates. A little more novelty-oriented (& tossed on that same heap as Shirley Ellis’ “The Name Game”) was “The Oogum Boogum Song” – it had a charm to it because this was released long after doo-wop’s time had passed & surprisingly it was a hit (#19 on R&B chart/#34 on Billboard Hot 100).
His 45s were released between 1963 & 1978 & still released LPs in 2009. The songs that followed weren’t as successful but more serious tunes show Brenton’s scope as a singer as compiled on Brenton Wood – 18 Best (Drops Oct 4/Craft Recordings/43:50). Originally produced by Joe Hooven & Hal Winn with clever diversified melodies like “Baby You Got It,” “I Think You’ve Got Your Fools Mixed Up,” & “Great Big Bundle of Love.”
What’s interesting about this set is how the hits share space with songs far more sophisticated & nostalgic. Brenton Wood sings with wonderful tonality in a manner that isn’t typical of Motown or Atlantic artists but planted into soul music (“Whoop It On Me”) as competent as Percy Sledge, Wilson Pickett & David Ruffin.
Brenton Wood was primarily from the ‘60s school of Joe Tex & Marv Johnson (he covered Marv’s “I Like the Way, You Love Me”) which may have slightly influenced vocalists of later years like Teddy Pendergrast & soul singer Angelo Bond who both sang similarly — a style of melodic balladry & not soulful funk. Wood’s easy-going voice & falsetto borders on traditional pop & doo-wop.
This 1991 collection is enlightening with its varied selections. On “Can You Dig It,” Wood doesn’t have an intense arrangement, yet, the Marvin Gaye-oriented performance is stellar. If the tunes had been handled by the Volt/Stax labels there’s a possibility those musicians would’ve been harder-edged, more ass-kicking than the studio musicians on these dates. The playing is good but Wood had a voice that needed the extra high octane.
Highlights – “Gimme Little Sign,” “The Oogum Boogum Song,” “Baby You Got It,” “I Think You’ve Got Your Fools Mixed Up,” “Great Big Bundle of Love,” “Can You Dig It,” “Whoop It On Me,” “Catch You On the Rebound,” “I Like the Way, You Love Me,” “Where Were You,” “Two Time Loser” & “Good Night Baby.”
Musicians – Not listed.
Color image courtesy of Brenton’s Facebook. CD @ Apple Music + https://craftrecordings.com/collections/brenton-wood & https://www.pagebrentonwood.com/
