Customer Reviews

18 Best

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When the zany "Oogum Boogum" and "Gimme L'il Sign" first appeared on the top 40 charts in the late sixties they defied description. It was soul music but it was'nt Motown, and it dang sure was'nt southern soul music. They embraced it on the Carolina coast as 'beach music, but Brentom Wood worked out of L.A. . For lack of a better term I'll call it soul-pop, and boy howdy is it fun . This is a great collection that includes the two hits and a whole bunch of songs that should have been hits.You won't find the gospel drenched anguish that is the hallmark of so many other of Brenton Wood's contemporaries, but they on the other hand would never have thought to stick a roller rink organ solo in the middle of one of their songs as Brenton does on "Gimme L'il Sign". I call it soul-pop. I call it genius too.

If you've only heard a couple of his songs and enjoy them, I suggest you listen to the whole 18 best collection. The feel is the greatest and every song has that feel. If you love love songs then check out the man who sings them better than anyone.

Our buddy Don Desroches has returned from a decade underground and it is just like old times. And with him comes his musical recommendations, great offerings for my holy iPod. That's right. My coffee mug served an honorable fifteen year reign as my higher power, and I wouldn't have guessed that it could ever be deposed. But that was before the iPod, the single most important technological advance in human civilization. As I've said before, that shuffle never gets it wrong. It always picks the perfect song for the occasion, even when it works in mysterious ways.

The reason I tell you all this: As you know, Don does not chuck compliments around casually. When he says "you should listen to this," I guarantee it will be worthwhile.

I can't believe I just heard of this guy for the first time, and I can't stop listening to this album. It's just got a great sound. Just about every track on this album hooks you quickly. And if, by chance, you're looking for a song for you and your newborn to slow dance to, "Great Big Bundle of Love" is perfect. "Oogum Boogum" is another very catchy song.

Seriously, buy it now and thank me later. I'll be sure to pass the gratitude along to Principal Dondelinger.

I knew Brenton Wood from "Gimmie Some Kind of Sign" but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Just about every song on here is great. If I had just 10 cds, this would be in my collection.

I think this is one of the best CDs I own. I have been a Brenton Wood fan for years now

I'm 22 years old and I listen to a lot of different oldies. Brenton Wood is one of my favorite artist. I've gone to a few of his concerts with friends and had a blast listening to his songs over and over. We just can't get enough of him. His songs like a lot of other artist in those days, "Tell It Like It Really Is".

I bought this for my mom as a Christmas gift and she loved it! So did I! This CD is great because it has all of Brent Wood's hits together! If you love old school, you'll love this!

I'm 22 years old and I listen to a lot of different oldies. Brenton Wood is one of my favorite artist. I've gone to a few of his concerts with friends and had a blast listening to his songs over and over. We just can't get enough of him. His songs like a lot of other artist in those days, "Tell It Like It Really Is".

I've been searching for a CD to like and enjoy from the first to the last track.. and I FINALLY found it!! And this one has 18 songs!! I can't take all the credit. You see I actually called in to my favorite radio station and asked the dj who was singing the song that was on. He told me, in his very sexy voice "It's Brenton Wood's, I like the way you love me". He told me where I can find and it and buy it if I'd like. So I said what the hell you would think a DJ on a radio station would know what is good and what isn't. Holy Crap he was Right!!! So if you LOVE oldies as much as I do, and more so like to listen to every song on your cd, then you can bet your mone you'd enjoy this one! So thank you Mr. Tony Sandoval from HOT 95.1 FM. Alberquerque is glad to have you on our side. OLDIES FOREVER!!!

Here's yet another "best of" that fails to deliver, a promise that somehow couldn't accommodate but six hits. Because, between 1967 and 1977, that's all Brenton Wood would manage to put onto either the R&B or Billboard Pop Hot 100 charts.

Born Alfred Smith in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1941, he began his recording career in 1958 with a group called Little Freddy & The Rockets, but with no chart success. It wasn't until the summer of 1967 that he made the big time for Double Shot Records with the novelty hit The Oogum Boogum Song. With "I Like The Way You Love Me" as the B-side it reached # 19 R&B/# 34 Hot 100.

A few months later, Gimme Little Sign b/w I Think You've Got The Fools Mixed Up, became his top seller when it peaked at # 9 Hot 100/# 19 R&B in September. Then, late in the year, Baby You Got It b/w Catch You On The Rebound was released, topping out at # 30 R&B/# 34 Hot 100 early in 1968. A very minor hit then followed in March when Lovey Dovey Kinda Love just barely made the Hot 100, settling it at # 99 b/w Two-Time Loser, but missing out on the R&B charts.

So far, so good, as all eight sides are in this compilation. However, whereas they chose to leave off Some Got It, Some Don't, which made it to # 42 R&B in August 1968, they did include the uncharted B-side, Me And You!! How is that among his "best" when they didn't consider a legitimate hit to be one?

Nine years would pass before he had another hit, this time for the Cream label, when Come Softly To Me b/w You're Everything I Need struggled to reach # 92 R&B in September 1977. Neither side is in this set.

It isn't a bad compilation, but if you're going to claim to give us his "18 best" then do so! Anything less is false advertising.