LUMPENPROLETARIAT  GONZO:  If you’re a music lover like me, then chances are you also love R&B, or rhythm and blues.  If so, then you’ve probably heard of Brenton Wood.  Or maybe you’ve heard his music, but without knowing who the singer was.  Some of his songs have had incredible staying power in the American consciousness, such as his “Gimme Little Sign” (1967) and “The Oogum Boogum Song” (1967), which have been featured in many movies, commercials, and retrospective music anthologies.  Just recently, Brenton Wood noted that the song was used in a new ad for some new Apple gizmo.

In the eternal world of Chicano, or lowrider, oldies, Brenton Wood is a veritable saint, in a class of his own.  Many of us first heard of Brenton Wood at some point during the late 20th century (or later), if not in real time during the 1960s and ’70s, from our lowriding cousins out in the valley, or in the metropolitan inner cities.  Or, maybe, if we lived in the suburbs, somehow got hip to the dozen or so East Side Story lowrider oldies compilation records in which Brenton Wood was featured prominently.  Also known as Alfred Smith, Brenton Wood is one half of Alfred & Shirley.

Well, the one and only Brenton Wood is 75 years young now.  And he’s still on stage delighting his fans.  And, now, he’s coming to the San Francisco Bay Area next month for his An Affair to Remember tour.  Alfred Jesse Smith, aka Brenton Wood, has just added a second show to his San Francisco tour stop at Slim’s. [1]  Life is too short.  Let’s experience, in person, the sweet soulful musical stylings of the legendary Brenton Wood, while we still have the time.  E’rybody needs some sweet, soulful and funky, R&B in they’ life. [2]

Messina

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“I Want Love” by Brenton Wood

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SLIM’S—[accessed 23 JAN 2017]

Slim’s Presents

Brenton Wood

Titan Ups, DJs Big Dwayne and Another Jerk

TICKET INFORMATION 

• Slim’s is an ALL AGES (6+) venue.
• No refunds or exchanges are permitted, except in the case of headliner cancellation or date change. Opening acts are subject to change.
• There is an 8 ticket limit per customer unless otherwise stated.
• NEVER buy third party tickets (Craigslist, StubHub, etc.) for over face value. Scalped tickets may not be honored.
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• IMPORTANT: If you do not see your order confirmation in your inbox, make sure to check your junk/spam folder. If you still do not see your order confirmation, click here to access the Eventbrite help center.
• If you are having any other technical ticketing-related issues with your order, click here to contact Eventbrite. For general show info, click here.

Learn more at SLIM’S.

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“Baby You Got It” (1967) by Brenton Wood

“I’m the One Who Knows” (1967) by Brenton Wood

“Take a Chance” (1967) by Brenton Wood

“Darlin’” (1967) by Brenton Wood

“Loving You” by Brenton Wood

“It’s Just A Game” by Brenton Wood

“Great Big Bundle of Love” (1970) by Brenton Wood

“Need You Girl” by Brenton Wood

“Where Were You” (1969) by Brenton Wood

“Two Time Loser” (1967) by Brenton Wood

“Trouble” (1967) by Brenton Wood

“I Think You’ve Got Your Fools Mixed Up” (1967) by Brenton Wood

“Lovey Dovey Kind of Love” by Brenton Wood

“Best Thing I Ever Had” (1967) by Brenton Wood

“Gimme Little Sign” (1967) by Brenton Wood

“The Oogum Boogum Song” (1967) by Brenton Wood

“A Change Is Gonna Come” interpreted by Brenton Wood

Art Laboe Presents Brenton Wood’s 18 Best [3]

In Focus: Brenton Wood posted to YouTube by Titan TV CSUF, California State University-Fullerton

“Need Your Love So Bad” [4] by Brenton Wood

“Your Beautiful People” by Brenton Wood

Brenton Wood singing over synthy karaoke tracks at Mr. & Mrs. Prieto’s wedding.

Brenton Wood on Thee Mr. Duran Show

Mr. Duran: “Who discovered Brenton Wood?”

Brenton Wood:  “[laughs]  The Latinos!”

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[1]  And Slim’s is a very intimate venue, on the smaller side.  And it’s one of our favourite venues in the SF Bay Area.  (I’ve probably seen dozens upon dozens of shows there over the years, from Dinosaur Jr to The Jacka to Cousteau to Eek-A-Mouse to Henry Rollins to too many to mention.)

[2]  Brenton Wood is probably one of my most enduring favourite artists, since the 1980s, when I first discovered the man’s heartfelt and jubilant recordings.  Back in high school, some used to actually ask for me to sing “Baby You Got It”.  Brenton Wood, like Little Willie G, of Thee Midniters, inspired more than a few Chicanos to give it all the heart and soul they can muster to sing some old school R&B styles.  It’s quite clear that Chicanos, with their sundry lowrider oldies compilation albums and lowrider oldies radio shows, such as La Onda Bajita and Radio Bilingue’s late night oldies, have helped keep alive a burning love for the soul and R&B musical styles of the 1950s and ’60s when the times gave way to disco in the ’70s, ’80s dance, hip hop, and electronic-based R&B.  Most of my younger black friends would tell me, Phil, you listen to that old stuff; that’s like my grandparents’ music!  I’d say, that’s the best music!

[3]  YouTube, “Brenton Wood’s 18 Best Full Album” posted by Daniel Hernandez, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-oxXEoqZsE

[4]  We first encountered Brenton Wood’s recording of Little Willie John’s, “Need Your Love So Bad”, on the supplemental compilation 18 More of the Best, Volume 2.  The recording is featured on the album entitled Rarities – The Double Shot/Whiz Years (2013).  This “Need Your Love So Bad” YouTube video is an unlisted video with only 16 views (as of 14:02 PST, 23 JAN 2017).

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[Refresh, or reload, web page if audio quality diminishes whilst playing videos.]

[Black and white image of Brenton Wood by Double Shot Records – Billboard, page 59, April 29, 1967 (Public Domain)]

[23 JAN 2017]

[Last modified at 16:31 PST on 23 JAN 2017]