Complete but confusing track sequencing
Andrew Barron | Gold Beach, OR | 04/16/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a near-complete presentation of Brenton's early work. Unlike many other anthologies of this sort, the sequence is not chronological. In fact, I can't fathom the sequence choice; perhaps the producers of these discs would like us to appreciate this body of work in completely random order. The way the liner notes read, it doesn't sound like Brenton himself was involved much in the recording/release strategies of his label Double Shot back in the day. I'd guess this release is no different.
What you will find here, if you look, is that all of Brenton's singles on Double Shot and Whiz are here, as well as his two LPs for double shot (Oogum Boogum, (DS 5002, 1967) and Baby You Got It, 1968). I'm guessing that recording details are not available and further, Double Shot records historically released singles that were recorded much earlier. So to reconstruct these tracks chronologically one needs more info -- more than those who made this compilation had.
Track randomness aside, the remastering sounds very good. It is much better sounding than the previous "18 Best" compilation. This is a good CD for those who care about remaster quality and comprehensive treatment of Brenton's early work. The discs are certainly more useful and affordable than buying used vinyl. The haphazard sequencing is an unfortunate downside to this compilation."
Perhaps Too Much of a Good Thing?
Stephen Foster | Seattle, WA United States, via Scotland | 06/12/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Brenton Wood, when he's remembered at all, is generally known as a one-hit wonder, for "Gimme Little Sign".
Perhaps (like me), you remembered it, and your memory was jogged when the fantastic "Oogum Boogum" showed up on the soundtrack to "Almost Famous". (Offering nothing to old-style feminism, the song is simply a list of the contents of his girlfriend's wardrobe, and his reactions to her wearing various ensembles:
"And you wear that cute miniskirt, with your brother's sloppy shirt,
Huh! I admit it girl, that I can dig it...")
Gorgeous song. Anyway, that's how I recently (2006) got reminded of him, and it turns out he is rather special indeed, with 15-20 rather unique songs really worth listening to, especially with his distinctive instrumentation and arrangements.
"When you wear your bell-bottom pants
I'm just standing in a trance
Huh: I can't move, you're in the groove
Would you believe, little girl, that I'm crazy about you?"
All of the songs seem to be written and sung by an inept, romantic, sixteen year-old boy. Perhaps my favourite is the very vulnerable "I'm the One Who Knows":
"At night she's in his dreams,
And boy, if you could just see the scene
He, he's all dressed up in a hero suit
A long cape, with stars on his boots
"He rescues her from a falling plane
They fly away to a far-off land
And live a life that's really grand
I'm the one who really knows."
But after having praised him to the heavens, I'm actually here to persuade you to not buy this double album. Me being Scottish (see: "cheap"), I compared what this double album provides compared to his significantly cheaper "18 Best" and "18 More of the Best" separate albums. They mostly overlap, but they don't in telling ways. Here are the differences:
Songs not available on both:
Birdman (Double album)
Cross the Bridge (Double album)
Diamonds (Double album)
Good Lovin' (Double album)
Hide-A-Way (Double album)
Kid Games and Nursery Rhymes (Double album)
Loving You (18 More of the Best)
Mr Schemer (Double album)
Some Got It, Some Don't (Double album)
Sweet Molly Malone (Double album)
This Love Is for Real (18 More of the Best)
Too Much Too Soon (Double album)
For a fan, just looking at the list makes the double album a no-brainer, but I went as far as listening to the samples of all these tracks. This is of course just an opinion, but without exception the extra tracks on the double album are second-rate, offering nothing new. The two tracks that are only on the "18 More" album, on the other hand, are prime Brenton Wood. (Inexplicably, none of these contain his gorgeous take on Billy Stewart's "Sitting in the Park".)
So my recommendation is to buy the "18 Best" and "18 More of the Best" albums, instead of this one, with the single caveat that another reviewer - Andrew Barron - mentions that the re-mastering quality is significantly better on the double album than on the "18 Best" album.
Or, you could visit his official website (at the obvious address) and pay a couple dollars extra for an autographed copy. Well, yes I'm a fan, but still Scottish...
"
Baby You Got It: The 1960's Anthology
Music Lover | 06/14/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Tracks:
BRENTON WOOD
Baby, You Got It! The 1960's Anthology
Disc 1:
Gimme Little Sign
I Want Love
Boogaloosa Louisian'
I Think You've Got Your Fools Mixed Up
Great Big Bundle Of Love
Hide-A-Way
Lovey Dovey Kinda Lovin'
Diamonds
Good Lovin'
I'm The One Who Knows
Ooh La-Da-Dee
A Change Is Gonna Come
Little Happy-Go-Lucky Girl
Runnin' Wild
Need You Girl
Take A Chance
Whoop It On Me
Can You Dig It
Psychotic Reaction
Come Here, Girl
Kid Games And Nursery Rhymes (as Shirley & Alfred)
Goodnight Baby
Disc 2:
The Oogum Boogum Song
Baby You Got It
Me and You
Cross The Bridge
It's Just A Game, Love
Two-Time Loser
Mr. Schemer
Who But A Fool
Some Got It, Some Don't
I Like The Way You Love Me
Best Thing I Ever Had
Trouble
Catch You On The Rebound
Sweet Molly Malone
Where Were You
Need You Love So Bad
Give It Up
A Little Bit Of Love
Sad Little Songs (La Tee Ta)
Birdman
Darlin'
Too Much Too Soon (as Shirley & Alfred)"
Track Listings (22) - Disc #1