Still regulars on the Oldies performing circuit, The Jive Five helped bridge the gap between fifties Doo Wop and sixties Soul. This hits collection features "My True Story", which rose to #1 on the Billboard R&B Singles chart and to #3 on the Pop Singles Chart in the summer of 1961.

The Jive Five includes: Eugene Pitt, Jerome Hanna, Richard Harris (vocals).

Includes liner notes by Charlie Horner.

Personnel: Eugene Pitt (vocals); Richard Harris (tenor); Billy Prophet (baritone); Norman Johnson (bass voice).

Liner Note Author: Charlie Horner.

This contains all the Brooklynites' early hits and just-as-good B-sides, but omits later recordings, so it isn't definitive. Still, it doesn't get much better than "My True Story," "Begging You Please," "Hurry Back," "Never, Never," and "These Golden Rings," all heavyweight, doo wop-influenced ballads. The syncopated "Rain" has the same feel of "What Time Is It" (also included); Eugene Pitt's masculine tenor hits all the right notes and high points on every tune. They sing of aliens from outer space on "People From Another World," displaying their immense, seemingly innate doo wop skills. A floating tenor is a feature on many tunes, including "No, Not Again." At 1:45, "Hully Gully Callin' Time" may be the briefest R&B hit in history, but it's magical, and filled the dance floors at early-'60s junior high school canteens and skating rinks every time it played. ~ Andrew Hamilton

Genre:

• R&B / Soul

Labels:

• Collectables Records

Music Categories:

• Oldies: Doowop

Product Groupings:

• Clearance CDs
• Collectables Records - Audio CDs
• Greatest Hits