Personnel: Richard Harris, Jerome Hanna (tenor).
Liner Note Author: Bill Millar.
An import first released in 1983 and still in print, Our True Story covers the Jive Five's prolific two-year (1961 to 1963) stint on Beltone Records. Beltone issued seven singles by the deacons of New York doo wop during this stretch, including the everlasting "My True Story," "What Time Is It," "Hully Gully Callin' Time," and "These Golden Rings." The gems here are the not-as-familiar ballads where lead singer Eugene Pitt's trumpeting tenor always manages a heartfelt appearance. The 18 songs include two unreleased Beltone sides, "Hurry Back" and "You Know What I Would Do." A comprehensive overview of their Beltone years, but the supreme Jive Five compilation -- including songs they cut through the '80s on various labels under different names -- is still waiting in the wings. ~ Andrew Hamilton