The Jive Five, "Rain" c/w "She's My Girl," Beltone 45-2034 (rel. 3/1963)
Despite a series of excellent singles, The Jive Five didn't get many major hits. "My True Story," from 1961, got to #3 on the pop charts (#1 in r&b); "I'm a Happy Man," made when the group had embraced the modern soul sound, got to the top 30 in 1965. The group was well-liked, but there always seemed to be another big record that left them lost in the lower regions of the charts.
Today's single, a seldom-seen early 1963 release, got to #128 on Billboard's "Bubbling Under the Hot 100" list. That magazine awarded the A-side, "Rain," four stars but didn't review it; it's the last item in a laundry list of recommended new releases for March 30, 1963.
For most of their Beltone releases, the group worked with Bob Feldman, Jerry Goldstein and Richard Gottehrer (you remember them from Monday's post, yes?) This trio had a collective golden ear for appealing songs and productions; they were so prolific that X percent of their work went unappreciated when new.
Today's single, a seldom-seen early 1963 release, got to #128 on Billboard's "Bubbling Under the Hot 100" list. That magazine awarded the A-side, "Rain," four stars but didn't review it; it's the last item in a laundry list of recommended new releases for March 30, 1963.
For most of their Beltone releases, the group worked with Bob Feldman, Jerry Goldstein and Richard Gottehrer (you remember them from Monday's post, yes?) This trio had a collective golden ear for appealing songs and productions; they were so prolific that X percent of their work went unappreciated when new.
FGG (as they'll be named henceforth) had an ear for the windswept, eerie side of r&b vocal groups, and they seemed smitten with the sound of The Flamingos' "I Only Have Eyes for You." This influence colors "Rain," a magnificent piece of bluesy atmosphere. Lead vocalist Eugene Pitt embraces the song's drama as he laments the weather, which keeps him from the arms of his beloved. (Perhaps he couldn't afford an umbrella?)
This is a New York-centric narrative; the East Coast's drenching downpours make short work of man's efforts to remain dry. To West Coasters, rain is disregarded; unless it's one of our rare torrents, most people don't bother with umbrellas. A hoodie suffices. This isn't an option for our narrator, who broods in his apartment as his visions of a night of togetherness dims into the grey of the skies outside his window.
A bit downcast? Yes, but the group sings with such emotion you do feel for our star-crossed protagonist. This single came out of the box of unsleeved 45s donated to me a month ago. I got perhaps a dozen keepers out of the 60-75 records given me. There are many good singles left over; I already have them. The me of seven years ago would've been thrilled with the contents. I add an average of 650 records to my collection every year, so it's a trifle harder for me to find discs I've not seen before. And I appreciate the little-known ones, like this, even more.
This is a New York-centric narrative; the East Coast's drenching downpours make short work of man's efforts to remain dry. To West Coasters, rain is disregarded; unless it's one of our rare torrents, most people don't bother with umbrellas. A hoodie suffices. This isn't an option for our narrator, who broods in his apartment as his visions of a night of togetherness dims into the grey of the skies outside his window.
A bit downcast? Yes, but the group sings with such emotion you do feel for our star-crossed protagonist. This single came out of the box of unsleeved 45s donated to me a month ago. I got perhaps a dozen keepers out of the 60-75 records given me. There are many good singles left over; I already have them. The me of seven years ago would've been thrilled with the contents. I add an average of 650 records to my collection every year, so it's a trifle harder for me to find discs I've not seen before. And I appreciate the little-known ones, like this, even more.
"She's My Girl" is a frenzied piece of big-city r&b cut from familiar cloth. As you hear it for the first time, I'm sure you can predict its lyrics. This is a generic song--a bit of a disappointment coming from FGG.
That said, Eugene Pitt delivers a chart-friendly solo vocal; the other Jive Four aren't in the recording studio, for whatever reason. Their harmonized chanting would be preferred over the busy string section that condems this to the limbo of pop-r&b. It was the designated A-side, but what little action this single received came from "Rain," the song that showed a greater creative investment from all parties concerned.
That said, Eugene Pitt delivers a chart-friendly solo vocal; the other Jive Four aren't in the recording studio, for whatever reason. Their harmonized chanting would be preferred over the busy string section that condems this to the limbo of pop-r&b. It was the designated A-side, but what little action this single received came from "Rain," the song that showed a greater creative investment from all parties concerned.
This one's a meh in my book; not unpleasant; just kinda there. There are millions of recordings like this. Millions!
Tomorrow: Reparata and The Delrons return with another of their moody girl-group/garage singles for RCA-Victor. A very 1965 single!
Love this group's name. How can you miss with a name like "the Jive Five." (Guess they did—miss. that is.) Love Pitt making the one syllable rain into something like 10 syllables. He had a great voice.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Frank--never heard these before! Love Pitt's voice as always (and the rest of the guys, too). That first track's quotes of their prior "What Time is It?" is a little odd to me but I still love the track...some really fresh and unusual changes and BG vocal parts happening there. The second track sounds to me more generic and reminds me a little of the Four J's version of "Her Am I (Broken Hearted."
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