Getting references after a company closes (update)

I worry a reference will only confirm dates of employment. I would rather hear the honest version than the polite one. A colleague offered to vouch for me. How do you ask politely?

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it 11 months ago, and it got easier once I kept a simple log of every call and form.

I kept a note of my results so my references could be specific. They appreciated it.