Customer Reviews

Rock the Boat

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this CD for the, supposedly, 12" version of their one and only classic--"Rock the Boat," but for a little over three-minute version of the song, it is most definitely not worth buying at all. I suppose they still didn't have extended play versions at the time, but to advertise something as a 12" version should mean that it should be different from the am/radio short version, and this is way too short to warrant being called a 12' version. Forget this album, you might as well find the song in any of the various artists dance compilations in the same short, short format. Boo!!!!

They named themselves after the business empire of Howard Hues and they recorded some excellent easy listening disco music in the mid-seventies, but they are remembered as a one-hit wonder. Although it's not strictly true, nearly all acts eventually get reduced to one hit in the public mind. Bing Crosby had over 300 hits in America, but how many people could name more than one?

Rock the boat is one of my favorite disco songs from the seventies. Anybody who was around at the time, or younger people who have listened to a lot of seventies music, will be familiar with it, because it regularly appears on various artists compilations and it gets its share of radio airplay. If, for whatever reason, you are not already familiar with this song, I recommend you seek out a various artists compilation on which it is included before worrying about this.

Formed in 1969, the Hues Corporation got plenty of practice working the LA nightclub scene before they got their break in 1973 via an appearance in the movie Blacula. Freedom for the stallion, their first single, was a minor American hit. Rock the boat followed, going to number one in America and number six in Britain, as well as being a huge hit in many other countries. Only one more significant hit followed. Rockin' soul went top 20 in the USA and top 30 in the UK.

All three hits are included in this collection of a group who may not have been among the most important disco groups, but whose music is definitely worth a listen.

Although including only ten tracks, this Hues Corporation compilation is actually quite good. At least it contains the beautiful soul ballads "Freedom For The Stallion", "Off My Cloud" and "Go To The Poet", apart from the obligatory hits (but I hear no difference in the alleged "12" mixes"). In fact, there is a better compilation: "The Very Best of The Hues Corporation", which has all the tracks on this one and more. But if you can't find it, the Golden Classics collection should be the second choice, even if it has fewer tracks than all others.

I bought this cd, because there is no other with all their hits. I especially bought for the 12" versions. But to my surprise only "love corporation" is about 10 seconds longer than the original on vinyl. The rest isn't.

It's amazing how some artists seem to have more compilations on CD than original albums on vinyl. I'm a big fan of the Hues Corporation, but I really don't know what to make of this CD. The only reason for buying it is that it is the only one to include "Live a Lie" from the group's debut album. But then, it leaves out "Go To The Poet" and "Off My Cloud". The selection as a whole is good, but if you want just one, definitive compilation, choose "The Very Best of The Hues Corporation", instead. Even the Golden Classics collection, which has fewer tracks, can be a better choice.

Despite the opinion of my grumpy fellow reviewer (who has some point, I suppose), if you want to know more about this CD than the one track, read on. This is a pretty decent collection of early-era disco, melodic and fun. "Rock the Boat" is a classic. "Rockin' Soul" was a sizeable hit, even if it sound way too similar to "Rock the Boat". "Freedom for the Stallion" is likewise pretty good. One chart entry ("I Caught Your Act") is missing, but what's here is entertaining, if nothing terribly special.

I'm not into the greatest hits thing but considering we can not find original albuns by the Hues Corporation this is a nice opportunity to have their music. The quality of the recording is good and the songs are nice. In the absence of their albuns it's recommended for lovers of the disco music.

As for the fellow who said that he expected more for the so-called 12 inch version, apparently he is not very familiar with the album at all. What this simply means is that that song on this CD was taken from the original 12 inch album which I do have and is the same as this CD compilation

The group that named themselves after a famous billionaire, one Mr. Howard Hughes...and scrambled the name a bit. The nuggets on this album of course are their biggest hits including "Freedom For The Stallion" ( also covered by Three Dog Night) and "Rock the Boat". There are quite a few above average tunes in this collection such as "Love Corporation" and "Rockin' Soul". Worth a listen.

Being a fan of the '70 soul and soft rock music, this is one group that is in the Top Ten, (Top Five in my book)that brings
back fond memories. Rock the Boat and Rockin Soul are popular
songs that everybody enjoys, but Love Corporation and Go to The
Poet, stand out in my book. This group really rocks when I play
their music and think back to my younger days.