Hi Kurt,

Glad to hear that you are familiar with this band. IMO, their first two albums are essential for any AOR fan with an even remotely open mind. At this particular moment in time, I can't think of a single band that was formed in the '90s whose harmonies are as HUGE, slick, or flawless as Blackhawk's. Total ear candy! I own their first four albums, so I haven't bought their g/h compilation. I'll say this, though: if the g/h package is missing any/many of the following tracks, you're missing out and should consider picking up one (or both) of their first two albums.
from the s/t debut:
-Goodbye Says It All
-Down In Flames
-Every Once In A While
-I Sure Can Smell the Rain
-That's Just About Right
(ie., the first 5 tracks from the album!)

from the 2nd album, "Strong Enough":
-King of the World
-Almost a Memory Now
-Any Man With a Heartbeat
-I'm Not Strong Enough To Say No
-Big Guitar
-Like There Ain't No Yesterday
-A Kiss Is Worth a Thousand Words

Bottom line: I'm really not what I'd consider a big fan of country music at all, but based on their first two albums, Blackhawk is one of my favorite artists of the '90s.


If you haven't heard Restless Heart before, you owe it to yourself to try to do so. I remember back in the early '90s when I pretty much hated country music. I was visiting my in-laws one day and they were playing the country station on TV (like they did pretty much constantly). I tolerated it, but that's about all. Then, suddenly I heard this song come on. I simply could not believe my ears! It had the most beautiful melody line and the most gorgeous harmonies that it just knocked me on my @ss. The song? "Fast Movin' Train" from the album of the same title. Since then I've discovered many other gems by this band, including the lush, huge, intensely melodic, harmony-driven "The Bluest Eyes In Texas." Even my brother, who *HATES* country music (he won't even listen to Shania!) enjoys most of this band's music. Check 'em out.

If the idea of a southern/western flavoured, acoustic guitar-driven version of Bon Jovi interests you, you might also consider picking up one of Ray Lyell's first two albums. Ray has a gravelly voice not unlike, say, Steve Plunkett of Autograph. But his music is much more in line with Bon Jovi circa "Blaze of Glory." Cool stuff!
Hope this has helped.
Don