Customer Reviews

Love & Gravity

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I purchased this Cd last, after aquirring 1, 2, and 4. And without a doubt this is the bands finest, and strongest offering. I find myself constantly pulled back to this CD, the structure and flow is excellent. Van Stephensons "If That Was A Lie" is heart wrenching, and very moving, why he isn't utlized more is beyond me, and considering what has happened to him, its kind of a shame. Everyone should be aware of what a great talent he was, he wrote alot for Restless Heart early on, and Henry Paul too, fronted the Outlaws in their infancy, and was responsible for quite a few of their hits.

Just last week I felt like getting a new CD. I wasn't very familiar with Blackhawk but remembered I liked "Postmarked Birmingham". Now I can't stop listening. There's not one song that's less than terrific. I'll be in line for tickets if they make it back to Seattle.

It's very hard to categorize this CD in a single genre. But sometimes that makes for a better album... That is the case here. When I first put this CD in, I was already a big Blackhawk fan. So I was biast. Be a fan or not, I didnt think it was as good as the first two dics. But naturally, after a few listens, I got more into it... and out of it. First off, the songwriting on this one is absolutely top notch! Some of the best, some unknowns at the time, and even a youger Phil Vassar pens a song for this one. (Could be his best.)
The CD starts with Love and Gravity. A middle of the road, Country-Rocker. Typical of Blackhawk. The vocal harmonys are tight as ever, and the CD starts with a bang. Next is Stepping Stones. This is one of the songs that took me longer to say I really liked. However, that time to grow in my ears, made it grow on me huge. Its another mid-tempo song. Another song that I could see the Outlaws playing back when Henry sang for them too. Track three is the first heart-wrencher on the CD. Oh my! This song is about a man who gets a letter from the girl who left him. The envelope has Birmingham in the Postmark, but no return address. It tells the story from his point of view as he wonders if she stayed in Alabama, or if she moved on to somewhere else. Hinting little that he wants the relationship back, and a lot that he just wants to konw where she ended up, and why. A beautiful song.
To pick up the pace and turn the volume up some, The boys belt out a modern Heart classic, Will you be There in the Morning? This one finds the guys rocking more that any other song on the album so far, and the vocals from all three of them are higher and tighter.
It Aint About Love Anymore, is another mid-tempo song. Obviously about a relationship that is still there, but has lost its meaning. I see it as the couple being willing to get back the magic, as it comes to a head that it has been lost.
Nobody's Fool is a little mellower, but not any slower, song about not wanting to be alone. "I'd rather be somebody's fool, than nobody's fool at all." And then we move on to If That Was a Lie. This song is sung by the man who I believe was the heart and the driving force behind this band, up until he lost his battle with cancer. Van Stephenson. This is a temder, country-rock Power ballad. Van's vocals are great, and the guitars make you want to pump you fist while you wipe the tears from you eye's. My favorite song on the album by far!
Hole in My Heart was the first single off this CD, and a farely big hit for the band. Its an up-tempo poppy song about a man who wants a woman real bad, but doesnt want the problems that go with having a hot, high maitnence girl. After that, a return to the beginning of the CD, in that the song Hold Me Harmless is another mid-tempo country style rock/pop song. Its one of those, Just one more time, or just for one night kinda songs. Hold me, It'll be harmless. She Dances with Her Shadow is a slow ballad, worthy of play on a light rock station, but with a 3-way harmony that can not be matched. The disc ends with the song Lonely Boy. This one starts of with a nice little banjo intro, the moves on to the piano, which kicks an a sad, but rockin' song about a young boy's life, growing up not being noticed as much as he might have been if he understood the world and his family a little bit better. A good way to end a great CD.
Blackhawk did not deliver a better CD when Van was alive. This was his best CD as a recording artist, weather with a band, or solo. And he had some great ones. If you like Blackhawk at all, you should love this CD. I even have a few friends who dont like country, that like this one.
Once you buy this, and fall in love with it, you need to get the CD Spirit Dancer. Its the first album the boys did without Van, and it is more/less a tribute to there fallen brother. If you were a fan before, it will be a tear-jerker. Even the loud, rockin' songs.
Buy, listen, enjoy, love!

When an album like this comes along, you just gotta grab it. Tremendously talented songwriters Henry Paul, Dave Robbins, and Van Stephenson and even road-man/lead guitarist Dale Oliver take turns penning tunes on this record. The title track "Love and Gravity" is reminicent of the band's debut single "Goodbye Says It All." "She Dances With Her Shadow" is just beautiful, and "Postmarked Birmingham" by all rights should have been a #1 smash. If you love music for music's sake, don't miss this album!

These arent just well-hung men in tight fitting jeans.Blackhawk serves up first rate country on this, their third release.Especially noteworthy are the singles Hole In My Heart (which evokes vintage Huey Lewis) and Postmarked Birmingham. Check out their previous releases too, while you are at it!

The last effort by this band, "Strong Enough" wasn't what it's title said. Here, the band lifts its head up high and challenges themselves more, creating a rock-fused country album that won't disapoint their fans.

The best tracks, being the mountain "Postmarked Birmingham", or the title track, you'll wanna keep turning to these tracks again and again. Also, a great new version of the 70's classic, "Lonely Boy".

This album was a strong, emotional, but more upbeat answer to Strong Enough. Their classic harmonizing is as good as ever, and we get to hear a poignant song from non-lead singer Van Stephenson. If you are pondering a possible first Blackhawk CD purchase, this one will definitely not dissapoint!

Blackhawk's best album yet! Thankfully, it is not quite as dark as "Strong Enough". Unfortunately, the master songwriter Jeff Black is not represented on this album. Oh well, maybe he'll make a reappearance for the fourth album.