BlackHawk's trio of lead vocalist Henry Paul (also mandolin) and harmonizers Van Stephenson (guitar) and Dave Robbins (keyboards) were brought together to form one of the most successful country groups of the `90s. This merger came about after many years spent forging their own identities: Paul with the Outlaws and the Henry Paul Band, Stephenson and Robbins as successful songwriters for Kenny Rogers and Restless Heart, among others. The group's specialty is definitely up-tempo tunes (all ten of their enclosed top 20 efforts have a pronounced beat) and usually, the rowdier, the better. Barn-burners "Every Once In Awhile," "Like There Ain't No Yesterday;" and "There You Have It" were heaven-sent for swing dancing, while mid-tempo tracks like "Just About Right" and "Almost A Memory Now" nicely display their organic roots. The two other recordings contained on Greatest Hits provide a much needed cool down from the boisterousness: the exquisite ballad "Postmarked Birmingham" (Paul's greatest vocal performance to date) which undeservedly stiffed outside the top 30 and the non-single "Always Have, Always Will" which offers a rare lead by the author Robbins (an accomplished, heartfelt effort, though not up to Paul's stellar vocal standards). The omitted "Hole In My Heart" and a lively cover of the Andrew Gold hit "Lonely Boy would have fit in nicely as well, but overall, it's a creditable selection of BlackHawk's best. Greatest Hits also contains three diverse new recordings. The first single "I Need You All The Time" is vintage BlackHawk: quick tempo, a lot of fun, and easy to dance to. Radio's resistance to give it steady airplay (it has stalled in the middle regions of the country charts) may not bode well for the group's recording future. There's also a lovely, subtle ballad "It Takes A Woman" which revives the old adage "success is nothing without someone to share it with". Best of all is "Ships Of Heaven," a semi-autobiographical ode written by Stephenson while he was being treated for a malignant melanona. It's a powerful statement about everlasting love that builds to a glorious, gospel-engulfed climax. It's also a fitting swan song for Stephenson as he r