Strong Enough is the second studio album by American country music band Blackhawk, released in 1995. It features the singles "I'm Not Strong Enough to Say No", "Like There Ain't No Yesterday", "Almost a Memory Now", "Big Guitar", and "King of the World", which respectively reached numbers 2, 3, 11, 17, and 49 on the Hot Country Songs charts. The album itself earned RIAA gold certification for sales of 500,000 copies.
The track "Cast Iron Heart" was previously recorded by Pearl River on their 1993 album Find Out What's Happening, and would later be recorded by Linda Davis on her 1996 album Some Things Are Meant to Be. In addition, "Bad Love Gone Good" was previously recorded by John Anderson on 1993's Solid Ground.
Critical reception Of this album, Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote in AllMusic that it "finds the group consolidating their strengths as songwriters and performers. Throughout the album, the group turns in first-rate songs and tight performances, distinguished by their strong harmonies." An uncredited Billboard review praised the energy of Paul's vocal delivery, as well as the variety of songwriters.
Track listing
Chart performance
Weekly charts Chart (1995) Peakposition Canadian Country Albums (RPM) 5 US Billboard 200 22 US Top Country Albums (Billboard) 4
Year-end charts Chart (1995) Position US Top Country Albums (Billboard) 54 Chart (1996) Position US Top Country Albums (Billboard) 32
Singles Year Single Chart Positions US Country US CAN Country 1995 "I'm Not Strong Enough to Say No" 2 104 1 "Like There Ain't No Yesterday" 3 — 1 1996 "Almost a Memory Now" 11 — 14 "Big Guitar" 17 — 8 "King of the World" 49 — 41
Personnel Compiled from liner notes.
Blackhawk Henry Paul – lead vocals, acoustic guitar Dave Robbins – keyboard, baritone vocals Van Stephenson – tenor vocals
Additional musicians Mike Chapman - bass guitar Bobby Huff - drums Dann Huff - electric guitar Kenny Malone - percussion Carl Marsh - programming Dale Oliver - electric guitar Danny Parks - additional electric guitar Kip Raines - additional drums Eric Silver - mandolin Joe Spivey - fiddle Biff Watson - acoustic guitar Lonnie Wilson - drums
Technical Mark Bright - production Mike Clute - associate production, recording, mixing Tim DuBois - executive production Hank Williams - mastering
References