Strong Persuader

Robert Cray | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Island / Mercury
• ASIN: B000001FKR
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,153 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #28 in Music > Blues > Modern Blues
  • #56 in Music > Blues > Electric Blues
  • #69 in Music > Blues > Contemporary Blues

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Stinging urban blues by way of Texas and Memphis distinguish Robert Cray's major-label debut, which followed three strong independent releases. Here he fleshes out his sound with bursts of brassy Southern soul courtesy of the Memphis Horns, but keeps his pungent, steely guitar solos out front in an engaging dialogue with his plaintive vocals. Released in 1986, Strong Persuader signaled that Cray, as a writer--like his contemporary Stevie Ray Vaughan--had something to say about his interior life beyond the usual bluesman's laments, an approach that pays homage to the music's rich traditions while suggesting new areas of inquiry. --David McGee

Product Description

1986 breakthrough album featuring 'Smoking Gun','Right Next Door' & 'I Wonder'.

See all Editorial Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great collection of music November 2, 2000

By Martin Lemos

Format:Audio CD

I first heard "Smoking Gun" when I was 16 and was blown away. In the era of hair bands and glam metal, Robert Cray quietly hit the scene and showed how he was alot better than what was big at that time. Funny how he is still making music and most if not all of the hair bands are gone. This disc is from top to finish a great collection of music. We have some serious slow blues like "Right Next Door" and Smoking Gun, and some faster tunes like Nothin' But A Women and I Guess I Showed Her. Not only are we able to see how much knowledge of the blues Robert Cray has, But we also get an insight to his knowledge of classic soul and R&B. This CD is still strong after 14 years and I still am totally into it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars News from the front March 10, 2000

By ADP

Format:Audio CD

If there is a war between men and women, Robert Cray's songs are like casualty reports straight from the front. The music shows a serious knowledge not merely of blues (although that would be quite enough), but of deeply-rooted gospel and R&B (who cannot love the Wilson Pickett-style horns on "I Guess I Showed Her?"). This is matched well with the personal details Cray adds to his lyrics. In "Foul Play," we can almost hear the protagonist's paranoia and fear. In "I Guess I Showed Her," he glowers triumphantly at dumping an unfaithful spouse, only to reveal his hurt pride at the very end of the song, in the fadeout. In "Right Next Door (Because of Me)," he is a womanizer feeling--one thinks for the first time--pangs of guilt over the seduction of yet another wife. While not a replacement for recordings by the blues greats of old, this is an incredible CD.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "Smoking Gun" of Talent May 13, 2003

By N. D. A. Grie

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Robert Cray hits the bulls-eye with this collection of blues, rock and soul. His fast, dexterous guitar is always melodic, never gimmicky, and he leads a tight, no-frills backup band that often manages to sound like a Muscle Shoals studio band of the sixties. Robert's strong, clear voice conveys both rage and humor (sometimes at the same time!) but from the cover picture, you know the humor is the real message. The songs are mainly about love's suspicions and betrayals, most prominently in "Smoking Gun", and his lyrics are always compelling. Every song delivers flawlessly, making it impossible to nitpick or say some songs are better than others. There is nothing innovative or unusual about "Strong Persuader", it's all been done before, but few have done it as well, or managed to sound so distinctive as Robert Cray. This Seattle native has held a steady popularity among his fans and music critics, but despite his amazing singing and playing, his thorough professionalism, and his "marquee good looks", he never broke out into really massive popular appeal. What a shame!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars SMOKING FUN December 11, 2005

By Jukebox Dave

Format:Audio CD

ROBERT CRAY-STRONG PERSUADER: This Grammy winning juggernaut of an album was sophisticated singer/guitar slinger ROBERT CRAY's commercial breakthrough (after many years in the trenches), and along with STEVIE RAVE ON's stellar debut, a tone-cool introduction to the blooze for much of the rock & roll crowd. The fiesty slice of six stringed magic SMOKING GUN (which shares a melody with BOB DYLAN's moody SEVEN DAYS) was the shot heard 'round the world, propelling the dues-paying CRAY's name into the stratosphere. The rest of STRONG PERSUADER is an equally gritty, urban passion-play, featuring coulda-been hits such as I GUESS I SHOWED HER and FOUL PLAY's clever home-wrecker storytelling told in CRAY's soul man wail, even as the legendary Memphis Horns punctuating the proceedings with searing Stax blasts of righteous fun. STRONMG PERSUADER is one party platter you'll want to break out often; there's plenty of rock, rhythm and soul in ROBERT CRAY's jelly-roll.

RATING: FIVE FINGERS

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet and soulful December 25, 2004

By James Padilla

Format:Audio CD

I remember back in '86 when this was first released, I was immeadiately taken in my the sweet and crisp sounds coming from Robert Cray's guitar. The way he played kept me interested in from one song to the next. At the time that was no easy feat as I was 15 and a raging metal head guitar player engrossed in Megadeth and Metallica. But this album really opened me up to a new world and new sounds. His voice is honest and soulful and the dynamics of the whole recording are amazing. It made me look into more of types of blues like delta, country and chicago. I would also suggest looking into his recordings with Buddy Guy and the late Albert Collins. And to the the simpleton from Portland who said this should be avoided...get a clue. How dare you think yourself such a blues afficinado. If Muddy Waters were alive today he would tell you to hit the road himself. I have no doubts at all that those old guys would love Mr. Crays music. Dont believe me ask Hubert Sumlin. And if you dont know who he is you really dont have a clue.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic! August 23, 2003

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD

Robert Cray took the music scene by grit force with this sexy original album. His voice croons like maple syrup and his guitar player is edgy and raw. This is a classic album at the beginning of a stella career as Mr Robert Cray has gone on to receive 11grammy nominations and won 5 ." The album has a flow and I never get bored of listening to it. An album not to be missed and one that belongs in any serious music collection.