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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
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
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
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
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
Format:Audio CD
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!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
excellent.
a superb release from an artist who i would definitely say is understated. accomplished would be putting it mildly. excellent!
Published 18 months ago by Mr. C. Watkins
First blues album I ever bought
I was 14 when I heard Right Next Door on the radio. I was still a fan of those boy bands, but that song bowled me over. Read more
Published on February 24, 2010 by Sally McC
What can I say,it is a great cd!!
The very first time I heard of Robert Cray was on VH1 in the early years of the t.v program.The song that got me hooked on this album(yeah I am old enough to remember albums)was... Read more
Published on September 21, 2009 by Music lover
satisfied customer
I have been looking fo this for a long time and I have finally found It.
Published on September 10, 2008 by Brenda Benjamin
Great Soul-Blues CD Proves That Great Blues Can Come From Anywhere
STRONG PERSUADER, Oregon bluesman Robert Cray's classic 1986 breakthrough album, is a unique mix of blues and Stax/Volt soul which proves that great blues can come from anywhere,... Read more
Published on April 11, 2008 by The Footpath Cowboy
a must have
this absolutely, positively a must have cd for any one who appreciates great music. it is all good.
Published on April 8, 2008 by W. Landis
Great introduction to Robert Cray and great cross over CD
Robert Cray is one of those singers who is a quintessential crossover artist because he is able to bring a type of music (in this case blues)into the mainstream. Read more
Published on January 21, 2008 by robbieandrose
The guitar players' guitar player... shines!
One of the cool features of the Blues is how many types and styles there are. Unfortunately for my wallet, I enjoy just about every form out there. Read more
Published on January 15, 2008 by J. M. Jacobs
Robert Cray/CD
The CD came in excellent quality!! I love it!!
Roxann Hill
Gecko Girl
Roxann Hill
Gecko Girl
Published on January 7, 2008 by R. Hill
Blues, jazz and Rock all rolled into one?
A friend intorduced me to this album a very long time ago and I have wanted to get my own CD for a long time.. Read more
Published on October 10, 2007 by M.R. Amazon Shopper
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