Customer Reviews

Strong Persuader

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

ROBERT CRAY-STRONG PERSUADER: This Grammy winning juggernaut of an album was sophisticated singer/guitar slinger ROBERT CRAY's commercial breakthrough, and along with STEVIE RAVE ON's debut, a tone-cool introduction to the blooze for much of the rock crowd. His 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, passion-play, featuring coulda-been hits I GUESS I SHOWED HER and FOUL PLAY's clever home-wrecker storytelling told in CRAY's earthy wail, even as the legendary Memphis Horns punctuating the proceedings with searing Stax blasts of righteous fun. Here's a party platter you'll want to break out often; there's plenty of soul in ROBERT CRAY's jelly-roll.

RATING: FIVE FINGERS

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.

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.

It's like butta- it just melts around you and you sort of forget it's there though it becomes your personal soundtrack. Yo Cray man, you gotta throw in some lousy tunes now and then! When you have an album of all 10's it's almost too perfect. But hell, I can't argue. Put this on when you got that special lady over- it'll turn her loose quickstyle.
I'm glad you were doin your own thing in Hail Hail Rock and Roll by the way...keep it real.

STRONG PERSUADER - The only bad thing to say about this CD is that it comes to an end !!! Robet Cray has made one of the most listenable blues CD, Tape or Record Album of all time !!! I have it it all three versions . He hits you right from the top with SMOKING GUN. RIGHT NEXT DOOR makes you feel right next door. Foul Play is another standout . There is not a bad tune on the CD and this disc will remain an essential for all time !!! It is one that can be played over and over and over !!! Thank you Robert !!!

If you only want to own one blues album, and this isn't the one you have, sell yours and buy this one. This guy does everything, sings, plays (and plays some more), and writes. "Right Next Door (Because Of Me)" is stunning, but once you've played that one to death, you'll notice that all the rest of the songs are too.

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, not just the Midwest, the South, or even England. Cray's sound and style take the blues to the next level, proving that you don't have to have slept in boxcars or picked cotton in order to be a great blues musician; you just have to be human. This is a great album about love gone wrong in contemporary settings, with Cray playing both victim and perpetrator, sometimes both on the same song. This is a wonderful CD that's a must-own for any blues/roots-rock fan.