By the mid-1980s, the blues wasn’t exactly at the forefront of the popular music scene. Rock, pop, and the emerging wave of MTV-friendly acts dominated the radio airwaves, with the blues seeming more like a relic from a different era. But Robert Cray’s Strong Persuader, his fourth studio album, proved that the blues could still feel fresh, contemporary, and radio-friendly, all while holding onto its soul. Featuring sharp songwriting, sophisticated arrangements, and Cray’s signature guitar tone, Strong Persuader became his commercial breakthrough, selling over 2 million units worldwide and earning a lasting place in the hearts of music lovers.
While Strong Persuader achieved success largely due to its impeccable production quality and standout track selection, the album’s cover art wasn’t much of a selling point. It’s not exactly a visual masterpiece, and while it may have fit the era’s aesthetic, it hasn’t aged particularly well. The sonic presentation, however, is an entirely different story. While I’ve yet to experience a physical version of the album, the Hi-Res Lossless Apple Digital Master is an absolute delight to listen to.
The soundstage experienced via the stream is immersive, warm, and detailed, inviting you into the blues from the very first note to the last. Cray’s vocal delivery and guitar work resonate on a deeply emotional level, making it feel as though you’re hearing him play live in your living room as the speakers disappear and you’re left with an otherworldly musical experience. Don’t take my word for it, however, take a listen for yourself as we take a look at the songs that make up this classic release.
Smoking Gun opens the album with a rhythm that’s impossible not to tap your foot to. The incredible guitar riff, paired with a solid solo and a rich, multi-layered instrumental backdrop, makes Smoking Gun one of the album’s defining tracks and a perfect entry point into Cray’s signature blend of blues and soul.
I Guess I Showed Her, with its smooth blend of blues, jazz, and funk, keeps the energy high. Cray’s vocal phrasing is compelling, making it one of the more engaging listens on the album, but it’s the seamless flow that’s of particular note here, for it melds perfectly with the record’s overall vibe.
Right Next Door (Because Of Me) slows things down with this beautifully smooth ballad. The groove is sultry and intoxicating, and the overall effect is mesmerising. Not only is this one of the best songs on Strong Persuader, it might be one of the very best songs Cray has ever recorded.
Nothin' But A Woman is blues bliss, driven by a warm, upbeat rhythm, and soulful horn section. While it fits Cray’s style perfectly, one can’t help but imagine how a guitarist like Gary Moore could have taken this song to even greater heights with his high-energy, rock-infused blues sound. Even so, Cray’s version is nothing short of fantastic.
Still Around is a mid-tempo number that is perfectly rooted in its era, although it maintains a fresh and modern sound signature. Cray’s vocal delivery is, similarly, perfectly suited to the song, but it’s the slightly recessed musical bed and rich guitar tone that make this a standout tune.
More Than I Can Stand was likely never intended to be a showstopper, for every song need not be hit-worthy to add to the flow of an exceptional album. As such, More Than I Can Stand is a quintessential album-only tune.
Foul Play is a hidden gem with an irresistibly moody vibe that will have you moving involuntarily throughout. The twang in Cray’s guitar is reminiscent of Dire Straits or Eric Clapton, but it’s unmistakably his own.
I Wonder is tender, vulnerable, and heartfelt, with Cray’s vocal at its most soulful. The ballad’s slow pace allows the emotion to breathe, and the signature twang in his guitar makes the song even more compelling.
Fantasized provides a slight jolt to the senses, with its playful tempo, following the ballad-style of I Wonder. Though the shift is noticeable, it’s a solid track that keeps the album moving, and while not as memorable as some of the others, it still holds its own.
New Blood closes the album on a strong note that will have you hitting repeat for it’s one of those songs that will compel you to listen to the record again.
Strong Persuader succeeds because it successfully blends traditional blues with a contemporary, mainstream sound that appeals to a broad audience without losing its soul. The intricate arrangements, top-notch production, and Cray’s mastery of both guitar and vocal delivery make this album a timeless classic. Whether you’re a casual listener or a lifelong blues fan, Strong Persuader is an album you can enjoy from start to finish without skipping a track, and it also happens to be one of the greatest releases of the 1980s, holding up as one of the finest moments in Cray’s career.