Strong Persuader is American blues guitarist Robert Cray

Robert Cray

Robert Cray is an American blues guitarist and singer. A five-time Grammy Award winner, he has led his own band, as well as an acclaimed solo career.-Career:...

's fifth studio album, released in 1986

1986 in music

This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1986.-January-June:*January 23 – The first induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame takes place...

, and became his breakthrough album to the mainstream. "Strong Persuader" also became a nickname

Nickname

A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....

 for Cray. The album was ranked #42 on Rolling Stone

Rolling Stone

Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...

's list of the 100 greatest albums of the 80's.

Lyrics

Cray's music contains sometimes sexual lyrics, which are showcased on Strong Persuader. Some lyrics from "Fantasized", for example: "She had sugar-sweet lips and magical hips just like I fantasized, what a slow ride, she moaned and she cried just like I fantasized." Cray also adds background comments suggesting he has a large penis on lead out tracks on cuts 2,4, 5 on Strong Persuader.

Track listing

1. "Smoking Gun" (Amy, Cousins, Cray) - 4:07
2. "I Guess I Showed Her" (Cray) - 3:39
3. "Right Next Door (Because Of Me)" (Walker, Cray) - 4:19
4. "Nothin' but a Woman (featuring The Memphis Horns
   The Memphis Horns
   The Memphis Horns are an American horn section made famous by their many appearances on Stax Records. They have been called "arguably the greatest soul horn section ever." Originally a sextet, the Memphis Horns gradually slimmed down to a duo, Wayne Jackson on trumpet and Andrew Love on tenor...
   
   )" (Cousins, Cray, Boe, Bromberg, Olson) - 3:58
5. "Still Around" (Cray) - 3:42
6. "More Than I Can Stand" (Cray) - 2:57
7. "Foul Play" (Cray) - 4:07
8. "I Wonder" (Cray) - 3:57
9. "Fantasized" (Cray) - 4:04
10. "New Blood" (Cray) - 4:21

Credits

• Fidel Bell - mixing assistant
• Charlie Brocco - mixing assistant
• Peter Boe - keyboards
• Bruce Bromberg (D. Amy) - producer
• Richard Cousins - bass
• Robert Cray
  Robert Cray
  Robert Cray is an American blues guitarist and singer. A five-time Grammy Award winner, he has led his own band, as well as an acclaimed solo career.-Career:...
  
   - main performer, guitar, vocals
• David Olson - drums
• Lee Spath - percussion
• Andrew Love - tenor saxophone
• Wayne Jackson - trumpet, trombone

Singles

• 1987 "Smoking Gun" Billboard Hot 100 No. 22
• 1987 "Smoking Gun" Mainstream Rock Tracks No. 2

External links

• [ Robert Cray's Strong Persuader at Allmusic.com]