Robert Cray Band Vinyl 2 LP Lot: Strong Persuader - Mercury 830 568-1 M-1 (1986) Don't Be Afraid of the Dark - Mercury 834 923-1 (1988) VG++ First Pressings Condition: VG++ (EX) Vinyl and VG++ (EX) Covers. Vinyl was play-tested on all sides and plays really well throughout with good fidelity. Original covesr have good image and are fully intact with no splits or writing. Strong Persuader is the fifth studio album by blues singer and guitarist Robert Cray. Strong Persuader became his mainstream breakthrough and by 1995 it had sold over two million copies. The record was later ranked No. 42 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 greatest albums of the 80's. Strong Persuader received rave reviews from contemporary critics. In a review for Rolling Stone, Jon Pareles said Cray delivered intriguing stories about sex and infidelity with disciplined singing, songwriting, and "a version of blues and soul that doesn't come from any one region, building an idiom for songs that tell with conversational directness the stories of ordinary folks". Robert Christgau from The Village Voice praised Cray's sophisticated blues aesthetic and the songwriting of his supporting studio team, hailing Strong Persuader as "the best blues record in many, many years, so fervently crafted that it may even get what it deserves and become the first album to break out of the genre's sales ghetto since B.B. King was a hot item." In a retrospective review, AllMusic critic Bill Dahl said "it was Cray's innovative expansion of the genre itself that makes this album a genuine 1980s classic." Track listing A1 Smoking Gun A2 I Guess I Showed Her A3 Right Next Door (Because Of Me) A4 Nothin' But A Woman A5 Still Around B1 More Than I Can Stand B2 Foul Play B3 I Wonder B4 Fantasized B5 New Blood Personnel Peter Boe ? keyboards Bruce Bromberg ? producer Richard Cousins ? bass Robert Cray ? guitar, vocals David Olson ? drums Lee Spath ? percussion Andrew Love ? tenor saxophone Wayne Jackson ? trumpet, trombone Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, released in 1988, is Robert Cray's follow-up to Strong Persuader. It peaked at number 32 on the Billboard 200 and staying on the chart for 60 weeks. A1 Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark A2 Don't You Even Care? A3 Your Secret's Safe With Me A4 I Can't Go Home A5 Night Patrol B1 Acting This Way B2 Gotta Change The Rules B3 Across The Line B4 At Last B5 Laugh Out Loud Personnel Peter Boe ? keyboards Richard Cousins ? bass Robert Cray ? guitar, vocals The Memphis Horns ? arranger, horn, horn arrangements Wayne Jackson ? trombone, trumpet Andrew Love ? tenor saxophone Dave Olson ? drums David Sanborn ? alto saxophone on "Acting This Way" _____________________________________________ Shipping: Calculated domestic shipping via Media Mail or Priority Mail. Will ship internationally at FLAT RATES. Records mailed in a proper cardboard LP mailer. All records cleaned prior to shipment. Check out my other auctions, and save on shipping! I do offer multiple-bid shipping discounts -- please contact me before paying if you plan to purchase or bid on multiple auctions. Payment: Paypal is preferred method of payment. Return Policy: I do accept returns for up to 30 days. Please let me know if you have questions about this item or any others I have for sale before you bid or purchase. If you are unhappy with your purchase, please contact me immediately and I will do whatever I can to resolve. This may be a replacement, a credit, or a full or partial refund depending on the circumstances. _____________________________________________ I use the Goldmine Grading System, and play-test all records. I note any differences between vinyl and cover, and make note of any inserts, special sleeves, or potential defects. MINT (M) - Absolutely perfect in every way. Most often this is a still sealed record, records that have been opened are rarely if ever marked as Mint. NEAR MINT (NM) - A good description is that it looks like it just came from a retail store and it was opened for the first time. In other words, it?s nearly perfect, with no visible defects. VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+) - Except for a couple minor things, this could be Near Mint. Most collectors will be happy with a VG+ record, especially if on the high end (VG++). VG+ records may show slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches that do not affect the listening experience. Covers should have only minor wear. VERY GOOD (VG) - VG records are among the biggest bargains, and for many, will be worth the money. They can lack the original gloss, may have surface noise, and some scratches may be audible, especially in soft passages. But the noise will not overpower the music. VG covers will have signs of handling, and may have minor splits. GOOD PLUS (G+) - Good+ does not mean bad! The record still plays through without skipping, but it has significant surface noise and groove wear. Cover may have significant ring wear, noticeable writing, or obvious damage. GOOD (G) - Record may have some skipping, but is otherwise listenable. I generally avoid selling Good (G) rated records unless they are highly collectible or desirable, in order to enjoy until something better comes along. Cover has major wear or seam splits that need repair, or heavy writing like radio station call letters to prevent theft. Feel free to contact me with any specific questions.