The Captain Beefheart album "Safe Is Milk" is an absolute must! Ry Cooder plays terrific guitar on this album, plus classic Beefheart tunes, you can't lose!
yeah, but Blind Willie's different. remember If I Had My Way? it tears buildings down indeed. such a powerful voice. for more interesting BWJ covers, see Ramblin' Jack Elliot's 2009 LP A Stranger Here with "The Soul Of A Man".
I started with "Get Rhythm" and "Little Village" and it was a great start. On the latter, other band members handle most of the vocals, like on most of his recent recordings. But if you want good recent vocals from him, go for "I Flathead". During the 90s, he's often played on entire albums by Terry Evans and before that, Bobby King & Terry Evans. These guys are terrific. I love that Ry Cooder is a populator of styles. I feel lucky to have gotten to know and enjoy a lot of great musical styles through his work - albums such as "Meeting by the River", "Talking Timbuktu", "Mambo Sinuendo".
i haven't heard a ry cooder album i don't like - and i think i have them all. in addition to those mentioned earlier, i would recommend a more recent one from a couple of years ago - I Flathead. very accessible, very clever.