Americana blues just isn’t complete unless you inject Ry Cooder into the conversation.  With an immense talent for the guitar, Cooder has made an extraordinary contribution to that thing we call Rock n Roll.  With forays into the deep growth of blues, gospel, and other forms of music, Cooder has explored all and become all.

That’s why Rhino Records has assembled a complementary 2CD collection with the compilation help of Ry Cooder himself, who knows his music better than anyone.  With 34-tracks that span from Ry Cooder’s music entry with his 1970 self-titled debut on through selections from his current stint with his own label, Ry Cooder’s body of work is a hard thing to pick apart for representative songs.  It requires a Box set.  But Rhino’s 2CD Anthology is a perfect collection to not only provide a wise slice of Cooder’s legacy but also to introduce his music to new fans.

The first disc begins with a cover of Johnny Cash’s “Get Rhythm.”  That cover is a great start-off point for 33 other tracks.  His interpretation of the Cash song is sprightly, somewhat gospel in tone, and wonderfully electric.  It is followed by the bluesy instrumental, “Low-Commotion” with its percussive spoons.  You just love hearing that slinky sound and the slide guitar.  From then on, Ry Cooder has become a known benefactor of Americana music in its various forms.  With his incredible guitar prowess, he just is too good to miss.

This set contains not only 34 tracks of Cooder magic but also includes a wonderful 40-page booklet that has Ry Cooder providing written notes on each song.  In addition, the booklet contains a wealth of historical photos spanning Ry Cooder’s career.  There is a 3-page essay written by Michael Ondaatje.  The booklet also provides credits on each song including where each song arrived from.

This 2CD Anthology adds a gift in the way of a previously unreleased tune, “Let’s Work Together,” a song written by Wilbert Harrison.  Ry Cooder is amazing as he covers songs from the likes of Skip James, and Johnny Cash, and this unreleased track is special.  He also has a track, included here, that was co-written with the great Willie Dixon (“Which Came First”).  Some better known tracks come from his strong album releases that include Bop Til You Drop (1979), and Chicken Skin Music (1976), both from the grand era of the '70s, are “The Very Thing That Makes You Rich (Makes Me Poor)” and the unmatched and incredible “Down in Hollywood.”

The UFO Has Landed is one of those necessary inclusions in your library unless, of course, you have all of Ry Cooder’s works (pure brilliance if you do).  No only do you get an ‘as good as 2CDs can provide’ cross sampling of Cooder greatness, you get that extra song and a personal booklet. 

Essential!!