Foreboding, Witty Film Scores From Cooder : RY COODER: “The Music of Ry Cooder” <i> Warner Bros.</i> *** 1/2

The biggest mistake the Rolling Stones ever made creatively was not luring Cooder at all costs when they needed a replacement for guitarist Mick Taylor in the ‘70s. Not only would Cooder’s rootsy sensibilities have brought a renewed blues vitality to the band, but his intimidating presence could have made Jagger-Richards work harder on new material.

The Stones’ loss, however, has been the film world’s gain. Cooder has shown such a remarkable consistency and character in his film music since the early ‘80s that his soundtracks are as inviting as his lively studio collections.

Though stark and foreboding images are often associated with his scores, there are also moments over the course of this two-disc set that are cleansing and witty.

Besides featuring previously unreleased tracks from the memorable “Southern Comfort,” the album’s soulful and seductive journey includes excerpts from such celebrated scores as “Paris, Texas,” “The Border,” “The Long Riders” and “Johnny Handsome.”

Despite the renewed fascination with the blues, few contemporary artists do anything more than echo the masters. Cooder is the exception: someone with the purity and vision to actually push the tradition forward.

Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (e x cellent).