BB King...for a newbie

Second "Live at the Regal." Excellent recording and awesome performance. It comes in a recent remastered edition and an older Mobile Fidelity gold disc. I like the Mo-Fi for its slightly more natural sound, but the remaster is excellent as well (and A LOT cheaper).

Another vote for "Live at the Regal." There is a also a nice collection of Louis Jordan tunes that came out a few years ago, though I think it is only available on CD and sounds, well, very digital. My personal favorite is the early material (pre-1965) that features B.B.'s blistering guitar technique. Lots of B.B. material from all eras should be available, however, and it is ALL good.

I'd give 'Blues on the Bayou' a listen.

CD

"I Don't Want Nobody Hanging Around My House When I'm Not at Home" and "The Thrill is Gone" are two of his signature tunes and my Favorites. Try to at least have these two in your collection in any form.

On the topic of must have cuts:

"Why I Sing the Blues"