User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

My Name Is Buddy
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
My Name Is Buddy Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 16 Ratings

  • Summary: Van Dyke Parks and Pete Seeger are among the guests on the guitarist's rustic 17-song effort, which is told from the perspective of a cat, a mouse, and a toad(!).

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Observer Music Monthly
    100
    It adds up to a light-hearted, sometimes poignant elegy for the American working man and his music.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    88
    Although serious themes are threaded throughout, it's light compared with Cooder's last work, the "Chavez Ravine" account of cultural displacement, politics and baseball. Maybe for that very reason, this is a better listen.
  3. Boston Globe
    80
    The music can be enjoyed apart from the story, but either way, this is a must-have for true Cooder fans.
  4. Paste Magazine
    70
    This is not a record meant for parsing, though there are certainly some standout tracks... Instead it's meant to be consumed like you would a favorite book. [May 2007, p.64]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Q Magazine
    70
    Another of Cooder's worthy experiments. [Apr 2007, p.117]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Hartford Courant
    60
    Although the folk songs fit the theme of the album, they don't showcase Cooder's skills as a composer.
  7. NOW Magazine
    40
    Whether anyone outside of the NPR listening audience actually gives a shit about what clever socio-political points Cooder is trying to make metaphorically is difficult to say.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. ALBERTH
    Mar 11, 2007
    10
    Cartoon perfect.
  2. peterh
    Mar 12, 2007
    10
    Fantastic record it´s been a long wait
  4. RainerS
    Mar 19, 2007
    10
    It's nice to see Ry Cooder return to the Purple Valley, albeit with a little less pizzazz. People denouncing Buddy as cutesy should take It's nice to see Ry Cooder return to the Purple Valley, albeit with a little less pizzazz. People denouncing Buddy as cutesy should take a refresher course in humor and remember that it never hurts to put your tongue in your cheek once in a while (mind you, not all the time). And if you still think it's that bad, you can always tune out the lyrics. The music can hold its own any day.… Expand
  5. JasonK
    Mar 26, 2007
    9
    Wonderful imagery, but requires multiple listens. This album has really grown on me unlike anything recently. Just the first cut is worth Wonderful imagery, but requires multiple listens. This album has really grown on me unlike anything recently. Just the first cut is worth owning the album for, but after 10 listens I prefer to hear the whole darn thing. The artwork is stunning as well...hope they put out a vinyl version with larger prints. Unique, charming, full of humor, topical and great for driving. I really love this album. Thanks Ry!… Expand
  6. MickT
    Mar 28, 2007
    8
    This is a great album because it is a vision brought to life, and done so with great skill and care for the nuances in music..tone and space This is a great album because it is a vision brought to life, and done so with great skill and care for the nuances in music..tone and space and melody. This album captures the essence of Ry Cooder, but is not like other Ry albums. This is more like a story-scape. It's refreshing to hear an artist make a statement they want to and not pander to what they have done, or what people expect them to do. This is querky, skillfull and soulful...Ry Cooder. Yes, selfishly I would like to see more songs like Sundown Town and 3 Chords and the truth, but he gives me something else..he lets us into his imagination and view of contemporary music.… Expand
  7. mikes.
    Mar 7, 2007
    6
    an overrated release, not as accessible as his last album, less polished and melodies aren't as catchy. I think because ry cooder is an an overrated release, not as accessible as his last album, less polished and melodies aren't as catchy. I think because ry cooder is an icon he's getting unwarranted praise from critics. His last album was fantastic one of the best albums of the year, this time around songwriting is still solid but overall just an average release.… Expand
  8. jodro
    Mar 8, 2007
    5
    Please can we get real for a moment and leave the politically correct

See all 8 User Reviews

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 If I don't make it, I love u - Still House Plants
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
91 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
90 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 All Born Screaming - St. Vincent
88 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
87 Bright Future - Adrianne Lenker
87 Bite Down - Rosali
All Current Music »