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Amazon.co.uk Review
Though this release carries the deceptive subtitle Another Record by Ry Cooder, the virtuosic guitarist and ethnomusicological adventurer has never released another album quite like this. And neither has anyone else. After brilliant side trips into the music of pre-Castro Cuba and pre-baseball Chavez Ravine, Cooder returns to the Depression-era and Dust Bowl ballads that marked his earliest solo releases of the 1970s. Yet most of this material is original, offering a populist parable of three fellow travelers: Buddy Red Cat, Lefty Mouse, and the Reverend Tom Toad. The tradition of putting pointed social commentary in the mouths of animals extends from Animal Farm to Pogo, and Buddy seems like a feline cross between Woody Guthrie and Joe Hill--a troubadour of union solidarity, interspecies brotherhood, and radical populism. Though Cooder's cartoon vocals occasionally sound a little mannered, the music throughout ranks with his best, as he reunites with conjunto accordion master Flaco Jimenez and soul singers Terry Evans and Bobby King, enlists banjo brothers Pete and Mike Seeger, and receives inspired support from the Chieftains' Paddy Moloney, pianist Van Dyke Parks, and drummers Jim Keltner and (his son) Joachim Cooder. Whether he's channeling his inner Chet Baker on "Green Dog" or closing with the utopian vision of "There's a Bright Side Somewhere," Cooder shows more sides of his multifaceted music than he has on any previous release. --Don McLeese
Review
Another rambling concept album from this serial collaborator, My Name Is Buddy is more coherent than Chavez Ravine (2005), just as lengthy and even more musically diverse, pretty well running the gamut of what Cooder calls 'American vernacular music'. While he almost sounded like a guest on his previous effort, here he's the lead character of a fractured, impressionistic narrative. He's making more use of his voice than on any of his work since the late '70s, albeit often disguised by treatments or vocal affectations, even sounding a bit like his old boss Captain Beefheart in places.
It's a brave man who kicks off an album with the words 'When I was still a kitten!' but this is Cooder as Buddy Red Cat, a naive young thing who sets out on a journey of (self) discovery with his friends Lefty Mouse and Reverend Tom Toad - a clear nod to Tom Joad of John Steinbeck and Woody Guthrie in this allegorical ode to long-vanished or perhaps dormant left-wing American values.
On first hearing, there's a preponderance of nursery rhyme-like melodies, probably because (as Cooder freely acknowledges) they're largely based on public domain material, including hymns; the rather churchy 'Cat and Mouse' suggests Warren Zevon in his more pious persona. The swampy Little-Feat-meets-the-Stones boogie of 'Three Chords And The Truth' is an obvious standout, and the lounge bar vibes of 'Green Dog' is an intriguing extended piece. It's also impressive the way the old-timey waltz of 'The Dying Truck Driver' segues into a Tex Mex waltz ('Christmas In Southgate', with Flaco Jiménez shining on accordion as one of many illustrious guests). Elsewhere, there's plunking bluegrass, gospel and more, plus plenty of wry tales with contemporary resonance, such as 'One Cat, One Vote, One Beer.'
It's an album that demands patience, as well as suspension of disbelief. The trick of using animals to get a political message across saves it from being too earnest, but by the umpteenth mention of the 'working man', you may be wondering what it is the rest of us (including wimmin!) do all day. All in all, My Name Is Buddy is easier to admire than actually enjoy. --Jon Lusk
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The problem I had with the last two Cooder-albums (Mambo Sinuendo and Chavez Ravine) was the fact I found them too elaborate; large ensembles, many instrumental ideas. This album is in line with the Ry Cooder I know (and love) from the early- to mid '70s! Most of the tracks have a blues-country-feel with hints of Tex Mex (Flaco Jimenez!)and Irish Folk (Paddy Moloney!). There are rockers (The Rolling Stones should be jealous of 'Three Chords and the Truth'!) and acoustic ballads. It's a concept-album about the travels and adventures of Buddy Red cat and his friends, complete with stories and illustrations...
This could be a very nice journey!
This could be a very nice journey!
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
With this new record, Ry Cooder returns to sounds and themes that he often explored on his first four Warner Bros albums (1970-1974). These are now considered as classics.
Ry Cooder's return to this kind of material is good news indeed if, like me, you have been less enthralled by the recorded output he came up with after the "Long Riders" (OST, 1980.) Actually, since that time, apart from the superb "Paris, Texas" (OST, 1989), and "Music By Ry Cooder" (1995 soundtrack collection), I must confess that his only other projects that I have thoroughly enjoyed from beginning to end are "A Meeting By The River" (1993) and - of course - "Buena Vista Social Club" (1997.) It should be added, though, that there was always something worthwhile on most everything he did release.
The material here is centred on topics related to the life of the poor folks living (sort of) in the USA at the time of the Great Depression, their incessant travels, their whereabouts in the work camps... as described by fictional characters. Boomers stories indeed which remind of Woody Guthrie (himself a Cooder favourite).
Cooder composed most of this material but it is firmly steeped in the old folk tradition (a tradition that Ry Cooder, always the ethnomusicologist supreme, intimately knows.) The lyrics show much more of a (left of centre) political stance than on Cooder's earlier recordings. Humour is also put to good use.
The tunes are of a consistently high quality, but, at this moment, I would single out "Suitcase in My Hand", "Red Cat Till I Die" and "The Dying Truck Driver."
The production and musicianship are, predictably, superb.
Alongside long-time acolytes like Jim Keltner, Flaco Jimenez, Bobby King, Terry Evans and Van Dyke Parks, there are appearances by banjoists Mike and Pete Seeger as well as by the Chieftains' Paddy Maloney.
This album is a gem on a par with the best previous Cooder offerings. It is a must if you already enjoy Ry Cooder's early albums.
Ry Cooder's return to this kind of material is good news indeed if, like me, you have been less enthralled by the recorded output he came up with after the "Long Riders" (OST, 1980.) Actually, since that time, apart from the superb "Paris, Texas" (OST, 1989), and "Music By Ry Cooder" (1995 soundtrack collection), I must confess that his only other projects that I have thoroughly enjoyed from beginning to end are "A Meeting By The River" (1993) and - of course - "Buena Vista Social Club" (1997.) It should be added, though, that there was always something worthwhile on most everything he did release.
The material here is centred on topics related to the life of the poor folks living (sort of) in the USA at the time of the Great Depression, their incessant travels, their whereabouts in the work camps... as described by fictional characters. Boomers stories indeed which remind of Woody Guthrie (himself a Cooder favourite).
Cooder composed most of this material but it is firmly steeped in the old folk tradition (a tradition that Ry Cooder, always the ethnomusicologist supreme, intimately knows.) The lyrics show much more of a (left of centre) political stance than on Cooder's earlier recordings. Humour is also put to good use.
The tunes are of a consistently high quality, but, at this moment, I would single out "Suitcase in My Hand", "Red Cat Till I Die" and "The Dying Truck Driver."
The production and musicianship are, predictably, superb.
Alongside long-time acolytes like Jim Keltner, Flaco Jimenez, Bobby King, Terry Evans and Van Dyke Parks, there are appearances by banjoists Mike and Pete Seeger as well as by the Chieftains' Paddy Maloney.
This album is a gem on a par with the best previous Cooder offerings. It is a must if you already enjoy Ry Cooder's early albums.
28 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I honestly do not understand the first review of this album. Anyone who does not understand the allegorical nature of "My Name Is Buddy" must be the kind of persion who thinks George Orwell's classic tale of Stalinist Russia, Animal Farm, is a poor kind of children's story.
Cooder can fairly claim to be the living guardian of dust-bowl Americana. This is a finely crafted album which takes us back to Cooder's acoustic roots. There is an authentic feel to the tracks with some very fine playing in Cooder's instantly recognisable style - be it on guitar, bajo sexto or mandolin. On many tracks Cooder collaborates with Flaco Jiminez (acordian) and one of the best drummers around, in my humble opinion, Jim Keltner. For those who are impressed by such things, Peter and Mike Seeger add some lovely banjo flourishes.
This is a story, from start to finish. You need to listen to it carefully and read the beautifully presented notes in order to truly benefit from the experience but if you only dip in and out of it you will still admire the stylish, tasteful music. Incidentally, do NOT buy this album via iTunes - you really, really need the CD package to enjoy this experience to its full and when you hold it in your hands you'll understand why you need it.
I think Ry Cooder must be on a mission to give something back to his loyal fan base. Both this album and his previous, Chavez Ravine, appear to have been made for the pure joy of reliving history and telling a story. They have also come with extensive liner notes and beautiful packaging. And at a fair price. Kinda makes you wonder exactly why many popular CDs come with nothing and cost double, doesn't it?
My personal recommendation, if you have young children in particlar, is buy this album and read the story from the liner notes to them while they listen to the music. Although it is not a children's story, what child could not resist the imaginative use of animals as a way of making history accessible? Perhaps only an adult who thinks Animal Farm is for kids?
Cooder can fairly claim to be the living guardian of dust-bowl Americana. This is a finely crafted album which takes us back to Cooder's acoustic roots. There is an authentic feel to the tracks with some very fine playing in Cooder's instantly recognisable style - be it on guitar, bajo sexto or mandolin. On many tracks Cooder collaborates with Flaco Jiminez (acordian) and one of the best drummers around, in my humble opinion, Jim Keltner. For those who are impressed by such things, Peter and Mike Seeger add some lovely banjo flourishes.
This is a story, from start to finish. You need to listen to it carefully and read the beautifully presented notes in order to truly benefit from the experience but if you only dip in and out of it you will still admire the stylish, tasteful music. Incidentally, do NOT buy this album via iTunes - you really, really need the CD package to enjoy this experience to its full and when you hold it in your hands you'll understand why you need it.
I think Ry Cooder must be on a mission to give something back to his loyal fan base. Both this album and his previous, Chavez Ravine, appear to have been made for the pure joy of reliving history and telling a story. They have also come with extensive liner notes and beautiful packaging. And at a fair price. Kinda makes you wonder exactly why many popular CDs come with nothing and cost double, doesn't it?
My personal recommendation, if you have young children in particlar, is buy this album and read the story from the liner notes to them while they listen to the music. Although it is not a children's story, what child could not resist the imaginative use of animals as a way of making history accessible? Perhaps only an adult who thinks Animal Farm is for kids?
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great CD
This is another great CD by RY Cooder , all tracks are good with plenty of meaning some political others simply life , and bring back memories for us driving the roads and tunnels... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Liontracker
Play to your strengths please Ry....
For me Ry Cooder is at his fantastic best when hes displaying his considerable technical skill and proving himself to be one of the best guitarists around, certainly the no 1 slide... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Ian R
My Name Is Buddy
It was a present for my mum and she loves it. She's a Ry Coder fan, but hadn't heard this album. It arrived quickly and the cover's good.
Published on 13 Oct 2009 by Gail
Ry's Journey
After hearing/reading/listening to this album absolutely spellbound, I was left with tears in my eyes as the final song, "There's a bright side somewhere", was playing. Read more
Published on 4 July 2008 by Mr. Peter Gage
an old red cat - and how!
if a cat took human form, joined the IWW and went on the road, this is what his songbook would sound like. i'm guessing ry cooder didn't vote for dubya? Read more
Published on 28 Dec 2007 by Ms. Fiona Allen
A Mature Classic
I love this record. I have all the others and really enjoy the range on this album as it covers most of his musical adventures. Read more
Published on 25 Nov 2007 by Burnie
OK, Good, Brilliant or, some of the above?
I think you'll either love it or hate it. Old fashioned country style protest / working man / story songs. Read more
Published on 6 Sep 2007 by AfterTheEvent
Complete an utter rubbish!!!!
On the strength of the revues i purchased this CD, on listening to this CD i found it quite boring! Very dissapointed, complete rubbish!!! Read more
Published on 3 July 2007 by Mr. W. Kirkham
RY COODER AT HIS FINEST - YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO UNDERSTAND!
I can appreciate where some of the critics of this album are coming from - especially if they wanted "Classic Cooder". Read more
Published on 27 Jun 2007 by Robert Hewitt
Dissapointed again
I guess Ry has moved away from what his fans really like. Like one of the other writers I go back to the Rising Suns with Taj Mahal and what we picked up on was the really great... Read more
Published on 31 May 2007 by Roy Middleton
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