My Name Is Buddy

Released in 2007, 'My Name Is Buddy' represents a pivotal moment in Ry Cooder's late-career 'California Trilogy' (though it stands somewhat apart as a historical fable). The album follows the adventures of Buddy Red Cat, Lefty Mouse, and Reverend Tom Toad as they navigate the social and political landscape of 20th-century America. Musically, Cooder moves away from the Cuban and African collaborations that defined his 1990s output, returning to the 'Old-Timey' American roots music of his youth. He enlisted legends like Paddy Moloney, Van Dyke Parks, and Mike & Pete Seeger to provide an authentic folk and bluegrass backbone. The record was notable for its elaborate packaging - a small book containing stories and illustrations for each track - emphasizing its nature as a multimedia historical document. Critics praised its ambitious storytelling and the way Cooder used folk traditions to address contemporary political anxieties through a historical lens.