Cooder has described it as the second in a trilogy that began with Chávez Ravine and concluded with I, Flathead.

[1] The album is packaged in a small booklet that includes a brief story and drawing to accompany each song.

Both the songs and the stories relate tales from the viewpoint of the characters, Buddy Red Cat, Lefty Mouse, and Reverend Tom Toad.

The liner notes ask listeners/readers to join them as they "Journey through time and space in days of labor, big bosses, farm failures, strikes, company cops, sundown towns, hobos, and trains... the America of yesteryear."

My Name is Buddy was widely reviewed in the mainstream media to a generally favorable reception (earning a score of 76 out of 100 at Metacritic)[3] The album was particularly well received, however, in folk music circles, becoming a cover feature in Sing Out!