The Roscoe Mitchell Quartet In Walked Buckner (Delmark, 1999)
by Micah Holmquist
January 14, 2000

Roscoe Mitchell: Piccolo flute, baroque flute, bass recorder, clarinet, soprano, alto, tenor saxophones, small bells, and whistles.
Jodie Christian: Piano and small bells.
Reggie Workman: Bass, small percussion, and whistle.
Albert "Tootie" Heath: Drums, Egyptian flute, didgeridoo, and small percussion.

http://www.delmark.com/delmark.home.htm

A quick glance at the line up suggests that In Walked Buckner will be a hard driving affair. Some tracks, such as the title cut, do fit that description but most remain abstract and full of loose ends. Sometimes Roscoe Mitchell sums up these threads with a blazing saxophone solo but he allows others to just hang out there.

The common quality is that Mitchell is the dominant voice on all 8 cuts. Jodie Christian, Reggie Workman, and Albert "Tootie" Heath all put in some fine playing but fail to stand out save for the coloring that they do of Mitchell’s parts. Mitchell is a talented enough of a player so that his governing of the tracks does not appear destructive. His solos are all intricate and interesting, even if a few do go on a bit too long. Mitchell varies things up, in part, by switching between the saxophone family, the flute, the recorder, and the clarinet. The result is a fun mix that stands out for its quality.

Unfortunately the lack of impact by the backing musicians does create an Achilles heel. This disc lacks consistency or thematic direction. Usually the chemistry between the musicians is a fine substitute for situations when consistency or direction is missing. But when that does not exist, as it doesn’t here, a disc is likely to just be there and remain inaccessible. This is what happens on In Walked Buckner and it takes away from what could have been a great disc. The linear notes suggest that this is not the last word from this quartet so perhaps direction and/or chemistry will exist the next time.

Return to Digital Pudding
Return January 2000
Return to listings by subject
Return to listings by month
Return to The International Home of Micah T. Holmquist